EXPLORE: Sports Bars
These are some of the best places to keep track of your fantasy team and sports bets or just root for your favorite team the old-fashioned way.
By Cyote Williams
BIX & CO.
111 Fifth St., West Des Moines
www.bixandco-wdm.com
The locally owned Bix & Co is the new kid on the block in Historic Valley Junction. However, that doesn’t detract from the quality offerings inside its walls, from the drinks and food to the sports-viewing experience.
TITO’S LOUNGE
3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, Urbandale
www.titosloungeia.com
Excite your tastebuds at Tito’s Lounge with its offerings of Balkan and Mediterranean cuisines while catching the game. While the food — like their wings, gyros or skewers — may get you in the door, you’ll want to stay to enjoy a few beverages and the game.
BEVY’S TAVERN
1300 50th St., Suite 206, West Des Moines
www.bevystavern.com
Bevy’s in West Des Moines likes to dress up traditional bar food and features a solid range of cocktails. The tavern hosts live music performances amid a friendly neighborhood feel while providing TVs all over the walls to create a great viewing experience.
CENTERFIELD SPORTS BAR
6555 University Ave., Windsor Heights
www.centerfieldsportsbar.com
Baseball is the preferred sport in this Chicago Cubs forward establishment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a great view of other sporting events at this Windsor Heights bar. The beer menu includes plenty of Iowa brewery favorites, and cocktails feature the best from Iowa distilleries.
HIGH LIFE LOUNGE
200 S.W. Second St., Des Moines
www.thehighlifelounge.com
A cozy, old-fashioned experience is sure to be found at the High Life Lounge. While it might not be TVs galore at this sports bar, it has been recognized for its excellence by CITYVIEW magazine and featured by Man vs. Food and the New York Times. With excellent food options and drinks to match, this is a more relaxing spot to cheer on your team.
G. MIGS
128 Fifth St., West Des Moines
www.gmigs.com
Fifteen flat-screen TVs assure a good view of the game from anywhere in G. Mig’s Fifth Street Pub. A recent renovation has brought new life to the establishment. Try one of the beers on tap while sitting at the bar, order an Iowa State Fair-winning Pride of Iowa Wrap and settle in for a night of sports and good times.
THE ROYAL MILE
210 Fifth St., Des Moines
www.royalmilebar.com
For the avid soccer fan in your life, The Royal Mile is the premier destination for watching football — and not the American kind. Yes, you can still see your American favorites, but with a British pub theme and the food fare to match, this bar makes a great place to watch a soccer game.
85 BAR
432 E. Locust St., Des Moines
www.85bardsm.com
A great place for the Chicago Bears fan in your life, this bar is named after the iconic 1985 team, known for its defense. You won’t be on defense here, however, as the unique atmosphere, great drinks and tasty food make it the ideal spot to catch a Bears game, even if the team isn’t always the best.
THE FRONT ROW
9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive
www.frontrowbar.com
Another sports team-themed bar makes this list, this time paying homage to the Iowa Hawkeyes. Opened in 1995, The Front Row is one of the most popular UI bars in the state, even rivaling the ones in Iowa City. With 20 TVs for your viewing pleasure, this bar makes for a great place to view alongside those wearing black and gold.
JOE’S PUB
5500 Merle Hay Road, Suite D, Johnston
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054413472467
The neighborhood pub for Johnston residents, Joe’s Pub hosts gameday watch parties, themed trivia nights and cornhole events to help conservation efforts.
BIX & CO.
111 Fifth St., West Des Moines
www.bixandco-wdm.com
The locally owned Bix & Co is the new kid on the block in Historic Valley Junction. However, that doesn’t detract from the quality offerings inside its walls, from the drinks and food to the sports-viewing experience.
TITO’S LOUNGE
3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, Urbandale
www.titosloungeia.com
Excite your tastebuds at Tito’s Lounge with its offerings of Balkan and Mediterranean cuisines while catching the game. While the food — like their wings, gyros or skewers — may get you in the door, you’ll want to stay to enjoy a few beverages and the game.
BEVY’S TAVERN
1300 50th St., Suite 206, West Des Moines
www.bevystavern.com
Bevy’s in West Des Moines likes to dress up traditional bar food and features a solid range of cocktails. The tavern hosts live music performances amid a friendly neighborhood feel while providing TVs all over the walls to create a great viewing experience.
CENTERFIELD SPORTS BAR
6555 University Ave., Windsor Heights
www.centerfieldsportsbar.com
Baseball is the preferred sport in this Chicago Cubs forward establishment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a great view of other sporting events at this Windsor Heights bar. The beer menu includes plenty of Iowa brewery favorites, and cocktails feature the best from Iowa distilleries.
HIGH LIFE LOUNGE
200 S.W. Second St., Des Moines
www.thehighlifelounge.com
A cozy, old-fashioned experience is sure to be found at the High Life Lounge. While it might not be TVs galore at this sports bar, it has been recognized for its excellence by CITYVIEW magazine and featured by Man vs. Food and the New York Times. With excellent food options and drinks to match, this is a more relaxing spot to cheer on your team.
G. MIGS
128 Fifth St., West Des Moines
www.gmigs.com
Fifteen flat-screen TVs assure a good view of the game from anywhere in G. Mig’s Fifth Street Pub. A recent renovation has brought new life to the establishment. Try one of the beers on tap while sitting at the bar, order an Iowa State Fair-winning Pride of Iowa Wrap and settle in for a night of sports and good times.
THE ROYAL MILE
210 Fifth St., Des Moines
www.royalmilebar.com
For the avid soccer fan in your life, The Royal Mile is the premier destination for watching football — and not the American kind. Yes, you can still see your American favorites, but with a British pub theme and the food fare to match, this bar makes a great place to watch a soccer game.
85 BAR
432 E. Locust St., Des Moines
www.85bardsm.com
A great place for the Chicago Bears fan in your life, this bar is named after the iconic 1985 team, known for its defense. You won’t be on defense here, however, as the unique atmosphere, great drinks and tasty food make it the ideal spot to catch a Bears game, even if the team isn’t always the best.
THE FRONT ROW
9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive
www.frontrowbar.com
Another sports team-themed bar makes this list, this time paying homage to the Iowa Hawkeyes. Opened in 1995, The Front Row is one of the most popular UI bars in the state, even rivaling the ones in Iowa City. With 20 TVs for your viewing pleasure, this bar makes for a great place to view alongside those wearing black and gold.
JOE’S PUB
5500 Merle Hay Road, Suite D, Johnston
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054413472467
The neighborhood pub for Johnston residents, Joe’s Pub hosts gameday watch parties, themed trivia nights and cornhole events to help conservation efforts.