EXPLORE: Whiskey Bars
Visit one of these establishments for a smooth glass of your favorite whiskey or bourbon.
By Cyote Williams
WINCHESTER PUBLIC HOUSE
224 Fifth St., West Des Moines
www.winchester.pub
Established in 2016, the whiskey selection at Winchester Public House is visible on the wall behind the bar. The house cocktails, like the 1918 Manhattan or Irish Coffee, will delight almost any whiskey drinker. A wide range of beers are also on tap for those looking for something softer on the palate.
ALLEGED LEE’S
510 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.facebook.com/allegedleesdsm
Another speakeasy, Alleged Lee’s — which is easier to find since it is above ground — is located in the historic East Village. You’ll find an extensive list of whiskeys and flavorful cocktails in which to enjoy them.
NOIR
405 Kellogg Ave., Ames
www.noirames.com
Being located in historic downtown Ames means Noir is a 40-minute drive from Des Moines, but well worth it for a whiskey enthusiast. Its signature cocktails, like The Raven or the Blackberry Smash, make mouths water. Noir also boasts an impressive selection of up to 90 bourbons.
DJANGO
1420 Locust St., Des Moines
www.djangodesmoines.com
This restaurant makes the list for good reason. A quick look at the drink menu shows a thorough selection of whiskeys and scotches, to the delight of its drinkers, from an $8 glass of Templeton Rye to a $90 Kentucky Rye.
KEN’S - A NOT SO SECRET SPEAKEASY
215 E. Third St., No. 100, Des Moines
www.iowataproom.com/kens/
The secret is out. OK, well, it has been. Ken’s, named after Kenneth Sonderleiter, one of Des Moines’ most notorious bootleggers of the 1920s, is located beneath the Iowa Taproom. Iowa history literally lines the walls, which are made from old Templeton Rye and Cedar Ridge whiskey barrels.
BUBBA
200 10th St., Des Moines
www.bubbadsm.com
This southern comfort restaurant offers much more than food. The bar, located on the first floor of the establishment, has a surprisingly great selection of whiskeys. Be sure to stop in for “Whiskey Wednesday,” where you learn about whiskey’s history and flavor.
WHISKEY RIVER
1350 S.W. Vintage Parkway, Ankeny
www.whiskeyriverankeny.com
It’s in the name. With a selection of more than 200 whiskeys, Whiskey River urges patrons to “stop by any day of the week to try rare, unique, hard-to-find, or your favorite!” Stop by after a long week at work for their Friday After Work special.
THE REPUBLIC ON GRAND
401 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.therepublicongrand.com
Sip. Relax. Repeat. Make your way up to the sixth floor of the AC Hotel in downtown Des Moines to find this gem of a whiskey bar. Get one of the bourbons smoked for an extra $2 and enjoy some fantastic views of the Des Moines skyline while you are at it.
WINCHESTER PUBLIC HOUSE
224 Fifth St., West Des Moines
www.winchester.pub
Established in 2016, the whiskey selection at Winchester Public House is visible on the wall behind the bar. The house cocktails, like the 1918 Manhattan or Irish Coffee, will delight almost any whiskey drinker. A wide range of beers are also on tap for those looking for something softer on the palate.
ALLEGED LEE’S
510 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.facebook.com/allegedleesdsm
Another speakeasy, Alleged Lee’s — which is easier to find since it is above ground — is located in the historic East Village. You’ll find an extensive list of whiskeys and flavorful cocktails in which to enjoy them.
NOIR
405 Kellogg Ave., Ames
www.noirames.com
Being located in historic downtown Ames means Noir is a 40-minute drive from Des Moines, but well worth it for a whiskey enthusiast. Its signature cocktails, like The Raven or the Blackberry Smash, make mouths water. Noir also boasts an impressive selection of up to 90 bourbons.
DJANGO
1420 Locust St., Des Moines
www.djangodesmoines.com
This restaurant makes the list for good reason. A quick look at the drink menu shows a thorough selection of whiskeys and scotches, to the delight of its drinkers, from an $8 glass of Templeton Rye to a $90 Kentucky Rye.
KEN’S - A NOT SO SECRET SPEAKEASY
215 E. Third St., No. 100, Des Moines
www.iowataproom.com/kens/
The secret is out. OK, well, it has been. Ken’s, named after Kenneth Sonderleiter, one of Des Moines’ most notorious bootleggers of the 1920s, is located beneath the Iowa Taproom. Iowa history literally lines the walls, which are made from old Templeton Rye and Cedar Ridge whiskey barrels.
BUBBA
200 10th St., Des Moines
www.bubbadsm.com
This southern comfort restaurant offers much more than food. The bar, located on the first floor of the establishment, has a surprisingly great selection of whiskeys. Be sure to stop in for “Whiskey Wednesday,” where you learn about whiskey’s history and flavor.
WHISKEY RIVER
1350 S.W. Vintage Parkway, Ankeny
www.whiskeyriverankeny.com
It’s in the name. With a selection of more than 200 whiskeys, Whiskey River urges patrons to “stop by any day of the week to try rare, unique, hard-to-find, or your favorite!” Stop by after a long week at work for their Friday After Work special.
THE REPUBLIC ON GRAND
401 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.therepublicongrand.com
Sip. Relax. Repeat. Make your way up to the sixth floor of the AC Hotel in downtown Des Moines to find this gem of a whiskey bar. Get one of the bourbons smoked for an extra $2 and enjoy some fantastic views of the Des Moines skyline while you are at it.