I dig shorty's for afternoon brews! They have a great happy hour and always serve Schlitz in fancy…read moregoblet type glasses that make you feel like the happy hour king! This is a basement bar with low ceilings under the fancy wine bar Sobracco. People consider Shorty's a dive bar but it's anything but.. It's actually quite clean and nice inside. Sometime the music is really loud on a Saturday night so it can not be the best place to socialize but if you go for an afternoon brew or meeting around 4pm, it's going to be a perfect spot to drain 3 beers for the price of 1! This is one of those places that if you can find it, you will go back multiple times!

Great little dive bar off the main drag. If you looking for a dark atmosphere in a basement look…read moreno further. My husband, son and I stopped in for a beer and the bartender was very nice and welcoming to out of towners!

While in Des Moines talking with the locals, they suggested Carl's Place. They explained that it…read morewas an absolute dive bar, but a great one to visit and one not to pass up while in Des Moines. So, naturally, my friend and I gravitated to Carl's. The outside of the bar isn't labeled, so if you didn't know where it was, you might miss it. We were there at the height of the early afternoon in July and the sun was out in full force. When you walk into the bar, you wouldn't know what time of day or night it is, there aren't any windows to really shine the light through. You definitely get the "dive bar" experience. The bar itself appears a little older, but the patrons and the bartenders were bar none! It was a great bunch of people just there to hang out and enjoy the day. The bar has a small stage that has live music during the weeks. None while we were there, but heard it's pretty good! They had darts and there three different "sections" within the bar. We only had a few drinks but it was well worth the stop! I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Awesome dive bar. Cheap beer, great live band, sketchy bathrooms. What else can you ask for? We…read morealways have a great time here.

THE place for some good beer when you're in Des Moines, hands down. Their selection is unmatched. I…read morewas in mood for a sour, and was blown away how many they had, and loved how they let you sample whatever you want. Sit at the bar, enjoy the friendly service and have a pint. You definitely won't be disappointed.

The Ultimate Stop for Bikes, Beer & Bites…read more After a day of biking, we made it back to El Bait Shop with some friends. This place is a solid choice, whether you're in the mood for the world's biggest selection of tap beers or some fantastic gastropub and comfort food from the lounge next door. We love it here because we can park our bikes in the provided area off the patio and still keep an eye on them. The outdoor service area is semi-shaded and the service is just as good as you'd get inside. As a beer lover, I can tell you the selection is ridiculous and expansive. If you want it, they probably have it, and from four or five different breweries at that! The menu is also loaded, with choices from both El Bait Shop and the High Life Lounge. Today, our food order was as impressive as the beer list. While I can't recall all the beers we had, the food included a Prime Rib Sandwich with tots ($14.99), the Pizza Burger also with tots ($11.99), the Philly Style Pot Roast Sandwich with a side of potato salad, and a massive bowl of Macaroni and Cheese ($11.99). We were starving after our ride, but that didn't change the fact that the food was all delicious, well-prepared, and served by our very attentive waiter, Kyle???, May. No one had any complaints, and the beer was cold and on time! Overall, we love the eclectic vibe of this place. Its downtown location gives you some great views, and more importantly, you're within walking distance of almost everything downtown Des Moines has to offer. This is a go-to spot for me, and I love taking first-time visitors here because it's so unique and the quality of both the service and the food is always on point. Oh, and did I mention the beer selection is completely insane? If you haven't been here yet, you are missing out, and you don't even know it. PRO TIP: Come here, and before you leave, slip over to the High Life Lounge for a throwback moment. Next time, start there and slip over here for a beer!

This hole-in-the-wall bar is a great spot for a few drinks with a date or small group. I've been…read morecoming here for Wednesday night martini specials for years. Martinis don't disappoint in my opinion. Not all are equal, but they do have some good tasting ones. I personally like the dirty and gimlet martinis the most. But their more fruity ones are good as well. Atmosphere is great. Walls are decked with local art, which I believe is also for sale. Good music plays throughout and not too loud where you can't have a conversation. Service is always friendly and helpful. Overall, it's one of my favorite spots downtown. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed the vibe here and the cocktails are good and reasonably priced. I had a Manhattan,…read more$10. The dimly lit room, local art and music are fun. Of course, the actual "lift" is the centerpiece. Definitely a great spot in a great city.

Didn't have any food here but did have a few drinks. No complaints…read more We kind of accidentally went here on our way to Ceviche. I'll definitely be back. Really enjoyed the vibe.

Incredible little low-key spot. It's grungy, it's cool, you meet creative and interesting people…read morethere. Everyone is very friendly, and it's a great vibe. We just moved back here and my coworker recommended it. We've now been twice and loved it both times. There's absolutely nothing like in Des Moines-- It feels like New York underground, but Des Moines, down to earth, easy parking and SO welcoming. Also, bartenders are super nice. The girl bartender servicing us even said she would make us a custom cocktail, based on what we were in the mood for. My husband told her what he was craving and she made him exactly that. Might I add...with little information on his part. (He's not the biggest talker hehe!). He said it was his favorite drink he's ever had. Tonight was a little more chill, but the first time everyone was dancing and it was just as fun both times. This is our favorite new little spot and we will definitely be back!!

Literally 30 minutes till close. All I wanted was my phone and ID (which was left with someone at…read morethe bar while I used the restroom). Wouldn't let me back in but let in 3 other people that walked up to the door. Rude as hell, sat and waited for 15 minutes for my friends to exit the bar with my items. Watch me never recommend this bar ever because of rude ass security. Totally get big city. But I waited 10+ minutes just to get my ID and purse..... like who tf my 130lb ass gonna steal from at 1:40am...

The food is great here! If you like crunchy crust on pizza, then you will love their pizza. Great…read moreservice and fun games are in the back of the restaurant!

This place hasn't changed. Great "dive" bar. The drinks are reasonably priced. They beers were…read morecold. They have live music. The great part was we were here on a Friday and the music started at 5. The music wasn't too loud. We could still talk. They also had a TV with football on. We enjoyed a few hours here before our movie

The great atmosphere and top-notch bands make this a stellar dive bar! The very reasonable drink…read moreprices make up for the mostly surly bartenders. You just have to learn to ignore their attitudes and enjoy the music and the vibes! Ha ha!

Had a great time. Great food, great music!! Met a lot of new friends. Will definitely be back for…read moremore.

I love me a good dive bar! And this spot is legit! I came on a Tuesday night for a rock n roll…read moreshow! They had 2 for 1 domestics on Tuesday, so that makes for a cheap night out! The bar is divey, but not gross, the bar tender was very nice, and the bathrooms were darn clean for a dive bar! The room with the music is separated from the bar room so if you want to talk or play pool while the rock show is going you can just stay in that bar! The bar tender was playing good music when I got there, old Flaming Lips, and Velvet Underground stuff! All in all I can't believe it took me this long to find this quaint, dive bar dream!