Des Moines

Bellhop

Neighborhood tiki bar atmosphere and a mid-century modern Palm Springs resort aesthetic.

Big Grove Brewery

Big brewpub whose dining room was once the showroom of the largest Chevrolet dealer in Des Moines. They kept the big glass windows but replaced the shiny Impalas with a central bar serving the brewery's mostly ale-styles, sours, and seltzers. They do a line of IPAs that are variations on their "Eddy" brand. The best brews are their malty dark beers, when they're available: their coffee stout is luxuriously smooth.

Daily 11AM-10PM

Confluence Brewing Company

Large microbrewery whose canned beers are carried in Hy-Vee stores throughout the area, as well as by many bars and restaurants. The brewery has a taproom that welcomes visitors to sample just about everything they brew, including rarer small batch styles and special bottlings of barrel aged beers. The brewery is known for its excellent quality control and its ability to brew both ales and the more technically demanding larger styles. A large outdoor patio deck overlooks a hiking and biking trail that runs between downtown and nearby Grays Lake.

Daily 2-10PM

Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Co

CABCO

Beers made on-site are featured and are the only ones available (Bud Light addicts need not enter). Live music a few nights a week, including jazz. The food is equally delicious. Outdoor patio and gluten-free menu available. Martini specials on Saturdays.

Sun-Thu 11AM-midnight, (Nov-Apr) Fri Sat 11AM-2AM, (May-Oct) 9AM-2AM. Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4PM-7PM·$4 drinks, lunch from $9, $15-30 dinner

Ernie's Boondock

Bar in the East Village with vintage decor and small-town atmosphere located in the former Daniel Brothers Super Service Station, built in 1929.

Exile Brewing Company

Brewpub and microbrewery in a historic warehouse, brews a wide range of both ale and lager styles. Casual bar with outdoor patio and a large indoor dining room for dinner. The best beers tend to be their German-style seasonal beers, including dark lagers, a nutty-sweet marzen style (Octoberfest), and similar beers. They also produce a line of hard seltzers. Live music Sunday afternoons starting at 5pm.

Tue-Sun 10AM-10PM, closed Mon

Gong Fu Tea

Lots of tea pots and bulk tea available as well. Very clean establishment.

Mon-Fri 7AM-6PM, Sat 7AM-5PM, closed Sun

Hessen Haus

If you order a pint, the whole place will look at you and ask, "What's wrong?" so it's best to get a half-liter. Although they do serve the mass-produced American standbys the reason it's popular is for the more than 15 German beers they offer. Serve wine and a full array of cocktails and traditional German food, too.

Iowa Tap Room

A "must visit" for drinkers who want to experience Iowa beer in one place since the bar features beers and ciders from every craft brewery in the state of Iowa (even from far-flung places like Dubuque). The center area of the bar is a formidable "turret of taps" with more than 100 draft brews available. The menu focuses on down-home country cooking with specialties like bread pork chops with big desserts like a decadent bread pudding.

Daily 11AM - 10PM

Star Bar

Featuring plenty of snack foods (BBQ chicken spring rolls $8), sandwiches (Niman Ranch Jambon Royale $10), and plates such as New York Strip ($20). Outdoor seating available.

Mon-Fri 11AM-2AM, Sat 9AM-2AM, Sun 9AM-midnight·Martinis from $7

The Royal Mile Bar and The Red Monk

This is the place to go on Court Avenue if you want a good urban setting and a multitude of imported draft and bottled beers to from which to choose--nearly 30 on tap and over 100 bottled brews. More than 85 varieties of Scotch whisky as well. Downstairs is the English pub, Royal Mile, while upstairs is the Belgian themed Red Monk, with a wide variety of Belgian imports, including Trappist ales.

Mon-Fri 11AM-2AM, Sat 8AM-2Mon, Sun 10AM-2AM. Happy Hour Sun-Tue 9PM-midnight·$8-15

Twisted Vine Brewery

The second incarnation of Twisted Vine is in a restored historic building in the East End. They brew about a dozen beers, both ales and lagers, and also have a full bar with mixed drinks and guest ciders. The tastiest brew is a hefty Belgian Triple. They also do a nice, malty porter and if you're lucky, they'll have their unusual white stout.

Fri-Sat 11:00 - 23:00, Mon-Thu 3pm - 10pm, Sun 1pm - 8pm·$10

Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure

Features local art displayed around the coffee house. Great spot to sit and drink a cup or talk, study. Sit at the coffee bar or a table. Serves great breakfast. Sells their amazing beans as well so you can enjoy their coffee at home. Very friendly to all walks of life. Also provides catering services and can be reserved for private parties and meetings. You can also order their beans online or over the phone to be shipped.

Mon-Thu 7AM-9PM, Fri Sat 7AM-11PM, Sun 8AM-6PM·$2-7

el Bait Shop/High Life Lounge

List of 105 beers via tap or bottle from a lot of west coast brewers not so popular in Iowa. Mexican and BBQ fare available, as well as a working shower. Rent fishing supplies, as well.

Sun–Thu: 11AM–11PM; Fri–Sat: 11AM–midnight·$10-15

Friedrichs Coffee

If you're looking for a down-to-earth but nice atmosphere place where you can get a great cup of java or a nifty shot of espresso, pull up a chair. One of the owners' great-grandfather owned a coffee shop across from a castle in Charlottenburg, Germany and spirit has passed to the next generation. The owners, a husband and wife team, opened their first coffee shop only a few months after returning from Costa Rica.

$2

Grounds for Celebration

Wonderful place for fresh coffee, tea, and gelato and some lunch items. The coffee beans are from the cafe's privately owned cropland in Panama. Consistently rated as one of Des Moines' best coffeehouses. All locations offer free WiFi.