A great place for drinks and apps for a casual date or with a group of friends. 4 stars since dining food is not the greatest each time we have came. All in all, a great weekend stop at a good price! read more

El Bait Shop - Jacked UP: Tango Sherbet Cider - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

You know the feeling. You're in a new city for the first time while traveling and you just want to get a beer and a bite to eat. Where to go, so that you won't be eating the same old, same old, or getting taken by the locals with substandard restaurant fare that's not much better than the convenience store around the corner. Of course, if you're a Yelper, you know how the app rarely leads you astray if you are one of the savvy Yelp veterans. That was the case this weekend during our first Des Moines visit. After spending four hours walking around the Iowa State Fair following a two-hour car ride from Omaha, we were looking for a place to grab a drink and some comfort food after checking in at the local Hampton Inn. El Bait Shop was the perfect choice. Plenty of local beers (they boast having 180 beers in bottles and on tap), not to mention some terrific food that won't break the bank. My traveling companion and I, my better half, the stellar Miss Mary, spent the latter part of Sunday afternoon drinking some local brews, and chowing down on basic bar fare with some added pizzazz. El Bait Shop is near Pinnacle Park (where the Iowa Cubs play their baseball games) and downtown, and a short hop, skip and a jump from the Des Moines riverfront. If you are staying at one of the local hotels nearby, it's a short walk to the eatery that shares a kitchen with noted "best downtown hangout," High Life Lounge, a retro establishment that's not to be missed. Whether you crave some meatloaf, or pot roast, or simply have hankering to sample some of Iowa's top craft beers, el Bait Shop is an excellent place to plunk down and chat up the friendly bar person on duty. read more

If you're into crafty beer, El Bait Shop is a must stop. I've never seen so many beers on tap in one place. We came here on a Tuesday afternoon. I can only imagine how busty it gets in the evenings and on the weekend. Plus, it's connected to the High Life Lounge, meaning you can walk a few feet with your drink and hand for some different scenery. Inside the, er, el Bait Shop is decorated kind of like a hunting/fishing lodge. I especially liked the lures and rigs encased in the bar. I tried and enjoyed couple Iowa brews. I easily could've stayed all night and tried a few more. If you're in Des Moines and enjoy a good pint or two of beer, you have to check out El Bait Shop. All the accolades they earn for being a top beer bar in the US are well-deserved. read more

Beer. Lots and lots of wonderful delicious beers. Bacon wrapped tater tots. That's all you really need to know. Get a beer, get the tots, be happy. read more

It was pretty crowded when we went and after eating there.. now I understand why. My friend and I went with buffalo wings (with a side of crinkle fries duh..) and the bacon wrapped tots. Beer selection was obviously on point as well. Will definitely go again. read more

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR. 120 beers on tap and over 150 beers in bottles. The staff was generous with samples based on what we had ordered previously - we didn't even have to ask! They would just set down 2 or 3 sample glasses, explain what each one was, and that classic head nod of "enjoy!". Great staff. We didn't eat here - so can't attest to the food, but I would never say no to this menu! 10 kinds of wings, awesome selection of burgers, appetizers, etc etc. Very cool place. PS- They host 26 bike racks and are located right in the middle of many of Des Moines' bike trails. read more

Food: wack Ambiance : wack Servers : WACK ... Asked for a Dark and Stormy. Waitress brought back a clear drink. I was polite and tasted it... Wasn't even rum OR ginger beer. I hailed her down extremely politely. I said "I don't think this is the right drink. I had a D&S." It was busy...no big deal. Mistakes happen. I wasn't upset at all. She responded with "oh no honey, that's your drink". My sister who was with me stated that the drink isn't even dark in color AND didn't taste right at all and asked what kind of ginger beer they use. Waitress fired back "yeah. No, sweetie. Some ginger beer is clear" and just stood there staring at me (who was shocked by her super instantly defensive stance. At that point I just told her to take it away...and she just stared at me some more. IT WAS REAL WEIRD...LIKE I HAD TO THINK IF I KNEW THIS PERSON IRL AND HAD DONE SOMETHING TERRIBLE TO HER FAMILY. Anyway. I didn't order another drink because it took a good 25 minutes for that one mystery drink. She proceeded to glare from me from behind the bar and even pointed at me at point. REAL WEIRD BEHAVIOR. Glad I was just visiting Iowa and that this isn't the only place I could hang out on the weekends (which seems to be the case with the locals...eeesh) because let me tell you...I'd rather drink mystery drinks at home. Also....ya rude, Lindsey. Real rude. Management...I hope you work on that with your employees. Nights get busy on the weekends...but polite customers who have an issue and bring that to your servers POLITELY shouldn't be treated like shit. Place is a cool idea otherwise. read more

This place has a dive bar look which normally makes me nervous for the food. It wasn't greasy, gross bar food like I was expecting. This place was fantastic! The honey mustard sauce and the sweet potatoes fries were amazing! Everyone in my party was really happy with the food and portion sizes. They have TONS of beer on tap too. I've never had such good sweet potatoes fries in my life. You have to try this place. read more

El Bait Shop - The salads are huge! She had eaten off of it before I got a chance to take a pic but they can totally be split! - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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I stopped in while I was in town for a brief business trip. This is definitely a craft beer geek's heaven. The selection of great local and national beer was truly mind blowing. I was definitely able to sample a few of the local favorites, including Toppling Goliath Pseudo Sue. Also, you need to get the bacon wrapped tater tots. Don't ask questions, just order them. You will not regret it. I liked the active vibe. The servers were super friendly. It was in a super accessible location. I can't think of a reason not to come here if you're in Des Moines. read more

Without a doubt, one of the coolest places I've been to for beer. The 125+ taps are awesome enough, but add an incredibly hip yet down-to-earth vibe and really knowledgeable and cool staff, and you've got a winner. We've only lived here a month and have already been here four times. You can count on greasy bar food, beat up bar stools, a wide variety of ages and walks of life, and most of all, plenty of beer to keep you happy...and coming back for more. Update: If their products alone garnered this review, it would unequivocally get 5 stars. But time after time we go here to experience shotty service, which really irks me. Staff needs some serious work. read more

This was quite possibly love at first sight! Everyone knows how much I love beer, and this is an amazingly wonderful place, especially for Downtown DSM. The decor is quirky and cute without trying too hard (unlike High Life Lounge next door). I love the wrestling hall of fame near the front door - so random! The service was amazing - our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. It was a crowded Friday night, and there were only 2 bartenders on, so it was a bit of a wait to get our beers, but that happens! I was impressed by the beer list - there were things on the menu that I can't even get here in Vegas! I ordered an IPA from a local brewery that was suggested by the server and wasn't disappointed. Then our group decided to try a couple of the flights. These are by far the best way to go if you would like to sample quite a few beers. The flights are either $8 or $9 and come with 6 tasters. They had quite a few flights to choose from, but since it was busy, we were limited to one flight at a time. They look to have pretty good food - but the best is that you can order from the High Life Lounge menu as well - HELLO BACON WRAPPED TATER TOTS!! The prices for the food and beer are decent, and they always have specials. A great stop while in Iowa! read more

I likey. El Bait Shop was recommended by, pretty much everyone, when I told them I was moving to Des Moines. Well, six weeks later, and 4 El Bait Shop trips, I dig it. Their beer selection is ridiculous! Love the way they break down the menu, so depending on my beer mood, I can navigate the menu by category. Makes things super helpful, especially when their menu is massive. Food is decent. It's bar food. I like that you can also order from the High Life Lounge menu, too. Good times. read more

Must love fried foods to eat here! If you want a local greasy spoon with a full bar, this is the place. Fun atmosphere and decor.

If heaven had a craft beer bar, it would be El Bait Shop. Seriously. I was in Des Moines for 3 nights and came here twice. 220 craft beers on draft? Delicious drunken food like tater tots wrapped in bacon, covered with cheese and jalapenos? Maybe I'm already dead and ended up in heaven. The bartenders and wait staff were super friendly. We even got a run down of how they handle all the taps, as well as a sneak peak of the keg room behind the bar. The beer menus are printed daily as they are constantly changing out the taps. They also have some great flights if you want to try multiple beers. Also, I met Chris Soules from The Bachelor here. And no, I'm not ashamed that I watch The Bachelor. read more

I am pretty sure this is the coolest bar I have ever been in! It's divey, kitschy, cool, artsy, and you'll never run out of options for beer. Local Iowa craft beers as well as beer from across the country. They even have one tapper for Bud Light but I'm not sure why you'd want that given the choices you have. Food is really good. Love the bacon wrapped tater tots. Also old-school pizza puffs, chicken pot pie and my favorite, the Spam,egg and cheese sandwich. read more

El Bait Shop - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Just had my first visit to El Bait Shop and it was disappointing to say the least. The food was just OK with smaller than expected portions. The service was a huge disappointment. Our waitress was just going through the motions and seemed to be put off by our inquiries...this was our first visit. I doubt that we will be back. read more

Horrible food. Everything seemed to have come out of a can or out of the freezer. Nothing is made from scratch here. Will not recommend to anyone looking for a nice lunch/dinner. read more

We love the beer selection here and the food is pretty okay....broasted chicken yummm, and what you get for the money make it well worth it. The problem is.....if you sit on the El Bait Shoppe side the service is bad, really bad. We sat forever before we were waited on and then the server tried to come up with excuses that didnt make sense. This is a place we frequent because of beer selection and 4th time in a row that we have experienced this. The other problen with good beer is that they run out quickly.. hate having to defer to my 3rd or 4th choice. read more

There is a shower in this bar. Yes, a shower. Why? So that drunk patrons can take silly pictures of themselves inside. Or, is that just us??? The shower is just one of the fabulous decor choices in this bar. You will also find a stuffed deer wearing a sombrero, a "Where the Wild Things Are" mural, and a big garage door that they roll up during the summer. It is like your grandpa's garage, but so much cooler. Bait Shop has at least 100 beers on tap, and even more available in bottles. They also do combinations of different beers on the menu - not just your standard black-and-tan or snakebite, but a Nutty Buddy (Rogue Mocha Porter + Rogue Hazelnut), etc. Deciding what to order is the most difficult part. I've ordered nachos and a couple of other things here, but nothing very memorable. No matter; they could serve dog food here and I would still go crazy for the beer selection. Bait Shop is connected to High Life - another excellent bar - and it has a huge patio in the warmer months. Easily one of my favorite bars in Des Moines! read more

180 taps. 180. How can you choose when there are 180 taps? I'm not even counting the bottles. The wall of taps is impressive. A little tip: Choose a few beers right off the bat. That way, when the server comes and says "We're out of that one," you can provide another selection. Deducting one star because the inside is very noisy and there aren't enough servers to meet the demand. And I'm saying that based on a Wednesday evening experience. I can't imagine what this place is like on a Friday or Saturday night. read more

Super crowded at 9pm on a Saturday. It's a bar with a great menu. No dessert menu, but one of the most impressive beer selections I've ever seen. Had to stalk people for a table, but that's typical for a bar. Fun place!! read more

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Great food and an abundant beer selection. However you might have to wait at your table for 15 minutes before a server decides to come up and help you. I have had this on multiple occasions. read more

I want to love El Bait Shop. However, I think having that many beers on tap makes it hard on the patrons to figure out what to order. And many times the staff hasn't tried them all (how could they?). You really need to know which beer you want when you go to El Bait Shop. Other than that, it is a groovy little bar with excellent atmosphere. read more

For beer, 105 taps is a 5-star. Any more is arguably ridiculous. Couple all the beers with a bicycle friendly atmosphere and super sweet staff, and you get the 5-pack from me. Great place. read more

If you like beer, this is a place to go. They have a ton of brews on tap and a ton more in bottles and cans. Good rotation of craft brews from around the county. We sat under a portrait of "The Most Interesting Man In The World" and admired the eclectic decor of the place. It is also connected to the High Life so you don't even have to go outside to bar hop. read more

First time visiting this restaurant/bar for the Iowa/Nebraska game, so it is pretty crowded! (But why isn't anyone cheering...) I love all the beer labels and stickers on the wall! Beers from all over the US, but I would recommend supporting the local options. The menu looks great and I realllllyyy want to get the peanut butter burger next time. We tried the wings (gluten free) and chips and guacamole and yummmm. Friendly service, too! Just go here. read more

El Bait Shop - Notice the "Where the Wild Things Are" mural! - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

There are 180 beers on tap here! Yes, I said ON TAP. There's an entire wall devoted to taps. Variety isn't an issue at el Bait Shop: they claim to have the world's largest selection of American craft beers. The mood is always festive and there's a large patio area. Food is just OK. (But you're coming here for the beer.) read more

El Bait Shop offers the most choices for different beers in the state of Iowa. The atmosphere is pretty chill, but it can be packed at times. They offer food from the bait shop or high life so some good choices. Burgers are always a solid option. On a nice day their patio is awesome!! The service is pretty good here. When you choose a beer here make sure you have 2 or 3 in mind because they do run out of different beers here. Overall if you like craft beers come to this place plenty of options. A good place to go on a nice summer afternoon or when you want to try a new beer, always has new brews. read more

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Went for lunch with a group of friends. It was my boyfriend and my first time there. We enjoyed it. Overall, the environment and food were good. They have indoor and outdoor seating, plus a bar. It's pretty popular during summer and a great place to just go get some drinks. The only issue is parking because it's quite small and it's in a busy location. Be prepared to either walk a bit or pay for parking near by. It was also a bit confusing for a new goer, but luckily we were able to figure out seating because our friends have gone there. There's no hostess, so you seat yourself. It's overwhelming, so they should at least put signs up to guide new customers. Other than that, I would recommend it. read more

A ton of beers on tap!! Next time down, I'll try the food. UPDATE: Food is great and the appetizers are excellent. I mean come on, bacon wrapped tater tots and buffalo chicken egg rolls. Yes, please. read more

Great hole the ball, got the cheese dip, fish tacos, wings and burritos! Loved all of it. Not a real Mexican place has bar food American , and Mexican! Big selection of beer. And great wait staff! read more

El Bait Shop - Yummy burrito - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Rob knows his shit! If you get this guy drink ANYTHING he recommends. It's all gold. pure gold in wonderful copper mugs. Nachos get soggy so eat em fast. Fried pickles and fried gizzards go great with the drinks. Amazing selection of alcohol. CHEERS! read more

110 beers on tap. Many more choices in bottles. Very unique environment including a garage door that's opened in fair weather a mural of 'where the wild things go' , over head lights made of old kegs, and a few classic bicycles strapped to pillars. The food doesn't suck, but isn't great. You don't go to bait just for food. Beer. Beer flights. Beer. Bartenders are certifiable "hop-heads" so ask questions and request samples. read more

Loved this place! I told the waitress what beers I normally like and she brought me a new beer each time and they were great. If you like beers and not the average bud light beer, this is the place. Try it! read more

Great beer selection...like being a kid in a candy store. Food was great too, Pot Roast, Onion Rings all great. Looking forward to my next time in to try the Fried Chicken. read more

If you like beer, this is the place to be. I call it the "Happiest Place on Earth." Friendly and helpful staff that can make suggestions based on what you like to drink at home. You can try before you buy, which is really nice. You can also order food from their menu, or from High Life Lounge next door (nachos as big as a toddler). Big outdoor area and is a popular stop for bicyclists. read more

Terrific beer menu. Bar food. The burger was good, but unspectacular. The fries also decent. Tots were nice with the pear habanero hot sauce on the table. But absolutely go for the beer. read more

Gotta love this place! the menu has something for everyone, and the eclectic junkyard feel has you watching sports tv, looking at murals, and figuring out the history of everything hanging. very extensive beer list including locals. Can't wait to check out their new project when complete in east village! read more

I wish I could give this place 10 stars. The beer selection is tremendous and the menu in keeping with a creative pub type atmosphere. The bacon tots were great as well as the burgers. This place is close to Principal Park. The day we were there, the lot was full so parking a tad tight but we did find a place on the street. Had to feed the meter tough. The other thing is that El Bait is attached to another bar that is right on the corner. If you go in that entrance, walk through till you get to the back. read more

Let's just say the selection of beer is impressive to say the least. It's positively overwhelming to look at, actually. But the bartender really was pretty patient with the three chicks standing there not knowing what to order (read: us) and made suggestions and even mixed a rocking mixed drink for the non-beer-drinker among us. The onion rings were tasteless. I think probably one doesn't go for the food. You go to try every American beer ever created and for the atmosphere. Rockin'. No complaints. read more