The Underground: User Reviews

Submitted from the Metromix iPhone App
By jbrim28, January 11, 2011

Overall rating:

Quite an amazing bar! There is live music Wednesday thru Saturday with a broad spectrum of music....The $nack$ every Wed for open jam, jam bands, punk shows, rockabilly, and acoustic. There's something for everyone....if you're not there for the music, the entire back room is dedicated to games: 2 pool tables, pinball, darts, and foosball (Typical buck hunter, silver strike, megatouch machines).

Check this place out and you'll be glad you did!!!

Good place overall
By MaverickTI, March 20, 2010

Overall rating:

Went there on a Saturday evening. I think the signage could be improved but overall the bar was great. The live music was perfect, the drinks were good and I appreciated the pools tables that had cues that weren't warped or damaged like what i"ve seem at other bars. I think the bar in general could be improved (it seemed like the drink selections were a little limited) but still I would come back. Next time I need to check the food selection, so I cannot comment on that.

I dont go there often enough
By MegF, August 30, 2009

Overall rating:

Ive been to The Underground a few times, and really cant wait to go back. I think its a great atmosphere in the basement of the building. The stained class window from the former Des Moines Club give it a cool, old-school feeling. I never had to wait too long at hte bar, despite the packed house the first night I was there. They seem to get really great live music there, like Max Eubanks, which is one of the reasons I have been to the bar. Friendly staff, great entertainment and a cool atmosphere make it one of the best new bars in Des Moines.

Finally made it to the Underground!
By MegF, May 11, 2009

Overall rating:

I travel quite a bit for my job and my my friends always seem to go here when Im out of town! I finally made it here a few weekends ago. I got a really great vibe from this bar, and am looking forward to going back.

When I heard that this was the former meeting place of the Des Moines Club-it all made sense. They have a large, stained glass piece that once belonged to the club and its a funky centerpiece to the bar. I love that it has a casual, laid back vibe-yet an architecturally interesting and urban chic atmosphere at the same time. There was a room for my boyfriend and guy friends that is filled with plenty of bar games, as well as a nice seating area for the ladies or non-bar game lovers. I enjoy a little Buck Hunter now and then, but hate when the game area takes up a majority of the the bar. The Underground lived up to my expectations and I will be back.

Slight Identity Crises
By noEastVillageposer, October 10, 2008

Overall rating:

When glaring down the plumeting stairwell leading to the below ground bar, the anticipation was almost too much to handle. In the back of my mind I am thinking this place has to be one of the hottest and super trendy new spots in town! Upon entering I felt very cheated in my expectations. A very small space, without any real identity. Chopped up in two sections, the bar has one room filled with minimalist furnishings, historical pictures, a contemporary bar design ( that looks like a knock off of every other bar design i have ever seen in any other city ), a jukebox, and a giant Social Distortion Skeleton painted on the wall?
The second room is a game room, where you will find the regular, Buck Hunter, and pool table type stuff. There is a beautiful stain glass centerpiece in the middle of the room, that at some point is bound to have a cue ball plow through it. Perhaps the most perplexing thing in this room was the giant Operation Ivy mural that sits directly across from the giant Mad Season mural? If you dont know music than you can ignore this part, but I know music and I seriously don't get it? Someone has gave this space major identity crises. The bar could be so cool if it just had a focus and a concept.
As for the service, not so great, very slow, and drinks were not as stif as i would of liked after my 10 minute wait.
Don't believe the hype, this place really is not as sweet as everyone wants it to be, but it does reside in a great neighborhood, so at least it's got that to lean on!

Underground - check it out
By PeskeDad, October 9, 2008

Overall rating:

I heard about this place... wasnt sure where it was (its just east or Locust Tap, has no sign and its in the basement).

Its like a big Shorty's.... good selection of beer (Fat Tire, Sierra Nevada & 312), has 2 pool tables, darts, jukebox and a really cool & big stained glass window "East Des Moines".

They also have wine by the glass & bottle along with Franks Pizza.

I'm guessing this will be a hot hangout