34 Best Cocktail Bars near Clive

“I had not been to Ducktail in ages. It's a great bar. Clean with nice decor and a full bar. We went there to listen to a local band called The Adaptors and the atmosphere was great. Everyone was having a great time, enjoying the awesome music and relaxing.“

“Elegant design, wonderful wood-fired pizza, great service, who could ask for more?“

“I got a chance to see Napoleon Douglas perform his “For Once In My Life” show here. Breathtakingly good! I hope to catch it every time he does it moving forward.“

“Amazing drinks and atmosphere!“

“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!“

“The atmosphere and drinks are top notch. I can't say the same for service. Apparently it is acceptable to not ask if our group would like anything else AND for the tab to be tossed on our table while walking by? Yes, I am still that person that tips at least 20% because I understand we all have "off" days but that is no excuse. It would have been 100% if the service was there.“

“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.“

“5 stars for atmosphere and live music. Can consistently find live music here and drinks a very reasonably priced. If you're looking for fancy go elsewhere. If youre looking for consistent service, cold drinks and music then head on in.“

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

“such a fun atmosphere to enjoy great bands and dance the night away!!!!“

“had great service. food was excellent. we had the meatloaf sandwich which was spicy. the chicken noodle soup was very flavorful with lots of chicken.i had the grilled chicken sandwich with BBQ sauce and bacon. with a over sized piece of chicken and the potato salad was warm and was like German potato salad. we will definitely be back. great addition to Norwalk. took pictures, but don't see a place to add them.“

“Went over the weekend as it was super hot out and the drink flight slushees hit the spot! A bit sugary but def recommend for the sweet tooth fans. The Strawberry Banana was really yummy! The only complaint was sat a drink down to play a game and when went back to get it a server had taken it away. Other than that a very fun time!“

“"I had a fantastic experience at the Escape Lounge thanks to Sydney, the bartender. She was incredibly attentive, friendly, and made sure that everything was perfect from start to finish. Sydney not only crafted delicious drinks, but her warm personality and professionalism really elevated the experience. I highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area—Sydney will make sure your time at the bar is unforgettable!"“

“And amazing waitresses!! Had a blast night listening to Stark Raving Madge😊“

“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.“

“I can honestly say I did not expect a restaurant of this caliber in Des Moines but it was AMAZING!!!!

I’m mad at myself that I forgot my servers name, but he was amazing!! Every single dish was incredible, the wine selections were perfect, and I couldn’t pass on the banana split!

Money was spent, but it was worth every dime!“

“support local businesses!“

“Delicious! Sushi and sashimi we have had has always been fresh! No kids menu but they had helpful suggestions! My kids eat sushi and sashimi so I didn’t have any problems! Sesame chicken is also delicious! Pad Thai is good! I love the Korean fried chicken “starter”… so good and the sauce is on point!!! 🤙🏽“

“The only thing better than the great food is the great hospitality and service. They have great drinks and the best oxtails and cheesy grits, you'll ever find.“

“I was excited to try this place. As a longtime vegetarian of 15+ years, I haven’t gotten to eat biscuits and gravy in a while. The guilt free b&g was so good. I also really wanted to try the French toast. Either the banana foster or the Dutch apple. But I knew that would’ve too much food so I asked for a single piece of French toast with the bourbon caramel on the side. The kitchen went way above and made it a mini foster with the banana slices and nut on the side too!!! That caramel … oh that was so yummy. The French toast itself wasn’t very sweet but when pair with the caramel was perfect. As this is vacation I decided to go ahead and do the mimosas flight. It you are considering it if you go here… do it! (They also offer a non-alcoholic flight which is awesome).“

“A go-to cozy neighborhood staple that never disappoints. Amazing specialty cocktails, great juicy burgers and best salmon in town.“

“St. Kilda Collective is a vibrant and welcoming space offering a unique mix of boutique shopping, creative workshops, and artisanal products. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the atmosphere is inspiring, and every visit feels special. It’s perfect for discovering unique gifts or supporting local makers.“

“Great experience. Only comment would be make sure you ask what is extra with your meal… we were charged for extra bread and each topping on the baked potato WITHOUT knowing until the check came. We were not asked of it we wanted it or ifnit was okay to add on Service was great and food was excellent but did not appreciate the sneaking in a couple upcharges.. then when we asked about it, the waitress seemed confused, said “it comes with it” then why is it an extra charge?? Just left a bad taste at the end of the night. It’s not about the price…it’s the principle and ethics…“

“Stopped in on Thursday for Happy Hour and late lunch. Food and service could not be better. Will be there again soon!!“

“I love this bar and I appreciate that they have gluten free options.“

“Had a business meeting here. Amazing atmosphere, extremely hospitable. Food was OUTSTANDING. Highly recommend; will come back with friends and family.“

“Very good. We will return. Clean place also.“

“My new favorite Mexican restaurant! I got the lunch special steak fajita. Delicious! The service was fast and if a worker that wasn’t serving me saw I needed something they handled it. A truly team player atmosphere from the workers. The restaurant its self is gorgeous. So much beautiful art work to admire. If you’re in the area a perfect choice.“

“Great service! Awesome food. Best Korean bbq in town. My kids love going there and alway request DZO for their special occasions.“

“My son and I had a great time!!! The staff was amazing and food was perfect! 🐻 Down!!!!“

“Blue Agave, the Mexican restaurant, truly deserves a five-star rating. From the exquisite food to the captivating decor, including stunning mural art, every detail contributes to an amazing atmosphere. The lively music invites you to dance, while their flavorful margaritas are anything but watered down—unlike many other places. The food and service were exceptional, and I was particularly impressed by the presentation of the churro and ice cream that my friend requested, even though it wasn’t on the menu. It was remarkable. You really need to experience it for yourself. Everything about the place was beautiful, from the clean bathrooms to the incredible theme that permeates every corner, even down to the to-go cups. Blue Agave is not only awesome but also incredibly fun. I thoroughly enjoyed my entire experience and highly recommend that you visit. Five stars—I've yet to see a cooler restaurant in the area than Blue Agave! Nichole Aubert“

“Great service! Yummy food!“

“Service, food. Ambiance is great.“