I dig shorty's for afternoon brews! They have a great happy hour and always serve Schlitz in fancy goblet 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! read more

Great little dive bar off the main drag. If you looking for a dark atmosphere in a basement look no further. My husband, son and I stopped in for a beer and the bartender was very nice and welcoming to out of towners! read more

Shorty's - Great underground bar - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I just got home from Shorty's. I've been there a few times and I can't wait to go back. Shorty's is the closest bar to where I live. A tavern in the tradition of a Prohibition-era speakeasy, it opened this year. When I first saw the old-time Shorty's signs hanging above the door in the alley across from my building, I knew for sure I was living in the right neighborhood for me. Shorty's is dark and cozy. It's a nice no-frills establishment with lots of character. There are five TV's on the exposed brick walls of Shorty's, but I wouldn't call it a sports bar. It's in the back of the basement of the classy Des Moines wine bar and wine shop, Sbrocco. But Shorty's serves no wine before it's time or anytime. It doesn't need to. One drinks beer or liquor at Shorty's. Shorty's offers mostly old-school beer and old-school food. The menu includes mini corndogs, sliders, hero sandwiches, cheese quesadillas, chicken sandwiches, roast beef po'boys, and Tombstone pizzas. Food prices range from $3.95 to $7.95. I haven't tried any of the food yet, but I bet it's good. It's made in Sbrocco's kitchen. The bartenders at Shorty's are cool. The bar is owned and operated by the Full Court Press gang. These guys know what they're doing. They have other enjoyably unique bars and restaurants in downtown Des Moines, including Sbrocco, High Life Lounge, el Bait Shop, Hessen Haus, Royal Mile, and Red Monk. Shorty's is open Mondays through Saturdays from 5PM to 2AM and Sundays from 11AM to closing time at the bartender's discretion. It's located at the SW corner of 2nd and Court. Say hey if you happen to see me drinking, eating, or sleeping there. read more

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Great local bar in the heart of Des Moines. It is hard to find but that is what makes it great and keeps the riff raff away.

The staff was nice but the place was disgusting. The bartender told me that they don't do any mixed drinks. It's strange that Roca sends people such a divy place. I wouldn't recommend this place unless you are ok with a dumpy bar to grab a beer. read more

Although I have previously enjoyed just drinks at Shorty's, I recently went and ordered food along with drinks. Along with two beers, I had ribeye skewers and scallops--both were funky. I put a bite of ribeye in my mouth and immediately realized the meat was rancid. The scallops wouldn't have been fresh a month earlier. I felt my stomach turn right away and left, before getting sick on my walk home. Had I not been with work associates, I would have taken up the issue on the spot. Either way, my life isn't long enough to eat rancid meat. Hard pass for future visits. read more

The atmosphere is pleasant - and might be an okay place if you are just there to drink ... but if you take it as a "pub" it falls quite SHORT. Bartenders are great and drinks are reasonable - but the food is inconsistent and usually far too salty for my liking. The frys, have a distinctive "is this McDonald's" flavor, that I always guess comes from not changing the fry oil frequently enough. The last time I was there my fish n chips portion was much smaller than the other person I was dining with - definitely not something that would fly in a traditional restaurant setting, but it's a pub so there isn't much of a waitress to harass about it. read more

If you're on the run and need to go into hiding, Shorty's is the basement bar for you. Enter through the alley and head downstairs. The staff, food and beers all have a no-frills charm. read more

after hearing horror stories from my dad about dive bars in his younger days, i stay away from them...the real dive bars anyway. shorty's is apparently a very popular dive bar in the downtown of des moines. my buddy took me here after i was already well beyond sober. we met some friends there and it was an all in all great experience. small and in the basement, it's not "yucky" like some fo the "neo" dive bars i've been to recently. the bartender was extremely friendly, polite, and quick on the drinks. did run into an extremely belligerent and angry drunk, but he was so unstable, it was easy to push right past him. we didn't eat here, but i hear the fish and chips are good. since my first visit, we've been back again and enjoyed it the second time. drink prices very reasonable. read more

Nice place, clean. Lots of TVs. Located right behind RoCA restaurant. If you are looking for "bar" food, you will be disappointed. They serve off the RoCA menu, which ain't bar food. read more

Shorty's! Yay! Nice, dark, pub feel with friendly staff. Shorty's is always on my list in Des Moines.

Since I had bought 2 gift certificates for here, I decided to go back a second time (6/27/2011)...hoping it would be better this time. 6 months later, and it was still the same...but this time, there were only 3 menu options, instead of 4..."Your choice of a cheeseburger, chicken sandwich, or fish & chips." Really? What happened to all the other menu items that are STILL displayed on the online menu at http://shortysirishpub.com/ ??? For an Irish Restaurant & Bar, there's not much Irish about it! The pint of Guinness wasn't even poured right! I had two drinks, my boyfriend had two drinks, and we each got a cheeseburger. Our total bill came to $40 with tip! And honestly, the cheeseburgers weren't that great. They came with skinny fries, a small cup of ketchup (not even a bottle on the table), and on the cheeseburger was shredded lettuce, a couple pickles, & a couple onions. No tomato, no mayo, or anything else that might have made it worth what they charged...which we were told "they're all around $9" when asked how much the 3 menu items were. So yeah....once again, not impressed. read more

Great place, great bartenders! Eron is fun! It was a slow night but he kept us entertained and shared some good jokes and kept us laughing. He gave us the history of the bar and let us know you could order food from Roca which is located upstairs and they bring the food down to you. Definitely going back! read more

Went there last night for dinner and a couple of beers. The food was typical pub fare. We had the Irish stew which was ok but a little salty and the fish 'n' chips was good. My wife wanted to have the cabbage rolls but they had run out. The Guinness and Smithwicks were excellent and it had a good pub atmosphere. read more

I always enjoy my stops to Shortys. My buddies and I love going there for a late night Guinney to end the night. I have only eaten there once but it does the job for a $5 meal. I recommend all drop in for a time, you won't be disappointed. Good people and usually good music. read more

I went there on a Saturday morning (5-29-2010) during the Farmers Market and had a Bloody Mary with a beer back. It was one of the best I have tasted! It had its' own unique flavor and the mix is made upstairs at Sobracco. It was just myself, my girlfriend, and another patron. The service was great and we chatted with the the barkeep about the recently reoriented bar. I recommend this place to anyone looking for a beverage and a place to just chill out. read more