the High Life Lounge

Posted Apr 13, 2010
10,711

The Champagne of Beers, Tang, tater tots, shag carpet, vintage wallpaper and dark wood paneling defines this downtown Des Moines cyclist's hangout

Des Moines, IA

A Cyclist's Hangout

Cheap beer, Cheap food, a patio, and bicycle parking for at least 100. All encompassed in a lo-fi vintage environment. Please welcome the High Life Lounge as the newest BIKEIOWA.com sponsor. The brainchild of seven local owners, the High Life Lounge opened on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2005, at 6:00 in the morning. The High Life is a typical 60’s- style corner tap, every city should have this kind of retro institution. Shag carpet, vintage wallpaper and dark wood paneling. Retro light fixtures and vintage Miller beer promotional lights and signs hang everywhere. The bar is even made out of the classic faux-wood Formica. Miller High Life was a culture of its own in the 60’s and 70’s and its allure lives on today. The “Champagne of Beers” outsells two-to-one the next popular beer at the High Life Lounge. If a customer isn’t sipping a High Life, they’re still probably enjoying one of its vintage contemporaries such as Grain Belt, Pabst Blue Ribbon or original recipe Schlitz. Like the beer, the food remains true to the era. Deviled eggs, Spam and egg sandwiches, Tachos (tater tot nachos), liver and onions, fried chicken gizzards and Mom’s pot roast are all favorites. The High Life Lounge is a place for regular folks to relax and have a good time without spending a lot of money, the most popular item on the menu is the $3.75 cheeseburger basket. Check out Crappy Beer night on Thursdays! Be sure to try the house specialty: a shot of "Tangermeister" (Tang and Jagermeister)

Awards

Cityview magazine has named it “Best New Bar” and “Best Downtown Hangout”.
It was featured in the travel section of the New York Times
It was named one of the best bars in America by Esquire Magazine.
One of the High Life’s proudest moments was when the president of Miller Brewing, Norm Adami stopped by after a ballgame and bought a round for the house to a capacity crowd.

Who's Hangin'?

From Hipsters to Suites to the Lycra-clad to the Cubby Bear, you'll see it all at the High Life Lounge.

Where is it?

Situated a block from the ballpark, the High Life Lounge is the perfect place before and after an Iowa Cubs baseball game. Being so close to the bike trail the High Life Lounge is a favorite of cyclists before, during and after a bike ride. There is not a strip-mall for miles! High Life Lounge 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines IA map (515) 280-1965 High Life's sister bar is also a local cyclist-favorite, the el Bait Shop which resides in a same building. You'll see bike rides starting and ending here all season long!

Social 411

WEBSITE http://thehighlifelounge.com FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/pages/Des-Moines-IA/High-Life-Lounge/54217961259 TWITTER http://twitter.com/highlifelounge