Hole in the wall bars: Des Moines

Club 2000: Beer Pong Central

dmbarstolove — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:53:13 +0000

Remember back in the day, before you started attending parties with cheese trays and fancy wine there were parties with potato chips and beer. And games. One in particular—beer pong. Every Thursday, Club 2000 lets you embrace the beer pong hungry teenager you have been neglecting.

That is what first attracted me to this hole in the wall, located on the outskirts of downtown, entering into the southside. However, it is the service, prices, and fun that has kept me going back.

Club 2000 is open seven days a week until 2 a.m. It offers both food and drink specials almost daily. There is happy hour during the week, and food specials Tuesday-Friday. The drinks are reasonably priced at about $3 per drink, and the food tastes almost as good as Mom’s.

For the gamer, Club 2000 has pool tables and an assortment of video games. Oh, and of course beer pong is offered on Thursday nights. The crowd ranges from old timers who have been around since the bar opened to young college kids. There is a large digital jukebox with enough music to please any crowd.

So the next time the downtown bar scene isn’t cutting it or you want to revisit the good ol beer pong days, head a little south and you might find just what you are looking for.

Friend Club 2000 on Facebook for specials and more information.

The Locust Tap

dmbarstolove — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:51:47 +0000

The Locust Tap is a small hole in the wall that has made a huge impression on me. Its capacity is only 50, but don’t let that fool you. The Tap offers everything a good hole in wall bar does. It has pool tables, darts, games, TVs, a jukebox, and a full bar.

The Tap is located in the East Village, making it one of the oldest bars around Des Moines. It has not been remodeled, so it is all original. That gives it a grimy feeling, but one that many have grown to love.

The hours of operation allow the Tap to serve everyone from businessmen to young kids who are barely 21. This unique combination definitely leaves a lasting impression on every victim.

Next time you are in the mood to hit up a dive or need a place to pre-game before going downtown, check out the Locust Tap. You won’t be disappointed.

My ratings:

Food: 3/5. Snacks and pizza are available.

Drinks: 4/5. The bartenders know what they are doing.

Prices: 4/5. The prices are the same or better than other bars.

Service: 4/5. The people are friendly.

Atmosphere: 5/5. This place is awesome!

Cattoor’s: One of West Des Moines’ Best Hole in the Wall Bars

dmbarstolove — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:15:16 +0000

I was originally only going to cover hole in the walls in Des Moines, but Cattoor’s in West Des Moines deserves a shout out.

Cattoor’s, located at 1306 Grand Avenue in West Des Moines, is awesome. It is a neighborhood style bar with lots of regulars and music just low enough that you can carry on a conversation. Although it has many regulars, Cattoor’s is big enough for new comers as well.

New comers may soon become regulars, because of Cattoor’s many perks. It is open from 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. It has seven TVS to please all viewing audiences. Happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Twofers are offered during that time.

Cattoor’s also appeals to gamers and music fans. It has a pool table, an assortment of video games, and a jukebox that plays everything from oldies to the newest songs out there. It also offers karaoke Wednesday through Saturday from 9:30 p.m. to close. It rewards brave souls who get up and perform with a free shot of the performer’s choice.

I like Cattoor’s because it is a larger hole in the wall—meaning there is always a chair for you, regardless of what time of day you go. Everyone is friendly, especially the bartenders. There is always a good jam playing or someone belting one out.

My ratings:

Food: 3/5

Drinks: 4/5

Prices: 4/5

Service: 5/5

Atmosphere: 4/5

Friend Cattoor’s on Facebook!

Scooter and Bab’s

dmbarstolove — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:09:46 +0000

Little hole in the wall bars are awesome. No one cares what you are wearing at a hole in the wall bar. No one is there to judge you. You are free. You can actually carry on a conversation with someone else and not have to guess what they are saying—because you can hear them! Oh the awesomeness of a hole in the wall bar, I bow down to thee.

Trouble is, sometimes it can be difficult to find a good hole in the wall. However, never fear. I am here to assist.

Scooter and Bab’s Sports Bar and Grill, located at 918 East Euclid Avenue in Des Moines, is a great hole in the wall. It is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Lunch is served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and dinner is served from 2 p.m. on. Happy hour is from 3-6:30 Monday through Friday. Specials on wells and draws are offered during happy hour.

Since Scooter and Bab’s is sports bar, it offers specials for avid football and baseball fans on game days. Specials include $4.50 pitches, $0.75 chili dogs, and $1.50 bowls of chili.

Sports aren’t your thing? Don’t worry. The bar also offers food and drink specials on nongame nights. Taco Tuesdays and homemade pizza Thursdays go from 5-9 each week. You can also sing your little heart on karaoke night every Friday from 9-1.

Scooter and Bab’s is one of my favorite local spots to go and knock a few back. It draws everyone from college students to business executives to union workers. Everyone is welcome at Scooter and Bab’s.

My ratings

Food: 3/5

Drinks: 4/5

Prices: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Atmosphere: 3/5