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    The Operating Room

    4.2 (73 reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Services - The Operating Room

    Bartending services

    Catering services

    Post-event cleaning services

    The Operating Room Photos

    Business Info

    THE OPERATING ROOM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Operating Room

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    Elton John pinball and Toy Story 4 pinball machines
    Maggie F.

    This is aa typical stop when we make it to WDM and love that they seem to have a regular rotation of new pinball machines to check out. Especially love the machines based on bands/musicians! They have a limited menu of bar food that always smells good. And they have a variety of specialty cocktails and shots, if that's your jam. I get the rising prices but it still hurts to pay $6 for a Busch light tall boy.

    Nisha B.

    Such a great adult arcade!!! We arrived sometime after 10P on a Saturday. Had to show ID to enter. Fantastic bartenders!!! They were the best in Des Moines! Many drinks were of the Slushy Kind and had their own cocktail names. Full bar service. Super fun games! Buy a game card to play. Food & Pizza is available until about 9 or 10PM. Can't wait to return!

    Connect Four Hoops game!
    Mandy C.

    This place gives Chuck E Cheese a run for it's money! Located in West Des Moines, this pit stop has fun arcade games. The energy is extremely high with two big rooms to venture in. We walked in and there were kids running around everywhere, parents sipping on beers, and some teenagers huddled in groups. We went straight for the giant connect four hoops. This seemed to be the most popular game here because we waited for 45 minutes for it. Stand your ground. Some kids cut in front of us a few times. If you are good at basketball or not good at basketball, this twist on connect four is fun and competitive. We also played skee ball, teenage mutant ninja turtles four player, an interactive snowboard game, and a four person first person shooter game. Games are played by buying a card and putting money on it. Each game is worth a certain amount of points. Earn enough points and you could win a prize at the end of your visit. We won this test tube that makes instant snow. A lot of quirky items. Some very expensive items, as well. We just ordered the cocktail slushies. The root beer flavor was creamy and strong. It was a nice cold treat to go along with some fun games. Not sure if there was food; we didn't look. Staff was nice and kindly answered any questions. Will return when back in Des Moines!!!

    Kristyn M.

    I swear I wrote a review, but this has been sitting in my drafts so I am not sure what happened. I got to check out the Operating Room at a Yelp party. This place lights up and fills a young heart with excitement. The options of games is pretty incredible. There are so many options. I enjoyed getting to try and few. The people were really kind and happy to serve. I do have to say your pockets will have to be a little deeper here than other local game places. There is a whole wall of pinball, and a bar with fun exciting flavored drinks to try. I enjoy the 4 player pac-man and some of the shooting games. If you are on this side of town I would suggest giving it a try, along with a few drinks. I know I have a more detailed review on the Yelp event.

    Greg F.

    So much fun! So clean, best games of any arcade in Iowa. What a great ideal to have this theme, you have to see it to believe it. It was designed by a surgeon and the artwork was all done by local Doctors. The slushees are surprisingly delicious. They will give you a sample before you choose. My favorite is the Orange Genius or the Dr Netter. The beer choices are complex thoughtful and currents I counted 19 pinball machines which is unbelievable. Most arcades never have enough pinball. There is also all of the latest and greatest arcade games mixed with the old school. Finally Des Moines has an upscale arcade!!!

    Erin H.

    We went to Operating Room on a whim last Sunday afternoon. We had our 9 year old son with us so we were hoping it wouldn't be too much of a "bar" atmosphere during the day. We were most impressed with the selection of games, lots of pinball machines and a good variety of other games. Loved the giant Galahad/Pac Man game, but at a $1 per game, wasn't worth more than a single try. Decor is very cleverly themed, it's really clean, and good selections of drinks. It was perfectly appropriate for our son to be there during the day and there were a few other kids there too. My only con is that the games are expensive, many $1 per play. I'd love to see them do some sort of hourly charge to play unlimited games or something like that. Fun place though and I hope it does well!

    Amazing craft cocktails in slushee form
    Dong B.

    Where else can you feel like it is the 80s again without hopping into your TARDIS? Right here in The Operating Room. It is the 80s arcade place I wish existed back then. A place I could get Slushee drinks with a kick or Shark Bite. I love pinball games and this place has a whole lot to choose from. Star Trek. Iron Man. Star Wars, yes the annoying one with Jar Jar. Walking Dead and so many more to choose from. Then there are the classic video games from the 80s like Pac Man and Galaxia. And the new ones like The Walking Dead first person shooter. It is so much fun shooting zombies with a cross bow. Head shots are a lot harder than it looks. Or maybe it was hard because I was trying to finish the Orange Genius at the same time. Oh so yummy and a wonderful mixture of alcohol. This is a great place to have fun. Try some great drinks. Talk to friends. And just relax while blowing away zombie heads.

    Cody M.

    Very cool place to visit. They have lots of adult games that are a blast to bring a friend or a dozen friends too. They have some really cool adult slushies' on hand. I tried one called shark bite and I really liked it. Lots of cool décor around the place and its easy to find. Great quality games to play and it was very clean which I liked.

    Deadpool!!!! Great arcade!
    Chad H.

    Pinball Lover's dream! I LOVED LOVED LOVED This PlaceI So many Pinball machines!!!! I could have stayed here for hours. All machines I played were in good working order. I was really impressed with how new the machines were - Walking Dead, Star Wars, Wizard of Oz, etc. Played a little skee ball and enjoyed the skill shots - Couldn't hit 80K, but fun trying. OK - Now the Air Hockey game is SUPER fun. Surprise in the game makes it unlike any other Air Hockey game I've ever played before. Clean place - nice bar - life size DeadPool statue for selfies! Giant classic games - small place, but loads of fun! Great location next to both wine and beer spots!

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    9 years ago

    Excellent place! Brand new games! The only place in Des Moines for a lot of these games. Really good drink prices and daily specials.

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    9 years ago

    Loved this place! Bring lots of quarters, beer selection is really good.

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    9 years ago

    Absolutely love the draft slushes! The orange cream is by far the best. The bar tenders are super nice and helpful.

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    8 years ago

    A lot of fun and great drinks.... much cheaper to play games then I thought it would of been.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Operating Room

    Review Highlights - The Operating Room

    The only place in Des Moines for a lot of these games.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Prime and Providence - Legendary lobstercargo

    Prime and Providence

    4.0(57 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Oh you better run to Prime and Providence if you know what's good for you! (And if you like steak…read morehouses and have a couple hundred dollars to spend). We loved our first visit to this joint, let me tell you this is the best steak house I've been to across many states and with my steak house loving family who make it a point to visit all major chains and local spots. That this place is a solo, homegrown Des Moines steak house is incredible, and they are going toe to toe with the giants like Ruth Chris and Capital Grill. Our server was a cut above, pun intended, so knowledgeable and so accommodating. We ordered oysters, delicious bread, filet, t-bone, rainbow carrots and bacon creamed corn and we loved it all. No complaints, no notes. And don't think "why would anyone order carrots?" Because they transformed those colorful babies into a sweet, creamy delicacy you won't soon forget. We brought our own wine for a chunky corkage fee but my parents love wine so it was worth it to them (not me!) My dad accidentally ordered a $40 old fashioned because he picked the most expensive bourbon on the menu, so maybe ask the price before you order some of their more fancy concoctions. But like I said, bring a heavy wallet, an empty stomach and get ready to be blessed by the steakhouse gods in this gorgeous, classy environment.

    Look, I'm all for a nice meal, but I don't want to be somewhere so formal that I feel like I really…read morehave to behave myself. Prime & Providence strikes that balance really well. It's polished and upscale, but it never feels snooty or overly formal. There's still a casualness to the place that makes it feel approachable, and I liked that right away. I was there for a work dinner, and the service was excellent. Our server, Chris, was dynamite--attentive, funny, and full of great recommendations. She gave us just the right amount of attention without hovering, which is harder to pull off than it sounds. I had the Chilean sea bass, which was cooked perfectly, tender inside with a really nice sear that gave it a crisp exterior. It was served over a creamy fondue that was just slightly lemony and complemented the fish really well. My coworker had the filet and absolutely loved it, saying it was literally one of the best steaks she's ever had. They grill their steaks over charcoal, and that char really came through not just on the filet, but also on the broccolini we ordered. The standout for me, though, was the creamed corn with crab. Big chunks of crab, sweet corn, a savory cream sauce and perfectly cooked pieces of bacon. It sounds like it should be heavy, but it really wasn't. Just incredibly flavorful, and probably my favorite thing we had all night. We finished with a dessert that had cinnamon ice cream, oats, crunchy bits and plenty of sweetness. I think it was called Jim's Oatmeal Something, which sounds vaguely like something you'd feed a horse, but it was actually delicious. Kind of like a really good cobbler without the fruit. Whatever it was called, I'd order it again. We had cocktails, and the total came to about $300 for two, so this is definitely a place for a special occasion or when you feel like splurging a little. But the food, service and atmosphere all delivered, and I'd definitely come back. I'm honestly surprised this is sitting at four stars on Yelp. Based on my experience, Prime & Providence is a five-star restaurant. If you want a really good meal in a place that feels special without making you feel like you need to wear a tuxedo and mind your manners, this is a great choice.

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    Prime and Providence - Beautiful kitchen

    Beautiful kitchen

    Prime and Providence - Lasagnatolo

    Lasagnatolo

    Prime and Providence - Robust wine selection.

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    Robust wine selection.

    Smash Park - New food

    Smash Park

    4.1(183 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    I travel frequently and rarely leave negative reviews, but my experience here was bad enough that I…read morefeel obligated to warn others. I arrived around 3:00 PM on June 20 and sat at a mostly empty bar. After receiving my drink, I asked for a menu. Instead of a simple explanation, the bartender rudely told me to "turn around" and pointed toward the food line. I apologized and explained that I had never been there before. The interaction only got worse from there. As I walked the short distance to the food line--with my suitcase still sitting at the bar because I was traveling--the bartender yelled across the room asking whether I wanted a tab. I immediately apologized again and explained that I wasn't from the area and wasn't familiar with how their process worked. When I handed him my card, his response was sarcastic and condescending. Another customer at the bar actually exchanged a look with me because the behavior was so unnecessary and awkward. The food itself was good. The tenders and Brussels sprouts were enjoyable, and the young man taking food orders was professional, friendly, and helpful. Unfortunately, the bartender continued to ignore me for the remainder of my visit. My drink sat empty for an extended period of time. He looked directly at my empty glass multiple times without acknowledging it while continuing to serve other customers. A female bartender eventually noticed and offered another drink. When it came time to leave for my flight, I politely asked for my check. The bartender responded with more sarcasm and attitude while trying to locate my tab. After another unnecessarily rude exchange, he finally found it and immediately turned the payment screen toward me, instructing me to add a tip. At that point, I told him directly that he had been rude to me throughout my entire visit. His response was essentially, "Yeah, sorry," in a tone that made it clear he wasn't sorry at all. I left a zero-dollar tip, which is something I NEVER do. And I made sure he knew. He looked and stomped away. The frustrating part is that this experience was completely avoidable. I was a first-time customer in an unfamiliar restaurant environment, asking normal questions and trying to be polite. Instead of receiving basic hospitality, I was treated like an inconvenience from the moment I sat down. The kitchen staff and the woman bartender were great. The male bartender working around 3 PM on June 20 was not. One employee shouldn't be enough to make a customer leave angry, but in this case, he absolutely was. I would not return, and I cannot recommend this establishment based on the service I received.

    Review purely for their curbside $1.00 wings. It is a great online process to select your time slot…read moreand make your order. Minimum 15 wings to start. The curbside process was great to pull over to a stall and text your number. Wings are a very generous size for $1.00 each. We will be ordering again.

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    Smash Park
    Smash Park - TACOS AL PASTOR

    TACOS AL PASTOR

    Smash Park - Corgi Races

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    Corgi Races

    Irina's Steak and Seafood - MOST EVER BEST PRIME 46oz TOMAHAWK CABERNET REDUCTION

    Irina's Steak and Seafood

    3.5(63 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    We have been to Irina's a few times and it has always been a delicious experience…read more Irina's has one of the best steak offerings in the metro. Their sides are always delicious as well. We tried the bang bang shrimp for the first time and is now an all time favorite. The service is always a bit slow but it's a restaurant that creates that kind of culture, so not a big deal. The ambiance is dark and moody, but the vibe is great. The servers are always kind and attentive. Definitely a must visit steakhouse.

    Both kids had stuff going on and I had the chance to slide off to a last minute invite for dinner…read morewith a few friends on Friday evening. Although I really miss the old location off of Hickman I still get over to Irina's now and then... I was the first to arrive and soon after the hostess had seated me Dmitri came over to say hello. It's always great to see him. Irina was under the weather and wasn't on site. I've gotten to know both well over the years and I really enjoy catching up with them both. He knows how I felt about the old location and I'm in my 50s now and don't always deal with change well. The current location is beautiful, and I'll get used to it, but I still miss that old wooden horseshoe bar and the more intimate feel. This visit was to see a friend who has since moved out of state (Tena). Our reservation was for eight at 800 PM on Friday evening. We went over our planned eight and Dmitri quickly helped expand our table to meet our needs. The first time I met Tena was actually in Irina's (the Hickman location) back in early March of 2021. I was in Irina's trying the poutine that had been added to the menu not long before that and Tena was there planning a birthday party. I recognized her from Facebook...along with a very big pink unicorn pinata she had recently purchased, I introduced myself, and I've been friends with her and her husband since then. As everyone arrived over the first few minutes our server was quick to take drink orders and we moved on to food once everyone had arrived. I started with an espresso martini. I don't think there was an introvert at the table so conversations flowed like efficient drink refills and if service was slow I'm not sure I would have noticed it. We ordered quite a few appetizers that were shared around the table. Bang bang shrimp, tuna tartare, calamari, philly cheese steak eggroll, and stacks of onion rings. I can't honestly say I can remember what everyone ordered for entrees. I had the almost famous lobster macaroni with a side of grilled asparagus and I know Tena had the Iowa farm pork chop that came with a glaze, garlic whipped potatoes, and brussel sprouts. I will say that I was expecting the normal lobster mac n cheese with chunks of lobster meat and I was pleasantly surprised when my bed of macaroni came out with a very nicely sized lobster tail perched on top. The lobster was cooked perfectly. The meat had already been separated from the tail so it was no muss no fuss. Her pork chop was a HUGE chunk of meat balanced on an end making it a can't miss focal point. Presentation at Irina's has always been something that is going to be really hard to beat anywhere else... Say what you want but they put out some picture perfect plates. We wrapped up after a couple of hours and said our "see you laters..." Goodbyes don't really seem to happen with this group. More like... Until next time! I think we all enjoyed the food, I know I did mine, but sometimes dinner is really more about the company you keep at your table. In a lot of ways Irina's can be as divisive. Mannnn... I've heard good and bad. But I can only judge on my personal experience. Yes...I know Irina and Dmitri, however when I go in they are not always on site and their staff doesn't know me from Adam. Maybe Daniel would recognize me... I've been a customer for well over ten years, I don't consider myself a regular though, and I've never been treated rudely or had a bad meal. In fact it's a business I take visitors to from out of town and one I recommend. Are there going to be off days? I'm sure there are. Like any other business in 2024 they sometimes face both staffing and distribution chain issues. Have I experienced slower than normal service there every now and then? Sure have. And I've had that at many other places too that I continue to go back to also... I've always found that easy to forgive for good food. I've written a couple reviews over the years and I've tried highly recommended places and I've went to places intentionally that received pretty bad write ups. The one thing I would always stress with anywhere... Reviews are subjective. Even mine. Don't let a couple of bad reviews, or something you hear, dissuade you from trying someplace new. No one else is writing your book. If someone is going to be the one putting your pen to your paper to tell your story... Let it be you! If you've been putting off a visit to Irina's go ahead and give it a chance... You might just really like it... I know I do! https://www.irinassteakandseafood.com/

    Photos
    Irina's Steak and Seafood
    Irina's Steak and Seafood - Indulge in a culinary journey with Chef Gabe's exquisite Caribbean Chicken at Irina's Steak & Seafood.

    Indulge in a culinary journey with Chef Gabe's exquisite Caribbean Chicken at Irina's Steak & Seafood.

    Irina's Steak and Seafood - Irina's Bar

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    Irina's Bar

    Wellman's Pub and Rooftop - Tropical Habanero Wings

    Wellman's Pub and Rooftop

    2.8(240 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    4.8* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 5*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $40 05/08/2026 Our primary reason for stopping by tonight was to update information at www.happyhourdesmoines.com. We ended up quite impressed with the value and our server, Kelbe was fantastic - offering great suggestions off of the Happy Hour menu! Overall, this is a top-tier venue for your next Happy Hour trip (especially once they get the rooftop opened)! To share as much as we could about their Happy Hour, we sampled as many food dishes as we could comfortably eat, with all of them being solid options that we would order again. We started with a Margarita (see picture) and a Raspberry Mule (see picture) and while both were very good, it is hard to beat the value for the Margarita. For our food options, we tried all of the following shown in order of my preference (see pictures for each): Shrimp Street Tacos, Carne Asada Street Tacos, Wings (Tropical Habanero sauce), Lettuce Wraps and Buffalo Rangoons. A few comments to understand the priority order: I love street tacos, the wings were good but could have used a bit more sauce, the lettuce wraps were very good - but oh, so messy with the rice and just a bed of lettuce rather than a wrap and the rangoons were good, but a bit too overbrowned. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

    First, shame on me for not looking at the menu more closely, but I ordered a flatbread pizza…read more($12.99) and added pepperoni and banana peppers, not realizing that each topping is an additional $3 each (outrageous!). I thought a generic flatbread pizza included up to 2 toppings. However, on closer inspection of the menu, adding toppings is more expensive than ordering a specialty pizza as a flatbread. Unbelievable! I was given a flatbread pizza that was as thin as a tortilla and had burnt corners along with 10 pieces of pepperoni and 8 banana peppers. I could've made my own flatbread pizza at home for a fraction of the cost, and it would've been way better quality. I still can't believe I had to pay $21 for this poor quality food. Even the waitress agreed it was ridiculous to be charged that much for this pizza. I will never eat here again. Expensive and poor quality - it's not worth your time.

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    Wellman's Pub and Rooftop
    Wellman's Pub and Rooftop - Lettuce Wraps

    Lettuce Wraps

    Wellman's Pub and Rooftop - Raspberry Mule

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    Raspberry Mule

    The Operating Room - arcades - Updated September 2026

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