Dance clubs, live music, rooftop bars, speakeasies, LGBTQ+ nightlife, listening bars and late-night dives across Des Moines, with where to go and what is worth the late night.
Dance Clubs in Des Moines
1 place-
Wooly's
Wooly's is Des Moines' primary mid-size live music and late-night dancing venue in the East Village, booking national touring acts and local headliners
Live Music in Des Moines
3 places-
Noce Jazz Club
Des Moines' most important live music destination: an intimate basement jazz club on Walnut Street booking national touring jazz acts and strong regional
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Wooly's
The city's primary mid-size concert venue, booking touring acts across rock, indie, hip hop and electronic genres.
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Hessen Haus
Hessen Haus hosts live German folk, polka and contemporary music regularly, with the Oktoberfest season (September-October) being the most intensive live
Book food experiences in Des Moines
Rooftop Bars in Des Moines
1 place-
Wellman's Pub Rooftop
Wellman's Pub operates a covered rooftop patio that is one of the East Village's most popular outdoor drinking spots in warm months.
LGBTQ+ in Des Moines
1 place-
Blazing Saddle
Des Moines' most established LGBTQ bar, with a long history in the East Village and a programme of drag shows, karaoke nights and themed events.
Listening Bars in Des Moines
1 place-
Noce Jazz Club
Noce functions as Des Moines' only genuine listening bar: the music is the purpose, the environment is designed around hearing, and the cocktail programme
Late Night Dives in Des Moines
1 place-
High Life Lounge
One of the city's most beloved dive bars, with cheap Miller High Life cans, irreverent decor and occasional live music on weekend evenings.