[HeyPete]

(08-07-2012 02:18 AM)flyfreshandyoung Wrote:  

In the spirit of adding to the vast collection of knowledge here and giving back what little I can, I'll add on to this data sheet as this is one place I know extensively well. OP did a pretty good job of breaking down the general, so I'll just add on with more specifics.

And just as a quick preface, there is some pretty decent talent here actually, though OP was right there is definitely a drop off around 25 or so, but call me crazy I think many of you would be surprised considering the conventional wisdom regarding the Midwest. Not that I'd expect too many of you to feel the need to come here though...

But, in case you do find yourself in Des Moines for whatever reason, here is a breakdown:

Nightlife-

There are really three major areas in the DSM metro that the vast majority of people go to at night

Court Avenue

The downtown area of Des Moines, a 6 block x 6 block area that is mostly bars. It's also the most popular area for people to go out at, and the place with the best logistics- taxi lines and hotels nearby. If you are staying in a hotel here I would recommend the Marriott of Embassy Suites for logistics purposes. Out of the couple dozen or so, here are the best bars according to me and my friends-

Mickey's is the most popular bar during warm weather. The entire place is a patio, and it gets pretty packed on the weekends. It's pretty easy to get your mack on since they don't blare the music and most people are standing.

Johnny's is the shit, without a doubt. Shitty sports bar/grill during the day, awesome bar during the night. Really open, not too loud, huge bar, and $4 mixed drinks. All the Des Moines college girls and young professional girls come either here or Mickey's, for the most part. This is where most of my/everyone I know's action goes down.

Liar's Club is really the only true club in Court Ave, so if that's your style this is the place. DJ, dance floor, massive wrap around bar, but since this is Iowa- no bottle service or anything dumb like that. Sometimes it's really fun, sometimes it's really lame. But the fun times I have had there have been my best times in DSM.

Hessen Haus is a pretty sweet German themed bar a block off of Court Ave. Das Boot, dark beer, fucking polka competitions on Thursday. Has a smallish patio out back. Surprisingly, it is not a bad place to pick up. It's very open and also not very loud, and usually everyone there is fucked up off of German beer. The only problem, at least for younger dudes, is that it is definitely a mid-to upper 20s to early 30s type crowd.

Heroes is a club/bar hybrid but definitely more of a loud bar with a dance floor in as an afterthought. The place is pretty small so it gets packed, and it's good for when you're feeling your inner caveman.

Other places of potential RVF interest:

Royal Mile-English themed. Dark, not too loud. DSM hipster hang out, so if you run hipster game this is definitely your spot.
The Station-Used to be 101 but had to change their name/ownership after it got shot up. It's fun, but there is always fights and cops there. Once had a hooker try and pick me up there. It's a big hangout for the non-whites. Lots of Asian cuties, so if you're Asian and into that you're golden. Not being racist- I almost got my ass kicked by the Asian guys for talking to one of "their" girls. Still a fun place though.
Komodo- The Bosnian hangout. Club/bar hybrid. Never been inside but heard it's good times if that's your style.
El Bait Shop/High Life Lounge- A little off the beaten path, a combo bar- lounge and a bar that serves about every beer ever made. Bait Shop has like a hundred or more beers on tap, it's ridiculous. Great patio as well.

East Village

Call me crazy, but East Village doesn't do it for me. Across the river from Court Ave, it's Court Ave's forgotten little brother. There is not a whole lot happening there- Court Ave will treat you so much better. Some of it's more popular spots:

House of Bricks- Live music from local bands. Typical local music crowd, if that is your style.

Lime Lounge- New spot that just opened up that I've been wanting to check out for awhile. Supposedly pretty tight, might have to be my new date spot if everything I've heard about it is true.

The Blazing Saddle- If you're with gay buddies or enjoy trying to swoop chicks out of gay bars, this is your spot.

West Glen

West Glen is out in West Des Moines, so if you ever are over there this will be the place to go since WDM is pretty out of the way from downtown. Tons of the suburban girls go to West Glen, so it's got tons of college girls there. If you know you'll be in WDM, I strongly suggest getting a hotel in West Glen (Ramada or the nearby Holiday Inn) because logistics are shit- if you're not staying there you'll have to do a lot of driving otherwise. Top spots in West Glen-

Wellmans- Huge mega bar with a giant main area and a rooftop patio on top. The destination of choice for the suburban college crowd. It's always pretty full and the girl to dude ratio is solid, but the inside can get stupid loud. The whole place is set up for macking and on paper it's great, but then they decided to turn the music up to 100 db so it can be tough indoors. The rooftop is where it's at.

Cabaret- Second most popular spot. Pretty chill bar with an outdoor patio. A good place to kick back and holla low-energy style. The crowd can vary dramatically, but I would start out here first before Wellmans because the noise factor.

Tonic- My favorite spot in West Glen. Two floor bar that's nice and open, with plenty of sitting or standing room. It's dark and not very loud, and all in all just has a great vibe. People from both sexes go to Tonic to shoot the shit and get laid, plain and simple. I have some fond memories from there...

Those three are really the only worthwhile spots in West Glen. I do not recommend Blue Room (dueling piano bar) because it's loud as fuck when they are playing and you literally can't have conversations with anyone. I also do not recommend 515 because it's a lame ass wannabe club.

However, if you do find yourself in West Des Moines and have the ability to venture beyond West Glen, I highly recommend going Saints on 50th and EP True because it is, quite frankly, the best bar in all the metro and my favorite spot besides Johnny's. Top notch everything- bar, patio, girls. It's only problem is it's location- you pretty much have to drive there and back form wherever you are.

All in all, if you do find yourself in these parts, Court Ave is the best place to go. Court Ave has the most bars, best bars, most people and talent, and the best logistics. I don't think you will be too disappointed and you may even find Des Moines to be better than you imagined

Feel free to ask any questions, I'll be happy to help

Nice job.
I have a friend in DM. I might have to make a trip.

I have been to Iowa City, before, for work, several years back. I remember I was bored and went out solo to some bar by the university. And had one of the best times ever on a work road trip.

These two really hot blondies bought me a shot of tequila. I thought they were making fun of me, because I have dark hair and a darker complexion than many Iowans.

I pushed it away, because I hate tequila and that got them really intrigued. (It was before I practiced game, too). They eventually came over, found out I was from California (which somehow got their panties in a bunch) and proceeded to battle over me. I thought this is what every decent girl must feel when they go out.

They were with a group of four chicks. I picked the second best one and after a good time at the bar and some club smashed her on her bunk bed in the sorority house. Good times.

Edit: Another reason these data sheets are crucial. My logistics could have effed it up if her bunkmate hadn't been out of town that weekend, because I was staying at a hotel in Coralville a few miles away and she was hesitant to go back there with me. Getting a room close to the action is very crucial.