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    Whiskey River

    3.1 (52 reviews)
    InexpensiveSports Bars, American
    Closed 10:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

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    WHISKEY RIVER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Very loud
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Front of Whiskey River
    Jaclyn P.

    Good dive bar on Main Street in Ames. There are not a lot of options for the 30 and over crowd to go drink and have a conversation in Ames. There are more bars now then there used to be for the 30 and over crowd so it's getting better but everyone who comes to Ames should have a drink at Whiskey. There's always an eclectic group of people at this bar. It's not totally preppy and it's not totally white trash but it's a mix of everyone. Always a good time is had at Whiskey.

    Kristyn M.

    This was my first stop here. My main thought with any bar... is .. "yup just another busy bar." I got the busy part right, however I was pleasantly surprised overall how helpful and attentive the bar staff was. YELPERS: don't forget to check in and get your yummy Apple pie shot! My husbands company invaded this bar after an outing. We took over the pool table and just about every other table in the place. I could see the bar tenders rushing to get food started and kept the drinks a flowing. We made our way back to a table that was close to another entrance way opposite of the main street doors. Lots of TVs and all different types of decorations and craziness going on. I did like the funky blue stools with backs at the bar. We had already gotten our first round, but as we sat and talked the ladies came around and checked on us numerous times. The boys weren't complaining one bit as the lady's were dressed to be pleasing to the eyes. When we didn't need anything but they did not forget about us. I watched them make their way back behind the bar, serve drinks and food and then again later came back to check on us again as they cleared tables and seats around us. I was really impressed when I watched one make this GIGANTIC drink. I wasn't sure what she put in it, but there was at least two full bottles of something. Multiple giant straws were in there. I was lucky enough that I was able to get her to pause a second to get a picture of this monster drink. Everyone said it was good, but that's a little much for me. We didnt order any food, but I saw a few different bar meals served. Overall, I was happy with my experience here. The wait staff really made it a enjoyable outing.

    Pork tenderloin sandwich and sweet potato fries- yummy!
    Irina F.

    Cool place to stop by to get a drink and a bite to eat! Bartenders made a very refreshing cucumber something drink. Very delicious! We ordered one of the famous pork tenderloin sandwiches! It was huge and tasted delicious! Interesting place with many locals patrons!

    Matt E.

    Whiskey River is back baby! After a hiatus of several years, Whiskey River has returned to downtown Ames. There's been a substantial renovation, but much of the character remains albeit new and different. Even though it's only been open a few weeks this place looks like it's been open for a long time. Fantastic neon sign. They've got an interesting menu with many bar-food staples with some interesting twists. You can get an Vienna beef hot dog topped with pulled pork ( the closest thing I've seen in comparison with the famous KC BBQ Dog at the Sprint Center) or Mac N' Cheese. The previous incarnation of Whiskey River was well known for their burgers so I opted to see if these burgers would inherit the legacy of its' predecessor. I had the Cowboy Burger: topped with onion rings, bacon and pepperjack cheese.These are very good burgers, with an expertly cooked patty. Very satisying but lacking some accoutrements. It would be launched in to the stratosphere with the addition of a buttered toasted bun, lettuce and tomato. Sure to be one of my favorite burger n' beer places for long time to come, this is the fulfillment of a well-thought, quirky plan for the return of an Ames classic! Big thumbs up.

    The bar upstairs
    Tarun M.

    This is one bar to go if you like pool, cheap beer, live bands, fun conversation, spacious environment. I never same so many pool tables at the same place. Plus the beer is local and cheap based on the fact that you would have never heard of their names. Overall the place is great to chill with friends.

    Pepper Jack Cheeseballs $9 worth of cheeseballs? No way. Over cooked and over priced, will not be ordering again.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Whiskey River

    Review Highlights - Whiskey River

    My girlfriend had a pulled pork sandwich, which she also thoroughly enjoyed.

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    Wallaby's Bar & Grille - Don's Okoboji Fish

    Wallaby's Bar & Grille

    3.2(127 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    Good vibes. Burger was good, a little charred on outside which made me frown. Food came fast…read more Cheese curds were elite

    I just left your restaurant. I have to say it was the worst service I have had in many years. The…read morehostess downstairs was great. She gave us menus n sent us upstairs as we wanted to sit outside. The waitress upstairs was chatting with a co worker sitting at the bar, told us to sit anywhere but a dirty table she hadn't cleared yet. She came over took our drink order then cleared a table before bringing our drink. Then after awhile took our food order ( steak quesadilla n artichoke dip off the happy hour). She didn't ask if we wanted it off HAppy hour or main...... hostess from downstairs. Rough foid up. Our server upstairs is still chatting with coworker at bar. We are almost done eating n server from upstairs ask if we need anything. We said napkins.. she brought them over n left. After finishing our food 15 minutes go by she finally asks if we need a drink . We said no just the bill. Our bill is not happy hour prices on food just drink. She comes over to collect $, we asked about why we are charged so much for our food as we ordered off the happy hour. She said "oh I didn't know. " not - oh I forgot to ask or anything.... No I'm sorry or dang- I'll take it off. Wtf is wrong with her? Terrible n I will post this everywhere .

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    Jethro's BBQ - Ribs and Boneless Wings Combo

    Jethro's BBQ

    3.4(93 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    We stopped here on a whim making our way through Iowa on a road trip. I was looking for a good…read moreplace that could fill my family and keep them full for a while so we could keep driving. From other Yelp reviews, this place looked like a good place to try. Walking in, it first reminds you of a dive bar and staff were a little slow to seat us on a Thursday lunch but once we got our seats, service was speedier and we were eating soon enough. Service was attentive and our waitress made sure we had things taken care of. The best bang for your buck (or at least for my family of five) was ordering the family sampler platter. We got an assortment of meats including pulled pork, brisket, sausage, and chicken. We also tried the baked beans, mac and cheese, and waffle fries. Portions for the sampler are huge and filled us all up with a little extra left over. The BBQ was really good, just what we were wanting. You can't have good BBQ without good sauce (my opinion) and Jethro's had an assortment to find just the right one for the meat/entrée you were eating. Definitely a great stop, I'm glad we took a small detour to find this location.

    Tried the challenge sandwich (not trying the challenge). Delicious and more than any 4 people…read morereally should eat. Every part was amazing! I ate the pork and my Mac and cheese there, and that was enough to make me full. The leftovers that I took home after this, filled a catering pan! I ate three more days on that one sandwich.

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    Whiskey River - sportsbars - Updated May 2026

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