Here are the best restaurant, bar patios in Des Moines to eat and drink outside
What's better than lounging on a patio with good food and a cold drink?
We've rounded up some of the best across the city, so grab your sunglasses and get ready to find your favorite warm-weather hangout.
Best beer garden patios
You'll find plenty of bars and breweries across Des Moines offering great outdoor spaces to enjoy a beer and the sunshine.
Peace Tree Brewing Co.
It's common to see the dog-friendly lawn and patio at Peace Tree in the East Village dotted with colorful Adirondack chairs and yard games as soon as the weather is warm enough to allow for it. The taproom serves a rotating lineup of Peace Tree brews as well as guest brewery beers, Iowa-made kombuchas and wines, handcrafted root beer, beer cocktails and snacks.
Where: 317 E. Court Ave., Des Moines
Reservations: None required
Hours: 2 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
Contact: 515-883-2739; peacetreebrewing.com
Confluence Brewing Co.
Confluence doubled its beer garden and bicycle parking racks for the summer crowd in 2020. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and even if the outdoor bar isn’t serving, visitors are welcome to step out the back door and use the space. With easy access from Gray’s Lake and the Raccoon River bike trail, Confluence is a great stop for a cold beer on a walk with your dog (the patio and beer garden are dog-friendly for leashed companions, while the taproom is not).
Where: 1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines
Reservations: None required
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; noon to 10 p.m. Thursday; noon to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Contact: 515-285-9005; confluencebrewing.com
Lua Brewing
Lua pledges deliver quality by never cutting a corner. Brewers focus on its raw ingredients. It also has unique side-pour faucets and a great taproom environment. Lua earned both a spot as one of the top 50 breweries in the world and awards for one of the best restaurants in Des Moines. In 2023, it also launched "Climbing Kites" a line of THC-infused seltzers.
Where: 1525 High St., Des Moines
Reservations: Not required, but recommended for parties and large groups
Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Contact: 515-630-5311, luabeer.com
Best patios for a cocktail
Some days just call for a nice cocktail and the nice weather. Give these places a try.
Coa Cantina
Tequila bar Coa Cantina opened in November 2019 in the East Village with funky wall art, fun tequila cocktails and drink-rail seating for an additional 15 people. The patio is full service and dog-friendly, with a grassy area for your four-legged friend to stretch out.
Where: 425 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Reservations: None required
Hours: 3 p.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday; 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday.
Contact: 515-280-3097; Facebook
Juniper Moon
Juniper Moon's full-service patio is for the 21-plus crowd only and features lounge seating and firepit tables. The intimate, enclosed patio gives the space a cozy, secluded vibe.
Where: 2005 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
Reservations: First come, first served
Hours: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday
Contact: 515-369-7786; junipermoondm.com
Patios with the best view of Des Moines
Head to the rooftop and enjoy your drink with spectacular views of the capital city.
300 Craft & Rooftop
From its perch, 300 Craft & Rooftop offers stunning southside views of downtown and a front-row seat to Friday night fireworks over Principal Park. With a full-service outdoor bar and lively music, 300 Craft & Rooftop's 2,300-square-foot outdoor space combines the best of patio drinking and views.
Where: 300 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., Des Moines
Reservations: None required
Hours: Closed Monday, 3 p.m. to midnight Tuesday and Wednesday; 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday and Friday; noon to 2 a.m. Saturday; noon to midnight Sunday.
Contact: 515-288-3414
The Republic on Grand
The Republic on Grand’s swanky rooftop bar and patio in the East Village showcases a different angle of downtown. Two separate covered patio spaces on the south and west sides of the sixth-story bar are open rain or shine. The west side, with the best downtown view, features lounge seating and a fireplace for maximum mood-setting.
Where: 401 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Reservations: Available Monday through Thursday
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 2 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday
Contact: 515-518-6070; therepublicongrand.com
Best patios for outdoor ambiance
If you're all about the vibe, check out these patios around Des Moines.
Secret Admirer
With a covered patio and colorful seating, Secret Admirer's dog-friendly patio is gearing up for warmer weather. The menu includes spirit-free, low alcohol and standard cocktails as well as beer and wine. In the summer months, Secret Admirer serves boozy sno cones, and pop-up brunches on Saturdays.
Where: 110 S.W. Fifth St., Des Moines
Reservations: Not required
Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday; 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday; 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday
Contact: Facebook
The Bartender's Handshake
The patio at The Bartender’s Handshake could be mistaken for a friend’s backyard, which gives it a level of coziness unmatched across the city. The scrappy furniture (collected from yard sales and continuously replaced), bright-green painted concrete "lawn" and personal firepits are undeniably charming. Drinks are served rain or shine in a hodge-podge collection of vintage glassware on this partially covered patio. Ask about roasting your own s’mores.
Where: 3615 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
Reservations: None required
Hours: 2 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. to midnight Sunday.
Contact: 515-630-3008; thebartendershandshake.com
Des Moines' most Instagramable patios
Looking for a fun spot to take some photos and enjoy a little food? Check out these two Des Moines patio options.
Lucky Lotus
Lucky Lotus says its heart and soul are built upon a passion for food. The restaurant's Southeast Asian foods bring together sweet, sour and savory flavors. The electrifying spirit of Southeast Asian culture is felt within the restaurant. Enjoy a bite, drink or dessert on its colorful patio.
Where: 2721 Ingersoll Ave,, Des Moines
Reservations: Not required
Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 5 - 8 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 5 - 9 p.m., Saturday 5 - 9 p.m., closed Sunday
Contact: [email protected], luckylotusdsm.com
Trellis Café
If you're looking for the perfect lunchtime picture, look no further than the Trellis Café patio. Situated in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden along the Riverwalk Trail, this patio has ample seating and a lot of gorgeous greenery. Chef Lisa Lavalle rotates the plant-inspired menu monthly, so there always are new, artfully plated and Instagram-worthy creations. Long-term plans for the garden include adding a separate entrance for the café, which currently must be accessed from the garden dome or the admission-only outdoor garden, and a second café on the Des Moines River.
Where: 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
Reservations: Available for parties of six or more
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
Contact: 515-323-6288; trelliscafedsm.com
Best for the kids (or kids at heart)
Bring the whole family along with these family-friendly patio options in Des Moines.
Either/Or
With a spacious 1.5 acres, Either/Or offers elevated yet familiar American fare with a side of fun. Its outdoor space includes a covered patio for dining, five fire pits, a children's playscape and an acre of grass and greenery. It says its mission is to produce the highest quality food and drink and serve it in a vibrant space where folks can converse, connect and be either this or that.
Where: 6222 Grand Ave., Des Moines
Reservations: Not required, private events available
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Contact: 515-214-1831, eitherordsm.com
Smash Park
Smash Park boasts the largest patio in Des Moines, and it is chock-full of activities for a day of family fun or a game with friends. Visitors can order from the bar and beer shack on the patio, but snacks must be ordered inside. There is a little something for everyone, including pickleball courts, shuffleboard, bags, Connect 4 and live music every Friday night. Leashed dogs are welcome, and when you want to leave the kids at home, there is a 21-plus area complete with couches.
Where: 6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines
Reservations: None required, but encouraged for pickleball, bocce ball and shuffleboard
Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Contact: 515-313-0700; smashpark.com
Best patio for fine dining: Aposto
Aposto, located in the historic Scala House in Sherman Hill, offers open-air patio dining on its wrap-around porch and in the front yard. Enjoy regularly rotating seasonal menu items like hand-cut linguine tossed with red pepper pesto and seared scallops, wild mushroom risotto with an asparagus puree and house-made ice cream.
Where: 644 18th St., Des Moines
Reservations: Call ahead to request patio seating and Aposto will do its best to accommodate you.
Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday
Contact: 515-244-1353; apostodm.com
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Best dog-friendly patio: Paws & Pints
Paws & Pints offers a fun atmosphere built for dogs and their owners to enjoy together. Enjoy a coffee, drink, food or even a private event with your pup at this unique location. The complex includes an outdoor, fully-covered patio for year-round enjoyment. You can even check your dog into lodging or the spa, and sign up for training classes.
Where: 6218 Willowmere Drive, Des Moines
Reservations: None required
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Contact: 515-969-2275, pawsandpintsdsm.com
Best patio for brunch: Mullets
Mullets is a Des Moines staple, and the two-story patio and additional outdoor dining space are open bright and early for a hearty brunch. It also is a great option for maintaining safe social distancing, with seating for 75 on the main and upstairs patios and 12 tables in the grassy lawn. In addition to popular classics and fun drinks like the bloody Mary flight, Mullets now offers vegan and gluten-free menus.
Where: 1300 S.E. First St. No. 1253, Des Moines
Reservations: None required
Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday to Sunday;
Contact: 515-244-1443; mulletsdm.com
Best stop on the bike trail: Flat Tire Lounge
Park that bicycle at Flat Tire Lounge off the High Trestle Trail for a popular Moscow mule on the patio. This casual patio, the first east of the trail's iconic bridge over the Des Moines River, has become a destination for cyclists and walkers alike, and leashed dogs are welcome. Tables with umbrellas are well-spaced to cater to the hundreds of cyclists who pause at the Flat Tire patio each weekend.
Where: 304 S. Madison St., Madrid
Reservations: None required
Hours: 11 a.m.to 10 p.m. Sunday and Monday; 1 a.m.to 10 p.m. Tuesday; 1 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Contact: 515-795-4174; Facebook
Best live music: Jasper Winery
Jasper Winery's tasting room is encompassed in outdoor patio space, but on Thursdays throughout the summer, the party picks up with the free live music Summer Concert Series featuring favorite local performers. Bring your own chairs or blankets and a enjoy a socially distanced outdoor show with wine, beer and food available for purchase.
Where: 2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
Reservation: None required
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; closed Tuesday November-March
Contact: 515-282-9463; jasperwinery.com
Best neighborhood patio: The Dam Pub
The Dam Pub in Beaverdale has both lower and rooftop patios, with full service on each. A small and colorful tiki bar on the rooftop offers four draught beers and seating for eight in addition to six tables for larger parties. Specials include the Beaverdale Bucket, a tropical alcoholic drink for two, and make-your-own mimosa buckets. The lower patio is dog-friendly, and all outdoor spaces are open when weather permits.
Where: 2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines
Reservations: None required
Hours: Vary with the weather; typically 11 a.m. midnight Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, with patios closed at midnight.
Contact: 515-279-4449; dampubdsm.com
Best waterfront patio: Captain Roy's
Located next to the Birdland Park marina and right off a bike trail, Captain Roy's dog-friendly patio is a great stop for a tallboy by the water. There's also a full menu of bar-friendly food. With a riverside deck, live music and relaxed atmosphere, this patio is a great hangout for long summer nights.
Where: 1900 Saylor Road, Des Moines
Reservations: None required
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m.to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday
Contact: 515-631-2223; captainroys.com
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Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Best restaurant patios for food, drinks outdoor in Des Moines, Iowa