What happens when you walk into High Life Lounge? You walk into a 1970s college kid's parents' downstairs hangout spot. All the wood paneling and decor makes it feel like you walked into a time warp. Nothing is wrong with it, it's weirdly comforting and not dive-y as you may think it is from looking on the outside sign. This place is connected to also El Bait Shop and they share the same food menu and beer so really you can pick from sitting at a 70s themed basement or a bait shop... I really do enjoy coming here and it's not because Adam Richman from Man Vs Food came here to eat bacon wrapped tater tots (which you should actually try...) I really enjoy their broasted chicken, it really is a great place to get fried chicken in the downtown area. It's all you want in fried chicken, crispy and moist and juicy in the middle to perfection. They have quite a few outdoor seating when the weather permits and a lot of bike racks so when you need a break from trying to be fit biking around the metro I would suggest making High Life be a place for a few drinks and food at the end of the day ride. read more

High Life Lounge - Hot Turkey - slices of hand carved turkey on grilled Texas toast topped with mashed potatoes and gravy. - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

One of the greatest dive bars I've ever been to. Great food and atmosphere. A true gem in Des Moines. read more

High Life Lounge - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Great place for after an Iowa Cubs ball game! We all had broasted chicken! Some of us had mashed potatoes and gravy (beef gravy) and others had tater tots! Tots were fried and crunchy. The people who had coleslaw said it was the best coleslaw ever! My green beans were spot on! The wawas great the atmosphere is awesome! You should go there. Update: two weeks later we returned. The place was hopping! We found a table and immediately were asked for our drink order. We also ordered bacon wrapped tater tots. My goodness!! Delicious!! I had a breaded pork sandwich. It was a cutlet and not a loin. Meh...disappointing. Kind of tastes like a Casey's sandwich. I had asked for onions when I ordered. I asked twice more and never got them. They would have helped. Hubby stuck with the broasted chicken. Friends had BLT and a grinder. They enjoyed them. We all had the coleslaw. Wonderful creamy slaw! Great vibe on a Friday night!! read more

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Amazing food. Great location and fun atmosphere. We go here every time we are in town.

Yummy food especially the cheese curds, service is good prices are good it's a bar with food and cocktails

Delicious food, this is a MUST stop in Des Moines. Hidden gem, everything is good. Especially the pot pie!

This is a joint. It's like stepping back in time. It's a 1970's lounge. Good food solid atmosphere and would recommend for a good dinner. read more

The High Life, the Champagne of Bars! This is a great bar to go grab a drink or two and if you are hungry get some good bar food. The Pork Tenderloin is awesome! This place is very 70's and it's great, I think it's actually authentic 70's, like they haven't updated anything since they opened. It makes you feel like you are drinking in the basement of your friends parent's house. They don't serve any beer made after 1979 but you can still get some good beer. During the summer months you can get an Old Style in a Chicago Cubs can. Getting a short or regular bottle of high life is always a good call. Overall, great place to go for a drink or two and the food is good. Also, there is a place next door (it's attached to the High Life) and I heard they have really good food. I'm going to go back to the High Life on my next trip to Iowa and I can't wait. read more

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I grew up with this style of food location all over Iowa, so it is comforting to have a drink and food here. The food is simple and good and we like to meet friends here of all ages. read more

This place was packed on a Saturday afternoon but we found a couple seats at the bar. The bartender was wonderful and shared tips for our apartment hunting outing. She also gave us great advice on what to order. I had a gooey turkey reuben with just the right amount of sauerkraut and an ice cold beer. The side of tater tots was perfect. My daughter had the grinder and was nice enough to let me have a bite. It was every bit as good as the ones you get at the State Fair. I see that some of the review complain about the dive bar vibe. We loved it. Reminded me of my parents basement back in the 70's. Enjoy! read more

High Life Lounge - Yummy Turkey Reuben-don't skip the tots! - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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The CHAMPAGNE OF BARS. Exactly what a neighborhood bar should be - cozy and very reasonably priced. Dinner tab for the evening $28 bucks including a few drinks (Ketel One up, two beers and an entrée)... outrageously well priced given the quality of the food. If you have never been here, don't bother trying anything else - get the BROASTED CHICKEN. Its ridiculous. They get the inside juicy and extremely crispy on the outside without being over greasy - perfection. Cooked with a patented pressure-frying process that produces the best chicken you'll ever have. Comes with two sides (I went Mashed Potatoes & Gravy / Refried Beans) and a roll (even the roll was ridiculous yum). Tator Tots, Chili Cheese Fries, Mac & Cheese Potato Salad with Bacon sides all looked temping as well. Check it out - you will love it. Adam the bartender was great too! read more

They have high life beer which is pretty awesome. Wendy is a solid bartender, she's quick with bloody Mary's its her specialty definitelyget one from her when you come in. Sometimes when you order no onions you get more. 7 out of 5 would recommended for a classy night out. read more

Place reminds you of an old time hang out. Lots of food choices and beverage choices! Neon lights and sports.

Great food, great hard to find classic beer, All in a throw back in time bar feel! will definitely be back!

This review is for a late lunch for two at the bar on a Thursday while passing through Des Moines on a road trip. service Jackie is in the running for world's best bartender. Welcoming with us first-timers, polite to some loud regulars and generally great all the way around. She was spot-on with all her recommendations and advice. A great professional. bar The name of the place should give it away. But, in addition to Miller High Life, there's a full bar and enough craft taps to keep everyone happy. My wife's Cosmo was amazing - and $5.75! My Saga IPA was excellent. Plus, there's a jar of Tang for those Apollo space program Jaegermeister shots? food Welcome to the mecca of 'merican comfort food! My wife's chili was perfect. Our half order of nachos was gargantuan. All the food is exactly what you expect - and that is great! They are famous for their broasted chicken, but we'll save that for next time. details If you're a mid-century modernist, go just for the decorating. Parking is a bit mixed. Their small lot is an option and there are some spots on the street. Don't get the High Life Lounge confused with El Bait Shop. Sure, they are co-joined, but they are very different - as it should bd. El Bait Shop can get a bit crowded while the High Life Lounge should remind you of your parent's basement. read more

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I use to come for beers only but recently ate lunch there. Not impressed at all. I'm usually not too picky about portion size but for what we paid I was utterly shocked about how little food we got, and how plain and tasteless everything was. Good place to go with friends for drinks but I personally wasn't impressed with the food. Service was nothing to write home about either. read more

What can I say? We're big fans of this place. From the kitschy 70s decor and cheap beer, you can't beat it. It's a fun dive bar with great food. I love the Philly pot roast sandwich and my husband loves the spam, egg and cheese sandwich. Where else could you go and get both of those? Nowhere, I bet. They have an extensive menu to choose from, as well as many sides. The large mound of onion rings that came with my sandwich were awesome. The portions are very generous. I had to take half of my sandwich home because it was pretty big. The service was also very good. Our waitress was very friendly and chatty and we never felt rushed. Their prices are so reasonable. I can't believe how good and affordable the food is here. Good food and low prices, what's not to love? It's a great place to just hang out whether you're a couple or a group. It's fun for everybody. This will definitely be one of our favorite spots for a casual dinner in a fun atmosphere. I'd like to try some other things on the menu, but the pot roast sandwich has really won me over. I hear the broasted chicken is good, as well as the bacon-wrapped tator tots. I may have to give those a try. read more

Brings me back to the days of college, hanging out at a VFW Post or KC Hall -- which is where most great parties happened in southern Illinois. Also very reminiscent of the Stagger Inn, one of my other favorite drinking holes in Edwardsville, Il. Bud heavy in a tall boy? Sure! Fried chicken sandwich? Only if you can slather it in buffalo sauce (and induce indigestion later) -- which they can. Fried potatoes two different ways (tots or French fries? Of course! Classically nostalgic, yet touches of modernity. They even have a website with an updated menu listed, FYI. They take credit cards. Yet there's still buckets o' beers and shots galore. The meeting of the minds in great ways. read more

Always a great place for fun. Food is outstanding and the Staff is wonderful. JP and Linda

Cheap food. Good beer. The absolute best meatloaf! This place is great if you're looking for a chill place to have some comfort food. read more

Always bring out of town friends to High Life! Awesome, laid back ambience. The food is outstanding! Had a cheeseburger with tots and lil smokies to die for! The cherry on top is out amazing bartender Kristin!!!! Highly recommend! read more

This is a great place to visit! Food is great, staff is friendly and engaging! Love it!

This dive is so cool! Service is very friendly, bar is decorated perfectly, and so many beers on tap! Ordered the peanut butter bacon burger and it was so good! 5 stars for sure! read more

High Life Lounge - Bar area' - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I love this place and Kristen the bartender is amazing!!! Was so down and out when I was looking for a place to have a drink and a snack and snap me out of my funk!!! Wow, was this the ticket!!!!! read more

If you grew up in the 70's and 80's chances are you have a local bar like this your family went to. For me that bar disappeared long ago and the places that try to recreate it fall short. The High Life Lounge felt like I was back at the places I barely remember. I remembered spinning in a chair, being bored, with a bank of cigarette smoke hovering over my head. Definitely going back the next time we're in town. read more

My wife and I chose High Life two times over the last three days! We were so impressed by the first order we went back for more. It seemed like awesome value. I ordered the High Life burger basket with bbq and mayo and tots. My wife ordered the Spicy Sausage sandwich with tots. My burger was great. Cooked perfect. The buns are awesome. Bbq has the perfect amount of smoke. My wife was happy about the size of her sandwich and said it was the best sandwich she had in awhile. We received a very generous portion of tots with each of our meals. I ordered the same thing today, High Life burger with tots. My wife ordered the Grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and Swiss on it. I didn't get any bbq this time and I was super disappointed. My wife's grilled chicken was so tough. We received 1/4 of the tots we got with the first order. I wish I could get my generous tip back. Seemed like a bait n switch!! Haha If you're going to do simple food, get it right every time. read more

From out of town and ate here consecutive night. Just had the hot buffalo wings the first night, cooked perfectly, a good size and the hot buffalo was hot without being pointlessly hot, to me it was just right. I saw other diners order pot pie and stroganoff, so I was set for the next night; Came in and could not decide between stroganoff and chicken pot pie, bartender suggested pot pie. Result-I have found heaven, and it is a chicken pot pie! Great beers on tap, they have Alaskan Amber and several other good, but not always expected beers. Both nights the bartenders s were great. Actually had a conversation with the kitchen Mgr the first night while he waited for his to go at the end of the shift (Shannon) great dude, enjoyed it my man! Also patrons were friendly, a mix of locals and business travelers like myself. This place is connected to another bar-The Bait Shop, same kitchen, they have tons of beer on tap there. What a gem this place is, I hope for more frequent trips to Des Moines! read more

High Life Lounge - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Schlitz and Broasted Chicken. The End. Really, that is a good summary of their menu. This is a great place to dine as well as hang out in the night time. The menu is all things your 1970s mom would have made for dinner. They also feature a variety of specials and you may also order from El Bait Shop. This is a place you can take your family and your dad will love it if you invite him along. A great place to hangout before and after I Cubs games and really, any time of the day. The food, beer and music, all great and the service typically is as well. The downside is parking. A small parking lot and lots of metered parking. read more

A must stop for lunch! Good food and atmosphere.. you can't beat goulash and pot roast for good comfort food.. I always get a side of tag sauce to dip fries in, and if you can, have a tanger bomb!!! Jaeger and tang shot.. read more

Best chicken I have ever eaten; broasted in a pressure cooker rather than fried. Sides are good but not outstanding; cole slaw is the best side on the menu. Tater tots are cooked well. Baked beans are often overcooked. read more

We were just passing through from Wisconsin and stopped here. Broaster chicken was delicious! My wife had open turkey sandwich she said was really good! We will definitely be back!! read more

We were led to believe this space was some sort of hipster, retro dive bar, with great food and 70's iconic beers. What we found was an authentic dive bar, with so-so food, a lot of filth, and 70's beer. I have made a living driving past these types of places and not giving them a second glance Ok, it's a hobby, not an income provider, but still. Now, before you call me a bar snob, I know these establishments have their place, and I love me a cold mug of Schlitz in a small town lounge on a Saturday night, in a place just this. But when we are told it is a destination, a must-go-to place, I expect they will at least occasionally vacuum the carpet. I had the goulash with a side of mac and cheese. What I got was macaroni hot dish with two slices of cheese on top and what became a bowl of redundant mac and cheese. Really, our server couldn't have at least raised an eyebrow? Ok, for all my non-Hungarian, born in the Midwest friends, goulash is supposed to be a beef and veggie stew, often with a peppery tomato base. Honestly, I completely forgot about my church potluck days when everyone brought a dish to pass; many called goulash. To be honest, it wasn't bad. It really did taste of United Methodist fellowship halls and I kind of missed not having a Knox blox to bounce off the wall afterward (any knowing smiles from that one?). And the Schlitz was also as remembered ( not from church!), cold, bitter, and thin - like my date to the senior prom. I guess this was a nostalgic place for me, and perhaps if it had been clean and some effort put into the menu, I could see it being a fun place to pop into. As it stands now though, it is a sad reminder of some of the things I didn't really enjoy growing up. read more

I love this place. Old school foods. Great service. Good beer. My personal favorite is the chicken. So good!

Tried this place for the 1st time. Amazing potatoe salad it's not the sour grocery store kind it's actually edible and tasteful with bacon in it. The potatoes and gravy are real potatoes peeled amazing taste. I had Graziano meatball sandwich very filling. read more

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How do I put this.... I love cheap beer! Some of my fondest memories in life occurred while enjoying a PBR, Old Mil, Schiltz, a Busch, or a High Life! What can I say it goes down easy and is good with everything! If you ever want to take a time warp back to the late 70's, the High Life Lounge is your ticket! It's like the set of the bar in THAT 70's Show. Still waiting to see Hyde, Eric, and Fez there! I have enjoyed this bar numerous times. Most recently went for a late dinner and drinks. I got two cans of Old Mil for 3 bucks, and a burrito from El Bait Shop (they share a kitchen). The other two in my party enjoyed Tots, and Cheese Curds wrapped in bacon! They look good, chewy, and hot, but very not vegan so I had to pass. They also looked like giants drinking 7 ounce bottles of High Life! Recently the High Life Lounge has added beers that came after 1980, so you can enjoy a few craft styles here, but for the fun of it, I suggest rocking an oldie but a goodie like a PBR! When in Rome! read more

High Life Lounge - Little Beers and Lots of Tots! - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This was a hole in the wall location that I've been looking forward to going to since I saw Adam Richman take his trip down here on one of his Man vs Food episodes. To start, the decor was very unique, and I liked the casual atmosphere. I felt that it supplemented their menu selections really well. The group of us ordered an appetizer of bacon wrapped tater tots and bacon wrapped smokies. We all thought they were magnificent. I personally thought the bacon wrapped tater tot elements came together well: the jalapeño gave it a good kick; the cheese added a nice flavor, and the bacon of course added the bacon goodness. The bacon wrapped smokies were good, but they weren't quite as good as the tots, and it seemed the bacon was a bit burnt. As for the entree, the Broasted chicken lived up to its name: it was juicy, had great flavor, and was everything you'd expect out of fried chicken with that extra tenderness. The sides were also pretty good but nothing spectacular. The mashed potatoes were a little cold when they arrived, but the flavor of the gravy was solid, nonetheless. The macaroni wasn't anything spectacular. The roll was very delicious; it came out warm and really had a nice smooth, and airy soft texture. The service was fine. Nothing was bad about it, but it wasn't anything crazy. Overall, I'd say the main special they offer here, the Broasted chicken, deserved a 5 star rating for sure. However, the sides didn't quite live up, and the bacon wrapped tater tots may have been a bit overpriced. They were incredible, but not quite worth a dollar per tot. The Broasted chicken was reasonably priced. It's worth a trip for the chicken, and it's an experience to at least try the bacon wrapped tater tots, as Adam Richman found them to be heavenly (watch the episode to see for yourself!). read more

High Life Lounge - Bacon wrapped taylor tots and bacon wrapped smokies! - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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I'm not going to lie, the only reason I came here at first was because it was featured Man vs Food and I wanted to try the broasted chicken. After doing so I was hooked. Their broasted chicken is unbelievable, it is juicy on the inside and extremely crispy on the outside which being over greasy. I came back other times to try their other foods and they were amazing as well. I was eating with a small group of people and one of them ordered a burger and told me it was not good. The burger appeared to be bland, but I did not try it. It is busy in here and you seat yourself upon entering. The decorations put up remind me of a man cave in someone's basement or garage. It is a very homey look. Their staff is friendly and able to give you their opinion of the food options. I have not tried this , but I have heard you can order beers they serve from the bar connected next door. I will always come here when I'm looking for quality chicken, but it is not cheap. Price is not bad, definitely worth the quality. read more

High Life Lounge - Chicken pot pie - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Like many others, I came here after seeing the restaurant on man v food. The establishment meets the definition of a dive bar and has great food. Tourists stand out to the primarily lical clientele. The tots do look as good as what you saw on tv but still tasted great. The chicken was moist with crispy skin. My only knock is the mediocre mac and cheese. There is an excellent selection of beer to make up for the bad side. read more

Okay. So I have to admit that during my years living in dsm, I had never set foot into high life. I recently returned to des moines with my fiance who is a California native. I was busy catching up with everyone in town and doing errands, so a friend of mine took my fiance around town and they happened to eat lunch here on our first day in town. Naturally, the fiance ordered the broasted chicken. Now our visit in dsm was 10 days, which also included trips within that time to Davenport and Kansas City. For 9 days straight, my guy would not stop raving about the damn broasted chicken, all the while, I still havent yet sunked my teeth into this darn thing! On the day of our flight back to Cali, the fiance chose to hold our last meal in town at High Life so that I could finally see what all the hype was about said chicken. (To be honest, I thought he was just talking so highly about the chicken to make conversation with fellow dsm'ers) We came in at 11am on a Monday morning and the inside was moderately full. The decor in this place is like your cool old uncle's basement! Neon lights, outdated furniture. Just about everything you'd expect from a midwesterner's basement, if you were ever to stereotype such a thing. Its great! The fiance and my sister's boyfriend both order a plate of the broasted chicken, my sister gets the open faced beef sandwich, and I the Tater Tot Caserole - just about as trailor trash as you can get, but it was delicious!!! I took a bite of the broasted chicken, and Ohhhhh My Goshhhh....THE CHICKEN WAS EVERYTHING!!!! So much so that I had to get an ala carte order of more chicken! Honestly, after coming back to LA, the fiance and I have tried several different broasted chicken places out here and nothing, SERIOUSLY, NOTHING COMPARES TO THE BROASTED CHICKEN AT HIGH LIFE!!! So the open faced beef sandwich was good, tater tot caserole was delicious, but the broasted chx was everything. If you live in des moines and havent yet made your way to high life, you are seriously missing out! read more

High Life Lounge - 2 plates of the broasted ckn, tater tot caserole, and Open faced beef sammich! - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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If you're looking for a place to just chill, this is the spot... one of my favorite places when I just want a burger and tots and a cold can of beer. No frills. No fuss. Service is always on point and the food is consistently consistent. I feel at home here, and I love that. A Des Moines staple for sure. read more

High Life Lounge - Nice outdoor area for catching some rays and drinking cold beer - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa