The Contrary ★ 4.6
East Village's most accomplished craft cocktail bar, with a rotating seasonal menu built on locally produced spirits, house-made shrubs and fresh produce.
Signature drink: Seasonal craft cocktails with local spirits
Wellman's Pub is a bar in East Village, Des Moines.
Editorially verified June 26, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Address: 404 E 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
East Village's most accomplished craft cocktail bar, with a rotating seasonal menu built on locally produced spirits, house-made shrubs and fresh produce.
Signature drink: Seasonal craft cocktails with local spirits
The Des Moines satellite of the acclaimed Iowa City brewpub, Big Grove brings its range of well-crafted ales and lagers to a large, family-friendly space
Signature drink: Iowa City-originated craft ales and lagers brewed on-site
A westside pub with a tight tap list focused almost entirely on Iowa craft production. The small, unpretentious space is exactly what it intends to be: a
Signature drink: Iowa craft tap selection
Des Moines' premier live jazz venue: an intimate Walnut Street club booking national acts with a quality cocktail and wine programme alongside the music.
Signature drink: Classic cocktails alongside a curated spirits list
The definitive Des Moines craft beer destination, El Bait Shop has maintained over 150 tap handles since opening in a renovated riverfront building.
Signature drink: 150+ tap handles of Iowa and US craft beer
East Village's most accomplished craft cocktail bar, with a rotating seasonal menu built on locally produced spirits, house-made shrubs and fresh produce.
Signature drink: Seasonal craft cocktails with local spirits
Des Moines' authentic German bierhalle, serving large-format steins of German draft beer alongside schnitzel, pretzels, sauerkraut and wurst in a massive
Signature drink: German draft beers in 1-litre and 2-litre steins
The Des Moines satellite of the acclaimed Iowa City brewpub, Big Grove brings its range of well-crafted ales and lagers to a large, family-friendly space
Signature drink: Iowa City-originated craft ales and lagers brewed on-site