This place hasn't changed. Great "dive" bar. The drinks are reasonably priced. They beers were…read morecold. They have live music. The great part was we were here on a Friday and the music started at 5. The music wasn't too loud. We could still talk. They also had a TV with football on. We enjoyed a few hours here before our movie

The great atmosphere and top-notch bands make this a stellar dive bar! The very reasonable drink…read moreprices make up for the mostly surly bartenders. You just have to learn to ignore their attitudes and enjoy the music and the vibes! Ha ha!

While in Des Moines talking with the locals, they suggested Carl's Place. They explained that it…read morewas an absolute dive bar, but a great one to visit and one not to pass up while in Des Moines. So, naturally, my friend and I gravitated to Carl's. The outside of the bar isn't labeled, so if you didn't know where it was, you might miss it. We were there at the height of the early afternoon in July and the sun was out in full force. When you walk into the bar, you wouldn't know what time of day or night it is, there aren't any windows to really shine the light through. You definitely get the "dive bar" experience. The bar itself appears a little older, but the patrons and the bartenders were bar none! It was a great bunch of people just there to hang out and enjoy the day. The bar has a small stage that has live music during the weeks. None while we were there, but heard it's pretty good! They had darts and there three different "sections" within the bar. We only had a few drinks but it was well worth the stop! I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Awesome dive bar. Cheap beer, great live band, sketchy bathrooms. What else can you ask for? We…read morealways have a great time here.

Full disclosure: unless you are down with dive bars, this review isn't for you…read more As far as dive bars go, this place is a GEM. They have an INSANE beer selection (all bottles FYI), it's dimly lit, AND they have a pool table in the back. What more could a girl ask for?! Taking 1 star off because it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to see the beer selection because of how dark it is. The amazing bartenders have a flashlight behind the bar in case you need the light (like me). Also I don't know if I've ever been able to find a decent pool cue there. It will not be stopping me from returning to play more pool though.

Best bar on Ingersoll!!! Ice cold drinks, lightning fast service. Amazing mood all the time…read more Nice and bright Cubs bar in the daytime. Amazing dark booths at night.

Great service, diverse atmosphere, and drinks that are not poured short. Diverse mix of…read moremusic/bands, always a good time. They do not serve food, but big tomato pizza is next door and well as many restaurants within a block stroll.

My great uncle, a musician, had been telling me that if I wanted to go to a "real musician's bar"…read more(whatever that means), that the Yacht Club should be on my list. It wasn't until a friend suggested it, on account of the fact that a former roommate was going to be playing that night, that I got the opportunity to go. Sounded like a decent adventure... We got there and the first thing I noticed was how LIVELY everyone was. A lot of dive bars have a tendency to let themselves become droopy, borderline pathetic places - but this isn't one of them! Everyone was smiling, laughing, dancing and having a great time. The second thing I noticed was how drunk everyone was. I don't think a single person in there could've passed for sober. Kind of an odd thing to walk into if you are sober like I was. There's a vibe and you ain't in it! Third thing is that this place does not appear to have a target demographic or a decided crowd. I saw people who looked to be at the springy end of early twenties, all the way up to the geriatric crowd. Further, a whole wide range of races and aesthetics, which made it even cooler to watch how much everyone was vibing together. There were a few times where the entire place smelled like an ever-revolving mix of weed, cigarettes, alcohol, cheap perfume, expensive perfume, body odor, food...it was a heady hodge-podge of life stank, which is exactly what a place like this should smell like. The live music was awesome - my friend said that the roomate's dad was also playing in the band that night, and as I watched how lovingly that dad looked at his son as he played, I made a comment about it to my friend. It was then that my friend gave me one of those really cool "ow my heart" looks and said, "his dad is actually blind." Pow, right in the soul, right?! Come here on a night there's live music - zero regrets, 10/10 would do again.

Great little dive bar off the main drag. If you looking for a dark atmosphere in a basement look…read moreno further. My husband, son and I stopped in for a beer and the bartender was very nice and welcoming to out of towners!

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…read morethe 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.

The vibes/ambiance are totally on point. I was lucky enough to get a parking spot right out front,…read morewhich can definitely be tricky on Ingersoll. Luckily it's right by the closed Office Depot or whatever, so there's that whole lot, too. I had read a lot that they were cash only, but now that it's 2026 I guess they take card, which is nice. The bartender was very chill and friendly. It was a really fun time, and I am excited to go back.

3 stars only cause the bartender was nice & quick, but there was only 1 other patron inside…read more This is definitely your "ol school" dive bar, the minute you walk in there was a smell to the place (wasn't pleasant) more of that old pleather/dirty floor smell. There was a pinball machine, pool table and jukebox inside. This place had that "local" dive bar spot feel to it. Drink was fairly cheap $5, we had the bartender make us her favorite drink which was a watermelon shot and it was tasty. The place has potential, if it didn't have the unpleasant smell to it and it was a little brighter inside.

Definitely a hole in the wall place. The decor and overall vibe is super nostalgic. Our drinks were…read morecold, and our food came out within 10 minutes of ordering. Grilled cheese was great, as was the hot beef.

Only non Italian meal we had... maybe 3.5 but hey let's round up…read more Visited the science center and saw a sign advertising a cheeseburger basket for $6.99 all day every day... Flight delayed decides to have lunch before heading to airport and remember this place. It was busy at 12 noon. Just about everybody was ordering the cheeseburger plate. Serves with onions and pickles w/ crinkle cut fries. No seasoning but a solid burger. Not huge not tiny. Pour on the ketchup and starring munching! Service was quick and friendly. Definitely has a locals, bowling league kind of vibe. Christmas lights strung from the ceiling. Tons of photos on the walls and a Photo Booth in the corner. Several TVs and dim lighting rounds out the atmosphere. Cool lil hole on the wall to grab a drink. No frills kinda spot. 2 cheeseburger baskets + 2 kids meals = $30. Fine by me!

Great place for a beer and to watch the game. Locals kinda place with a decent beer selection and…read morea comfortable feel to the place.

It's a dive bar, a friendly dive bar. I had heard their specialty was drinks made from fresh…read moresqueezed oranges and grapefruit, which was true. It's sort of an odd location, feels like it's in the parking lot of Fareway. There's a decent sized amount of outdoor seating, but it was too late in the year for that to be open.

Always looking for a great breakfast place after church. OMG - this was the BEST breakfast ever!…read more Hubby had biscuits and gravy and I had the breakfast bowl. Portions were huge and delicious. We sat at the bar and chatted with friendly locals and bartender. We ate the leftovers today...and will definately be back to try out lunch/dinner menu too!

We came here on Wednesday and shown a table right away…read more Since I like to try local beers when traveling, I ordered a Pseudo Sue Pale Ale. Pale ales are usually not my choice but it was worth a try. I ended up ordering 3 before we left. For food each ordered 2 tacos each a la carte. I ordered one grilled shrimp taco and one blackened chicken taco. My friend ordered one fish taco and shrimp taco. We ordered 1/2 order of the jumbo pretzel appetizer which came with one jumbo pretzel, queso, and nacho chips. The queso had a good amount of heat. The pretzel was soft and not too much salt. Our server was professional and friendly

Great good, Great people & ice cold beer! What else do ya need? Place is great! I enjoy it!read more

Great dive bar. Good jukebox, good prices, silly friendly patrons and staff. Pool tables and decent…read morebar food available. Just the right atmosphere, dim light, music at the right volume.