Bait Shop is attached to High Life
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The High Life Lounge

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A nostalgic tribute to 1960s Midwestern beer halls, serving classic comfort food and an extensive beer selection in a retro atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Bait Shop is attached to High Life

The High Life Lounge

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A nostalgic tribute to 1960s Midwestern beer halls, serving classic comfort food and an extensive beer selection in a retro atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Step back in time for classic comfort food and a blast from the past at The High Life Lounge!"

TIP

Visit during off-peak hours

Seating is first-come, first-served. Arrive during less busy times to avoid wait.

Don't miss the broasted chicken

This dish is a local favorite, known for its crunchy goodness and juicy flavor.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 11PM

Cuisine

American

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(515) 280-1965

Address

200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Retro Midwestern Vibe

Retro Midwestern Vibe

Step back into a 1960s/70s Midwestern beer hall with vintage decor, wood paneling, and a cozy neighborhood bar feel.

The best fried chicken in Des Moines, according to our readers10 Fun Restaurants & Bars In Des Moines
Iconic Broasted Chicken

Iconic Broasted Chicken

Experience the legendary broasted chicken, praised for its incredibly crispy skin and juicy interior.

The best fried chicken in Des Moines, according to our readersThe best fried chicken in Iowa, from Korean fried chicken to soul foodGoogle Review
Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots

Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots

Indulge in the must-try bacon-wrapped tater tots, a unique and indulgent appetizer.

TikTokBest Appetizers in Des MoinesGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

When in Iowa… 🥓 #catchdsm #D#DesMoinesI#IowaA#AccessibleTravelW#WheelchairTravelP#PressTripMillerHighlifeLounge
@spintheglobe
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Visit during off-peak hours

Seating is first-come, first-served. Arrive during less busy times to avoid wait.

Don't miss the broasted chicken

This dish is a local favorite, known for its crunchy goodness and juicy flavor.

Pair with Miller High Life

Enjoy the authentic experience by pairing your meal with 'The Champagne of Beers'.

Explore El Bait Shop

Check out the sister bar across the hall for an even wider selection of craft beers.

Tips

from all over the internet

Visit during off-peak hours

Seating is first-come, first-served. Arrive during less busy times to avoid wait.

Don't miss the broasted chicken

This dish is a local favorite, known for its crunchy goodness and juicy flavor.

Pair with Miller High Life

Enjoy the authentic experience by pairing your meal with 'The Champagne of Beers'.

Explore El Bait Shop

Check out the sister bar across the hall for an even wider selection of craft beers.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The High Life Lounge is lauded for its authentic 1960s/70s Midwestern dive bar atmosphere and its signature broasted chicken and unique appetizers like bacon-wrapped tater tots. While many praise the friendly service, cold beer, and reasonable prices, some recent reviews mention a decline in food quality and increased prices.

"10/10 no notes

Great food, great prices, great service and perfect ambiance. Cheeseburger? Solid. Meatloaf? Solid. Sandwiches? Solid. Loved it, has the best Midwest dive bar vibe that I’ve found in Des Moines and could see myself becoming a regular here."

Audrey Klunenberg

"Great tasting and affordable food in a friendly and inviting environment. Our appetites were satisfied. If you’re in the area, would highly recommend this place for your family to grab a bite to eat. There is both indoor and outdoor seating."

prized treasure

"I had to make this stop—liver and onions are one of my all-time favorites. The bonus? This place has a nostalgic, old-school ’60s Miller-themed bar vibe that’s just plain cool.

I was greeted right away and grabbed a booth, perfect for people-watching while I decided on my order. I asked my waitress for heavy onions (the more the better), plus a side salad and broccoli. Let me tell you—they did not skimp on those onions, as you can see in the photo.

The liver and onions were fantastic—so good that I’m planning to come back again before I leave this weekend. I even tipped the cook an extra $10 just for being generous with the onions.

This is the kind of spot you’ve got to check out, not just for the food, but for the experience."

Robert Shewmake

What People Like

Authentic retro atmosphere
Delicious broasted chicken
Unique appetizers

What People Dislike

Food quality inconsistency
Increased prices

Frequently Asked Questions

It's famous for its authentic 1960s/70s Midwestern dive bar atmosphere, broasted chicken, and bacon-wrapped tater tots.

The best fried chicken in Des Moines, according to our readers10 Fun Restaurants & Bars In Des Moines

Yes, seating is first-come, first-served. It's recommended to visit during off-peak hours to avoid long waits.

Google Review

Yes, they offer an extensive beer selection with numerous taps, including Miller High Life.

Des Moines Nightlife & Party Guide – 202410 Fun Restaurants & Bars In Des Moines

Beyond the broasted chicken, try unique items like the Spam egg and cheese sandwich, meatloaf, or grilled cheese.

Google Review+1

Yes, El Bait Shop, known for its craft beer selection, is located across the hall.

Best Appetizers in Des Moines

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Available at both High Life Lounge and their sister spot across the hall, craft beer mecca El Bait Shop, something just feels right about pairing these blue-collar bites with the Champagne of Beers. Tater tots and jalapenos are wrapped in thick bacon, then fried and topped with cheddar and jack cheese, served with a side of ranch. It’s either the cure or the cause of the hangover, but either way, we regret nothing.

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Cedar Rapids has a few bars downtown like The Vault (208 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids), with its large martini menu and piano lounge. Ames, home to Iowa State University and Iowa City, location of the University of Iowa both have decent nightlife, especially on the weekend with a good mix of sports bars, student hangouts, and well-established watering holes like The Airliner (22 S. Clinton Street, Iowa City).

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Dive into a time warp with a visit to The High Life Lounge, where every bite of their “broasted” chicken is a crunchy leap through time. This spot is a time machine set to the golden era of the ’60s and ’70s, serving up nostalgia and full bellies with all of its throwback meals. The ambiance screams “retro chic,” with decor that could very well have been borrowed from your grandparent’s favorite pub.

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The High Life Lounge in Des Moines is a retro haven that transports patrons back to the 1960s with its vintage decor and old-school vibe. Known for its selection of domestic beers, particularly “The Champagne of Beers” Miller High Life, the lounge has become a local favorite. The menu complements the laid-back atmosphere, featuring classic comfort foods like grilled cheese and Spam sandwiches.

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The best fried chicken in Iowa, from Korean fried chicken to soul food

Step back in time to a ’70s den decorated with wood paneling, low-slung ceilings, and vintage beer signs and order the broasted chicken at the High Life Lounge. The restaurant broasts its chicken in a pressure cooker to ensure each piece comes out with a juicy inside and crispy skin. Order combinations of white and dark meats, then pair your meal with mashed potatoes and gravy or broccoli.

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The Champagne of Bars knows nostalgia and retro like no one else!. We are the home of Tangermeisters, Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots and Thirsty Thursdays. Featured on Travel Channel’s “Man Vs Food” 2010; highlighted in the travel section of the New York Times; voted one of the best bars in America by Esquire Magazine; voted by Des Moines as Best Bar Food, Best Fried Chicken and more.

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High Life Lounge in Des Moines, IA, is a charming 1960s-style tavern that offers a laid-back, nostalgic atmosphere. This local favorite serves up classic comfort food, including burgers, broasted chicken, and unique appetizers like bacon-wrapped tater tots. With a focus on affordability and value, the menu provides a range of delicious options without breaking the bank.

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If Miller High Life is the champagne of beers, then the High Life Lounge is the champagne of bars. Stepping inside this downtown dive feels like traveling back to the ‘70s. With a Formica bar top, wood paneling and vintage signage, the High Life Lounge has everything you could want in a dive—with quality comfort food to boot.

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If Miller High Life is the champagne of beers, then the High Life Lounge is the champagne of bars. Stepping inside this downtown dive feels like traveling back to the ‘70s. With a Formica bar top, wood paneling and vintage signage, the High Life Lounge has everything you could want in a dive—with quality comfort food to boot.

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Chow down on Broasted chicken, bacon-wrapped tater tots and rarebit burgers at this throwback 1960s-style tavern serving the “Champagne of Beers," along with Pabst Blue Ribbon and Schlitz. For more of a Mexican vibe, try El Bait Shop next door. Location: 200 SW Second St., Des Moines. Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.

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- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (152 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Bar- Address: 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309-4706- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like:Highest-ranked pizza restaurants in Des Moines by diners

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High Life Lounge is absolutely the most fun when you’re looking for simple bar food with an ice cold beer. This retro joint feels like a time machine – on purpose – and sipping on a Miller High Life for $2 makes everything even better. Oh, and the $5 burger baskets just can’t be beat.

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The High Life Lounge is a 1950’s style restaurant with great food and even better burgers. The meat that goes in their burgers are from local producers and are extremely flavourful and delicious. If you like some heat with your burger, give their Diablo Burger a hot try.

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The cool thing is it is connected to another bar/restaurant, High Life Lounge which only serves beers from 1979 and earlier, has shag carpet and Miller High Life signs all over. They have a shot called a Tangmeister which is Tang and Jaeger

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High Life Lounge has a supper club menu and a number of beers on tap. Lua might make the best fries in town plus other kitchen treats. Court Avenue Brewing Company is the original brew pub here, or at least the longest operating one.

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Enjoy a classic bowl of Homemade Chili or savor the rich, comforting flavors of Chicken Corn Chowder, made even better topped with crispy and crunchy bacon. Each bowl is like a warm hug on a cool day!. thehighlifelounge.com

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This 60’s style dive bar has a very appropriate top seller: Miller beer. The High Life Lounge was also named one of the best bars in America by Esquire Magazine and was featured on Man vs. Food. The High Life Lounge

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Not only will you find the “champagne of all beers” in this 1960s style corner bar, but also great cheap food. Come to relax with a Miller High Life and bacon wrapped tots, you’ll be glad you checked this one out!

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200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309Phone: 515-280-1965 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by @roamfarandwide

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