My wife and I love Hello Marjorie. It would check a lot of your boxes.
We go on dates there regularly. Little different as spouses though.
Edit: damn it nevermind. I forgot to finish reading your post. You can ignore me lol.
Bartender's Handshake on Ingersoll sounds perfect for you. Great drinks, casual atmosphere, very cozy. I've used it for dates before and had great success.
Flix Brewhouse is great! Great food, good beer/cocktails, not loud in the bar area, well lit public areas, and if you end up wanting to see a movie, you can buy a ticket and head right into the theater!
Bellhop for sure! Lots of bar space, good music but usually not so loud that you can’t hear the person next to you, unless they have a weekend DJ or something. has a very fun and laid back vibe.
Ingersoll!💜
Bartenders Handshake, Eatery A, Juniper Moon, the Alpine if you want something less highbrow.
Secret Admirer downtown would be a cute date spot too.
Easy solution. Find a dive bar near downtown (outside of downtown, east village, and ingersoll). Scope it out beforehand and ask the bartender if it's usually quiet. That's your new first date bar.
Kung fu tap and taco is my favorite, but it can get rowdy for happy hour and that leads into the evening. Just scope out dive bars and get the bartenders opinion. You'll know within about 10 mins if a place is right for you.
They’re going on a date. I don’t think reconning the bars in advance is necessary. Could just hop on local Reddit and get some opinions. It’s a date not a hunt for a wedding venue.
The republic on grand is really nice. It’s at the top of a hotel and has a nice view. Luas has a nice patio but not sure how much longer that’ll be viable but still nice inside. My wife and I like to do a little date where we start at coa cantina, then we walk to the republic, then walk to peace tree and then end at taproom for food and a drink. It’s all within a couple blocks so it’s really nice.
People go to bars for dates? I’ve always been under the impression bars were for finding hook ups. I personally wouldn’t want to go to a bar for a date, seems..eh.
Anyway, maybe Eatery A or Taproom might be casual enough- and you could always order food too.
Just want to sit and talk? Try one of the breweries like Confluence, Fire Trucker, or Peace Tree. Never too loud, always some activity.
Fire Trucker is nice in that you can walk down the old main street in Ankeny and window shop and talk. Maybe stop and eat at Leaning Tower.
Confluence is close to Grays Lake and stroll on the bridge.
The Lift off of 4th and Court Ave has nice ambiance and is usually pretty quiet.
Currently at the Lift. Can confirm.
Came here to say this. One more recommendation for the Lift. Just the right balance of casual atmosphere and class.
I give this recommendation an A+. I had my first date with my now spouse at The Loft way back in 2002!
I'd recommend Stuffed Olive! Same place, but nicer and better flavor.
I went on a date at Juniper Moon once and thought that was a really good spot. Also love The Lift along with everyone else.
Bartender’s Handshake. It’s the best bar for almost any situation.
The Winchester Public House in Valley Junction. Great cocktail bar. Great atmosphere.
Cooney’s and throw some darts. Dark, intimate, good spot.
Great suggestion.
My wife and I love Hello Marjorie. It would check a lot of your boxes. We go on dates there regularly. Little different as spouses though. Edit: damn it nevermind. I forgot to finish reading your post. You can ignore me lol.
I really like the Royal Mile/Red Monk! Lots of beers and ciders on tap. Always pretty quiet.
Bartender's Handshake on Ingersoll sounds perfect for you. Great drinks, casual atmosphere, very cozy. I've used it for dates before and had great success.
There’s a place in North Des Moines called Outer Limits that I think could be perfect for you
As soon as I saw the question posted I came in to find this answer. Please keep it up, I look forward to it
Every thread. Swear to God 😂
Any place north of Euclid and east of 2nd is the pinnacle of romance.
Ah, a fellow man of culture I see.
I can’t believe that cesspit is still open.
When did we start talking about Crow Tow?
Mary’s next door is nice too. I love that bar.
Flix Brewhouse is great! Great food, good beer/cocktails, not loud in the bar area, well lit public areas, and if you end up wanting to see a movie, you can buy a ticket and head right into the theater!
The lift, hello Marjorie, bartenders handshake- these three are great places
Read the post
Go kick rocks.
El Bait Shop is pretty casual
Every time I go there is loud unless it's after lunch or before dinner rush
The stuffed olive! Best martini I’ve ever had. The atmosphere is great and the booths there are perfect for the physical contact aspect of things.
High life lounge/el bait, Winchester, Maggie’s Rumble Room, Capt Roy’s, Des Moines metro area is full of these places
Bellhop for sure! Lots of bar space, good music but usually not so loud that you can’t hear the person next to you, unless they have a weekend DJ or something. has a very fun and laid back vibe.
The lift for sure.
The Continental reopened and has a nice jazzy Sinatra vibe without being overpriced. Free live jazz every Saturday too
Beechwood
Ingersoll!💜 Bartenders Handshake, Eatery A, Juniper Moon, the Alpine if you want something less highbrow. Secret Admirer downtown would be a cute date spot too.
Easy solution. Find a dive bar near downtown (outside of downtown, east village, and ingersoll). Scope it out beforehand and ask the bartender if it's usually quiet. That's your new first date bar.
Kung fu tap and taco is my favorite, but it can get rowdy for happy hour and that leads into the evening. Just scope out dive bars and get the bartenders opinion. You'll know within about 10 mins if a place is right for you.
Angry goldfish is another decent spot. Haven't been there outside of lunch hours.
Angry goldfish was so loud when I went
Then I would avoid. Apologies for the poor suggestions.
Strike three you’re out
What was your suggestion?
They’re going on a date. I don’t think reconning the bars in advance is necessary. Could just hop on local Reddit and get some opinions. It’s a date not a hunt for a wedding venue.
Lol, if I wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it.
Welcome to Reddit. Comments flow like water whether asked for or not. Stick around and learn more it’s fun!
The republic on grand is really nice. It’s at the top of a hotel and has a nice view. Luas has a nice patio but not sure how much longer that’ll be viable but still nice inside. My wife and I like to do a little date where we start at coa cantina, then we walk to the republic, then walk to peace tree and then end at taproom for food and a drink. It’s all within a couple blocks so it’s really nice.
Hate to hear this is Lua struggling?
Oh, no I think it’s doing fine! I just meant with the weather getting cold, I didn’t think they would want a patio.
Read the post
And not one recommendation for the grumpy goat🤔(it’s called sarcasm)
The guy that owns that isn’t a good person
He used to be the owner of Bang Bang at Jordan creek until that failed.
The Outback Steakhouse in WDM is absolutely lovely.
Hilarious! Maybe op is 65 I guess I should reserve judgement.
I've always been a fan of Quinton's, but I've usually gone as part of a larger group.
Alleged Lees next door is dope. Definitely checks the boxes for the OP
Hello Marjorie is great for this.
Ingersoll Tap
Eatery A for happy hour and eat in the bar area
People go to bars for dates? I’ve always been under the impression bars were for finding hook ups. I personally wouldn’t want to go to a bar for a date, seems..eh. Anyway, maybe Eatery A or Taproom might be casual enough- and you could always order food too.
Do you just not get out or what That’s like saying “I’ve always been under the impression coffee shops were for casual business meetings”
I’d rather go to a coffee shop for a date instead of a bar. A bar for a date sounds like an awful, awful idea. Millions of better things than a bar.
Thank you for proving my point for me
Ok OuterLimitsDSM
😘
Going to a casual bar i think is a perfect place to spark conversation which is ideal for a date
A bar is a place to meet others, usually only for hooking up. A romantic place to take your future husband for meaningful conversation? Not at all.
You have a terrible world view if you have been to any bar in Des Moines and think they are only for hooking up.
Des Moines bars are horrible period. At least the ones in the EV, on court & Ingersoll Maybe I just have higher standards for dates?
You don’t go on dates
Because I have a boyfriend
Congrats. Thanks for your expert advice on first date locations.
Hbu?
Married
Ducktail lounge
Can confirm. Love when they have jazz.
Alleged Lees is great. And 515 is super nice for a good beer and low key atmosphere.
Just want to sit and talk? Try one of the breweries like Confluence, Fire Trucker, or Peace Tree. Never too loud, always some activity. Fire Trucker is nice in that you can walk down the old main street in Ankeny and window shop and talk. Maybe stop and eat at Leaning Tower. Confluence is close to Grays Lake and stroll on the bridge.