EXPLORE: Date night options and drink delights

Martini, brewery, dancing, a short road trip, dive bar...
The perfect date night? There is only one way to find out.

Martini shootout: 
THE STUFFED OLIVE
208 Third St., Des Moines
paramountbarco.com/brand/stuffed-olive-des-moines
More than 100 martinis populate the drink menu at The Stuffed Olive. But if you are on a date, you might try ordering a Bonnie — with Western Son Raspberry, Watermelon Pucker, Cranberry Juice and Sprite — to go with a Clyde — Black Velvet Caramel, Buttershots and Coke. Just a suggestion.
Tip: Be sure to also try a handful of plates from the chef-driven menu.

Be mine at a brewery:
CONFLENCE BREWING COMPANY
1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines
www.confluencebrewing.com
Making great beer — some 30 concoctions — that the community can be proud of, that’s what you’ll find at Confluence. Plus, the taproom offers an extensive collection of board games, free of charge, and frequent live music events along with local art for sale.

Bottoms up!
IOWA DISTILLING COMPANY
4349 Cumming Ave., Cumming
www.iowadistilling.com
Prairie Fire cinnamon whiskey brings hardcore heat at the Iowa Distilling Company in Cumming — south of Des Moines. These homegrown concoctions have locals cheering... “Bottoms up!”

Dancing, honky tonk and yeehaw at
MISS KITTY'S
8800 Swanson Blvd., Clive
www.facebook.com/MissKittysCliveIowa
A huge country party every week goes on at this 9,000-square-foot facility. Live music, dance lessons and a first-rate dance floor. Music includes rock, country, hip-hop and songs from past decades.

Get kissed at
SULLY'S IRISH PUB
860 First St., West Des Moines
www.sullysdesmoines.com
Sully’s combines the feel of a cozy neighborhood bar with beers such as Guinness, Smithwicks and Harp, always on tap, plus a variety of other imports, crafts and domestics.

Take a short road trip to
MESKWAKI BINGO CASINO HOTEL
1504 305th St., Tama
www.meskwaki.com
Get ready to yell “BINGO!” Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel features morning, afternoon and evening sessions, seven days a week in its 550-seat Bingo Parlor. Enjoy!

Be friends in low places, do a dive bar date:
LOCUST TAP
434 E. Locust St., Des Moines
515-243-9399
This “spit and sawdust” dive bar oozes fun and is loaded with originality. From graffiti-covered walls, to a ceiling with peeling paint, to the top-notch music — when available — this quaint old-school hole-in-the wall brims with easy conversation starters.

Relaxation destination for easy enjoyment:
THE WHISKEY HOUSE GRILL
Plaza Shoppes at Prairie Trail
2510 S.W. White Birch Drive, Suite 8, Ankeny

www.thewhiskeyhouse.net
Experience fine whiskeys while enjoying live music and casual American cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. That’s The Whiskey House. 

OUTSIDE THE BOX:

An alcohol-free option:
ZOMBIE BURGER + DRINK LAB
300 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.zombieburgershakelab.com
If your nightcap preference includes a taste explosion without alcohol, make your mouth come alive with a Zombie Bride Wedding Cake shake, with vanilla ice cream and cake mix. 
Tip: Ask for two straws.