People's Court: User Reviews

I don't know what any of these one stars are about. I have been to numerous shows at People's and have always had a good time. Never have I heard a waitress calling out to customers trying to get them to buy shots. Actually, I know for a fact that they don't do that. Maybe past reviewers are thinking of Heroes or Liars club. The cocktail servers sometimes push by the crowd, but that is because people don't move out of the way when they are trying to get through with a tray full of drinks. They have to get from the bar to the tables, so if there isn't room, they have to make room. I've had awesome service when I attend shows here. The servers are always really cool and are pretty on top of it.
I can definitely see the annoyance of not being able to buy a drink on the stage side during all ages shows, and while wristbands are a good idea, the show would have to be over by 9pm because of the minors and then you wouldn't even get half the show you are there to see.
Lastly, to those who complain about standing--- You Are At A Bar!!!! You are not at the Hoyt Sherman. Who goes to a concert to sit anyway? Even at the Val Air you can't sit in front of the stage. The VIP is a bit pricey, but if you split it amongst the 8 person maximum (even if you do it with random show goers) it really isn't that bad.
I agree that sometimes it is packed, but that is capacity and what business isn't going to sell tickets to capacity if they can? But yes, the sound could definitely use some work!

If you love live music and are out to have a good time, there is nothing wrong with People's!

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First of all, I have only gone to Peoples for concerts. A lot of people complain about the bar being in a different area than the stage. I think this is irrelevant since you should be there for music, not beer. I think it's great that minors can see a show there past 9pm. Stop complaining about the bar. You are just being selfish. The worst part about People's is the sound quality. It sucks. Sometimes I could barely even make out what the guitar was playing. The acoustics aren't very good. In my opinion, just about everything is overpriced. Go to Peoples if one of your favorite bands is playing but stay away if you are just looking for something to do. It's not worth your time or money.

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People's is probably the worst place to see a show in Des Moines.

I've been to a lot of venues for concerts including the old CBGB's and Des Moines' short-lived Fallout Shelter. Many of these were terrible venues, but they at least had character and didn't try to reach beyond their capabilities.

People's has no character, a stage that is far too low and nearly impossible to see from the crowd, and is consistently over-packed. If you somehow lose your group, or need to go to the bathroom, you might as well say goodbye until the end of the show. The wait staff pushes through the crowd to sell shots, interrupting the already unpleasant experience. If you're actually there to hear the music and enjoy the show, expect to pay an arm and a leg to get into the VIP area.

It is nearly impossible to enjoy a show at People's.

I hope that People's will raise the stage, cut out the insulting VIP nonsense, stop interrupting and pushing around patrons for shots, and stop packing shows to the degree that they are impossible to enjoy.

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The venue is really good because people how loves music are will to stand for a few hrs and listen to there band and its got great open space for mosh piiting and stuff like that. I have been there 7+ times and never really had a bad experience but if you are a true music person unlike the people that complain about the bar and standing which I think is dumb because if you want to have a good bar and drink beer then go to a restraunt and drink there because people like me and a ton of others love to stand and go crazy when there band is playing!!!!!!!!!

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I completely agree with 1 star ratings. A music venue can't be everything to all people. They want it to be an all-age bar but the people who are 21 and over get completely annoyed by not having bar service on the band side. Use wrist bands or keep it a 21 and over place...please, it's really simple! The worst part of it, you can't see the stage and it doesn't have standard seating. Who wants to pay for a concert to stand the entire time, then pay for VIP to sit down and actually see the band. If I were a band, I wouldn't even want to play because only the first 10 rows of people standing can see the stage. GET SEATING!

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You can't see the stage from about 90% of the floor. Plus they don't sell beer in the stage area. You have to go to the back bar where you can't hear or see the music. I would never attened a concert here, even if it was my favorite band playing. Terrible experience.

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Went to see an awesome Five for Fighting concert last night. Since I'd never been there, I asked about seating prior to purchasing tickets, because I had no idea what the venue was like and had no intention of buying tickets if I would have to stand for four hours. The two people I spoke with said, "yes, there are tables and booths, but you need to get there early". So I thought we'd just get there early. Turns out the booths are $100, and there are only a handful of tables. Had this information been noted anywhere on the website, I would have been less disappointed (and probably would not have purchased tickets in the first place). On top of having no desire to stand through an entire concert, my husband recently hurt his ankle and wasn't able to stand the entire time. In all fairness, I did ask if we could get him a chair (which likely could have been possible), but he wasn't willing to sit while the rest of our group stood. It would have been better tolerated if I were 15 years younger. Photos of the facility and a little warning about no seating noted somewhere on the website would have been greatly appreciated.

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Why are all of the phone numbers for this place incorrect? Even the one they have on their ads is not right! The service here is not great, the drinks are ok, overall not a place to get excited over-unless they have a good show playing. If they would improve the website and their service maybe it would be worth it but they have a bunch of young dumb employees who would rather gossip than serve people and their employees get better seats at shows than what VIP's get.

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In my opinion, People's is a perfect bar experience. I love dive bars, but when I feel like going out to a more "happening" bar scene, Peoples is the first place I think of. They have two main areas of the bar-one for concerts, and the other just for enjoying the night. Its amazing because they are both huge spaces that can fit hundreds of people, yet not feel too crowded. I love the fact that you can still enoy the bar if you dont want to attend the concert. If your a smoker, youll get your exercise walking up and down the stairs to get outside because People's is on the top level of the building.

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I was just graduation college in Ames when I heard about Peoples leaving campus town. ISU students and alumni were devestated since Peoples was such a landmark in Ames, attracting some amazing live music over the years. I have to admit I was quite nervous about a new location opening on Court Avenue. I am so glad that all my worries were wrong! I love Peoples Court and I think it has once again become a favorite spot for people to enjoy live music. I love the fact that there are two separate areas-one for the concert and one for just a bar. This was something the original location lacked and its really nice to be separate from the music if your not interested in it that particular night. Love it, love it, love it!

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