Nightclubs in Des Moines

HiTops is Des Moines's most active sports bar and nightclub — a downtown venue where Iowa's passionate college and professional sports fans gather for game-day watch parties and DJ entertainment after hours. Iowa's extraordinarily competitive college football rivalry between Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones creates a sports entertainment culture of unusual passion for a state without any professional teams.

Noce is Des Moines's most respected jazz club — a supper club presenting live jazz and creative programming for Iowa's capital city music community. Its commitment to jazz as a living American art form in the heartland reflects Iowa's genuine respect for musical tradition.

Southport is one of Des Moines's most beloved neighborhood bars — serving the working-class south side with live music, strong drinks, and the genuine Iowa hospitality that has made it a beloved institution. Des Moines's remarkably strong bar culture, despite Iowa's reputation as a conservative agricultural state, reflects the city's surprising cosmopolitan evolution.

Vaudeville Mews is Des Moines's most beloved indie music venue — a downtown bar presenting touring rock, folk, and alternative acts alongside the best local Iowa talent. Iowa's extraordinary live music culture, disproportionate to its population, reflects the state's deep roots in American musical heritage.

Wooly's is Des Moines's most active live music venue — a 600-capacity East Village club presenting rock, folk, and alternative touring acts in one of Iowa's most vibrant entertainment neighborhoods. The East Village's transformation into Des Moines's creative hub has made it the center of Iowa's most dynamic entertainment scene.