Wow, fancy pants new events space just south of downtown! I…read morewas invited to the DSM MAGAZINE cover unveiling party, so I thought I would check it out! Little did I know there was going to be free food and drinks in a new fancy pants events space.. The River Center is set up perfect for an event like this! Lots of space upstairs and down stairs, and also fun outdoor space! The River Center had bar set up in all three locations as well, up/down, and outside! The staff was super nice and were super accommodating! I got to check out the upstairs bathroom cause naturally I brought my son ( bad idea?) and he had to go! Bathrooms were super nice, the food looks fab (again my son ate like 5 fancy cookies) and the space and sound system worked really well! If you were going to have a huge wedding, prom, or a big corporate event, this would be a great spot to do it.. It's fancy without being, to fancy. It got lots of parking around it, and it's close to other fun restaurants and bars, and the baseball stadium if you need to venture out and eat more food since you didn't get to eat 5 cookies like your kid.

Had a work event there. Food was good and staff were friendly. Very pretty inside too!read more

My bridesmaids and I got ready here in October before my wedding. There were 7 of us, and there was…read moreplenty of space for us all in the seating area. There was PLENTY of space for our hair and makeup and the lighting was great! I loved that there was a little dining area in the back for us to keep drinks and bagels so we could eat breakfast and drink mimosas while getting pampered!! We were able to hook our phones up to the sound system to play our own playlists while we got ready too, which was such a good vibe for the morning of my wedding. I was also REALLY impressed with the customer service - we had a bit of a mix up while booking, and Samantha was INCREDIBLY accommodating. The space was SO cute and felt so special :)

From the owner: Bridal Suite Rentals read more

I attended a work event at the Nature Lodge today. The room we used was able to access a very large…read moregroup (over 50) comfortably. Large windows brought in plenty of natural light. There was a large rolling rack for coats by the door. The entrance was welcoming with large seasonal planter. Parking was convenient and seemed to manage our group. Forgot to take pictures but will add some next time I am there.

This place is honestly magical. We've talked about going to the Des Moines Botanical Garden for…read moreyears and just never made the time. We finally went during the holidays, and I'm so glad we did. Everything was decorated beautifully, the self-guided walk was easy, and there were photo opportunities everywhere. It was busy with families, but the timed ticketing really worked -- it never felt packed or overwhelming, which I appreciated. Going on a snowy, cold night actually made it even better. It felt cozy, festive, and kind of special. They also have concessions with drinks for kids and adults (with or without alcohol), which was a nice surprise. There's a restaurant inside called Flora that's reservation-only, plus brunch options. We also saw the little igloo huts you can reserve for dinner or small groups (I think around 8 people), which looked really fun -- definitely want to look into that more. Parking was free, and if you want to make it more of an experience, you can even ride the trolley over from the East Village. Overall, this was easily a 10/10 for us. Can't believe it took us this long to go -- we'll definitely be back.

While in town, my friend and I visited the Botanical Garden. The location is easy to get to and the…read morecomplimentary parking was great. The gift shop was adorable. They had so many cute things. The staff at the shop sold the tickets and was very nice. The woman at the entrance was very kind as well. She offered a ton of information enthusiastically. As we walked around, everything was displayed beautifully. All of the flowers and plants were well cared for. I kept smelling chocolate and then realized they were having a chocolate event. I was impressed with the many event spaces. Overall, it is definitely worth a visit.

This venue looks like it will hold about 150 people comfortably. It has been decorated with…read morerustily chic... it is relatively casual. They also have a few cute sitting areas with chairs and couches if you want to have a private conversation. I believe that you are able to bring in any caterer you want. They also have a portico for easy pick on and drop off. If you are looking for a convenient place to hold a mid-size event you should check this place out...

This is a new entertainment space. Very fresh and clean. Has a rustic charm. Crystal chandlers…read moreline the ceiling. Plenty of close parking spots. A very large bar. A great space for a small wedding or gathering. The room was set with tables of eight with cozy conversation corners.

I didn't realize how long it had been since I'd reviewed Aposto, so I didn't snap any pics, but I…read morecan completely affirm my 5-star rating. We arrived a couple of hours before our event at Hoyt Sherman, which is right down the street, so that we could have a leisurely experience. We were seated at one of the tables by a front window, so we had a nice view of both the lovely inside and the front lawn. My wife avoids cow dairy, so the staff was great about making sure each dish she got was adjusted to her liking. She got the cardini salad for her starter, a wonderfully fresh assortment of veggies. She then opted for the cavatelli (sans cheese), and it was wonderful homemade pasta and a great blend of sausage and sauce. I got the gnocchi, which was just as delightful. Beautiful pillows of gnocchi with a tasty lightly spiced curry sauce. We topped off our meal by sharing the chocolate torte, and it was a wonderful finish to the meal. They have a pretty thorough wine list which is tilted toward Italian wines. Those aren't my fav, so I got a martini, which was fantastic! My wife got the prosecco, which was fairly dry, which was what she was aiming for. Service was attentive, friendly, and overall exceptional. This will not be your least expensive meal in the area, but I always feel like I get value out of my overall experience.

This is my second time dining at Aposto, it was time for a review! I've been once in the Summer and…read morenow this time during winter- I mention this because their menu is ever seasonally changing. Which is a great thing! They do a small limited menu, everything is fresh and locally sourced which I loved. Set in an old Victorian home in historic Sherman Hills area of Des Moines this place is quiet, small on the inside with a homey romantic vibe. Tyler at the bar is amazing at what he does as a mixologist. My husband commented it was the best old fashioned he'd ever had! Our service was wonderful, paced very well. We felt we had enough time to chat, eat and take the ambiance in! A wonderful place for a date night, a celebration or a night out! Parking is limited to the street, no meters. But during busier times you might have to park farther away and walk a few blocks. Definitely a must do in Des Moines!

It's a beautiful space for a great price. The owners are responsive to email and text messages…read more Unfortunately, they have too many restrictions for the space to work for the high school graduation party I was hoping to have there. They did not seem very keen to having a DJ playing music, but teenagers don't want to dance to their playlists, they want DJs. I was hoping I could put the DJ in the big room so there would be plenty of space to dance. Unfortunately, they don't allow dancing in that space. They wanted to set up the DJ at the back entrance, at space that has a hole in the middle of the floor with plants coming out of it. It's also about half the size of the big room. Teenagers are self-conscious enough, and don't need to have people walking into the event at the same space where they are trying to dance. If they had been more flexible with allowing dancing in the big room, it would have been the perfect setting because they allow you to bring your own food and they have a separate space to set it up, away from the big room. Oh well, it didn't work out for me but it's still a cool event space.

From the owner: You may rent the first floor of the Thoreau Center for your important events and celebrations,…read moreincluding: Office Meetings and Retreats Graduation Receptions Anniversaries Birthday Parties Retirement Events Weddings and Rehearsal Dinners Celebrations of Life Educational Meetings Fundraising Events Musical Events Customer Appreciation Meetings

Really beautiful spot, excellent food! Service was very good, they even made a special meal for me…read morebecause I have major allergies issues and I'm also really picky.

From the owner: The Conservatory is conveniently located in the heart of Des Moines' East Village. Within blocks…read moreof some of the best restaurants, shops, and entertainment. The event center is comprised of a 5000sf ballroom that can be used as a large gathering space for a wedding, corporate event, or party or it can accommodate executive meetings, classes, and small groups that range in size and setup. The Conservatory can accommodate events for over 275 guests seating and over 421 for standing/cocktail setup. It provides the comforts of an inhouse bar, many catering options and, lighting/decor options, and a staff specially attuned to the unique needs of weddings clients, meeting planners, and all types of guests and attendees.​

I attended the Jasper Winery wine and Cider fest because I had a number of friends that were going…read moreto be there. I had a great time but I am giving this a 3 star sole because the value for my money was not there. With the Event Brite fees it was $55. Sure, we could have unlimited samples of wine and cider over the course of three hours, but all those samples wear to entice people to make additional purchases. Music, tours, cheese samples and tasting glass were included in the price. Anyway, I had a lovely time with friends I just can't get past spending so much to attend.

Summer Concert Series is a must if you're in the Des Moines area!! Pricing for wine, beer, and…read moreciders are similar to most other places but the atmosphere is pretty special! Once you're nestled behind their grape vines you forget that you're so close to downtown Des Moines. As for the concert, it was AMAZING! So much fun, so much space for people to spread out and enjoy the music, drinks, and food! You can also bring your own food if you'd like but the food options they have amongst the food trucks and vendors was really well balanced. Jasper staff was friendly and they had a nice selection of wines. Well done Jasper Winery! We'll be back for sure!