Locals Only: Happy Hour with Cassandra Monroe
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Welcome to Locals Only, a week-long series written by Des Moines locals for Des Moines locals. Today is our last day (mild sobbing) and it's been awesome having everyone add their expertise to the site (loud applause.) We'll definitely do this again!
We conclude with lifestyle blogger and uber-talented photographer, Cassandra Monroe, and her suggestions for the best happy hours in Des Moines. Happy Friday, folks!
This November will mark my one year anniversary living in Des Moines, Iowa. Although I was born and raised in southeastern Iowa, I have had the pleasure of living in other cities (both Indianapolis and New York City.) Life brought me back here to Des Moines, and I am so proud to say that I live in this wonderful city.
Throughout my first year of living here, I’ve loved exploring each unique neighborhood here in Des Moines. Although I know I haven’t quite scratched the surface of this city, I have found quite a few places I’ve come to know as “my spots,” especially when it comes to food, drinks and happy hours.
There are so many great places to grab food and drinks here in Des Moines - it’s so hard to narrow down a list, so I thought I would share five places I frequently enjoy spending my happy hour (or any hour for that matter) here in the city of Des Moines.
1. Juniper Moon (2005 Ingersoll Avenue)
Juniper Moon, which opened early 2016, is the place to be if you want to grab modern cocktails in a beautifully classy environment. The establishment prides itself on being a conversation lounge, and gives guests that relaxed but classy vibe, which is perfect for business or pleasure.
Stop by Juniper Moon from 4-6pm on weekdays to get draft craft brews, house sangria and Moon Mules/Ingersol Manhattans half off.
And be on the lookout for the Pisco Sour #23, a match green tea-based sour cocktail with a hint of dill, created by general manager, Jason Garnett.
2. Eatery A (2932 Ingersoll Avenue)
Located conveniently on Ingersoll Avenue, Eatery A’s happy hour is hard to pass up. With half-priced pizzas (my heart is set on the olive oil based grilled apple, gorgonzola, almond and grape pizza) and half priced wines and draft beers, it would be a mistake not to make Eatery A a part of your weekly happy hour lineup.
If you’re craving pizza, wine and beer, treat yourself to Eatery A’s happy hour, from 3-6pm, seven days a week.
3. Centro (1003 Locust Street)
Inspired by classic Italian cuisine, Centro provides a casual yet upscale backdrop to your happy hour vibes. Centro is a great place to meet friends and work colleagues, but also serves as a great meeting spots for potential clients or business meetings.
On weekdays, between 3-6pm, you can catch all of Centro’s martinis for only $5.
4. The Continental (428 East Locust Street)
The Continental, located in Des Moines’s East Village, serves as a great spot to grab drinks with friends or coworkers after a long, grueling day.
Although the cocktails aren’t on the happy hour special, the small plates are - be sure to try the Chicken and Chorizo skewers, the Melon and Prosciutto Crostini or their Spicy Meatballs. (Personally, I’m a huge french fry fan so you can catch me scarfing down their classic Pomme Frites with the soft egg and Sriracha Ketchup and drinking a Stella Artois.)
You can grab small plates at The Continental from 4:30-6pm, Monday through Friday.
5. Fong's Pizza (223 4th Street)
Friends, drinks and Fong’s Pizza are basically mandatory pairings for me, so I couldn’t have made this list without mentioning their happy hour specials. To me, their specials are the perfect after-work fix. For every beverage (beer, well drinks) you buy, you get one slice of pizza. They usually try to have one meat and one vegetable option available to choose from in the rotation. You can catch happy hour at Fong’s on weekdays, 4-6pm!
All photography courtesy of Cassandra Monroe
Thanks to all of my contributors and readers. This has been a great week! Check out all of the content from this week's series by clicking on the below tag marked "localsonly."
