Is there anything better than a good happy hour? (we think not 😉 ) The Des Moines metro is home to not only some of the best local food and beverages but also the best happy hours. What better way to “taste Des Moines”, than to do it during a deal? Whether you’re a beer girlie, wine gal, cocktail queen, or N/A lady- there’s something for everyone!
Get the latest info on the best happy hours the Des Moines metro area has to offer!
Last Updated: February 2024
Our Guide to Happy Hours in Des Moines
Eatery A
- Happy Hour: Daily, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Eatery A, 2932 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
We’re starting out with the heavyweight champion of happy hours in the area. With half-price wine, draft beer, and pizza, Eatery A is a classic happy hour spot for just about anyone. Gluten-free? Their GF pizza is great. Putting a Mediterranean spin on some Italian eats, Eatery A truly has their vibe down.
Why we love it: You really can’t beat a half-price personal, gourmet pizza and wine. We recc. the #15, or if you’re feeling more Mediterranean, the #16 is a classic.
Gilroy’s
- Happy Hour: Weekdays, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Gilroy’s, 1238 8th St West Des Moines, IA 50265
Gilroy’s “Ginger Power Happy Hour” will have you callin’ up your red-head friends for a weeknight of awesome deals (don’t worry, you don’t HAVE to have red hair to partake). Enjoy $4 wells + PBR, $5 White Claws + mocktails, $6 traditional mules + sangria, $7 Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned & Manhattan, $9 appetizers, AND $11 pizzas. PHEW!
Why we love it: Deals, deals, deals! This happy hour is STACKED.
Cheese Bar DSM
- Happy Hour: Tuesday – Saturday, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Cheese Bar DSM, 2925 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Across the street on Ingersoll Ave. you can find another fantastic happy hour dubbed “Bubbles & Bites”! The snacks rotate, but the deal is the same! $5 bites and $5 sparkling wine and Champagne (‘current bites’ are subject to change every week). If you love Ingersoll Ave. as much as we do, be sure to follow The Avenues on Instagram and Facebook!
(Pro tip: For our lactose-intolerant girlies, make sure to pop a Lactaid before enjoying 😉 )
Why we love it: Is there anything dreamier than cheese? Paired with a glass of wine of champagne, the Cheese Bar really goes above and beyond with their inventive snacks!
The Walnut
- Happy Hour: Weekdays, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- The Walnut, 1417 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
We heard about the Walnut from everyone. Now we’ve been as often as possible. Check it out for the first (or thirtieth) time for happy hour for $1 off all beverages. While you’re at it, try out their dope menu with much more than bar food, and be sure to check out their varied food/drink specials Tuesday-Saturday!
Why we love it: The Walnut being on one of our favorite streets in the whole city, you can start basically any fun night out here!
Coa Cantina
- Happy Hour: Weekdays, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Coa Cantina, 425 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
If you’re feeling a little tequila, but aren’t over in West Des Moines, try Coa Cantina in the East Village. Describing itself as “Des Moines’ Finest Tequila Bar”, Coa Cantina boasts an impressive happy hour including 1/2 price margaritas, palomas, draft beers, & select appetizers.
Why we love it: Margaritas. Need we say more?
The Urban Cellar
- “Social Hour”: Monday – Saturday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Late Night “Social Hour”: Friday & Saturday, 8 p.m. – close
- The Urban Cellar, 640 S 50th St. Suite 2110 West Des Moines, IA 50265
Head on over to West Des Moines for Urban Cellar’s “social hours”, serving up $3 domestic beers, $4 glasses of house wine, $5 + $6 select cocktails, and $7 select apps! Or, if you’re in the area on a Friday or Saturday night, stop in for their late night social hour after 8 p.m. and enjoy the same deals!
Why we love it: Not one, but TWO happy hours? C’mon now, this one’s a must-do!
Gusto Pizza Bar
- Happy Hour: Daily, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Gusto Pizza Bar, 2301 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Why we love it: They do pizza, with a twist! You gotta check out their specialty pies when you’re there enjoying happy hour
Fresko
- Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Fresko, 909 Locust St Ste. 103, Des Moines, IA 50309
Known for their natural food and chef-inspired dishes, Fresko has more than just their amazing week night specials. Grab $6 or $7 craft cocktails, or $2 off all Iowa beers on tap. And if you’re feeling a bit peckish or need an early dinner, they’ve got you covered. Grab $10 flatbreads, $8 snacks, or the classic Fresko burger for only $12.
Why we love it: Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, this spot is always lively and a great place to get together with friends.
The Republic on Grand
- Happy Hour: Monday – Thursday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- The Republic on Grand, 401 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Why we love it: Probs one of the best views in DSM, Republic on Grand’s food and cocktails are the perfect spot to really take in those city vibes!
Louie’s Wine Dive
- Happy Hour: Daily, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Louie’s Wine Dive, 4040 University Ave suite a, Des Moines, IA 50311
Near the Roosevelt Shops or Drake University? Stop into Louie’s Wine Dive for happy hour. Their happy hour menu consists of good deals on wine by the glass, 25% off bottles of wine, $8 select cocktails, various appetizer deals, and $7 rotating wine glass specials. Gluten free? They have tons of good gluten-free options.
Why we love it: Their patio is so cute that you definitely want to go back when the weather is nice!
503 Cocktail Lab & Tasting Room
- Happy Hour: Tuesday – Friday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- 503 Cocktail Lab & Tasting Room, 503 East Locust Street Des Moines, IA 50309
Why we love it: With a rotating cocktail and snack menu, there’s always something new to try!
Hello, Marjorie
- Happy Hour: Daily, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Hello, Marjorie, 717 Locust St. Des Moines, IA 50309
Yes, your favorite cocktail bar in Des Moines has a happy hour! Stop in for a $7 house old fashioned, $6 house vodka martini, or a $5 Big Grove Easy Eddy Hazy IPA. This makes for a perfect date spot or pre-fancy dinner stop!
Why we love it: Hello, Marjorie has quickly become a cult-classic spot for drinks with your best gal pals (not to mention they have the cutest vibes)!
Clyde’s Fine Diner
- Happy Hour: Tuesday – Saturday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Clyde’s Fine Diner, 111 East Grand Ave, Suite 111 Des Moines, IA 50309
Clyde’s is a hip, up-scale modern take on the old-style diners we know and love. Their happy hour includes an assortment of house cocktails for $8-9, house wine for $8, and more! While you’re there, make sure to ask the server about their “milk punch” of the month.
Why we love it: The decor is something out of a movie, not to mention their windows are great for lounging and people-watching East Village!
The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar
- Happy Hour: Tuesday – Friday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- The New Northwestern, 321 E Walnut Des Moines, IA 50309
This cocktail and wine lounge is located in the East Village, inspired by the historic Northwestern Hotel that originally opened on the site in 1916. Their happy hour includes 1/2 price select cocktails and wine by the glass, along with some munchies you can order to snack on while you’re there. There is free parking in their lot after 3 p.m.
Why we love it: Their swanky, vintage vibe makes for a cozy happy hour setting.
Bartender’s Handshake
- Happy Hour: “Aperitivo Hour”- Daily, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. & “Late Night” – Friday & Saturday, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
- Bartender’s Handshake, 3615 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA
Why we love it: Their daily “aperitivo hour” includes delicious deals on cocktails and their newer late night happy hour is unique to the area if you’re more of a night owl!
Revival House
- Happy Hour: Daily, 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Revival House, 316 Court Avenue Des Moines, IA 50309
Neon pink tropical vibes hit you immediately when you step into this fun, themed bar just off of Court Ave. Get $2 off ALL cocktails, including their non-alcoholic drinks. This is one of our favorites if we need to escape winter vibes, bad weather, or just pretend we’re on vacation instead of coming in after work.
Why we love it: This cozy tiki lounge really does transport you to island life. “I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Des Moines anymore.”
Django
- Happy Hour: Weekdays, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Django, 1420 Locust St Des Moines, IA 50309
Des Moines’ popular french restaurant is serving up a delectable happy hour every day with deals like $5 select apps, $6 classic martinis, $5 wine by the glass, $2 oysters, and more. Django’s up-scale vibe is perfect for a fancy ladies night, after work drinks, or date night with the S.O.
Why we love it: If you’re feelin’ bad and boujee, then Django is the place for you!
Juniper Moon
- Happy Hour: Weekdays, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Juniper Moon, 2005 Ingersoll Ave Des Moines, IA 50309
Juniper Moon is a cocktail bar located right on Ingersoll, making it a hot spot to grab some happy hour deals of 1/2 priced Ingersoll manhattans, Moon mules, house sangria, draft beer, and prosecco! Their classic old style cocktails meet a modern twist, offering a great selection of beer and wine as well.
Why we love it: They curate some pretty hip live music nights from hip-hop to 90s, and so much more!
Court Avenue Brewing
- Happy Hour: Weekdays, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Court Avenue Brewing, 309 Court Ave Des Moines, IA 50309
Beer & mule lovers, this one’s for you! Court Ave Brewing’s got a happy hour goin’ on every weekday with $5 handcrafted CABCO beers, $6 classic mules and 1/2 price pizzas! Enjoy a pint or two with co-workers, or meet your S.O. after work for a much needed date night.
Why we love it: Location!! Court Ave is one of the most bustlin’ streets in Des Moines and there’s no telling what you might get up to (and ofc their craft brews are 10/10).
Alba Happy Hour
- Happy Hour: Daily, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Alba, 524 E Sixth St Des Moines, IA 50309
A longstanding American restaurant in the East Village. BoGo beers, 1/2 priced wine, and $6 cocktails & appetizers.
Why we love it: Attentive service, seasonal menus, and the patio is a great place to enjoy an afternoon spritz.
Fong’s Pizza
- Happy Hour: Weekdays, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Fong’s Pizza, 223 4th St. Des Moines, IA 50309
Fong’s is located in what previously housed one the oldest operating Chinese restaurants in the country, which inspired menu items such as the famous Crab Rangoon pizza. $3 Jumbo slices, $4 Sake bombs, and additional drink specials throughout the week.
Why we love it: The unique fusion menu and decor…and if you miss happy hour it’s one of the few downtown restaurants that’s open late!
Do you have a favorite Des Moines happy hour hot spot? What’s your favorite thing to order? Let us know! Chat with us.
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