American Outlaws Bar

214 3rd St, Des Moines
(515) 778-6348

Recent Reviews

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Brittany Bundy

I attempted to visit this bar with a group of friends, and it turned into an absolute nightmare. About half of us were allowed in, and we even paid the cover charge (which, in hindsight, was absurd considering the bar was completely empty). However, when one of our last friends tried to enter, he was suddenly denied because he was wearing a white shirt. We understand dress codes, but the inconsistency here was baffling—two other friends of ours wearing the same white shirt style had already gotten in, paid the cover, and passed through two different door guys without an issue. When we asked about this inconsistency, we were given the ridiculous solution of “there’s a Dollar General up the road if you want to buy a new shirt.” We didn’t stick around to spend more money in an empty, unwelcoming bar and asked for our cover back, considering we had literally just walked in only to be turned away. Unsurprisingly, they refused. This place confirmed every suspicion I had when walking by and seeing how sketchy it looked. Save yourself the frustration and money—there are far better places to spend your time than this sad excuse for an establishment.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Kason E

Great dancing spot!

Sarah Donahue

I paid $10 cover and handed it right to the man taking money. He decided to say I never paid and wouldn't allow me in. Then I asked for my money back and he pushed me away shoving my shoulder. Asked to talk to a higher up but was avoided. Men laying their hands on women is not a good look. Looking at the other reviews, I'm wondering if it was because I was with my boyfriend who is Arab... this man needs to be fired and arrested.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Zeyad Alghool

Would give 0 if I could. We paid $10 for 2 of us and the bouncer said we didn’t pay and wouldn’t let us in. This place is a joke. Don’t give them your business.

robert cushman

Fun giant jenga

Karlie Kaiser

The service is terrible and rasict. My boyfriend had a turbin on, he wears it for religious reasons. The sign says no DURAGS. What strikes me is that there were at least 30 guys wearing baseball caps. I wanted to talk to the owner but the guy completely disregarded me. I know they are doing their jobs but they were disrespectful and cannot refuse someone because of their religious beliefs. I would love to spend my money here but I didn’t even have the chance. I was at the bar for 5 minutes and the server skipped over me. I had to ask her for a drink menu when she said we don’t have one and left. 3 minutes later she got my drink then verbally made a scene about me not tipping her for my 6$ drink that took 15 minutes. I’m never going back. I hope they change their rules or at least workers….

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

Sam Anderson

If you’re looking for a bar with rude service, deafening loud music, chaotic atmosphere, disjointed and random rules of which are poorly enforced, a dress code that makes no sense, and thee worst bouncers on Court Ave. then THIS is place to be at. Oh and the best part… you get this fun-filled experience by paying their $5 cover. Rude and terrible place. Do not recommend.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Emma Schwertley

My friends wanted to come in and the bouncer said “no boys allowed” but it was a girl. Ruined their night and ours, made us not want to return. Bad regardless but even worse during pride week. Bad look for the establishment.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Michelle Coleman

Definitely for the younger crowd! Only stopped to tell my daughter Happy Birthday!

Lindsay

My friends and I went here and was happy to see no cover charge all day, pretty cool. So we we hung out and had some drinks. My friends went down to smoke a cigarette and were told they couldn't come back in unless they paid a cover charge.The business apparently changed their minds last minute and wrote on a poster with some sharpies outside that they now wanted cover charges. Pretty poor business practice and displays to community they are a business you cant trust, but that's their own business.I just really can't believe they would let people walk out for a cigarette, then hold their items hostage demanding money or your not getting your property back, not to mention screaming it at my friends instead of being civil and understanding. The next step was to bring in law enforcement. Just not somthing you want to deal with trying to have a fun night out with friends.Won't be back, wont spend my money here, will be spending it at the other bars around.

Teresa S.

Went there Saturday March 16th and was very disappointed in the service. I had gone in and bought a few drinks, went out for a cigarette break, having one pretty much in front of the security, tried to go back in, and they wouldn't let me, claimed there was now a cover charge. I tried to explain even if I wanted to pay a cover change all of my stuff was in their building including my wallet. I was screamed at by 3 security guys to get out of their building. It was good thing I had friends inside otherwise I would of had to get law enforcement involved since this business was trying to stealing my stuff.Also they had a banner when I came in and upstairs that said no cover charge March 16th and even showed them and they didnt care. They had very poorly wrote on some posters with sharpie and posted outside they were now asking for a cover while I was inside apparently.Pretty poor business practice, very unprofessional, and boarderline criminal. Won't be back, there's plenty of other bars around to spend my money that won't try and take advantage.

Taylor O’Neal

Went here with my friends and had a meth head looking bouncer tell my friend (who is 23 years old) his ID was fake and wouldn’t let our other friend in because of a

Service: 1

Isaac Neel

Arrived on a party bus. Had a toothless nascar looking bouncer try to tell me my ID was fake and wouldn’t let our friend in because of a Durag? Both bouncers 100% looked like they were hitting a globe before their shift as well.I also told them to get a cop there so they can prove I in fact had a real ID, the toothless bouncer kept saying “shh shh, it’s fine but you know it’s fake.”

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Drayauna Mosley

Last night I had the most unpleasant experience here. After my ID was checked this security guard wouldn’t let me in, when I asked what the reason was he stood there not giving one. He told me he was calling the cops to have me removed & I said okay that’s fine. As I stood there holding onto the railing he began lifting up my fingers and putting his hands on me instead of waiting for the cops. This bar & their employees are a disappointment. Do not waste your money here especially if you’re of color they will treat you like nothing.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Alexis Knebel

I would NEVER go to this establish again!First off, when I was walking in the door, the male at the front door grabbed me and pushed me aside after I already handed him my ID. The blonde bartender is RUDE. Doesn’t want to serve any women. I waited at the bar for multiple minutes to get a drink, she repeatedly ignored me and helped all the other men around me. Then when I yelled out my drink order to her, she goes “find another bartender”. I said to her, is my money not as good as the other people? And she then told the security guard to escort me out. 0/10 for customer service! I have been a bartender and work in customer service for 15 years. I would NEVER treat a customer so poorly. Then when I was asking to speak to the manager, none od them would speak to me. They all just said “get the f out”. What kind of business is this? I will never step foot in the bar and I will be sure to tell everyone about this experience.DO NOT SPEND YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY AT THIS ESTABLISHMENT. Especially if you are a female.

Service: 1

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