I come here a lot, great location and cool atmosphere for a dive bar. Only down side is the bartenders are always angry. They seem to hate their jobs and all customers that come in. Don’t come in and talk to bartenders after 10 pm unless you want bad service. Could easily be a hidden gem in Des Moines but the service is consistently bad. It is hard to understand and just disrespectful when people working in the service industry do not understand the industry. Nothing worse than trying to order a beer from an angry bartender. Location 8/10 service 2/10. Just hire college kids they will work harder and treat people better.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Alex Golembiewski
One of the best dive bars in town
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Rylee Carlson
Went there on a really slow night, maybe 7 other patrons? Bartender was not enjoyable in the slightest. Couldn’t give us a recommendation on a shot to take, only ID’d us after we ordered our shots in a weird way, and mentioned that it was a little strange bc it seemed like we hadn’t been in a bar before. Funny part was that we walked in with our IDs in our hands, but we didn’t get ID’d until we ordered 3 shots. Maybe that bartender should care about the liquor license a little bit more, or maybe offer some insight for our next time at the bar so we don’t make him disgruntled for having to do his job :)
Tony Harding
One of the few genuine neighborhood bars that has a population that seems like each other.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
LMM
Relaxed atmosphere. Good drinks friendly peeps
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Last Minute Movers
Relaxed atmosphere. Good drinks friendly peeps
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sara Wiley
Drink was way more alcohol than flavor. Pool was fun, customers were friendly. Server was friendly and attentive. Bar itself - loved the writing, good space for people, but it could’ve used a bit cleaning - especially in the bathroom. Long hours which is nice so you don’t feel like you’re being kicked out. Music was a bit repetitive but not a big deal. I would be back if we lived closer to the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Joshua J Becker
One of the best venues in the Metro for live music.
There's something beautiful about dive bars and the comfort of authenticity they bring. This is truly a comfort townie bar and any and all travelers should make a stop. Minus one star because the bartender was rude but that feels on brand for a dive bar so I couldn't tell if he was actually being mean or leaning into the customer experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 3
Violet Fleming
Shout out to Carl's Place and the Fat Tuesday band (best house blues band I've heard). I was in DesMoines and went to open mic on Tuesday. Open mic was ran professionally, by Sanchez(belated happy birthday),. Loved the atmosphere. My husband Joel, harmonica player from IL was invited on stage. Would definitely go back next time in town. Loved it!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Brittany Kummer
Very fun dive bar. Friendly people, attentive staff. Good music, good vibe!!I'd recommend another pool table though.
Kid-friendliness: Negative!!! Adult friendly ONLY
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Gippetto L
Carl's place makes all the lists for being this legendary and "must try dive bar" in the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood, but there's nothing really special about it. The atmosphere is very...divey (aka kind of dumpy and dirty looking), and it definitely lives up to the name 'dive bar.' They pour a strong drink. The music is loud and eclectic, and so is the crowd. However, don't expect to pay sketchy dive bar prices, they definitely charge city prices and drinking there is fairly costly for liquor. No drink specials. It's a good place to get drunk once in a while, but it's too costly to be a regular.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
Garrett Lomeli
Carl's place makes all the lists for being this legendary and "must try dive bar" in the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood, but there's nothing really special about it. The atmosphere is very...divey (aka kind of dumpy and dirty looking), and it definitely lives up to the name 'dive bar.' They pour a strong drink. The music is loud and eclectic, and so is the crowd. However, don't expect to pay sketchy dive bar prices, they definitely charge city prices and drinking there is fairly costly for liquor. No drink specials. It's a good place to get drunk once in a while, but it's too costly to be a regular.
never know what to expect
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Rude, disrespectful, better than you, bartenders
I come here a lot, great location and cool atmosphere for a dive bar. Only down side is the bartenders are always angry. They seem to hate their jobs and all customers that come in. Don’t come in and talk to bartenders after 10 pm unless you want bad service. Could easily be a hidden gem in Des Moines but the service is consistently bad. It is hard to understand and just disrespectful when people working in the service industry do not understand the industry. Nothing worse than trying to order a beer from an angry bartender. Location 8/10 service 2/10. Just hire college kids they will work harder and treat people better.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
One of the best dive bars in town
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Went there on a really slow night, maybe 7 other patrons? Bartender was not enjoyable in the slightest. Couldn’t give us a recommendation on a shot to take, only ID’d us after we ordered our shots in a weird way, and mentioned that it was a little strange bc it seemed like we hadn’t been in a bar before. Funny part was that we walked in with our IDs in our hands, but we didn’t get ID’d until we ordered 3 shots. Maybe that bartender should care about the liquor license a little bit more, or maybe offer some insight for our next time at the bar so we don’t make him disgruntled for having to do his job :)
One of the few genuine neighborhood bars that has a population that seems like each other.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Relaxed atmosphere. Good drinks friendly peeps
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Relaxed atmosphere. Good drinks friendly peeps
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Drink was way more alcohol than flavor. Pool was fun, customers were friendly. Server was friendly and attentive. Bar itself - loved the writing, good space for people, but it could’ve used a bit cleaning - especially in the bathroom. Long hours which is nice so you don’t feel like you’re being kicked out. Music was a bit repetitive but not a big deal. I would be back if we lived closer to the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
One of the best venues in the Metro for live music.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
There's something beautiful about dive bars and the comfort of authenticity they bring. This is truly a comfort townie bar and any and all travelers should make a stop. Minus one star because the bartender was rude but that feels on brand for a dive bar so I couldn't tell if he was actually being mean or leaning into the customer experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 3
Shout out to Carl's Place and the Fat Tuesday band (best house blues band I've heard). I was in DesMoines and went to open mic on Tuesday. Open mic was ran professionally, by Sanchez(belated happy birthday),. Loved the atmosphere. My husband Joel, harmonica player from IL was invited on stage. Would definitely go back next time in town. Loved it!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Very fun dive bar. Friendly people, attentive staff. Good music, good vibe!!I'd recommend another pool table though.
Kid-friendliness: Negative!!! Adult friendly ONLY
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Carl's place makes all the lists for being this legendary and "must try dive bar" in the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood, but there's nothing really special about it. The atmosphere is very...divey (aka kind of dumpy and dirty looking), and it definitely lives up to the name 'dive bar.' They pour a strong drink. The music is loud and eclectic, and so is the crowd. However, don't expect to pay sketchy dive bar prices, they definitely charge city prices and drinking there is fairly costly for liquor. No drink specials. It's a good place to get drunk once in a while, but it's too costly to be a regular.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
Carl's place makes all the lists for being this legendary and "must try dive bar" in the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood, but there's nothing really special about it. The atmosphere is very...divey (aka kind of dumpy and dirty looking), and it definitely lives up to the name 'dive bar.' They pour a strong drink. The music is loud and eclectic, and so is the crowd. However, don't expect to pay sketchy dive bar prices, they definitely charge city prices and drinking there is fairly costly for liquor. No drink specials. It's a good place to get drunk once in a while, but it's too costly to be a regular.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
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