4 Must-See Music Venues in Des Moines, Iowa

Cool music in Iowa. Not an oxymoron. While we may not be your Chicago, New York or Nashville, Des Moines is making noise (literally) in the music world bringing in increasingly popular artists every year.

I’m here to help you dig up that underground music your hipster friends have been listening to for years before it got cool, and the top 40 artists you’ve been waiting to see for years. Let’s get some context on the ever-growing, ever-ebbing, always loud live music scene that finds its home here in the 515.

Before we get in to who to see in the coming months, I want to dive in to a little bit of where you can see them. Des Moines offers unique venue spaces that bring in a variety of artists. Outdoors. Indoors. Stadiums. Underground bars. You name it. We got it.

The Basement - Des Moines Social Club

Called one of the hidden gems of Des Moines, the Basement at the Des Moines Social Club sits underneath the Kum & Go theater on Cherry Street. Whether you’re looking for an intimate late night concert or want to bring your own karaoke performance to town, the Basement offers a full cocktail menu and ‘a couple steps above a dive bar’ wine list.

Gas Lamp

Sitting at the corner of Grand and 15th Street, Gaslamp is a dive bar hub filled to the brim with local craft beer, live music and local Des Moines favorite eats. The bar offers shows every weekend with tribute bands for oldies, underground rock, folk and lets you get up close and personal with the band in their smaller space.

Vaudeville Mews

Des Moines’ resident hole in the wall venue, Vaudeville Mews sits on 4th Street near Court Avenue. This two level venue brings in raw talent and cheap drinks for your go-to Friday date night. They feature hip-hop and folk, comedy and burlesque and everything in between. Reasonably priced tickets mean you can stop in on a Friday night and discover the culture of Des Moines music.

Wooly’s

Wooly’s sits in historic East Village on Locust street where you can find vibrant nightlife on the weekend. The open concept space with a full bar has expansive lighting and sound you’d expect to see at a stadium show, set on their more personal stage in the back of the venue. Wooly’s brings in popular artists who have otherwise had headlining shows, but the smaller, intimate venue promises a closer look with open doors and general admission tickets.

xoxo,

s

Samantha Miller (@samantharachelmiller) is a freelance writer from Chicago. She prides herself on her occasional wit, her keen eye for design and her undying love for iced almond milk lattes.

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