High Life Lounge
200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA, 50309
High Life Lounge Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Des Moines for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
200 SW 2nd St
Des Moines, IA, 50309 - Phone (515) 280-1965
- Website https://thehighlifelounge.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Fri
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Jamie B.
I love it when something lives up to the hype. After seeing this on Man Vs Food, I wanted to go here if I was ever in Iowa. So I was in Cedar Rapids, and took a day trip to see the Iowa Cubs. Well this place is even better in person. The food was great and all of the nostalgia was very cool. But gimmicks can only get you so far. So I was happy that the food kicked ass as well. Of course we had an order of the Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots. I had the Broasted Chicken, and it was moist and delicious. There were lots of beers to choose from and everything was very reasonably priced. Best part is that it is just a few blocks to the ballpark.
(5)Christine L.
Broasted Chicken. The. End. Just kidding....mostly. This place has such a fun throw-back atmosphere and is perfect for rowdy nights out as well as a more intimate (very causal) dinner. I've been here for several occasions on the patio and indoors. Only real complaint is dining room management when things get busy. Service gets slow and staff sometimes struggle to clean and turn tables. Get the chicken. It's a steal for the price they charge and it's true broasted chicken. Yes, you can get the same food next door, but make an outing out of it and start here and then move next door later. The bacon-wrapped tots are another killer specialty. If you've never done them, you're really missing out. Other specials in the drink/shot category: Rootdowns and this Tang shot. Not terribly alcoholic and fun for crowds.
(4)Jennifer A.
This place is like your grandparents' basement. Decked out in 1960s decor replete with wood paneling and retro light fixtures. It's like "That 70's Show" and a Wisconsin supper club had a baby. Trippy. Cheap old school beer and food. The Broasted chicken is fantastic, but only if you order dark meat. You're wasting your time ordering the breast here. Get two thighs and savor the moist deliciousness. Plan ahead though as it takes about 30 minutes to cook. Don't order if you need to get in and out. For sides, go with the mashed potatoes. Coleslaw is good too. Fries are standard crinkle cut- they can be skipped. Plain tater tots can be skipped too. HOWEVER- get the bacon wrapped tater tots. They're amazing. Tater tots + cheese + bacon + jalapenos + ranch dressing = the best worst (in terms of health benefits) thing you've ever eaten. Deducting one star because the burger I had on my most recent visit was pretty average and I wasn't impressed with the mac & cheese. I ordered the bacon & blue burger which was overwhelmed with the taste of blue cheese. A more creamy, mild blue would better suit. Mac & cheese comes as a HUGE portion for just $5.99, but it's more milky than cheesy.
(4)Kelsey K.
Great vintage vibe. Good deals on highlife (for obvious reasons), and decent food although I'd definitely consider it bar food. Good place to hang out for a few hours at the end of the night. Not too noisy, not overly crowded on the weekend. It's also attached to El Bait Shop, which is another good place to hang out, so go check them out. Two birds, one stone.
(4)Adam L.
The High Life Lounge is a great place for food and getting together with friends for drinks. The burgers here great, get bacon on them, with a side of tater tots. The Bacon wrapped tots are amazing also. We tried the fried cheese curds and they are pretty good. Our last trip here we also tried the pizza burger, it was alright. Love the broasted chicken here too. The inside of the bar is like a miller high life basement(wood paneling with shag carpet) and the outside deck is really fun on a clear summertime day. This is one of the best stops in Des Moines.
(5)K B.
Do NOT ask the bartender about the container of Tang...it'll be a rough night if you do. But since you asked, it is used for their Tang and Jaegermeister drink. Yeah, think about that for a bit and follow your gut if you really are thinking of trying. The High Life is not really a dive bar, but one decorated with the 60s/70s vibe...although you'll see people in there that look like they are still in the 70s. I prefer my vodka neat and of an adult size when poured...they do that quite well here. Pricing is great and the place is convenient to other bars and restaurants if you just want to stop off for a quick drink.
(4)Ariane A.
Great food! Great service. Only thing I would ask is to make the bacon wrapped tots portion size a little bigger.
(4)Casey G.
The highlife is a "fake" dive bar with an authentic vibe. Decorated like a late 60s early 70s neighborhood bar complete with wood paneling and pictures of pro bowlers, this is a no frills restaurant and bar with a friendly staff serving economically priced comfort food. Great tattertots, burgers, chicken, potroast and more.
(4)Sumita B.
This is the place you come for cheap food and beer. 70s decor! My favorites are the BBC with some fries or onion rings. The onion rings are very thin, cripsy and delicious. I personally like the wings with their Tang buffalo suace. Right combo of sweet and spicy. It's awesome when they fry the wings very crispy. My husband has never been disappointed with the broasted chicken/fries/onion rings. Appetizers - go for the bacon wrapped tator tots. Also, they have fried gizzards too. Fried pickles are the spear ones.....I prefer the chip ones. The place gets pretty busy when there is a lot of events downtown, but the service has always been pretty quick all the times I have visited.
(4)Brent M.
The best bar I have ever been in!!! Need to figure out how to get this on a trailer and drag it back home!!! Classic old beer with the best atmosphere!!!
(5)Kenzie T.
I love the environment here. The staff is always friendly and helpful. I love to sit back with a cheap beer (student loan debt is a son of a gun), especially the mini High Life's! I've never had the food here, but my acquaintances that do partake have said great things. There is a lot of bar seating as well as plenty of booths. I like coming here when catching up with my friends visiting home from college. It's such a great atmosphere to fall into those long conversations. Definitely recommend for people looking for an inexpensive, casual night out!
(4)Kyle C.
Great chill bar in Des Moines. Unlike El Bait Shop next door, the High Life Lounge is much more laid back and seems to typically not be as busy. The food is the same food as El Bait shop which is good because the food is pretty good. It feels like a step back in time and all the old school beer memorabilia is cool to see. For a more chill bar experience with some great food, High Life Lounge is just the ticket.
(4)Jason S.
A trip back to the 70s! "That 70s Show" was filmed here (just kidding). Classic homestyle food and old-school beer (Hamm's, Schlitz, Grain Belt, High Life - duh). They have a crappy (can) beer night. It's a fun place with shag carpet and all. Pretty chill and a nice contrast to el Bait Shop (which is attached next door). It's a fun place to go and enjoy some cheap domestic beer.
(4)Brad B.
I could spend hours in this 70's basement bar. Restaurant is homage to old fashioned beer signs, pro bowlers and vinyl . The breasted chicken was amazing, we also enjoyed fried pickles, club sandwich and some nachos. All solid......but vibe and environment would bring me back again and again. Next door is El Bait Shop is attached and looks to a perfect watering hole as well.....loved it
(5)Patrick T.
How do I put this.... I love cheap beer! Some of my fondest memories in life occurred while enjoying a PBR, Old Mil, Schiltz, a Busch, or a High Life! What can I say it goes down easy and is good with everything! If you ever want to take a time warp back to the late 70's, the High Life Lounge is your ticket! It's like the set of the bar in THAT 70's Show. Still waiting to see Hyde, Eric, and Fez there! I have enjoyed this bar numerous times. Most recently went for a late dinner and drinks. I got two cans of Old Mil for 3 bucks, and a burrito from El Bait Shop (they share a kitchen). The other two in my party enjoyed Tots, and Cheese Curds wrapped in bacon! They look good, chewy, and hot, but very not vegan so I had to pass. They also looked like giants drinking 7 ounce bottles of High Life! Recently the High Life Lounge has added beers that came after 1980, so you can enjoy a few craft styles here, but for the fun of it, I suggest rocking an oldie but a goodie like a PBR! When in Rome!
(4)Cindy L.
The manager contacted me and looked into the service situation which I so appreciate. While I haven't had the chance to go back yet, I so appreciate the great management that reached out to try and remedy the situation. I'll definitely give high life another shot considering the outreach.
(3)Nick R.
I love this 70's themed bar/restaurant. They have a large menu. The food isn't amazing but it's quick, cheap, and decent enough. The cheeseburgers hit the spot for cheap. You MUST order the bacon wrapped tots as they are entirely amazing. Inside tip: high life and the connected bait shop are owned by the same company. Walk over to bait shop and bring over a better beer to high life for your meal or hang out session.
(4)Courtney L.
Oh, I love the High Life Lounge. The divest of divey, but in a cool way. Cheap beer for cheap, greasy food (including bacon wrapped tator tots) and just enough sunlight blocked from the inside to avoid you questioning what else you could be doing with your life. My only word of warning is to avoid the tangerbombs. That magic pitcher of Tang and other curious liquids that they pull out from under the bar is just plain not good! A small space, but pretty much all tables. It can fill up quickly. And if you get bored, El Bait Shop is literally next door (you don't even have to go outside!). My favorite bar in Des Moines!
(5)Bill L.
I'm not going to lie, the only reason I came here at first was because it was featured Man vs Food and I wanted to try the broasted chicken. After doing so I was hooked. Their broasted chicken is unbelievable, it is juicy on the inside and extremely crispy on the outside which being over greasy. I came back other times to try their other foods and they were amazing as well. I was eating with a small group of people and one of them ordered a burger and told me it was not good. The burger appeared to be bland, but I did not try it. It is busy in here and you seat yourself upon entering. The decorations put up remind me of a man cave in someone's basement or garage. It is a very homey look. Their staff is friendly and able to give you their opinion of the food options. I have not tried this , but I have heard you can order beers they serve from the bar connected next door. I will always come here when I'm looking for quality chicken, but it is not cheap. Price is not bad, definitely worth the quality.
(5)Ene C.
I absolutely loved their chicken...Best freaking Broasted Chicken around! It was very lightly breaded, juicy and crispy! Before someone told me what the process of broasting was, I thought it was a cross between roasting and broiling and that it definitely had to be more healthy than fried chicken...well that flew out the window when I found out the actual process is pressure frying the chicken...no wonder it tasted so much like fried chicken, because it is FRIED! Anyway, that doesn't matter because did I mention that it is the best tasting chicken around? I had the 2 piece (thigh and breast) meal that came with 2 sides of tater tots and green beans. It was a huge meal and I had to take over half of my meal home. My only problem I had was that the first batch of Tater tots had a weird flowery (jasmine) after taste to it, and the bartender quickly got me another order. She couldn't figure out where that taste could have came from, but the 2nd batch was better. The vibe and decor of the place is very cool, with a historical feel and salute to American culture. Friendly and welcoming staff. I definitely recommend it!
(4)Kari H.
Came back to Des Moines for a quick visit. I had been here before with my sisters. Took my husband after he gave his approval on the menu. There was a ball game so it was busy but we managed to find a couple of seats at the bar as others vacated them. After not being greeted/acknowledged by the bar staff thought we were going to have a long wait. Luckily someone else was just starting his shift and noticed that we did not have drinks. Took our drink and food order. Pork Tenderloin is my go to in DSM, and was not disappointed. My husband order the broasted chicken, breast and thigh. The breast was the size of a small chicken and very juicy. What a perfect dive bar!!!
(4)Louis F.
Ice cold beer, killer burgers, and bacon wrapped tater tots with classic rock on the juke box.....could make a habit of this!
(4)Laura B.
This was the WORST food I've ever had in my 25 years of existence on this planet. The burgers we ordered were so inedible I wouldn't have fed them to my hypothetical dog. Yelp, I thought I could count on you! I have no idea how this place has such high reviews; we felt incredibly mislead. Cool looking interior, but horrendous food. I thank my lord and savior for not getting food poising that night, which was nothing short of a miracle.
(1)Rex J.
This was a hole in the wall location that I've been looking forward to going to since I saw Adam Richman take his trip down here on one of his Man vs Food episodes. To start, the decor was very unique, and I liked the casual atmosphere. I felt that it supplemented their menu selections really well. The group of us ordered an appetizer of bacon wrapped tater tots and bacon wrapped smokies. We all thought they were magnificent. I personally thought the bacon wrapped tater tot elements came together well: the jalapeño gave it a good kick; the cheese added a nice flavor, and the bacon of course added the bacon goodness. The bacon wrapped smokies were good, but they weren't quite as good as the tots, and it seemed the bacon was a bit burnt. As for the entree, the Broasted chicken lived up to its name: it was juicy, had great flavor, and was everything you'd expect out of fried chicken with that extra tenderness. The sides were also pretty good but nothing spectacular. The mashed potatoes were a little cold when they arrived, but the flavor of the gravy was solid, nonetheless. The macaroni wasn't anything spectacular. The roll was very delicious; it came out warm and really had a nice smooth, and airy soft texture. The service was fine. Nothing was bad about it, but it wasn't anything crazy. Overall, I'd say the main special they offer here, the Broasted chicken, deserved a 5 star rating for sure. However, the sides didn't quite live up, and the bacon wrapped tater tots may have been a bit overpriced. They were incredible, but not quite worth a dollar per tot. The Broasted chicken was reasonably priced. It's worth a trip for the chicken, and it's an experience to at least try the bacon wrapped tater tots, as Adam Richman found them to be heavenly (watch the episode to see for yourself!).
(4)R B.
Holy Crap!!!! I'm originally from DSM, but that was many moons ago. My family and I come back about once a year to visit my wife's family. Even if I didn't like my in laws, this place would make the trip worth it! Bacon wrapped tater tots are one of Gods gifts to the human race! The broasted chicken (basically deep fried in a pressure cooker) is the only fried chicken I have ever had that the inside is as good as the breeding! Juiciest chicken ever!! A must visit every time I'm in town!
(5)David G.
If you're looking for a place to eat cheap and drink even cheaper, this is the spot! The food was on par for the price and the atmosphere was what you could expect from a place called High Life Lounge. I will be back!
(4)Tiffany N.
You guys! This place is legit. I mean when you roll into a bar and feel like you're at the VFW... When you can order two cans of Old Milwaukee for three bucks... When you can drink ponies of High Life (that's the 7 ounce glass bottles in case you don't know) When fried cheese curds and tater tots AND tater tots wrapped in bacon and jalapenos are on the menu... When they have menu items that are cooked with "as seen on TV" methods and proudly promoted that way... THAT'S when you know you are in dive bar heaven. Well done, High Life Lounge, well done.
(4)Dave M.
While I have, overall been a fan, it is amazing how one bad experience can ruin your opinion of a place. Last night was that experience. Picture this for a moment: A group of 12 walks in around 9 pm on a Tuesday night; not exactly "slammed" with business. Everyone is having fun and chatting with each other - this is a bar, right? You are allowed to talk to your friends - right?? We start to place some orders, but not everyone has thought about what to drink nor are they paying much attention to the bartender at that very moment. The bartender (Nathan) decides that getting 100% of our attention is a requirement for coming into the High Life, and whistles then shouts to our chatty group: "What do you want drink!?! I got better things to do than take your orders!!" I kid you not... a bartender... at a bar that is slow... yells as a large group of people that came into the bar (one might easily assume to drink!!) ... that he has better things to do??? To say we were P-O'd is an understatement. The better thing that this guy should be doing is looking at the "Help Wanted" ads, because his butt should be fired! With that outburst, he not only lost a regular guest (me), but any potential new visitors that might have had a great time and spent a lot of money in this joint. Full Court Press -- you better figure this one out.
(1)Josh M.
Great place, as long as you don't diminish the ego maniac making the food by asking him a question. If you happen to see someone who looks like Danny Bonaduche (the guy responsible for all of that grease in the bowl of your bacon wrapped tots) steer clear. His Pompous attitude will cost you one of your favorite bars.
(3)Nora H.
High Life Lounge is the unmatched dive in Des Moines. The food is beyond on point and the beers are cold and vintage. Not to mention, the atmosphere is totally 70s which is a fun added touch. Must haves on the menu: bacon wrapped tator tots, velvet Elvis dip, deviled eggs, bacon wrapped lil smokies, sloppy joe, broasted chicken aaaand goulash. Seriously, High Life is a staple in Des Moines.
(5)Shelana L.
I do love this place... Vodka & Tang! Yep and tater tots. If your a 70's-80's kid the comfots of home and cheap beer. Just like Uncle Bucks basement. Fun meet up spot before I Cubs Game! or after
(4)Devin R.
Come for the eccentric beer selection...stay for the bacon wrapped tater tots, broasted chicken and mac-n-cheese! This amazing Iowa nugget is a must in the Des Moines area. Kid friendly...if your kids have eaten in any small town Iowa bar/restaurant before.
(4)Erin M.
Great atmosphere. Great food. The tater tots were super crispy. Def will be going back next time I'm in Iowa!
(4)Shane W.
OMG. Every great review below this one is true. This is a destination bar, totally worth a trip to Des Moines from within a couple hundred miles. Trust me, the only other places within a couple hundred miles are Kansas City and Omaha - sure, hit those too but definitely put High Life Lounge on your list. Until the last few years, they haven't offered any alcohol that wasn't available in 1979. That's a nice touch but it unnecessarily limits the selection. I sampled a couple local Ryes and Bourbons, and of course rediscovered Miller High Life. My tab was a lot less than I'd expect about anywhere else - certainly anywhere else with a personality. Just a great, great, dive bar.
(5)Tarun M.
Went to this place on a Monday night. There were literally 6 people at the bar. Bad? No, I still ended up having a good time with the few people(including the hot bartender) at the bar. Btw we got free shots as it was the her birthday that day. The place is a typical dive bar owned by some guy who owns few other bars in the area too. Music was good but not diverse. Anyway I would recommend this bar if you are looking to meet people(except Monday and Tuesday)cheap beer and delicious chicken.
(4)Caroline M.
High LIfe is one of those places where you plan your day around the big event. A yogurt for breakfast. A salad for lunch. A basket of bacon wrapped tater tots, fried pickles and a burger for dinner. Don't forget the beer--actually skip the beers at High Life and order from El Bait Shop if you are a beer snob like me. The booths are noticeably sloped. There is shag carpet throughout the restaurant. You kinda smell like a french fry when you leave....but I love this place! I paid $7 for my meal here last time. It's cheap. And satisfies your craving for everything fried.
(4)Jeff B.
Good comfort food and a casual atmosphere that reminds you of the good old days of the 70's in the basement with wood panelling and formica tables. Staff is friendly and prices are good. Connected to El Bait Shop. Plenty of fun here. Near the Court Avenue district and the Iowa Cubs. Definitely worth a visit!
(4)Jim M.
Reminded me of a bowling alley lounge. Definitely an older drunken crowd. Ordered a cheeseburger and tater tots and was okay. Seems like a late night end of the road type of place where in a spasm of sober, you ask yourself "what am I doing here?"
(2)Andrew J.
Loved this bar so much. Reminded me of a bar in the West End of Davenport. Wish i could go here more often. Nice touch having NBA Jam as well
(5)Arin E.
Damn I love their cheeseburger! Best homestyle bar in town. Not a giant drink selection but enough to keep you satisfied. Go next door to el bait shop if you're just looking to drink.
(5)Jason M.
A total (intentional) dive-bar. If you are a fan of the 70's, this is your place. The tater tots are as good as mom made. The beer selection is wonderfully bad as well. We go here for lunch when we are looking for something different. Do not come here if you are looking for healthy meals, a serious meal, or take yourself seriously. It's best with friends or on a date for something different.
(4)Sherri S.
This is a great dive bar. I couldn't believe they had Schlitz beer on the menu. The bacon wrapped tater tots cometely live up to the hype. Just a perfect little flavor explosion. My daughter had the spam and egg sandwich and she loved it. I went with the hot open faced turkey sandwich and it was ok. A huge menu and certain to have something for everyone.
(5)Bethany W.
Don't get me wrong, I love the atmosphere and the drinks. It's a great hangout spot, and has the El Bait Shop right next door, which is sa-weeet. But the food was pretty disappointing. The bacon-wrapped tater-tots and smokies are yummy snacks, but anything else seems like it comes out of a package and is microwaved. My burger was obviously not homemade and the green bean casserole that came with it (a Thanksgiving special at the time) was mushy, bland, and overall unappetizing. I took only a few bites of my dinner and was finished. Service is always very slow, but if you're only there for drinks, the employees behind the bar are a bit faster. So again, great place, great drinks, not so great food.
(2)Jordan L.
A group of buddies and I made the trip to Des Moines to try out this place. I've heard great things about The High Life Lounge via friends and it being featured on Man vs Food. Coming in with high expectations, I was satisfied with my visit. Coming in, the atmosphere was great. A lively group of people conversing at the bar and the walls filled with interesting pictures and decorations. On top of this, there are old arcade games in the back to give the customers a feeling of nostalgia. Once we were seated, a waitress quickly came over to us and took our drink and appetizer orders. She made great time getting our drinks for us and immediately took our orders, making very helpful recommendations on the menu. She periodically came back to the table for refills and our food was out shortly. Excellent service. For our appetizers we got the renowned bacon wrapped tator tots and the bacon wrapped little smokies. The tator tots were like a mysterious flavor that I had never experienced before, amazing. The little smokies were good and had great potential, except they were slightly burnt. I'm not sure if they are usually that done or if that was just our batch. Another thing was the appetizers were a little expensive at $6.95 each for only 8 bite-sized hors d'oeuvres. For the main course I ordered broasted chicken. A breast and a wing with a side salad and mashed potatoes. Do not order the chicken wing. I got mine and thought it was a bat wing. There was no meat on it whatsoever. Although, this was made up for by the huge chicken breast I got. The side salad was delicious with fresh lettuce and carrots. The ranch dressing is very thin there, which enhanced the salad. The mashed potatoes had a great flavor with delicious gravy. My only complaint about it was it was slightly cold and hard. All in all, the food was good. I would definitely recommend coming to The High Life Lounge. It has a homey atmosphere and excellent service. If you haven't been here and are in the area, make a stop here; it will be worth the trip. Four out of five stars.
(4)Mary G.
Downright best chicken pot pie you can find. Since my mom never made them, sadly I can't compare it to hers but if she'd made one, not sure it would beat HL's. Only negative, too much gravy. I order it on the side. Frankly, the pie is so good, you don't even need it. A friend struggles between the pie and a burger every time. She says their burgers are the best. As far as appetizers go, gotta go with the curds and anything wrapped in bacon. Since I get the pot pie, it doesn't come with sides but I've tested them all. Not a bad one in the bunch especially the tots. The beer selection is amazing though we rarely drink since we're there for lunch. :( but when we go there pre- or post-Cubs, we have a few and they're so cold, perfection. A cold beer and hot tots = perfection to the 10th degree!
(5)Chris D.
This small little place had a great vibe. The chicken was excellent! The broasted chicken is a must.
(5)Jacob H.
Really good chicken. As long as you stay away from the wings as they are pretty much one bite. The bacon wrapped tator tots are very good but you only get 8 for $6.95 so it's a little bit over priced. The service was consistent and pleasant. There was a really great atmosphere and a really good overall experience with friends Four Stars!
(4)Marlene B.
I was so excited to try the High Life Lounge after seeing it on Man vs. Food. I love bacon and cheese, after all, who doesn't? However, I was greatly disappointed in both the bacon wrapped tater tots and bacon wrapped smokies. The tots were covered in cheese that had obviously been microwaved too long as it was crunchy. The bacon on both the tots and smokies was not done. The edges of the bacon was still almost raw while the center was crunchy. Now, if I was just rating the broasted chicken then this would be a 4 star if not 5 star rating. But I can't give a rating on just 1 menu item when I tried a few. Nevertheless, the broasted chicken was amazing! The chicken was cooked perfect. When I cut into my chicken breast it was moist and glistening. The skin was crispy and yummy. The sides served with the chicken were mediocre. They should not have been served with that amazing chicken. My boyfriend did love that they had tang on the menu! The decor was as promised...fun dive bar decor from the 70s. So if you love yummy fried (broasted) chicken and tang then this place is for you!
(2)David R.
A group of us went here because it was so close to the arena and we heard that the food was good. The food was awesome! The best part was our server! We were going to leave and go bar hopping, but our server was so awesome that we ended up staying for five hours. If you ever go here (you definitely should) ask to be seated in Megan's section. She will make your experience there a blast. We are planning a trip back to Des Moines just to go back to this bar because of the food and Megan. This time we are bringing our friends.
(5)Jen C.
Came in here Dec. 23 2013. We had just got into town after driving from Texas so a nice drink was in order. This place was suggested to us and away we went. A little hard to find but so are most dive bars. There were fun shots like jäger and tang and jäger and root beer and both we're surprisingly good! Can't wait to go back next year when we're back in town :)
(5)Matthew F.
This place is outstanding and you should go here. I hit the lounge at approximately 12:17am CST on 12/7/13 then went back again somewhere in the 8:00-9:00pm range on the same day. I'm going to talk about the first trip as I can remember it clear as crystal. The second trip well...not so much. Let's begin: Myself and a foot doctor hopeful kicked it off with the bacon wrapped tater tots, do that. Then we both ordered the signature broasted chicken with two sides of our choosing. The chicken was out of this world juicy and done to perfection. Can't say enough good things about the meal as a whole. This place is first class from the shag carpet to the booths that have seen their fair share of "buttocks." Defintions: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bu…
(5)Crystal L.
The High Life is perfect for drinks, but they also have great comfort food. The egg and cheese sandwich with tater tots is perfect after an evening hitting the bars on Court Ave.
(4)Teri W.
I was really excited to check this place out....I've been to DSM so many times and have somehow missed it every time. First of all, parking is not great - there was fresh snow, and no parking was allowed on the street due to the plows coming thru in the early AM. So we parked at the Science Center, which isn't really that convenient in a blizzard, and you have to pay for. Anyhow, once we got inside, it was pretty crowded. We had a party of 6, so we sat in a large booth in the back of the restaurant. I really feel like most of the decor is forced - this isn't a "dive" bar that has been around since the 70s, but more of a place that the owners created to look like that. The decor is cool, just not really authentic, in my opinion. Now to the food - everything we had was REALLY good. We started with appetizers - we ordered the bacon wrapped tots (holy crap, an orgasm in my mouth), fried cheese curds (typical Iowa fare, pretty hard to go wrong), and fried pickles (also delicious, but nothing too exciting). The tots are absolutely amazing!! It is a tot, topped with a jalapeno and wrapped in bacon and then topped with cheese. Words can not express how much I LOVED these little nuggets of awesomeness! Make sure you order these when you get a chance. For our meals, 2 people ordered chicken fingers (didn't get to taste them, so I can't rate them), I ordered the broasted chicken with 2 thighs to share, along with mac n cheese and cole slaw (it's amazing how delicious the chicken is), and my friend ordered the goulash to share as well (a big dish and pretty good). The skin on the chicken is what makes it so good - it is crispy and juicy and melts in your mouth. I was really surprised. The cole slaw was different and good, but not sure if I would order it again. The mac n cheese was also only ok. As for the goulash, I was surprised at how much you get with 1 order - definitely enough to share. They really have a limited beer menu - but you can go next door to El Bait Shop and bring some of their beer over (and they have a HUGE selection). I was excited by the drink menu in general - orange, strawberry and grape fanta, as well as "hillbilly holler," which is a knockoff Mountain Dew. Our service was decent - our server seemed a little annoyed and wasn't the most friendly person I've encountered - but in general it was OK. Overall, this is a cool little spot with good food and an interesting atmosphere. I would definitely recommend checking it out if you are in Downtown DSM.
(4)Todd S.
Staff is great, the food is great, the beer is great! This review can count for El Bait Shop as well as the only thing that is really different now between the two is the decor. Anyways, the food is reasonably priced on both sides, the beer is reasonably priced. Also I have never had bad service there... And I have been there a lot!
(5)Steve C.
We love to go here and especially like bringing our friends from out of town. We were there Feb 21st and had Megan as our server. She did a great job! Friendly, fun and made sure we were taken care of. We were there quite awhile and she kept checking with us to see what we needed. We will look for her next time we are in. Great job Megan!
(5)Paul V.
Actually went next door to el bait shop. Always eat here. Great food that keeps me coming back.
(4)Kelley M.
High life is one of my favorites. Broasted chicken and their Mac and Cheese is just great. Fun atmosphere and great food. I've never been disappointed with anything that I've ordered there ever.
(5)Larry S.
I recently took a cross-country road trip with my son as we moved him into LA. This is a review of one of our many stops across the good ol' USA We search yelp and an app of restaurants seen on TV and we found ourselves looking for gas in Ds Moine and a great dive offering deep fried tater tots wrapped in bacon and the BEST fried chicken ever! yes, its a dive and proudly so - place was clean, the service was friendly and worth the detour off of Rt 88 heading to Omaha. I hope I find my way back so I can hang around and enjoy a Miller High Life!!
(4)Doug L.
A classic. If you want a $50 fancy steak, forget it. If you want to feed 4 for $50 including a beer each, here's your place. Shag carpet, slanted table, and bowling pictures (including Earl Anthony corner) make this a fun place. Before you dismiss, go once and try the Bacon Wrapped Tot appetizer for $6.95 and you will be back again and again
(4)Brooke P.
I love this place! Total throwback with the orange-ish carpet, old bowling posters and beer posters. It's like being in a 1970's basement. The food is what you would expect, but the broasted chicken is AMAZING. For your first time get the tater tot appetizer and then broasted chicken, you might have a clogged artery but it will be worth it. I usually drink the Champagne of Beers while here, it just feels right. If you are looking for a craft beer you can head over to El Bait shop which is connected next door. This place really fills up when there are baseball games so check the schedule before you head down. Good for happy hour, dinner, lunch, and late night drinking.
(5)John J.
Really cool. Great food. Geat atmosphere. Had the broasted chicken and bacon wrapped tator tots. I love near KC, and if I can talk my friends into it, we will road trip to dress mines for the experience.
(5)Jami Jo H.
The decor in this place is FAB. It looks like the 70s threw up everywhere. I've been here a handful of times and have always had awesome food. The bacon wrapped tots are delish, and they make a really good burger. If you don't enjoy old school domestics, you are welcome to go to El Bait Shop and order a brew from there. (The bars are attached). The food servings are good for the price. My only issue with this place is the service. Everytime we come here we get a not-so-pleasant server, which is disappointing. I will be back anyway.
(4)Amy K.
The broasted chicken is a must-have. Service can be slow at busy times. A fun place to meet friends before or after a baseball game.
(5)David L.
Eat here, get broasted chicken, be happy.
(4)Alexis R.
Don't choose this place if you're on a diet. However, if you like good bar food and cheap domestic taps in a sweet environment that smells like fried food and has good music (America, Elton John, other sweet, older stuff), this is your spot. Divey in the retro way. Not in the rundown way. It was so good. The Dominican and I tried fried pickles which were so yummy. And then they very kindly swapped turkey for the corned beef (corned beef...eww...) on my reuben. Awesome turkey reuben. If you know me you know I'm a sucker for a good reuben. Yeah. Eat that. It was so good. I'm making the boy take me back for bacon wrapped tots. You heard me. Two of the best things in the world...with a side of beer.
(4)Mike G.
I love the bacon wrapped little smokies and the broasted chicken is wonderful! This is my new hang out. All the beer kitsch on the walls reminds me of my Dad's basement growing up.
(5)Nick K.
Cheap and delicious. If that's all you need, this is the place to go. If you are bothered by noise or grease, however, avoid this place. It is more "dive bar" than it is fine dining. The High Life Lounge is the perfect place for good bar food and traditional comfort food. I have yet to try something that I didn't enjoy. Good service too.
(5)Stephen S.
My dad and I found the High Life Lounge on a cross country road trip from Connecticut to LA using 'TV Food Maps' a random android app I found that is a database of restaurants featured on TV. Knowing that we were driving through Des Moines during lunch time on our way to Omaha from Chicago, the app gave us a few choices. We went with this one, and could not have made a better call. Seemingly sponsored by Miller High Life (not a bad thing) the High Life Lounge is a 1970's sitcom's dream sports bar. Old logos, jukeboxes, and shag carpet really make it feel the time period. We ordered what was featured on the show: bacon-wrapped tater tots and broasted (a combo of pressure roasting and deep frying) chicken. The food was quite good and the serving staff was super friendly. If you want a finger licking good greaseball meal, hit up the High Life.
(5)Brad O.
One of the more unique bars I've ever been to. People are describing it as 1970's, but I'm thinking it's 1960's. Regardless, it's like walking into another era. And the food is not your typical bar fare. When I was there, the special was green bean casserole. My buddy ordered a spam and egg sandwich. The bacon wrapped tater tots are simple and delicious. And where else can you order a Tangermeister? If you're looking for something different, The High Life Lounge is for you.
(5)TandM S.
A very vintage dive bar in des moines in a must visit. The entire place is decorated with 1970's decor, and I believe they don't even serve any beer introduced after that decade. A very fun place to take visitors from out of town for something other than the 'suburban sports bars'. Menu Highlights: Burger and Fries Bacon wrapped taters Miller High Life
(4)Chelsea G.
It was iffy. I loved our waitress! She was the only one for the whole bar and she did wonderful considering!!! It only took our food 9 1/2 minutes to be delivered! Very impressive! I wasn't to thrilled with the cheeseburger basket but the Mac n cheese was pretty good. Loved the decor!
(4)Kim M.
We found this place because it was featured on man vs. food. Loved the bacon wrapped tater tots and the bacon wrapped little smokies. We also tried the broasted chicken which was no better or worse than other broasted chiken I have had in the past. Also interesting was the tang buffalo wing sauce. I think you have to have a taste for it, because in our group it was either love or hate, with no wishy -washy just okays. Parking was meters on the street, the lot behind the restaurant clearly states that if you park there for dining, you will be towed. We didn't risk it. The Bait Shop is another restaurant next door, and evidently they share the same kitchen because we ate outside, and were given both menus to look at and choose from, although they only had a few things in common. Like everyone else said, going into the lounge from the street was definitely a throwback, from the lighting, decor and shag pile carpet. I was a little uneasy bringing kids to this place at first, but the outdoor seating and crowd from the cubs game down the street (yes, that would be the farm team for the Chicago Cubs) made it a family atmosphere outside on a Sunday afternoon. Service was a little slow, but they were busy, so I'll give them a break.
(4)Adam P.
This is not the Champagne of Bars nor is it trying to be. This is a friendly place with mom's old fridge still keep some of the refreshments cold. Really I am not making a joke about that an avocado green fridge to be exact. A great place to hit before and after an I-cubs game! This is a great place to go if you are craving moms old school tater tot casserole it is really good! Where are you going get back in the bar because before you leave you must have a tanger-bomb shot! What is this well it take our favorite 70s orange drink Tang (thank you NASA) and it mixes it with jagger! Sounds not so good but trust me have one you will want another.
(3)Kurt K.
Epitome of a dive bar. It's like bringing a corner tavern from Chicago to Iowa, right outside the Iowa Cub's stadium... which is cool even if you are a Southsider. Gotta try the bacon wrapped tater tots, and broasted chicken..
(5)Reed N.
Great throw-back lounge connected to El Bait Shop. Broasted chicken is ridiculous. Fried cheese curds make mozzarella sticks seem like fried poo... just delicious. Mac and cheese... and sticky gooey ramekin of fun. Onion rings were thin and crispy goodness. All the old beer signs were so cool... and I drank a Grain Belt from New Um MN... how cool is that? Service was super friendly for me... but I am a nice guy! : )
(4)Robert D.
The Broasted Chicken will change your life. Highly recommended.
(5)Marianne S.
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!! a place we take out of town visitors. THey are always willing to make you happy, we had gotten a tuna casserole in which we think a cook may have mistaken cayane pepper for paprika, they replaced out meal and actiaually took it of the menu for the day to make sure noone else had steam coming out of their ears like popeye !! Broasted Chicken is a favorite as well as Mac and Cheese!
(5)Heather J.
I think you have to be in the mood for the High Life lounge! Cool place and music but is much more of a hangout with your own group and can get very packed. Wait staff even though this place was hopping was on task. I love that they only serve old beers...something like if it has not been brewed before 73 you won't see it. I hear the food is good and will go back when I am in the mood for bar food!
(3)Bruce K.
Fun Place! WOW Very Cool decor...
(5)Travis B.
very cool place. i can't ever remember seeing a bar with thick pile carpeting. this place is going for that dive bar look and ambience, but is filled with people looking for that trendy dive bar. which is not bad, but as a kid, i remember my dad taking me to a few real dive bars and i wouldn't go in one now without a pistol and a very sharp knife. as the name states, high life offers lots of high life. the walls are covered with panel board filled with beer memorabilia. if you're brave enough, you can get a pickled turkey gizzard for a dollar. they also will spritz you with a choice of old colognes....brut, old spice, aqua velva, etc., if you desire. again, we didn't eat here, but heard the pub food was decent. our service was great even though there were quite a few people in the bar.
(5)Paul J.
This really is what a dive bar is supposed to be. When you go in, it's like stepping back in time, at least to the 1970's, but possibly the 1960's. The waitress we had was really friendly and welcoming, and steered us towards two beers of some sort for $3, which promptly turned up in the can - tremendous. The food was fantastic in that it was dreadful! We had cheese curds to start with, and they were really tasty in a really cheap way, then I followed up with a burger, which was at last 50% fat, and hence tasted great, and just had two Kraft Cheese Slices dumped on top of it. Put all that in a really cheap white burger bun and you've got the makings of the least healthy, but tastiest, food you could ever hope for. Throw in some frozen fries to top it off and you're golden. I absolutely loved this place. It's a pub from the days when pubs were supposed to focus on serving you beer rather than food, so the food is an afterthought of what can be put together easily. I miss those days, though not the wood panelling!
(5)George G.
BEST BROASTED CHICKEN EVER. NUFF SAID. (still yet to find a place that compares)
(5)Teri S.
We went specifically because we had heard about the bacon-wrapped tator tots and were surprised to find a bar completely decked out in 70s decor, shag carpeting included. If you are a microbrewery/specialty beer fanatic, this is probably not for you... they only serve beer from the 70s (or before, I assume). The tator tots were yummy - piece of jalapeno on the tot, wrapped in bacon, cheese melted on top. Service was good, crowd was young-ish.
(4)Dino O.
A friend of mine told me about this place, and it sounded good and I was interested, until he mentioned the Tater tot appetizer- I could not get it off my mind for a week. The tater tot appetizer is pure love mixed with ecstasy, all on a plate. It is a tater tot wrapped in jalapeño and bacon- melted cheese on top and served with Ranch. OMG!!!! Everything good in the world on one plate. I drove a total of 4 hours to taste this masterpiece. It was the best single bite of food I have ever tasted. It changed my life and raised the bar for any other restaurant. It was worth every minute of the drive. Literally, I almost got teary eyed. Totally Delicious in every way. As far as the lounge, it was a fun 1970's theme. It was clean and felt like you were transported back in time. Service was friendly and I also enjoyed the Broasted Chicken. It was very good and hot. The onion rings were finely shredded and very crispy. Over all, I am very excited about finding this place. When traveling to Des Moines we have often left disappointed in restaurants in the downtown. Now we have a home away from home. If Mom could have cooked like this, I would have never left home. Do yourself a favor and have the Tater tots, you will not regret it. It is the best investment I have made in a long time. They are pure PREFECTION!! There are so few times you are really surprised by great food, High Life Lounge delivered. It brought back my faith in Humanity- one tater tot at a time.
(5)Misty N.
With the cafeteria style food (I mean that in the best way possible), friendly people, great staff, tacky cologne available, busted chairs, booths and what once may have been shag carpet, the High Life Lounge will always have my heart. The grilled cheese is awesome! Everything is fantastic....except maybe for the pickled eggs or bacon wrapped tatter tots I can't speak for those. I'm not brave enough. You won't be disappointed by the food and the prices are great. I have never encountered bad staff in the 3 years I have been a patron to this bar. Also the deck is nice in the summer time. It's a great place to people watch and mingle. Never a bad night at the High Life, I promise. I don't agree it's a dive bar, but it definitely feels like home (if you lived in a pimped out 70's den for the past 40 years)
(5)Mark B.
This place is like a time machine. No beer is sold that was created after 1970. Old style paneling, great old beer signs and classic Americana Food! The broasted chicken was so good I went back later in the week to have it again. I was transported to the diners and cafes I grew up with on the 60s and 70s.
(4)Justin L.
It doesn't get a whole lot better than this. It's a dive bar, but it's not gross. It's a dive bar because of the decor, not because it's not taken care of. It takes you back to a time most people don't really try to go back to. Everyone loves the 50s, the 60s... depending on when you were born, maybe the early '70s. Nobody actively tries to be in the 80s (which culturally spans about 1977 to 1992), but to me, when you step into the High Life Lounge, you're stepping into 1978 and it's a good thing. Old-school back-lit menu boards, real tube TVs (remember those?), formica bar tops, shag carpeting, and cheap tables and chairs. You come in to the High Life Lounge, grab a High Life, light up a cig (something you just can't do in too many places, these days), order some comfort food, and take it all in. One of my favorite bar experiences of all-time.
(4)Jaclyn P.
The High Life, the Champagne of Bars! This is a great bar to go grab a drink or two and if you are hungry get some good bar food. The Pork Tenderloin is awesome! This place is very 70's and it's great, I think it's actually authentic 70's, like they haven't updated anything since they opened. It makes you feel like you are drinking in the basement of your friends parent's house. They don't serve any beer made after 1979 but you can still get some good beer. During the summer months you can get an Old Style in a Chicago Cubs can. Getting a short or regular bottle of high life is always a good call. Overall, great place to go for a drink or two and the food is good. Also, there is a place next door (it's attached to the High Life) and I heard they have really good food. I'm going to go back to the High Life on my next trip to Iowa and I can't wait.
(5)Pete U.
If it wasn't for 1 flatscreen tv on the wall & people like me typing on celular devices, you could walk into this place and think you are walking back into the 70's. Even the clientel look like you went back in time. No pants on the ground or hats turned sideways in here. The guy sitting at the booth in the corner has a STP shirt on that looks like he bought it from Mike on American Pickers. Maybe he did... they are from Iowa. Order up a Schlitz. It's ice cold! The waitress might be so busy you might have to walk up to the bar to get it. No big deal. Order the broasted chicken with tots & Mac cheese for the sides. The Broasted Chicken is the second best I've had in Iowa (sorry, but Budd-Z's in Sheldon is really awesome). And the Bacon wrapped Tater Tot's appetizer is very good too. Enjoy.
(4)Donald Y.
If you are looking for some good greasy food and cold old school beer than you found the place. HLL is based on the 1970's lounge so look for green shag carpet and ugly wood paneled walls. They do not serve any beer introduced after a certain date (I can't remember the date but it is somewhere in the 70's) so don't look for any Bud Light and Coors Light. The only light they have is Miller Lite. Other tap beers include High Life, PBR, and Old Style. The food is not for those looking to watch calories. Some favorites include the bacon wrapped tater tots, fried egg sandwiches and fried spam sandwiches. On home game nights for the Iowa Cubs this place gets packed in a hurry both before and after the game.
(4)Dave E.
This is the first place I can remember where I have wanted to go back the very next day. Enough other reviewers have commented on the Broasted Chicken and the Bacon Rapped Tater Tots. What I haven't seen is any comment on the Macaroni and Cheese. To die for ... I may even have a new last meal on earth. I will comment that if the bar is supposed to be late 70's decor, than the Video Game is an anachronism but what the hell, go for the Grandma's basement atmosphere, stay for the Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Tater tots and PBR.
(5)Jessica K.
Get here for lunch before 11:30 to get the best seats! Great greasy diner food. This place looks like the best basement bar from the 1970s. Great for appetizers and a beer after work. Try the Elvis Dip or the bacon wrapped tots! Remember, only beer served is beer you could get before the mid 70s. That means no bud light.
(4)Spencer G.
Had the bacon wrapped tots and some cheese curds, excellent.
(5)Sopla R.
Stopped in last summer whilst visiting relatives in Des Moines. Cute little dive "ish" bar/eatery downtown... Ordered the fried pickles. They weren't really tasty meh.. Had a great selection of brews though. I'd go back if ever in town had a good-casual vibe.
(3)Tony L.
The atmosphere here is unique and a lot of fun. It's not fancy or even that nice, but I wouldn't necessarily call it a dive bar either even though that's kind of what they're going for. It's a friendly welcoming place, but it's really annoying if it's a night when the I-Cubs are playing. Then it's packed and stupid hard to get a beer. Weeknights though it's always pleasant and lunch time it's easy to get a table. The food is cheap and surprisingly very good. The chili-cheeseburger basket can not be beat for about $5.
(4)George X.
Had to try this place after seeing it on tv. Atmosphere: I liked it. Maybe because it brought back memories and made me feel comfortable in a nostalgic kind of way. Kind of tacky, but in a good way. I do not think "dive" fits this place at all. It is dated, but very respectable. Food: Had to try the bacon-wrapped tater tots. They were good. Not knock-your-socks-off good, but good. I might try making these at home, but I think baked might make them a little better. Being deep fried the bacon was a little too done for my taste. I also had the broasted chicken. Eh, what can I say? It was good, but the more I eat broasted chicken the more I think it is over-rated, in general. I mean, it was very juicy and tender and flavorful inside, but the outside of broasted chicken leaves something to be desired for me. Most people seem to love it, though, so I am in the minority. Oh, had the mac & cheese as a side. It costs a dollar extra, but the server was right... it's worth it. Fantastic! Service: Great. Friendly. Couldn't ask for more. Prices: Very reasonable. Not over-priced at all. Conclusion: I will be back when I'm in the area. I would like to try their burgers. I hear they're good, too.
(4)Michael R.
The bacon-wrapped tater tots were delicious. I didn't get to try the chicken, but I bet it's great. Good, cheap fun.
(4)Austin B.
I thought about going 4 stars, but my ultimate conclusion was that while I got what I expected, what I expected wasn't going to be so amazing in the first place. One big demerit in my mind is that I ordered the obligatory High Life and the waitress brings me a bottle. Waitaminnit, didn't I just see three High Life taps at the bar? OK. The bacon wrapped tater tots were good, but they were just bacon wrapped tater tots. I got the "High Life Man" burger/sausage/bacon/Texas toast monstrosity, and I didn't read the menu close enough and it turns out it comes with a powdered donut. Once again, it was good, but it doesn't take much work to make a pile of grease and cheese taste good to me. All that being said, I will probably be back because I thought it was fun, but mostly because I still want to go to El Bait Shop.
(3)Lindsay R.
So, when I interviewed for my current job, my bosses took me to lunch at the High Life Lounge. I had never been there before and was not aware of the deliciousness that was the Cheeseburger Basket w/ Tots until that day. I'm pretty sure that I have not ordered anything else off of there menu since that day...b/c well, the Cheeseburger Basket and Tots is something that I NEVER get sick of. Delicious. Plus, the waitstaff is great and attentive. Also, it's so nice now that the smoking ban in Iowa is in effect...because I can actually breathe in there and the stench of smoke is totally eliminated.
(4)Keke D.
After Adam Richmond from Man vs Food came to DM I had to check this place out! The results were satisfying!! I picked up 2 chicken dinners for myself and the husband and we both agreed the chicken was to die for..tasty, juicy, and yes...broasted! Next time I go back I'm definitely trying the bacon wrapped tator tots! :)
(4)Megan H.
I've been going to High Life since it opened a few years back, but until recently I'd never tried the food primarily because I wasn't interested in the menu - tater tots, pizza burgers, spam, etc. I didn't really like pizza burgers when they were part of my school lunch, and I didn't think I needed to pay for them twenty years later in a restaurant. Silly me. Well, guess what? The food was really good! I think we went a little crazy and over-ordered because somehow broasted chicken, tater tots, chili fries, and pizza burgers all made their way to our table along with a couple of pitchers of high life and a few cans of tomato juice to wash it all down (I love the tomato juice and beer combo, and they do it well at High Life). I guess there's a reason some things are classics.
(4)Ron B.
Best ever I wish it was in KC!! One of the best dive bars ever. Truly feels like my best friends basement from the 70's! Food and choices and yard beers of course Miller wins me over to the max!
(5)Angela T.
It was my first time here back in December for my company's holiday party, and I was definitely digging the shag carpet. The bar was full and the atmosphere was bumping. It's a fun place to go with a group of friends and grab a drink. Parking is pretty easy in the gravel lot, otherwise there is other parking around in ramps and on the street. Didn't order any food, but I've heard they have delicious apps and food.
(4)Jeremy C.
This is the best dive bar ever. Watch the Cubs on a 1982 15" black and white tv and drink Old Style. The High Life has a great menu from 1975 including gizzards and the best wings dipped in Tang. It gets packed Friday and Saturday night but it's worth it. Cheap prices and real beer.
(5)Michael B.
I was only in town for one night, and saw this place when I was walking back from the Cubs game. Those of you who know me know there's no way I would ever be able to resist a place called the High Life Lounge that served High Life on tap. The 70s decor was a little forced, but it was definitely a cool dive bar that looked like a great place to hang out and grab a few with friends. I'm sure my rating would be higher had I spent more time there or not stuffed myself elsewhere first, and sampled the food.
(3)Brian H.
Amazing throw back bar complete with a black and white tv on the corner of the bar. A must visit if you are in Des Moines.
(4)Sarah M.
Cheeseburger basket with tots and ranch. So good and only $4...man burger, chicken and bacon wrapped tots are good too. Love this place.
(5)AJ K.
Food is bomb, homestyle comfort food to warm the soul....but you should always wash it down the champagne of beers. Great location, price, and quality.
(4)I l.
The High life has awesome carpet! This is a 60/70's style bar. The serve no beers introduced after 1979. It was the first place in town that I was able to get grain belt premium on tap, outside of Minnesota. The food is midwest working class food from the same era. Burgers, "Broasted" Chicken, Spam, and Tater tots, and it's good. Check it out, it can get a little packed during the lunch hour, and happy hour after work.
(4)Elizabeth S.
GET THE BROASTED CHICKEN! It was so delicious! MMMMMMMMMMM I've heard the other food is good too, but I'm sticking with the chicken! It was top notch!
(5)Kevin S.
Even for a dive bar, I thought the food was like something you'd throw together buying crap down the snack aisle in the grocery store. The stars are for the great beer selection. Otherwise, it's hard to find, not so clean, and wasn't even half-decent to watch a game at.
(2)Carrie O.
2 words describe this place and they are SHIT HOLE.
(1)Joe J.
awesome food. The broasted chicken is really good. The service lacks slightly, but it would be weird if it was excellent. You don't go to a place like this for service.
(4)Andrea B.
This is my favorite place of all time in downtown Des Moines. I love going to the High Life Lounge before an I Cubs game and grabbing a burger basket and tots for under $4!!! Great cheap beer, great place to hang with friends and now it's smoke free!!
(5)