Cory Wendel has taken the reins at Alpine Taproom, breathing new life into the beloved neighborhood bar while honoring its rich history. The establishment, which dates back to the 1939 and was originally known as Alpine Cafe before becoming Alpine Taproom, is experiencing a renaissance under Wendel’s ownership with co-owners Walter Lauridsen and Jake Sparks.
Wendel owns neighboring Lachele’s Fine Foods two doors down on Ingersoll Avenue, and when the Alpine Taproom came up for sale, he opted to buy it from Frank Baedaro.
Wendel doesn’t plan to change much at the bar aside from a refresh to the space while maintaining its authentic dive bar character. “We painted the ceiling to cover smoke damage,” Wendel explained. Other improvements include new windows that open to the street coming soon, and Wendel added shelving at the front and a drink rail at the back by the pool table. A few booths have been moved to optimize the layout.
He kept the original brick walls and character holes, maintaining the building’s authentic feel from its days as the original Alpine Cafe in the late 1800s.
Alpine Taproom: A Wisconsin dive bar vibe
Wendel said the wood panel walls and neighborhood vibe gave the Alpine Taproom a Wisconsin dive bar feel. It’s a neighborhood bar where bartenders are from the community, with food, music, and a relaxed “leave your s— at the door and just have a good time” atmosphere.
The bar used to be known as a spot that always showed Green Bay Packers games, but Wendel plans to show every game, with more TVs on the way.
Wendel added a credit card machine and plans to add more liquor to the mix. He described the Alpine Taproom as a whiskey bar.
And while the place is cleaned up, Wendel wants to maintain the bar’s historical character.
The pool table remains at the back of the bar. A “Southpark” pinball machine sits at the front. Wendel said that the poolroom used to have a black curtain separating it from the rest of the space in the Alpine Café days. The room served as the kitchen, but the curtain was pulled so people could drink back there.
“We’re trying to keep the place true to its core while making necessary updates,” he said, balancing preservation with modernization.
The bar also maintains its beloved jukebox culture, but he’s on the lookout for a new jukebox. In the meantime, the staff created an “Alpine playlist” with beloved songs from the jukebox’s past. His favorite song? “Kissed by a Rose” by Seal.
Meet the Alpine Melt
Wendel wants his customers to feel free to bring in food from neighboring locally owned restaurants, including Lachele’s Fine Foods.
He introduced the Alpine Melt, a chopped steak with mushrooms, caramelized onions, barbecue horseradish cream, and Swiss American cheese served on Texas toast for $15.
The melt, a sophisticated take on the classic bar burger, reflects Wendel’s elevated approach to pub food.
Alpine Taproom maintains a community focus
Under Wendel’s ownership, Alpine Taproom continues to serve as a neighborhood gathering place.
Looking ahead, Wendel has plans for additional improvements, including more signage. He added a sign from the former Hiland Coin Laundry, a Quonset hut of a business that was leveled on Euclid Avenue near Second Avenue.
He also might hold diner-themed nights with ticket-based events catered by Lachele’s. He’s thinking about a buzzer system to alert diners when their food is ready at Lachele’s.
And the watermelon crawler, one of the popular Alpine shots, remains with its potent combination of watermelon schnaps, amaretto, and Southern Comfort.
A ‘drink with the boys’ vibe
The Alpine’s casual, friendly atmosphere envelopes the space. Wendel wants the bar to feel like a place you can “drink with the boys.”
On the first Wednesday after the Alpine Taproom reopened, customers were already streaming in. Some sat at the bar with its teal stools while others took up booths on the western wall. A larger table at the front next to the window has room for six to eight people with shelves behind it holding board games, bowling pins, a plant, and a globe. The red shelves match the red floor, but the wood paneling and leather booths in black or teal remain, torn leather and all.
It’s a place where the crew comes out to take shots together with strangers who turn into friends, maintaining that welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere that Wendel envisioned.
Where to find the Alpine Taproom
Location: 2720 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines.
Phone: 515-245-9717
Hours: Open Monday from 3 to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday from noon to midnight.
Happy hour: Daily from 3 to 6 p.m. with $1 off domestic beers and well drinks.
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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: Des Moines’ beloved Alpine Tap Room returns. What’s new and what’s staying the same?
Reporting by Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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