Another birthday stop!…read more We stopped here for drinks and a game of pool. The place is really cool with an old triple arch back bar with lots of history. Not to mention the vibe here is classy and clean. It gives me an old prohibition period bar feels. Craig the barkeep was very friendly and welcoming. He did a fantastic job telling g us the history of the place and his role there. He expertly provided drinks and made me a spot on old fashioned! The liquor selection is very extensive and great qualities of bourbon and whiskey. The place was immaculate and the glasses were all spot free. However, it was a Sunday afternoon so not a lot of business but I'd like to come back during a happy hour! We will definitely come back here and would recommend trying it out for yourselves! Tell Craig, Hi!

My favorite whiskey bar, then it wasn't, and now it is again. With new management, Craig has made…read moresweeping changes for the better. Besides the speakeasy vibe, old Charm, and great whiskey selection, you can now order tapas and listen to live music. A gem in the east village you don't want to pass up.

Gorgeous jazz bar with exceptional drinks. I'm a huge Old Fashioned fan. I tried both the smoked…read morebutter pecan and the cinnamon one. Delicious. Service was excellent from a new bartender on his second night. Ice cubes were a fun touch. This is a great date night location.

My husband and I love speakeasies, whenever we visit cities we get excited about trying one out, so…read morewe've been to quite a few. This one was disappointing. LOWS: Food: Mozzarella sticks were pale and bland. The red sauce tasted like canned tomato paste. The charcuterie board was a let down too. The prosciutto was overly slimy and smelled spoiled. The bread wasn't a fresh sourdough like advertised, it was a Texas toast. HIGHS: Cocktails: The drinks we had were great! They have over 100 different bourbon and a variety of cocktails. Mixed Feelings: Music: The band Nola was fantastic. They matched the vibe we were expecting. But no one told us about the $5 (per person) cover charge. It wasn't on the menu, the website or the reservation nor was it mentioned to us verbally. Ambiance: The decor and dark chairs were great. However I've never been to a speakeasy with wide open windows that let so much light in.

Very peaceful patio that was dog friendly. Live music inside was very good. You could just barely…read morehear it outside. The breeze was wonderful and patio was shaded. Seating comfortable. The berry sparkler was wonderful. Revelation mulberry gin and citrus soda with huge berries. We also had the dirty martini which had a unique flavor and was delicious. Service was friendly with a smile. They even found a dog bowl for water which they added ice to for the girls. For a first visit it was a plan again visit. Great atmosphere, great service and very very good cocktails.

Full disclosure: Rob and Christi Taylor have been friends for at least 15-years. Christi is a…read morebrilliant physician, and community leader. She is a loving and committed wife and mother. Rob has been a great friend. He is a very successful businessman and entrepreneur. He served our great state of Iowa for 8-years as an Iowa Representative. He is a man of honor. He loves his country, state, wife and children. NEXT CHAPTER: Rob and Christi opened Revelton Distillery. They have created a fantastic facility and are creating AMAZING spirits. The products, services and facilities are all stellar. Don't just take my word for it - go check them out.

Well I liked Whiskey River a lot more than some of the other reviewers here! Came here with a group…read moreafter a football game, and the place was packed, and every inch of every wall was covered with holiday lights. Where I'm from, they would call this a Christmas Bar and charge $50 just to get in! The service was amazing and the food was decent bar food. Great music, bartenders jump on the bar to dance, big screens with more football. What's not to love? Try the fried pickles!

SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE!!! Had a shorter white girl with brown…read morehair as a waitress. Came over to get our drink order after 5 mins of waiting. Brings our drinks back and leaves and is sitting at the bar on her phone. Then a group of college boys walk in and she proceeds to jump right over to them to get thier drinks and food order and still didn't come to us. We waited for 30 mins and finally decided to leave as no one was coming to help us. There was maybe 6 people at the bar and 4 tables so it wasn't busy at all! DO NOT RECOMMEND GOING THERE!! Should have read reviews before going

The bartender was a rock star. Great place hidden from the rest of the concessions. Seek them out…read moreand you will not be disappointed.

Hello again Fort! I've benefited from your secret a couple…read moretimes now. Tonight before the Disturbed concert is no different. The crowd was minimal. We ordered drinks and an appetizer to share at the bar. I keep recognizing the bartender and I am sure she is there most of the time. My friend and I got a new item on the menu tonight. Even she had not gotten to see it yet. We got the Graziano Sausage Empanadas served with homemade marinara sauce. We got it to have at one of the tables close by since there was no crowd. They came out piping hot and really good. We both had 2 and it was the perfect amount. I love that they continue to keep their promise and update their menu on a regular basis. I posted the picture of the night that I was here, but it is sure to change a little. I appears the build your own burger is a staple as its been here since I first got to try it in 2019. I'd say "dont go" JUST so it can be a secret and not busy, but really, this is the place to hit inside Wells. Shhhhh.

First time visit on a late Sunday afternoon. Food was just OK - Macaroni & Cheese came out nice and…read morehot ....a little heavy on garlic seasoning but overall good. The salad dressing (italian) had an "off" flavor so didn't eat more than a bite. Service was OK also - server couldn't answer a question if their Chili was made with added beer & just said "he didn't watch them make it" and didn't seem interested in finding the answer. Would probably go back if someone else wanted to go, but wouldn't make it my first choice.

The restaurant was not busy when we arrived and we were greeted as soon as we walked in being told…read morewelcome in and pic a seat that works for us. We found our seat and were immediately greeted by a new server Rylie she was super sweet and gave us time to go over the menu. She did let us know she was new which was good because if we had questions that she didn't know she was willing to find out. Our drinks came quickly and were cold. Our food was good and fresh. The waitress came back multiple times to check on us. I have read some rather mean reviews on this restaurant and I do have to say people should understand how long these servers and cooks have to work. Some of them are pulling 12 hour shifts. Be patient, it seems they are trying to fix some of the previous issues. Again I will reiterate our service was great. The ambiance was like a pub with clean tables and the restrooms were clean as well. We will be back.

Awesome--I can't believe this cool of a bar is right here in Osky. Some rando neighbor even bought…read moreme and my wife a "mini beer" that tasted straight like ice cream! Cool place. Will be back with friends. If you're passing through and want to a see a unique spot stop here.

Great beer choices, free popcorn, attentive staff. Old train station building has some character.read more

Went here Friday night to play their hosted trivia. Great emcee that was really funny…read more Drinks were cheap, and tap beer was fresh tasting Didn't win the trivia event, but a fun time Bring your friends and load up on 80's and 90's music and movie trivia, it will make or break ya!

Yep, the other reviews hit this one right on the head. First…read moreoff, the men's bathroom has no sink to wash your hands, and it smells like it has not been cleaned in while! I saw the bartender go somewhere and come back and put vodka on his hands and wipe his hands and arms with vodka? Is this his form of sanitation? After using the bathroom. WOW that's scary.. Now the good thing about this bar is that the drinks are cheap, and they have fun events like a rock paper scissors tournament every week, with beer deals too! They have nice pool tables, beer pong room, darts, and music videos on a screen. But that's not enough to make me want to come back. The bar tender was not the most personable and that bathroom situation is just bad! If you want go to an actual "DIVE" bar without the charm this might be your spot!

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!

What an amazing stop for some fantastic Iowa craft beers! The staff was extremely friendly and…read morehelpful with the beer and food selection. They were quick when we wanted to order and the food came out exactly as described. The bar and seating area was open and inviting. It was a little earlier in the midday on a Friday, but it was still pretty open for anyone to enjoy. I'd go back for another couple of different beers!

I stopped by Iowa Taproom recently and had an overall average experience. The food was okay--not…read morebad, but it didn't really stand out or leave much of an impression. The biggest disappointment was the service. After our food was brought out, the staff didn't seem very attentive. That said, Iowa Taproom has a great beer selection, especially if you're a fan of Iowa craft beers. I'd probably come back to try one of their seasonal brews, but I don't see myself returning specifically for the food or service.