A trip to Des Moines always includes a night here. This LGBTQI+ space has a nice staff and the neighborhood bar energy, especially during the week, makes for a perfect place for catching up with friends. Drink prices are lower than I'm used to in other cities which is an added bonus. read more

The Blazing Saddle is about the only bar in town that might be packed on any given night.. I have been here a handful of times and ever time is been super fun and inviting! Recently I went with some pals on a Sunday night and it was packed! But we found a high top table, got some cheap beers, and double sized mixed drinks! That's there specialty! If you are looking to drink cheap and get your money's worth this is a great spot! They do a have a small little cute alley fenced in patio outside. They are always playing good music. The staff is always super kind and quick with a joke! This bar is a great part of the LGBT community and hosts big time events during PRIDE every year! Everyone is welcome here and that's another things that so great about it.. The crowd is diverse.. Old and Young, all looking to have a fun drinks and fun! Love this spot! read more

The Blazing Saddle - Gay Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

My friend and I came here last night and had a really good time. The first thing I noticed was how packed it was. There was a show going on and the talent was an interesting mix, while the energy in the room was high and loud. When the show ended, the stage square became open for dancing, so we shook it out like we had rent due. Since this bar appears to be a no-bro-zone, dancing this way runs little to no risk of catching a clingon from behind. I appreciate this a lot. The music was filled with vulgar, thumpy bass - the kind that almost demands that grinding is the only acceptable way to dance. High brow stuff, you know? I was surprised that there weren't more people dancing, actually. It took a long time to catch the bartender's attention, but they were really busy and I think each side could have probably used two. Either way, it was friendly service! This is CASH ONLY though, and drag costs money, so brings them dollars for drinks and tips! read more

The Blazing Saddle - This getup was amazing. Reminded me of Milk, who is a creative genius, so I hope this person takes it as a massive compliment! - Gay Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

This is still the best gay bar in Des Moines! The first time I went was in 2003. I didn't visit it again until about 2008, and then again this year in 2019. Not much has changed, and that's a good thing. This laid-back bar with a country western theme is very friendly to the bear and leather communities. They do have more of a modern dance area on the other side of the main bar too.The narrow patio gets pretty full. Their mixed drinks are intense! If you get a cocktail, account for having the amount of 3 alcoholic beverages. Definitely the best bang for your buck in town. read more

The Blazing Saddle - Gay Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This is one of my favorite places for drinks and dancing. The music is always on point, keeps me dancing and varied. The crowd is there to have a good time and are friendly. It's often packed and the dance floor is tiny but it fills and empties in waves so you can get some moves in and take a break and get a drink when the dance floor gets full. The bartenders are attentive and serve up doubles. Keep in mind it is cash only. They have an ATM by the pool tables. They sometimes have drag shows, which are super fun, and you can almost always see at least one bachelorette party celebrating a bride to be. If you want to dance til you sweat with fun and accepting people in a space quaint enough to make new friends, hit up the Saddle. read more

See all

This bar is always a great choice if you are looking for a fun night. The decor is fun and the atmosphere relaxed. The staff here is always very professional and super fun to chat with. The music is upbeat and great if you are out to have a fun night. Shout out to the drag kings and queens who make Friday nights here even more of a blast!! The drink selection is always great and you can get almost anything you want. I myself am a huge fan of fruity drinks and love their Pineapple Upside Down Cake (drink). It is super sweet and boozy! read more

Went with some co-workers & had a great time. The drinks are cheap, the atmosphere is laid back and the entertainment is top notch. Bartenders were nice, but it was the clientele that I enjoyed the most about my visit- spent nearly an hour talking to some locals about sights to see in Des Moines. If you wanna get a buzz on for under $25 on a Friday night I'd highly recommend The Blazing Saddle. read more

The place has been around since 1983. We were there in the early evening and the drinks were great. We felt very welcomed by everyone!

This place is always a great place to start out your night. Cheap drinks and always a double (that's what they're known for) and it's true. I've never had a bad experience there and all of the staff are always pleasant. The only thing I'm not the biggest fan of is that this is strictly cash only business so it's a little annoying but does have an ATM there I believe charges $3. It'll be worth it with what you get when you order drinks. There's 2 sides to this place, a more mellow side which is the main side and when it gets really poppin' at night they open the other side that has a stage/dance floor. There is also an outside patio which is fine but smokers... bleh I guess there's no need to say that this is a LGBTQ+ establishment so if you're a Trump supporter you're in the wrong place. The screens on most days will have scantily clad men on a continuous slideshow. I like to play the game with friends of just rating them. I mean why not? Have some fun. Also, come here during Pride. read more

A bartender looked a trans woman up and down and said she was "too drunk" and had to leave. She had 1 drink and wasn't being too loud or causing any kind of scene. Just trying to enjoy her night out. Super weird thing for a gay bar to do when they have a LGBTQ+ flag outside and drag nights. read more

I'm a a professional hockey player, not really out except my parents,one player. I was at Bazing Saddle and really fell for a guy, i,m just soon happy i The middle of nowhere I find a great man. Some day I will throw a party for you if I retire in 5or 6 years. Maybe sooner. Thank you read more

This is a nice bar to hangout while visiting this town. People seems friendly and pretty melow. Yet i encountered some snoby gay guy in here but there are some everywhere. The overall is a recommended place to feel just like home. read more

The Blazing Saddle is a place I call home. I especially love going here on Wednesday nights for trivia with Muffy Rosenburg as well as Friday nights with the Saddle Gurls! Stinky, Nick, Erik, Jacob, Maddie and Gary are some of the best bartenders around town and always pour a double. More bang for your buck! I would highly recommend this place to anyone from out of town because there is always something interesting going on. Overall, one of my favorite places in Des Moines. read more

The Blazing Saddle - Gay Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

They say masks are required but the bartender could not be bothered to keep his on Sunday afternoon. And since he was not wearing one the customers didn't bother to wear them either. read more

For those who are visiting, you are probably aware that the LGBT scene in Des Moines is smaller compared to larger metropolitan areas. The Saddle (never call it The Blazing Saddles.. you will sound like a dork) provides Des Moines with a local, hole-in-the-wall establishment for anyone to frequent. While small in size, it provides a place to call home for individuals of a variety of ages and backgrounds, whether you come for a Sunday Beer Bust or a Friday Night drag show. Their motto, "Always a Double. Never a Cover" should not be taken lightly. Enjoy! read more

Your typical gay bar in an atypical location. The beats are bumpin, drinks are cheap. And everybody is ready to get their groove on. While we were there on an ordinary Friday, it seems like this place has a wide variety of theme nights, from Latin/Salsa to martinis. Totally unpretentious. This place knows exactly what it is and OWNS IT. Big time. read more

I loved this place & regular employees & owner. However, I went here on Sunday and was over charged for drinks, heckled for looking "straight" and then later Bridgette asserted her girlfriend to help, kick me out as I was already walking out the door, slamming the door on me. And shouted descrimating comments towards me. I felt Bridgettes partner didn't even work there. And if so, was inappropriate. I asked for another drink, after she asked 6 other ppl what they wanted, gave them their drinks, she gave me mine. It was watered down & weak. Bridgette is a disgrace to the Saddle. She's rude, judgmental, vapid, and ignorant. I was nothing but polite. And my 5+ friends were nothing but great tippers who refused to tip a stereotypical & prejudice behavior. This is NOT what has kept the Saddle alive. I've never felt more abused & mistreated at a place that I'm used to being so open & accepting. So, if you see Bridgette, tell her she needs to 're-evaluate her situation & be NICE. read more

The Blazing Saddle - SoCo & Sprite :) - Gay Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This is a pretty interesting place to go when you're just a single gay man on a trip alone out in the wild streets of Des Moines. It was kind of a nice atmosphere, because it reminds me of this bar down the street from me at home. The drinks were big, cheap, and really got you to go where you want to go. The patio in the back for smoking could be dressed up to be a little cuter, but it does the job. It would be nice if people just didn't stand in the doorways, but WHAT CAN YOU DO? A lot of the people here were nice and not a bunch total bags like you see in some bars. There were some hotties here hanging out. I noticed a frequent amount of DILFS. It was just interesting overall to go to a gay bar in another city. I made some cool new pals here. We closed the bar out and continued to hang out outside for a bit, but then this ridiculous thunderstorm came and I walked back to my hotel room in the pouring rain. I simply just had a blast. I'll probably be back when I'm in Des Moines again. xoxo read more

They serve drinks in beer steins and pour generously. This place was great. I went alone and didn't feel weird or anything. Very friendly, neighborhood type place. I was there on a Friday. It was packed, but the crowd was very chill. read more

Unpretentious, amazing fun, and everyone is welcome! My wife and I LOVE to come here for parties and holiday events. The drinks are cheap and stiff, and the people are THE best in Des Moines. It's interesting to dwell on the history of the gay community in Des Moines, as well as the gay bars. Blazing Saddle does not disappoint and continues flying the rainbow flag of Pride. Pride in a cool city, and pride in a great gay community. Come out to the Saddle if you want to have an entire night of real fun - I mean actual fun. Everyone from young to very old gets up on the stage to dance to the music. Everyone is super friendly and it's hard NOT to close this bar down. read more

My first time in Des Moines I had a credit card in my hand when attempting to order; the bartender was rudely dismissive, shouting "cash only" and turning his back. What a disappointing welcome to a gay establishment in this small city. read more

How is it that a straight couple traveling across the country always ends up in the most flamboyant bar in town? Hey if you are going to make mixed drinks in a beer mug, I will find a way to call you home. See you again, hugs from Rhode Island. read more

A really fun place to grab a drink and meet some nice people! This is the second time I've been to The Saddle and, the drinks are strong and cheap! So, that's always a good thing! read more

I love the Saddle! If you love strong drinks and friendly people you need to come here. I will stop in every time I'm in town.

Thank you all for welcoming us into your establishment. It was a good time. Can't wait until next time. Take care and keep on rocking........ read more

The Saddle prints on it's matches, "Always a double, never a cover", and they mean it. If you like a strong cocktail, you're in the right place. The best nights are Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays. Tuesdays are just as busy as weekend, which is great when you need a mid-week break. read more

Where every drink is a double. Come here if you want a stiff drink or two and you'll leave happy! I've been here a few dozen times. They have tons of theme nights and occasional drag shows which are really fun. The TVs have music videos or scantily clad men dancing on them. The vibes are great. It's almost always packed at night, and its not a huge place to begin with, so come prepared for that. The dance floor usually has at least a few (if not a lot) people on it at all times. The random people I've met here have been overwhelmingly nice and fun when I first meet them. I did go to a storytellers event where the owner of the Saddle got up and told a story. He's a small town boy, moved to the "big city" of Des Moines and opened up this place. If you get a moment to talk to any of the bartenders ever (when they aren't slammed with customers) I would recommend you do. read more

Cheap drinks, no cover, friendly bar tender. No complaints, just make sure you bring cash. The bar next door is connected and has a little dance floor. Consisted mainly of older white men, but there were some middle aged women and younger men/women. Also naked men are shown on the tv in a slide show with their butt shots covering their weiners. read more

It's very sweet and loving a place to be at I enjoy all my friends Love u guys Every one like family and friends Your loving and caring Friend xoxo read more

I'm used to the bars in KC so I found Blazing Saddle to be a bit average in my book. It's definitely different all around compared to other establishments I've frequented (the Max, Missie B's, etc). It's rather small but I do agree on the stiff drinks! You will definitely leave here happy. read more

It was leather night. A pretty decent dive bar. Good stiff drinks at a good price. This place is cramped though. So cramped that you have to squeeze through people. Hey maybe your into that ha. Clean bathrooms which is a plus and decent music read more

The slogan for the saddle is "Always a double, never a cover" and they mean it. If you're not accustomed to a stiff drink, you might want to order a beer instead. You get your money's worth when you order a cocktail and the atmosphere is very friendly. The best nights to go are Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. That's when the most people are there. Tuesdays may seem a strange night to suggest but they are about as busy as a weekend night. read more

A gay bar that is generally filled with the older crowd. The music is generally okay, but if it's busy you can expect to wait a while for a drink. read more

They really need to add a sign saying no kids allowed. I was walking around Des Moines with my son and we thought we could get good BBQ there. This was not the kind of meat we were looking for. read more

maybe it was because it was a Sunday but being from Philadelphia, this does not live up to the hype. price of drinks is great but don't expect anything more than dive bar service. people don't dance like they do at woody's - just a lot of angst and yelling... at least they had photo hunt! read more