By Claire Kohl
It is well known in the Des Moines metro that The Avenues is a popular restaurant and bar destination. In fact, Ingersoll Avenue is sometimes referred to as “Restaurant Row.”
But do you know how to play on a budget? We do! Read where to go for Happy Hour below.
1. Eatery A 🫒
2932 Ingersoll Ave
When is Happy Hour? Daily! 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Specials: Half-price wood-fired pizza, beer and wine!
Recent Awards:
- Multitime Cityview award winner for Best Local Happy Hour.
- 2026 Cityview award winner for Best Ingersoll Area Restaurant.
2. Cheese Bar 🧀🥂
2925 Ingersoll Ave
When is Happy Hour? Tuesday – Friday, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Specials: Say cheese for Bubbles & Bites! $8 glasses of champagne, $6 sparkling wine and $6 select small bites.
Recent Awards:
- 2026 Cityview award runner-up for Best Ingersoll Area Restaurant.
- Recently named as 1 of the top 3 places to get charcuterie in the DSM metro.
3. Bartender’s Handshake 🤝
3615 Ingersoll Ave
When is Happy Hour? “Aperitivo Hour” is daily from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Late Night Happy Hour is Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. – 12 a.m. for food and 2 a.m. for drinks! Check out their newly painted patio.
- Aperitivo Hour Specials: $6 Aperol Spritz, $6 Garibaldis, $6 red or rosé wines, $6 for 2 handshakes and $6 pepper poppers.
- Late Night Happy Hour Specials: $2 off all house cocktails, $2 house amaro, $2 Miller High Life or PBR, $2 pretzels.
Recent Awards:
- Nationally selected in USA Today’s 29 Bars of 2025!
4. Harbinger 🥗
2724 Ingersoll Ave
When is Happy Hour? Every day! 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Specials: $8 small plates and select beer, wine and cocktails ranging from $5 to $8.
READ MORE: Business Spotlight: Harbinger
5. The Station on Ingersoll 🏈
3124 Ingersoll Ave
When is Happy Hour? When isn’t happy hour? Daily happy hour is Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., the Weekend Specials are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and the Sunday Late Night Happy Hour is 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.!
- Daily & Sunday Late Night Happy Hour Specials: $3 well drinks, $4 bottles or pints, $5 craft pints and 6 house mules.
- Weekend Specials: $4 screwdrivers, $5 bloody marys and mimosas.
Recent Awards:
- 2026 City View award winner for Best Local Sports Bar!
READ MORE: Business Spotlight: The Station on Ingersoll
6. Wellman’s Pub Ingersoll 🍺
2811 Ingersoll Ave
When is Happy Hour? Bottomless brunch is on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Daily happy hour is Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
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- Bottomless Brunch Specials: Wellman’s serves $16 bottomless bloody marys & mimosas every weekend during brunch hours!
- Daily Happy Hour Specials: $1 off draught beer, $3 well drinks, $5 happy hour appetizers
- Birthday Thursday: Your Birthday Week + Thursday + 9 p.m. = Free drink
7. Sakari Sushi Lounge 🍣
2605 Ingersoll Ave
When is Happy Hour? Tuesday – Thursday from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m and Friday from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Specials: $7.00 Dynamite shrimp/crab, ½ off house rolls. $3.50 domestics, Kirin draft, sake bombs, $7 Smirnoff martinis and $6 Smirnoff rocks.
2026 City View award winner for:
- Best Local Sushi
- Best Japanese Food
- Best Chicken Wings
- Best First Date Spot
8. Thai Flavors 🥢
2301 Ingersoll Ave
When is Happy Hour? Monday – Wednesday from 5 p.m – 7 p.m.
Specials: $5 house wine and all beers. $6 select appetizers, select sushi appetizers, mules and martinis, $6.50 classic and veggie sushi rolls.
9. Alpine Taproom 🍻
2720 Ingersoll Ave
When is Happy Hour? Each day from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Specials: $1 off domestic beers and well drinks
READ MORE: Business Spotlight: Alpine Taproom
