; Skip to Content

Cheers To The Best Happy Hours in Des Moines

When you’re looking for a place to unwind after a long day, the Des Moines metro has no shortage of happy hour specials. From exclusive menus to discounted drinks, there are tons of  happy hours you can enjoy every day of the week. 

The next time you’re planning an evening on the town, be sure to make sure you consider taking advantage of the best happy hours in Des Moines. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, a purchase made after clicking an affiliate helps me continue doing what I love to do: Writing. Thanks!

Chalk happy hour sign

Eatery A

One of my favorite happy hours in Des Moines is at Eatery A. Not only does this contemporary Mediterranean have an incredible selection of beer and wine but their menu of wood-fired pizzas is also incredible.

During happy hour at Eatery A, you can easily get a full pizza and a couple of cocktails for under $20, which is definitely one of the best deals in town. When the weather is nice, don’t miss out on their patio.

Happy Hour Deal: Half-price beer, wine and pizza | Daily from 3 to 6 p.m.

Eatery A, 2932 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines

Fong’s Pizza

A happy hour that includes free pizza is definitely a special that I can get behind! Fong’s Pizza is famous for their quirky fusion dishes like the crab rangoon pizza, but they also have an amazing menu of unique tiki drinks. During happy hour not only can you sample those drinks, but you can also enjoy a slice — for free — with every drink purchase. 

Fong's Pizza cat cocktail glass and a slice of crab rangoon pizza

Happy Hour Deal: $2 off all tiki drinks and $1 off wells, domestics and drafts. Plus, every drink purchase comes with a free slice of pizza | Weekdays 3 to 6 p.m.

Fong’s Pizza, 223 Fourth St., Des Moines

RC’s Diner

Don’t let the name fool you—RC’s Diner is not your typical diner. This neighborhood restaurant serves Jewish inspired diner food at both breakfast and dinner. From latke flights and matzo ball soup to house-made lox, RC’s Diner has an incredible menu of hearty comfort food with a modern twist. 

Happy Hour Deal: $3 craft beer pints and $6 nosh appetizers | Daily from 4 to 6 p.m.

RC’s Diner, 6587 University Ave., Windsor Heights

Exile Brewing Co.

Make Sunday even more fun with Exile Brewing Co.’s all-day happy hour. Enjoy $3 pints from this local craft brewery as well as a selection of discounted appetizers. Especially during the warmer months, Exile’s taproom and patio are the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon or evening imbibing. 

Patrons at Exile Brewing Co. in Des Moines
Photo courtesy Exile Brewing Co.

Happy Hour Deal: $3 pints and $7 select appetizers | Tuesday – Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and all day Sunday

Exile Brewing Co., 1514 Walnut St., Des Moines

Cheese Bar

At the Cheese Bar, happy hour features bubbles and delectable bites. While the restaurant’s full menu of mac and cheeses, grilled cheeses, raclettes and more is available during happy hour, special menu items are also available.

Enjoy your food with a pairing of Champagne or any of the Cheese Bar’s other sparkling wines for only $5. 

Happy Hour Deal: $5 glasses of Champagne and sparkling wine and $5 bites | Tuesdays – Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m.

Cheese Bar, 2925 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines

Harbinger

Make happy hour special at Harbinger. This vegetable-focused small plates restaurant is known for its innovative dishes and seasonally changing menu. During happy hour though you can experience menu items that aren’t available during any other time. These specialty snacks are the perfect size to share among friends or make a dinner of on your own. 

A tables cape at Harbinger in Des Moines
Photo by Byron Jones and courtesy Harbinger

Happy Hour Deal: $6 wine and featured cocktail as well as an exclusive menu of happy hour snacks | Tuesday – Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Harbinger, 2724 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines

About the guest blogger

Megan Bannister is a freelance writer and blogger at Olio in Iowa based in Des Moines, Iowa. When she’s not sampling and writing about food, Megan enjoys visiting unique destinations, roadside attractions, and “world’s largest” things across the Midwest and beyond. Her book, Iowa Supper Clubs, highlights classic eateries past and present from around the state.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.