Timeline
16:24
The Royal Mile Bar and The Red Monk
Pick a seat at The Royal Mile Bar and The Red Monk. With nearly 30 drafts on tap, it is the perfect spot to grab an imported beer and watch the afternoon crowd thin out. The urban setting is lively but not overwhelming before the evening rush.
16:59
Walk to the Midland Financial Building. Stand in the plaza and face west. By 16:26 the golden light is already washing the brickwork in warm tones, and by 17:09 the sun dips below the horizon toward the WSW. This is the moment the historic facade shifts from bright to shadow.
17:29
Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Co
Head to Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Co. for dinner. You are just a short walk from the square. The on-site beers pair well with the delicious food, and the outdoor patio is available if the air is still crisp. The happy hour window closes at 7 PM, so you are right on time for the transition to full evening service.
Local tip
The Royal Mile and Court Avenue are both within a few minutes of the Midland Financial Building, keeping the walk short and focused on the light.
Check before you go
- The Royal Mile is open until 2 AM on weekdays.
- Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Co. is open until midnight Sun-Thu, and 2 AM Fri-Sat (Nov-Apr) or 2 AM (May-Oct).
- Happy Hour at Court Avenue is Mon-Fri 4 PM-7 PM.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Des Moines (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).