The High Life Lounge

Walking into High Life Lounge feels like stepping back a few decades in the best possible way. Wood-paneled walls, vintage beer signs, and that cozy “neighborhood bar” charm make the atmosphere a solid 5/5. Service was excellent. My waitress, Mercedes R., was on point the whole time — friendly, quick, and kept things smooth. She had that perfect mix of charm and elegance, the kind of presence that shows just enough to keep it classy and plenty to keep it memorable. Easy 5/5 there. For food, I started with the Chili Cheese Fries appetizer. They came out hot and hearty, loaded with cheese and chili over crinkle fries. They were tasty, no doubt, but the chili had that familiar mom-and-pop diner style. Good comfort food, but nothing that set it apart — I’d rate them around 3.5/5. The Chicken Pot Pie was my main course. It arrived covered in a pool of brown gravy, which was flavorful but not as rich as I hoped. I’d been looking forward to cracking into a crisp, golden crust, only to find it softened under the gravy. The crust itself was thick and layered, the chicken came in cubes (hard to say if it was fresh-made or not), and the veggies were just shy of fully cooked — not mushy, but with a good bite. In the end, it was filling and hearty, but the presentation and flavor didn’t quite deliver the wow factor. 3.5/5. The bar deserves some credit — plenty of beers on tap, kept cold and flowing. A nice spread without overcomplicating it. That’s a 4/5. What really made the place feel like home, though, was a nearby table of old friends swapping stories from the 70s. Those old goats set the bar high for an up-and-coming Billy goat like me, and it added a sense of warmth and nostalgia that money can’t buy. Final bill was $26.19 with tip, which felt fair for drinks, an appetizer, and a main course. Bottom line: Come here for the retro atmosphere, cold beer, and excellent service. The food hits the classic comfort note, but it’s the vibe — and people like Mercedes — that make the High Life Lounge worth the stop.

I had to make this stop—liver and onions are one of my all-time favorites. The bonus? This place has a nostalgic, old-school ’60s Miller-themed bar vibe that’s just plain cool. I was greeted right away and grabbed a booth, perfect for people-watching while I decided on my order. I asked my waitress for heavy onions (the more the better), plus a side salad and broccoli. Let me tell you—they did not skimp on those onions, as you can see in the photo. The liver and onions were fantastic—so good that I’m planning to come back again before I leave this weekend. I even tipped the cook an extra $10 just for being generous with the onions. This is the kind of spot you’ve got to check out, not just for the food, but for the experience.

Great tasting and affordable food in a friendly and inviting environment. Our appetites were satisfied. If you’re in the area, would highly recommend this place for your family to grab a bite to eat. There is both indoor and outdoor seating.

Not many bars where you can go and get comfort food, but this place is one of them. Phenomenal food, today’s special was green bean casserole and it was amazing!

Beer, beer, and more beer! Honestly probably the biggest beer selection I’ve ever seen at a bar. The amount of taps on the wall was crazy. The food was good too, I got the spam egg and cheese sandwich. For appetizer we got the bacon wrapped tots. This place was pretty awesome, if I lived here you’d see me in there pretty regularly.

10/10 no notes Great food, great prices, great service and perfect ambiance. Cheeseburger? Solid. Meatloaf? Solid. Sandwiches? Solid. Loved it, has the best Midwest dive bar vibe that I’ve found in Des Moines and could see myself becoming a regular here.

They have earned their status as a great Des Moines venue with a combination of an excellent menu, quality food, and excellent customer service. Cool setting, blocks from downtown and Principal Park. Michelle was an awesome server.

I was here 15+years ago and still has the same vibe (minus the shag carpet). I don’t recall eating here back then but had the bacon cheese burger and fries and it did not disappoint. Friendly staff to a out of towner.