I think the last time I went out to a bar, smoking was allowed! Well, maybe not that long ago but it has been many years! We went tonight so we could enjoy "Son of a Nutcracker", the community cocktail feature benefitting Des Moines Refugee Support. We were lucky to snag a booth as the bar was otherwise full on a Friday at 5 pm. Moe was an excellent and attentive server. He apologized that they were mixing up another batch of the special cocktail and that it would take about 15 minutes. We ordered some appetizers - jalapeño and peppadew peppers stuffed with cream and goat cheese and the sweet potato chips and house party dip. Both were good and the peppers had happy hour pricing, a bonus. The bar was festively decorated for the holidays and we enjoyed our time out! read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - Son of a Nutcracker - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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This place is super cute with great drinks! The outdoor patio was the perfect place for us on a sunny day. The service was very friendly. Dogs allowed on the back patio as well read more

Great low key bar with great service. I enjoyed the mid century theme of the place, and they even had outside seating. I tried 4 drinks: the dew drop inn, to Thursday, army and navy, and girl next door. All of them were great, my favorite was probably the army and the navy, a nice smooth almondy drink read more

The first thing that stood out to me was the service. We had someone approach us almost immediately offering to take our order and come find us. Once we found a place to stand outside, seating was full, our drinks arrived. One of the waitresses, I hate to even use that title since they were more like a friend making you welcome in their home, but one of them kept trying to come up with different things for us to sit on. And the genuine smiles never stopped. Of course the drinks are amazing. My date had the Old fashioned which was right on point. I had the 50/50 martini that was quite a show. Both delicious! The crowd was wonderful. The noise level fun but still easy for conversation. I truly love this place. I can't wait for a summer afternoon and some bocce ball laced with a cocktail or two. read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - My 50/50 gin martini. How can you not take a picture? - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Love the bartender choice because I never like the drinks set in menu. I prefer rum and I love that it was catered to me. The back patio is cute and the theme inside is all very trendy and decorative. I really appreciate the vintage glasses and looking around at the vintage pieces read more

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Too good for Des Moines. Thinking purely on a quality made and balanced cocktail, it may be Numero Uno! More to come for sure! read more

Super cute place for grabbing drinks for a date night or evening with friends. Cute atmosphere so you can definitely dress the part. Server was attentive and nice. They also have some yummy snacks you can order! I got an espresso martini and really liked it. Everyone was pleased with their drinks. We would come back for the food vibes! read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - Espresso martini - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Intimate and relaxing atmosphere! There's some 70s vibes music playing. A list of specialty drinks and some snacks! Lots to love for my first visit here. I'm a big fan of a cocktail bar with a fun drink menu. Staff was incredibly friendly and very helpful with our questions over the drink menu. The area is quite small and limited seating. But when you're sitting and enjoying your time it does feel like a special experience. Definitely passes the vibe check. I had the plantains, v limited amount. I would definitely recommend the pretzels though! And for drinks we got the Jackie O, One trick pony, and the karate kick. I'd say my favorite was definitely the karate kick. Just a little more sweet than the first two. Can't wait to see what other drink ideas they come up with next. read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - Snack menu - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Unique light bite and beverage bar. Often like to bring my friends local and out of towners here. Many of my local friends are not familiar as there is not clear cage outside to Mark. However, I believe this is one of the unique charms of bartenders handshake along with their seasonal menu. Limited Street parking. We got Chips and dip and beverages which were delicious. Jalapeño poppers were in my opinion standard, red peppers were a strange texture flavor combination of sweet, pickled peppers and goat cheese not my favorite. read more

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The Bartender's Handshake is a great place to stop for a couple drinks! The patio is super cute and decked out with vintage patio furniture that makes it feel unique, comfortable, and welcoming. I tried the spiked colada slushi and the lake water and both were great. They also use vintage glassware for all of their drinks which is a cool touch. I will 100% be going back for a few relaxed drinks with friends on the patio! read more

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This is a gem, a wonderful place to sit and really enjoy an evening hanging with friends and a good drink. The ambiance is perfect for what it's supposed to be; a really old-fashioned cocktail with a contemporary "craft" twist. Server was quite attentive without being intrusive. I always appreciate this. I was honestly surprised that there were so few people there on a Saturday night. Of the cocktail joints I've tried in Des Moines so far, this has to be one of the best. The cocktails: really really interesting on paper and wanted to like them more, but I'm a stickler for dry and savory cocktails. While the menu promises these, they were too sweet for me. The place also has kind of a reputation for being something out on its own in terms of style and palate, but I found it to be a bit more within the ordinary. I guess that's the effect of public tastes; no matter how far you want to go in your own direction with what you offer you have to cater. read more

SOLID 5 stars for interesting cocktails at $10-13, though the drinks seem a bit light. The vibe is a dimly lit mid century modern cocktail bar that is suitable for groups of up to 4 people. They were playing some 80s hits on a Saturday night. Our server checked in on us every once in a while, which was perfect. They have nonalcoholic drinks and snacks too! read more

Great cozy ambiance, friendly staff and great drinks. The only drawback is it can be tough to find a seat on some nights!

I'm a wannabe mixologist and bartending is something I do frequently for friends and family. Each time I go to Bartender's Handshake, I'm reminded of just how wide a gulf there is between home bartenders and professional ones. Tim Wagner is simply one of the best in Des Moines metro, and not only is it a treat to watch him spin drinks, he's generous with his knowledge, and I always come home with new ideas. The wacky, self-absorbed mixologist with the waxed mustache and tie has become a cliche, and Tim is a perfect reminder that it's the skills and interest in the customer that matters; the presentation of the drink, not the presentation of the person serving it. That a place this small and this new could have not only survived the darkest days of the pandemic, but seemingly found a way to thrive in them is a testament to the creativity, consistency, and resilience of Bartender's Handshake. The made cocktails to go, they leaned on social media, the opened and gradually expanded a lively patio that certainly is here to stay. And they did it all while being supportive, civically-conscious members of their community. Bravo. For those looking for drink suggestions--I'll recommend the Karate Kick and remind you that an open mind is the key to a wider world. And when in doubt (and when there's time) ask Tim for his suggestions. Every time we've done that, I've gone home with a new idea and lessons for my home bar. read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - a drink with a lime garnish - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Awesome quaint hipster cocktail bar on Ingersoll... we came here after dinner tonight and loved it! Craft cocktails, cool ambiance and great service. We saw they had vintage games in some of the cabinets for patrons to play with which I thought was pretty cool. Loved the drink options, obviously they have a full bar. I would suggest doing the "We'll take it from here" they ask you a couple questions (or you tell them what your favorite liquor is) and they create a drink for you. I loved this!!!! They made me something I would go back and ask for but there was way too many parts. Overall I loved this place. Only down side is that so does a lot of other people and this place isn't too big. I did however see that maybe there is outdoor patio around back for when the weather is better so I will definitely be checking that out. Shoutout to the bartenders who made four drinks based on our favorite liquors and preferences! read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

So Fun. The Bartender, Tim Wagner, is awesome and very engaging. Love the Lake Water! Great service and ambiance! read more

This bar is so cool. The dim lighting, elegant drinks, helpful service, and comfy seating makes it a sexy way to end a night out. I like to get the Devil in the Pale Moonlight. read more

Great patio and top-notch 'handshakes' and cocktails. This was place that my wife and I visited for a drink since the pandemic as soon as we were fully vaxxed. We fell in love with the place and have been back a few times since. Every drink that we have had at The Bartender's Handshake have been outstanding. read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - Chokes & smokes, Tecate and community cocktail: "Jack Horner" - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

A bar can be a hard place to enjoy if you're no longer a drinker. Thank goodness for places like Bartender's Handshake--places that put just as much effort into their non-alcoholic drinks as they do their alcoholic ones. Every time I've been here, the bartenders are exceedingly friendly, accommodating, and calm. Most recently I was here for an engagement celebration. There were enough people in attendance to completely fill the entire back patio. With that many tabs running and people moving all over the place, I couldn't believe how well all the employees kept their cool. Whatever the season, this is an A+ spot. Small enough to feel cozy, big enough to accommodate a big friend group, and thoughtful drinks that consider varying tastes. read more

This place, located over on Ingersoll Ave in Des Moines, was a lovely little speakeasy-esque spot where there's a very 50s-ish feel. I only had the Old Fashioned, but boy it was amazing! read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Where to start.... This little gem is just what the Ingersoll needed! It's darling inside and very cozy with a mid-century vibe. They have a small food menu that's amazing and I love, love, love the egg salad sando as well as the cold noodle bowl. If cocktails aren't your thing never fear the mocktail is here! They also have amazing coffee if you would like a little pick me up. This quaint place is so happening that you will probably run into your favorite homies or meet some new rad people. The drinks are DOPE! I love the Old Fashioned #6, Martini, La Costa Brava and the Gin Ricky. If you're feeling adventurous they can also make you your own signature drink called the "We'll Take it from Here" they will ask you a couple questions and make you a fab cockail. I have ordered this before and it didn't disappoint it was amazing. The music... it's the jam! I feel like music can really make or break a bars atmosphere and they are always playing slamming tunes! From oldies to newbies it's a music fans delight. In short go check out BH you will have a great time! read more

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Sleek mid century modern design. Some of the top bartenders in town creating cocktails. Fab beer list. AmazIng music mix.. I have heard everything from Emitt Rhodes, to rad 90's hip hop I have never heard. Amazing food for a bar! Cool menu with light bites and more! Small and intimate, perfect for a date or a hang with a small group. For sure a new fave in the Ingersoll neighborhood! read more

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We've visited twice in the first month of being open and are really excited to have this addition to the neighborhood. The ambience is really hip and the midcentury style is right up my alley. The cocktails come in a wide variety of glassware and are perfectly balanced. They have some small plates of bites and the muffin with mushrooms was a creative surprise that hit the spot. Not Just for Breakfast and the Karate Kid were both delicious cocktails. Here's where this review will surprise you. We have a one-year-old and were recently kicked out of a wine bar when we tried to celebrate a friend's milestone. It made us feel like this was a new era and suddenly we would have to hibernate through the toddler years. GUESS AGAIN! The Bartender's Handshake made for a super fun date night even with a tiny girl in hand. She tried the Karate Kid with ginger, carrot, ancho chili, & mint and had a blast. The waitstaff were extremely kind to both us and her and she loved the food too. We had such a good time that when it was just the two of us at 9pm on New Years Eve we went again. Same great drinks, same great feel. This is the customer experience that makes a difference. From tuxedos to tired parents this place can't be beat! read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - Karate Kid! Mock tail with carrot, ginger, ancho chili, and mint! - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Great drinks , Dakota was our Bar Tender kicked it out of the ballpark, more than fair prices, great service, Vibe was pretty Chilled it was a Tuesday night read more

Love this bar! Came highly recommended and did not disappoint. If you want a well made cocktail - this is your spot! You can go for a classic (the espresso martini is perfect - balanced w a decent crema) or get them to invent something for you and they'll use their expertise to craft something to meet your likes. read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - Espresso martini - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

A-ok sums it up fairly well. Met an industry partner here for drink in the late afternoon. Wasn't very busy, but it was early. Service was friendly and swift as we were the only ones there. Their bourbon selection was a bit lacking in my opinion as I wasn't in the mood for an actual cocktail because of the likely sweetness. Interior is definitely old school and laid back, no complaints there as long as you know what you're getting. read more

Cute patio, great drinks! Would recommend the Aperol sprits, especially during happy hour!

When I think of a welcoming bar. I think of this place. The interior is very bougie and old Hollywood but the patio is like your neighbors patio with eclectic furniture. Each cocktail is served in a different vintage glass. Love. read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This place is the S! It is our neighborhood bar of choice. I love how small it is and it reminds me of the many great small bars I visited in Japan. Smaller is better, and if they shouldn't have room for you one night, well, that is just too bad. We need more small bars like this. The drinks are great, interesting, but not pretentious and not ridiculously priced. They have been our champs during Covid times too. Very serious and safe. Also, you wouldn't expect a small cocktail bar like this to put out amazing food, but they sure do. My wife is vegetarian, and I think their whole menú suits her. They have vegetarian versions of classics like Banh Mi (mushrooms) and "pulled pork (jackfruit)"sandwiches. All very very good. Makes me wonder why some much bigger establishments can't figure out a good, interesting vegetarian meal. We hope they keep at it and elevating the DSM food and drink scene. read more

I heard this bar had a great aperol spritz for happy hour and this place did not disappoint. The bartender made a delicious aperol spritz. She was so sweet and did great service ! The atmosphere was great! read more

Easily the best kept cocktail bar secret in town! The atmosphere is relaxed and intimate, the staff are friendly and know their stuff and its all around wonderful visit each time you go! You will not regret going. read more

We heard about this place from a Catch Des Moines article and decided to give it a try. The drinks are Off the hook! Great, friendly staff. Be forewarned; we are living in the time of a pandemic...the seating is outdoors. In January. In Iowa. Still totally worth it. We WILL be back. read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Best drinks in des moines iowa. Literally a hidden gem. Rolled in here with my brother on an odd day trying different bars and this place was a gold mine. The drinks here are amazing. Friendly staff that talks to you. Patio in the back is like a garden. Awesome cocktails that are unique and delicious. read more

Quaint. Perfect for a date night or a chill hangout with friends. Love they have a back patio and the ambiance is a lot different from inside. Being new parents, we are loving the chill vibe this place has to offer. Ordered a classic old fashioned and my husband a bartenders choice. Both of the drinks did not disappoint. Will definitely go back there soon. read more

Aperol Spritz! Orange you glad you ordered it? Light, refreshing and the perfect aperitif. read more

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Loved it. Bartender liz was a doll! We will definitely go back! It's pretty small but we scored a seat at the bar. We asked a lot of questions and Liz was very knowledgeable. Will try the food next time too! read more

Loved the outside patio and the retro seating (specifically the floral couches). I had an old fashioned and it was so delicious! Super quaint and cute read more

Dank. They have a "community cocktail" proceeds go to planned parenthood of Iowa. Several vegetarian options!! And a good list of mock tails for friends that don't drink read more

The Bartender’s Handshake - hummus - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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We have given this place multiple chances to just be pleasant and nice & they've failed. They're doing you a favor by waiting on you. That's exactly how they act. Service is awful & slow. Plan to sit there outside for 10-15 minutes before anyone acknowledges you. Then when they do don't expect much. The last time we didn't get a hello, how are you, what can we get you....rather a it's 9pm & we close in a 1/2 hour. What the hell! This place and their people need a major course in simple courtesy & service industry 101. Not going back. There are too many other places that know how to treat customers with courtesy. read more

Little tight inside and the service can be slow, although they seem understaffed, but the cocktails are worth the wait. Great spot for a quick drink before dinner or meeting friends. Looking forward to trying the patio in the summer. We'll be back. read more