The USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2026 list, released July 29, features bars from dive bars and LGBTQ-friendly places to speakeasies and chic cocktail lounges.
USA TODAY Network food journalists across the country pooled their expertise and local dining experiences to select the bars, including those they know, love and recommend.
In Des Moines, El Bait Shop with more than 250 taps, the largest craft beer selection west of the Mississippi River, and a maximalist, Americana‑meets‑fishing‑cabin aesthetic, earned a spot on USA TODAY’s 2026 Bars of the Year list.
The Bartender’s Handshake, with its midcentury modern style and refined list of cocktails on Ingersoll Avenue, was named one of the best in the country in 2025.
In 2024, Hello, Marjorie made the USA TODAY list of Bars of the Year.
But there are so many other bars serving exceptional cocktails and showcasing hospitality that deserve to be recognized. Here are nine places from the Des Moines metro, in alphabetical order, that we wish had made the Bars of the Year list.
If you need an excuse to grab a drink with a friend? Maybe you want to revisit the day in the office with co-workers with a night on the town. Or maybe you want to toast a new relationship, a birthday, or another big special occasion and want a perfectly executed cocktail to go along with the night.
We also included a guide to speakeasies, restaurants with good cocktail programs and wine bars.
As always, our emails are open for your suggestions at sstapleton@gannett.com.
Bar Martinez
Bar Martinez is an intimate, neighborhood cocktail bar in the historic Highland Park neighborhood of Des Moines. Known for its moody, glamorous yet deeply personal atmosphere, it functions as an upscale yet accessible “living room” for the community. Cocktails on the menu tend to change frequently, as does the small but approachable snacks menu. Do visit the bathroom, an ode to religion with its own soundtrack.
Details: 515 Euclid Ave., Des Moines, bar-martinez.com.
Bellhop
If the South Pacific vibe strikes your fancy, head to this tiki bar in the East Village. Bellhop specializes in the Painkiller and Mai Tai for tropical vibes, but consider ordering a punchbowl, drinks meant to be shared with friends. Cocktails such as the Funky Flamingo with strawberry-infused vodka and St Germain and the Polynesian Sling with Prairie Organic Gin and Crème de Cassis come in stunning glasses (a flamingo and a grinning fish) meant for selfies.
Details: 440 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, bellhoptikidsm.com.
The Contrary
This critically acclaimed, stylish neighborhood bar punches far above its weight in cocktail execution. The Contrary leans into thoughtful builds, house syrups and balanced drinks that feel crafted rather than fussy. Opened in November 2024 by local hip-hop artist and community organizer Billy Weathers, the venue quickly rose to national prominence, earning a prestigious nomination as a James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best New Bar in 2026.
Details: 503 E. Locust St., Des Moines, instagram.com/thecontrarydsm.
Highland Underground
Descend to a ‘70s time capsule of macramé, velvet, mannequin window displays and a wall of vintage speakers that set the mood at this basement cocktail lounge under the former Klein’s Department Store. Lean into the nostalgia with a round of department-themed cocktails — or go classic; either way, the builds are tight and not too sweet. To eat, share fondue (cheese or chocolate) served in vintage pots with bread, sausage, fruit and sweets, a perfect match for a round of martinis or spritz‑adjacent pours. This groovy selfie-ready speakeasy runs first-come, first-served.Details: 3614 Sixth Ave., Des Moines, 515-630‑0796, highlandunderground.com.
HoQtail Lounge
This petite cocktail lounge — reservations required — sits next to HoQ, the East Village farm‑to‑table staple. HoQtail opened in 2025 with a tight space and a deep bench of high‑end spirits that anchor a menu exclusive to the lounge. Each drink arrives with a paired bite, anything from a meatball to a sweet. Look for the Burnt Passion Fruit, a Casamigos mezcal cocktail with Bauchant orange liqueur, or the Clarified Negroni made with McQueen and Violet Fog gin, Cappelletti vino aperitivo, Muz vermut natural and grapefruit juice in a milk‑washed glass.
Details: 303 E. Fifth St., Des Moines, hoqtail.com.
The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar
On the southern side of the East Village, find The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar in the historic building from 1916. The décor here celebrates the railroad and rail travel. At one time, the hotel catered to the employees and passengers of the C&NW railroad, legislators and state fairgoers, according to the cocktail lounge’s website. Try a gin and tonic flight with three gins to discover a new favorite or order a martini such as the Northwestern Railway with a basil- and tomato-infused vodka with giardiniera and olive brine.
Details: 321 E. Walnut St., Des Moines, thenewnorthwestern.com.
Secret Admirer
This gem is known for its patio that looks north toward the Des Moines skyline. Secret Admirer, from Nick Tillinghast, offers drinks such as the Nice Rum Cocktail, blueberry version, as well as the Daydream with vodka and Earl Grey tea. Grab a seat on the patio and order at the window. Look for a pop-up bar for the holidays called The Nice List, when the bar gets decorated and offers specialty cocktails for the holidays.
Details: 110 S.W. Fifth St., Des Moines, secretadmirerdm.com.
Winchester Public House
The cocktail game got serious in West Des Moines when the Winchester Public House opened in Valley Junction in 2016. Think of this as a “Prohibition-style pub with a signature line of cocktails while focusing on a modern twist on the classics.” Try the Butterfly Effect with Revelton honey vodka and a butterfly pea flower syrup or a Mango en Fuego with mezcal, tequila and ancho reyes.
Details: 224 Fifth St., West Des Moines, winchester.pub.
Where to find speakeasies in the Des Moines metro
Black Sheep; Dugan’s Hideaway; In Confidence; Ken’s — A Not So Secret Speakeasy; The Red Monk; Revival House; Shorty’s Somewhat Fancy Bar
An incomplete list of local restaurants with great cocktail programs
801 Chophouse, Alba, Aposto, Aura, Bar Nico, Bubba, Centro, Ceviche Bar, Cheese Bar, Cooper’s on Fifth, Fresko, Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster, Judges DSM, Harbinger, Littleleaf Luncheonette, Malo, Motley School Tavern, Mulberry Street Tavern, Oak Park, Prime & Providence, Proudfoot & Bird, Republic on Grand, RoCA, Stuffed Olive, Table 128, Trostel’s Greenbriar
Excellent wine bars in the metro
The Cave, The Cork 50131, The Purveyor, WineStyles (West Des Moines and Ankeny)
Sign up for our new dining newsletter, Table Talk DSM, which comes out on Wednesday mornings with all the latest news on restaurants and bars in the metro. You can sign up for free at DesMoinesRegister.com/newsletters.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 8 Des Moines bars we wish made USA TODAY’s 2026 list
Reporting by Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
