Gay bars des moines ia

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Most Popular Gay Bars & Clubs in Des Moines, IA

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Popular Gay Bars and Hotspots in Des Moines, IA:

  1. The Garden Nightclub: Located in downtown Des Moines, The Garden Nightclub is a well-known lgbtq+Q+ venue that hosts a variety of events, including drag shows, dance parties, and live music.

    Goth like The Smiths. Prices at this place claim to be reasonable. Even politics have a pretty face here: the Iowa State Capitol building, crowned by a central roof dome lined with 23-carat gold, is anything but drab!

    Hoping to buy some artwork? This spacious venue hosts a variety of events, including karaoke nights, themed parties, and charity fundraisers, creating a diverse and entertaining experience for its patrons.

  2. The Garden View Lounge: Located within The Garden Nightclub, The Garden View Lounge offers a more intimate setting where guests can enjoy craft cocktails, conversation, and a cozy ambiance.

    With a focus on Tequila and Mezcal, Black Sheep gathers most of its aesthetic elements from the varying art movements throughout history along with subtle elements of the beauty found in iconic symbolism, underground music, and cinema. 

Earnies Boondock (440 E Grand Ave), features wood accents, a mounted buffalo head, greasy burgers, and cheap beer reminiscent of taverns across small-town Iowa. 

Coa Cantina (425 E Grand Ave), is Des Moines' Finest Tequila Bar.

Home of Des Moines' Best Margarita and Best East Village Bar.

Look forward to a big Midwestern welcome when visiting the Des Moines gay bars!

Bars and Nightlife

Gay Bars and Clubs  

Blazing Saddle (416 East 5th Ave), If you’re looking for a friendly LGBTQ+ bar in Des Moines, then you’ve found it!

With its energetic atmosphere, live DJs, and a dance floor, it attracts a diverse crowd of party-goers looking for a fun night out.

  • The Garden Cabaret: Connected to The Garden Nightclub, The Garden Cabaret is a performance venue that showcases a variety of entertainment, including drag shows, comedy acts, and live music performances.

    Single, dating, married? So does the Des Moines Pride Center, which also runs a lending library for members. Between the years of graffiti on the walls, original tile floor (amongst other things) dating back 60+ years, cheap drinks, and no-frills atmosphere, what you see is what you get. It's truly a gathering spot for an awesome community. 

    Welcoming Bars and Clubs  

    Bellhop (440 E Grand Ave), is a neighborhood tropical bar in the Historic East Village.

    The Garden offers a wide variety of entertainment and a full kitchen menu. 

    • The Locust Tap (434 E Locust) embodies the term "dive bar" nearly perfectly. The patio features comfortable seating, vibrant decor, and occasional entertainment, providing a fantastic spot to unwind and meet new people.

  • Buddy's Corral: Located on the west side of Des Moines, Buddy's Corral is a friendly gay bar that offers a relaxed and inclusive environment.

    The Pappajohn Sculpture Park outside the center is as walkable as its 28 sculptures by American and international sculptors are Instagrammable. The Cabaret provides an opportunity to enjoy talented performers and experience the vibrant lgbtq+Q+ arts scene in Des Moines.

    • The capital of Iowa, Des Moines offers American Midwestern hospitality and big city entertainment options.

    It features a pool table, dartboards, and a jukebox, providing a laid-back atmosphere where you can enjoy a drink and engage in conversation with friends.

  • The Blazing Saddle Annex: Situated near The Blazing Saddle, The Blazing Saddle Annex is an extension of the original bar. Their drink menu includes an extensive craft beer selection with 20 beers on tap and even more bottles and cans, as well as ‘80s and ‘90s inspired cocktails. 

    The BeachWood Lounge (416 E Walnut St), is well known for its great service and friendly staff, that is always ready to help you.

    It attracts an incredibly wide variety of clientele. From the Court District, Locust Street, swarming with watering holes, turns into E Locust Street in East Village. The First Friday Breakfast Club, a club for trans, bisexual, and gay men (but welcomes their allies and offers a one-time option for tourists), meets on—you guessed it—the first Friday of every month for breakfast with a speaker.

    Downtown Des Moines gay bars and pubs offer up some classic Americana—think jukeboxes, tiki cocktails, and retro stylings—alongside the usual community faves, like drag shows and leather or bear subculture nights. All games cost just 25 cents. The club offers a welcoming atmosphere and is popular among both locals and visitors.

  • The Blazing Saddle: Situated in the Historic East Village, The Blazing Saddle is a long-standing gay bar that has been a staple of Des Moines' lgbtq+Q+ scene for many years.

    Karaoke is extra-popular in Des Moines, maybe because it’s more fun to belt out the classics than watch politicians shout at each other.

    gay bars des moines ia

    You will certainly like the pleasant atmosphere. 

    Black Sheep (223 E Walnut St), with unmatched individual identity, Underground/Vinyl and Tequila is this East Village bars’ religion. It's an ideal spot for those seeking a quieter environment within the bustling nightlife of Des Moines.

  • Lime Lounge: Situated in the Court Avenue Entertainment District, Lime Lounge is a trendy lgbtq+Q+-friendly nightclub that features a modern and stylish interior.