College football season is coming and here's where to watch the games in Des Moines
Brian Taylor CarlsonWho needs pumpkin spice when you have college football?
The start of college football season is just days away, and there are plenty of places in the Des Moines metro where you can watch the big games while sipping on an ice-cold beverage and enjoying some great grub.
These venues have TVs in every corner and can play several games at one time, so you can practice your multitasking skills while keeping track of scores and stats.
More:More than 50 places to eat and drink in the Des Moines metro during big sporting events
Here's a sampling of where to watch the games in Des Moines in the upcoming months:
Barn Town Brewing
Enjoy house-brewed beer and comfort food classics like poutine and amped-up nachos. Or go for a mac and cheese waffle.
Location: 9500 University Ave., No. 1100, West Des Moines
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Contact: (515) 978-6767; barntownbrewing.com; Facebook
Benchwarmers
This grub pub is an Ankeny favorite with plenty of food and drink specials. Order up some traditional or boneless wings served with ranch or bleu cheese dressing.
Location: 705 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Contact: (515) 965-2556; benchwarmersankeny.com; Facebook
Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille
There's plenty of food, sports and fun at the Cabaret in Ankeny. Grab an order of onion strings to go with its line of specialty and build-your-own burgers.
Location: 2785 N Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Contact: (515) 965-5481; cabaretsportsbar.com; Facebook
The Front Row
This Hawkeye-themed sports bar is a great place to watch any sport with Monday and Thursday steak nights and free weekend breakfast with a bloody mary bar.
Location: 9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive
Hours: Monday-Friday, 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m.
Contact: (515) 334-8746; frontrowbar.com; Facebook
Gilroy's Kitchen + Pub + Patio
With one of the most popular outdoor patios in Des Moines, Gilroy's sports plenty of American comfort food, weekend brunch buffets and food and drink specials during big games.
Location: 1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:45 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday, 7:45 a.m.-12 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
Contact: (515) 809-1727; gilroyskitchen.com; Facebook
The Hall
Enjoy a German-style beer hall in Valley Junction with food truck fare made by culinary students, a giant custom TV screen and 54 beers on tap.
Location: 111 S 11th St., West Des Moines
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Contact: (515) 608-4100; thehalldsm.com; Facebook
Rookies Sports Bar & Grill
For almost 20 years, Rookies has been a great family-friendly spot to catch lots of sports action, beer, burgers, onion rings, potato skins and barbecue ribs.
Location: 2180 NW 156th St., Clive
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m to 12 a.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-12 a.m.
Contact: (515) 987-0093; gorookies.com; Facebook
Saints Pub + Patio
With three locations in Des Moines, a lively atmosphere, plenty of pub grub, drink specials and outdoor patios, Saints has established itself as a great place to catch the big game.
Locations:
- 4041 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines; (515) 270-6175
- 3701 NW 86th St., Urbandale; (515) 528-2039
- 87 NE Carefree Lane, Waukee; (515) 216-1654
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-12 a.m.
Contact:saintspub.com; Facebook Beaverdale; Facebook Urbandale; Facebook Waukee
Smash Park
Watch games on over 50 HDTVs, play games, or make up new games at this sports and entertainment complex sporting a full-service restaurant, Court 7 Munchery, and the newly updated Paddle Club. Smash Park shows all Iowa and Iowa State games with the sound on. Try an order of the waffle sliders.
Location: 6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Contact: (515) 313-0700; smashpark.com; Facebook
Spectator's Sports Bar & Grill
You'll find all the college football and daily food and drink specials you've been craving at this Altoona favorite. Grab an order of smothered tots with chili and cheddar cheese.
Location: 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Summer hours: Open daily, 8 am.-11 p.m.
Contact: (515) 957-5707; spectatorssbg.com; Facebook
Brian Taylor Carlson is the food and dining reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach him at btaylorcar@dmreg.com or 515-284-8552 and follow @briantaylorcarlson on Facebook, @BriinDSM on Twitter and @briindsm on Instagram.
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