17 Best Cocktail Bars near Ankeny

“Definitely our go to resturant. The drinks. The food. The atmposphere. All of it!“

“Best restaurant in ankney! By so far haven’t change. Has best customer service and FOOD!“

“Amazing!!! We had a really good time. My son is definitely autistic severely and very antsy and also likes to throw things. The waitress was so sweet. Also, the people around were really sweet as well and understanding what we were going through but also helping us keep my son, calm and comfortable. Just thanks to everybody around. I appreciate the service and the great environment. Everything was A1. Thanks.“

“What a fun New Year’s party! Thanks for hosting a great event. We all look forward to coming back. Great drinks, fun decor, and super friendly staff. Thank you!“

“Incredible cocktails, great music and the best vibes with a few fantastic plates on the menu.

This spot is run by some of the coolest and most creative people in the city. James Beard semifinalists. Don’t sleep on it.

The only downside is that it can get a little busy, but it’s always feel good. If it’s chill, ask one of the bartenders to make you something custom. They know what they’re doing.“

“Finn’s is a great bar!! Everyone is so kind and welcoming, the staff are all awesome, and the drinks are great! It’s such a vibe there and as a lesbian in and interracial marriage, my wife and I have never felt uncomfortable at all. All the patrons are great!“

“A tight knit clan rolls there, the regulars, but ever expanding I think. I didn’t feel too much an outsider, but the guy sitting next to me was there exactly for that reason, to wander and be the quiet stranger at a mid town pub. It’s quaint and an asset to the neighborhood. Thank you.“

“great place great service great food they treat you like family steak night is amazing definitely go“

“We had our wedding reception here and our guests were blown away by the staff and the atmosphere! Such a great place and awesome staff!“

“I want to start by saying this with full respect: running a restaurant is incredibly hard. I know this firsthand — I’m in the industry myself. I can also see that your family is involved in the business, and that’s something truly admirable.

My intention here is not to hurt your business, but to share honest feedback in hopes it reaches the owner and helps protect your long-term investment. Instead of giving a 1-star review (or zero, if I could), I’m choosing 5 stars so this message actually gets seen.

With that said, my dining experience at Tulpa was extremely disappointing — not because of a lack of effort, but because the fundamentals of Peruvian cuisine were not respected.

From what I understand, you’re not Peruvian yourself, which is perfectly valid. But the person you’ve trusted to run your kitchen is Peruvian — and that makes the issues even more concerning.

Here’s the breakdown:

Ceviche: Made with bottled lime juice instead of fresh lime. This alone completely changes the dish. The tilapia used is farm-raised, and you can taste the muddy undertones that should never be present in ceviche. The sweet potato was over-simmered in a syrup that made it sticky and inedible. The calamari (5 small pieces) were overcooked and rubbery, and the breading fell off due to poor technique.

Pollo a la Brasa: What I was served appeared to be a leg quarter from the W store.cooked grocery-store reheated in the fryer. This is not representative of the dish.

Chicha Morada: Unfortunately did not resemble authentic chicha in flavor.

Lomo Saltado: Lacked the core flavors and technique expected of the dish — no resemblance to traditional Peruvian cooking.

Your sign mentions Novo Andina, but nothing served reflected that or any fusion concept. Instead, it felt like someone convinced you they could cook Peruvian cuisine when, respectfully, they cannot. This is dangerous for a new restaurant. Business may be okay now, but long-term sustainability requires consistency, authenticity, and proper technique — especially with a cuisine as beloved as ours.

Additionally, I was automatically charged a 10% gratuity without any note on the menu. I understand why (Peruvians can be picky about tipping), but for your protection, please list this clearly so customers aren’t surprised.

I’m sharing all of this because I truly don’t want to see your business fail. You’ve invested money, time, and your family’s effort — and you deserve better support from the people working behind your kitchen doors.

If you’d like a more detailed breakdown or want to chat privately, please leave your email and I’ll gladly provide additional feedback. I’m rooting for you, not against you.“

“A delightful meal for the price! We were there for the restaurant's 13th Anniversary 4 course dinner. All the food was delicious. The first course, the Soup Duo (half roasted corn, half tomato) was amazing! Portions were moderate. Servers were very pleasant and accommodating, although a bit undertrained & seemed stretched too thin. It was a Tuesday, and the restaurant was half full.“

“Great little place. Definitely for the Cubs fans. Great variety of bomb drinks. I had the Capri sun and that's exactly what it tasted like. Black cherry rum with an orange monster Delicious. Bartender was great, friendly and helpful. Will be going back when we are in town again.“

“We hired Nightingale to bartend our wedding reception. Can not recommend highly enough! My husband and I had a pretty specific vision for what we wanted for the bar, and from the first meeting Heather and Tovka clearly committed to learning and achieving that vision. Great communication throughout the months leading up to the day, and heard a ton of compliments from guests about the service and drinks. The bar they set up exceeded our expectations! Hire these folks right now.“

“Bears fans need to come and watch a game“

“Amazing food! I have tried so much food and have never been disappointed by La Familia. The quesabrilla tacos are to die for!!! Cold and refreshing beverages, hot food, clean atmosphere, friendly staff. You got to try it!“

“Absolutely amazing experience!

We barely had time to sit down at the bar before they already brought us fresh chips — that alone set the tone for the whole visit. The service was incredibly fast, friendly, and welcoming.

The beer was served in ice-cold frosted glasses, which was an instant win for us. The staff took their time to explain the menu, recommended what to try, and every suggestion was spot on.

And the margarita… WOW. One of the best margaritas we’ve ever had — perfectly balanced, fresh, and absolutely delicious.

Great food, outstanding service, and an awesome atmosphere. You can really feel that they care about their guests.
We will 100% be back and recommend this place to everyone!“

“We were visiting with friends on a Thursday night sitting at the bar.

Service: Excellent
DRINKS: Wonderful
Food: we had chips, queso and salsa. I highly recommend this!

The pariaso ahumado was very delicious. The pineapple puree and hot honey was a fantastic combination of flavors along with the mezcal. I had 3. Get one for yourself!“