Best bars in Des Moines area

Erik4Cy

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Jan 22, 2007
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Johnston, IA
www.cyclones.com
Places that haven't been mentioned (El Bait/High Life are my favorites)

Carl's
Cooney's
Library
Shorty's
Greenwood Lounge
Alpine Tap
Locust Tap


If you like to drink, go to these places.

I usually like me some dive bars and had friends talk highly of this place, but man, after going I just could not find myself liking that place. It is not so much a dive as a just a downright **** hole with interesting past/location/crappy service. I'd rather go to the Beechwood Lounge if near those streets.
 

azhuth09

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Jun 6, 2012
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Des Moines, IA
Good ones so far. An idea though...start at The Greenwood (Ingersoll) and head toward downtown. Grab a beer at every bar on the way, and see how far you get. There are a ton of 'holes' down that street. Good bars tho.

This is a great idea since I think that's the area that we were shooting for. Especially because it sounds like el bait shop is the place to end up.
 

CysRage

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Oct 18, 2009
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The Exchange is one of the most unique bars I have been too. It's like a stock market. The more of a drink that sells, the more the prices increase. The drinks not selling a lot go down in price. There are LED scrolls across the entire bar that lists the prices.

If you want to rage, Wellman's Rooftop is a lot of fun too.
 

enisthemenace

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Dec 5, 2009
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Runnells, IA
Kelley's Little Nipper

:jimlad: I am 100% joking here. I was almost killed going into this place. My only offenses:

1. I walked in with a blond friend
2. I spoke english
 

clone26

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Jan 30, 2009
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www.explorethemetro.com
Blazing saddle is a gay bar for anyone that didn't get that joke by dosryI love El Bait/Highlife and Hessen too. Haven't been yet, but would like to go to Up-Down (retro arcade style gaming bar from owners of Wooly's) in East Village.
I went to Up-Down on Saturday and I'll be back. Craft brews and 80's - 90's video games. Mario Kart 64 on the projector as well.
 

Cpech56

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Aug 12, 2012
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6:00-9:00 Chicken Coop for Grub and ISU game
9:00-10:30 Gas Lamp for some good live music
10:30-12:00 Carls Place (within walking distance of Gas Lamp)
12:00-1:00 Hessen Haus for Das Boot
1:00-1:45 Beer Can Alley (pretty good eye candy here and you guys will be feeling no pain)
1:45-Fongs Pizza

Taxi it up from Carls place to Hessen Haus (probably $8ish). Taxi line downtown is on 3rd and Court. Dont **** in public amd dont beat up the guy in the kilt. If you guys can remember your night I'd love to hear about it. Regardless of where you go, have fun!
 
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cyclonesurveyor

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Jan 26, 2009
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Fort Collins, CO
this saturday night the place to be will be Mullets, at least for me. the bike iowa / oakley night cap race. bike racing, beers, bands and babes (no guarantees on their rating on the Vicky Mendoza Diagonal).

[video=youtube_share;4wps7EdrMR8]http://youtu.be/4wps7EdrMR8[/video]
 

alarson

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Mar 15, 2006
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Ankeny
A lot of good bars mentioned. I'll also add Bradleys (on 50th in wdm, just south of 235) as one of my favorites.
 

The_Architect

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Apr 11, 2006
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Brecks has the hottest bartenders around and it's also the best bar in the history of the universe.