50 Best Bars near Altoona

“I remember when I was a kid going to this place when it was called Anthony’s. Hawk Haven with the awesome leadership, great staff, and an awesome environment have far surpassed the expectations of anything that’s been there prior. With it being family owned knowing there locals from here I’d highly recommend to anyone.“

“Awesome little bar. Heather the bartender was very attentive and very friendly. Got served quickly. Nice atmosphere. Highly recommend.
I have food at a five, but they dont serve food. Im sure if they did it would be a five star review.“

“THEY GOT FREE RESTROOMS AND THOTS!“

“Love this place… brought friends with us last night, great female server, very friendly… only complaint, wish u had tap beer.“

“New owners came in and dropped a coat of paint on this bar, hired a great manager (shout out Jess!) and made the place feel more inviting. Plus, hard to beat one of the best steak dinner deals in town on Thursdays. Excited to see what they do with a planned expansion to the kitchen. Looking forward to some breakfast.“

“Great atmosphere and great people.“

“nice little gem hidden on the southside.“

“I think Mary go round is the most comfortable bar in Des Moines u never have to wait for a drink and prices are reasonable“

“Great food Great music awesome outside in the summer. I give this place a 💯.“

“It’s hard to find a night when this place isn’t busy, but that’s part of the fun. Bartenders are pretty loose with the tokens and will give them away if you’re polite or celebrating something. Games are all fun and well taken care of. Pizza taste great when you start the night and even better when the night is over. Super fun place for anyone looking to kill a night. Drinks are reasonably priced and standard compared to other bars.“

“it's a great neighborhood bar. Bingo on Wednesday nights is awesome. i have came several times.“

“I can't say enough of the bartender. In my book she was great has all the skills to make a bartender. Came in just to kill some time. But found myself haveing a great time playing pool with other customer and enjoyed the outdoor space. Great place to take a bike ride and stop to stretch your legs. I will be going back there 5?✴??????“

“Great service. Delicious food, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Special evenings like car show, Halloween weekend and many other events at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The menu has options for everyone. Best food you can get on the grounds and reasonably priced. Amazing service day or night.“

“great service, cheap prices . go there befriend Pam. shes amazing“

“The inside is small but mighty! Great location for a bar surrounded by shops, restaurants and all the downtown activities. Their outdoor seating area is perfect for people watching! The food truck was awesome as well. Cheap drinks, tasty food truck options and it's prime location for a day or night out. We would go back again!“

“Ken’s is a very nice speakeasy and it’s no secret. Food was good and drinks were also really good. Being from Texas it was nice to taste some of the local beer. Sorry no pics I can’t believe it myself. Well I guess your gonna have to come see for yourself. Thank you to all the staff. We were on a company sponsored event and Ken’s knocked it out of the park. Overall a great experience.“

“It’s obviously…the coolest place to hangout! 🍹🎉“

“best place at the fairto watch drunk idiots make fools of themselves, if you're lucky you'll get a glimpse of some of our glorious leaders and their wives in all their glory, have your cameras ready!“

“Best bar and bartenders in Ankeny! Cheyenne is always friendly and always treats you like family. Huge selection of beer and liquor with great pours. Lots of tvs and friendly people. Handicapped accessible and has a nice patio for the summer months! Will always stop in when I’m in town!“

“I LOVE the burgers! and the crispy chicken wraps are amazing. all the bartenders are absolutely wonderful and so nice!“

“Bike night on Wednesdays!“

“Wonderful bar to catch some live music or just play some pool. The night we went there was only one bartender and she was absolutely killing it. Didn't get her name but hopefully she got some credit for how well she did. Definitely will be coming back in the future. Thanks for a wonderful time Fremont!“

“Best spot in the neighborhood💯🖤“

“We went here for a drink cuz our regular bar was closed for the night. The bartender was rude and ignored us even after I said hi to her. parking lot sucks. Bathroom sucks. Other customers gave rude dirty looks. We will NEVER be back. Poor example for our east side.“

“We have been to visit The Republic several times and have had a phenomenal time each visit! The staff are second to none! Ask for Nicole Ripperger for great service!“

“Excellent service and food!“

“We just celebrated our marriage there with drinks and tacos! They had a killer beer and taco deal going on. We thought the drinks were delicious, the ambiance was perfect, and the staff and service were top-notch!! I would highly recommend, and can’t wait to head back!“

“What a great atmosphere! Stopped in for the first time and found some of the coolest bartenders. Sat and chatted with the bartenders for a while and found some new friends. Ted and Sophia are amazing people to talk to! They kept my drinks ready, played music I liked and even took a few requests!! Absolutely will be back to see them more. Highly recommended stopping by with your friends and having a great time“

“My go to for comfort food which is mostly this sausage sandwich, I’m 100% Italian and have consumed almost every sausage sandwich in Des Moines, this one is the best to me… because it’s different! Will love you always and forever!“

“Women were gorgeous and polite..only thing is alcohol to expensive“

“Sure, it's a strip mall bar that's pretty much a dive, but I love it. Staff is surprisingly attentive and polite for how busy it can get and I've never had much of an issue with the clientele. Love coming hear to watch Hawkeye, Cyclone or Cubs games. Insanely low prices also. One of my favorite bars in the city.“

“Events during the week are great! Fun bartenders, local patrons and all around great time!“

“**Coa Cantina ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐**

Coa Cantina is a vibrant and modern Mexican restaurant that delivers bold flavors and a fun, energetic atmosphere. The menu features creative tacos, flavorful entrées, and fresh ingredients that bring authentic taste with a contemporary twist. The margaritas and cocktails are a standout, perfectly complementing the food. With stylish décor, friendly service, and a lively vibe, Coa Cantina is a great spot for a night out or casual dining. Highly recommended!“

“No where else my friends and I would rather be on a weekend night in DSM! We always have so much fun, and all services are top notch, from the drinks, to the music, to the company.. especially bartenders Katie & Trent! 🤍 Also, how can you not love the Photo Booth!“

“Absolutely one of the best hidden spots in Des Moines! The Cuban sandwiches are out of this world and the ceviche is so flavorful you might think you’re actually in Cuba. I would recommendq them for anyone looking for a unique dining spot in Des Moines!! Even if you’re not hungry stop in and grab a Mojito…it’s worth it!!“

“Really chill vibe, cool decor, nice Sidewalk Cafe tables. The food is homemade fresh and very good. And they have regular live music and dancing events. Including a regular Latino dance evening as well as other special nightlife events in collaboration with events happening in the East Village“

“I love the atmosphere at this place! The service is amazing as well! Definitely the place to let yourself loose“

“This place is priceless. it is a must stop when you are in Des Moines. Love this place and all the graffiti decor. Amazing!“

“My absolutely favorite place in DSM. Food and drinks are incredible. Exceptional service. Awesome people and vibe. 10/10/10 recommend. Go try it you will not be disappointed.“

“Great food and beer, and very friendly staff. We come here every time we visit Des Moines!!“

“All the servers looked happy and smiling. Our server Gavin was soooo nice!!! Would definitely recommend eating here.“

“my daughter and I stumbled upon this neat place today. she has the classic burger with a side of fresh fruit and she loved it. I had the grinder with a side of amazing tomato bisque soup. we shared some tasty chicken loaded nachos and will definitely be making the 45 minute drive again very soon. our waitress was a lovely lady named Tatum(I cannot remember how your name is spelled,I'm so sorry). she was rocking the bar and taking orders all by herself. she constantly made sure we were doing ok. 10/10🤟“

“Trailside Tap is a must-visit in Ankeny! The back patio is amazing. The Berry Summer Salad and Three Pepper Burger were packed with flavor and just the right size. And do yourself a favor—order the Mulberry Mule. You won’t regret it!“

“It was a pleasure working with Iowa Professional Painting. The work was excellent and the price was very reasonable.“

“Didn’t feel like cooking so I called to pick up some burgers on the way home. Turns out it was a good idea. I’m never disappointed w any of the food I’ve gotten here. I always see the owner in there greeting customers and leaving the table full of smiles. This is the best example of local hospitality and food I can think of. Stop in and have a burger or a sandwich or some pizza or even a drink. You will be satisfied with your decision and may even wonder about being a regular. I’m glad this place is open.“

“Wow, just wow. The chicken wings were absolutely amazing. Crispy with a creamy, smoky wing sauce that gives a nice heat to your lips but won't send you running for the milk. The corn poppers were also delicious and 3 kinds of exile on tap means you'll have a decent selection of beers. Our waitress was really great despite it being very crowded. Definitely a gem of a find with dive vibes but good for gatherings. If you're looking for good wings in des moines, these are some of the best I've had.“

“Fun atmosphere! Delicious food! Excellent service 😊 Great view!“

“We came from out of town. Now every time we come to Des Moines, we know where we're eating!!“