Brian Taylor Carlson|The Des Moines Register
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The holidays are approaching, Des Moines. And if you haven't already, it's time to start planning yourparties.
The Des Moines metro area is full of restaurants and venues that are ready to host your family, work staff and social groups for upcoming holiday parties and events. And some even have private party rooms. From small, intimate groups to gatherings of 300 or more people, each place has something to offer and can work with you to customize your event.
Be sure to call well ahead of time to set up food and beverage service, as each venue is different. Some places offer in-house catering while others have their own preferred caterers. Whether you want a sit-down dinner, a buffet or passed hor d'oeuvres,Des Moines venues have you covered in all tastes and budgets plus tax and gratuity.
Here are 15 restaurants and venues — just to get you started — where you can make the mostof your upcoming soirees and get-togethers.
Aposto
Location:644 18th St., Des Moines
Contact:(515) 244-1353;apostodm.com; Facebook
Details:This restaurant inside a lovingly restored Victorian mansion in the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood is a Des Moines landmark. Can accommodate 16 guests inprivate wine room, with $1,500 minimum; 17-56 guests for a sit-down dinner Sunday through Tuesday, with $2,500 minimum; private lunches, with $1,000 minimum.
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Trostel's Greenbriar
Location:5810 Merle Hay Rd., Johnston
Contact:(515) 253-0124;greenbriartrostels.com;Facebook
Details: Trostel's Greenbriar has two private dining rooms for dinner or lunch. One accommodates up to 35 guests and another that accommodates up to 80 guests. The entire restaurant is available on Sundays. Greenbriar offers full in-house catering and service from a professional staff.
Des Moines Social Club
Location: 900 Mulberry St., Des Moines
Contact:(515) 369-3672;desmoinessocialclub.org;Facebook
Details:The Des Moines Social Club is housed in a renovated, historicart deco 1930s firehouse for a perfect alternative to the typical venue. With 12 different room options, DMSC can host anything from a 5 person meeting to a 300 person dance party. A multitude of artist contactscan wow any party — from aerialists, private cooking class chefs, break dancers, live graffiti artists, belly dancers and more. Preferred caterers include Malo, Le Jardin, Gateway Market, Taste! To Go, The Tangering Food Company, Tacopocalypse and Krunkwich.
The Republic onGrand
Location:401 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines in the AC Hotel by Marriott
Contact:(515) 518-6080;therepublicongrand.com; Facebook
Details: The new hot spot in the East Village,this top-floor venue has become the place to see and be seen.The Grand Room accommodates up to 55 guests for a seated dinner, 100 guests for co*cktail style with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private outdoor terrace; Sixth Floor Outdoor Lounge – South View, up to 100-plus guests co*cktail-style with radiant heaters for cooler months; Sixth Floor Outdoor Lounge – West View, modern lounge soft seating, up to 30 guests with fireplace and radiant heaters, weather permitting.
Django
Location:210 10th St., Des Moines
Contact:(515) 288-0268;djangodesmoines.com;Facebook
Details:This relaxed French eatery has seating for up to 56 guests or 70 for a mingling reception-style event.
Goldfinch
Location:316 Court Ave., Des Moines
Contact:(515) 282-2995; goldfinchdsm.com; Facebook
Details:Goldfinch's contemporary spaces and locally-sourced Mexican and South American fusion cuisine allows for a wide range of occasions. The Sunstead Room accommodates 75 guests for dinner and 100 for a co*cktail-style gathering while the more intimate Khanh's Corner accommodates 30+ people for dinner or up to 35 for a co*cktail party.
Americana
Location:1312 Locust St., Des Moines
Contact:(515) 283-1312;americanadsm.com; Facebook
Details: Americana lives up to its name in cuisine and style. Private lunch and dinner parties can be booked for groups of 10 or more.Americana'sBanquet Room can accommodate up to 300 guests.
West End Architectural Salvage
Location:22 9th St., Des Moines
Contact:(515) 243-4405;westendsalvage.com;Facebook
Details:West End Architectural Salvage is more than a salvage store and coffee shop. For 11 years, West End has hosted countless weddings, baby and bridal showers, as well as corporate events and holiday parties. The unique venue accommodates up to 300 guests with a full bar and dance floor.
The River Center
Location:320 W. Martin Luther King Parkway,Des Moines
Contact:(515) 330-1517;portofdsm.com; Facebook
Details:One of Des Moines's newest event spaces with a large main area and outside patio, and a 2,000 square foot mezzanine accommodating over 300 people for a sit-down dinner and 400-plus for a co*cktail reception. It has an in-house beverage service and catering is providedby European chefDiego Critelli.
Bash Events & Catering
Location:1312 Locust St., Suite 101, Des Moines
Contact:(515) 330-2848;bashdm.com;
Details:Bash Catering & Events is located in the historic Chamberlain building — just steps away from Western Gateway Park. This elegantly modern venue with its original tin ceiling and penny tile floor has a capacity or 350 for a sit-down dinner and400 for a co*cktail style reception or event. Bash provides full-service in-house catering and off-site catering at other locations. You can choose a customized dining experience — a buffet and tapas or “station-style" catering as well as plated and served meals using fresh, local ingredients.
The Tea Room
Location:713 Walnut St., #600, Des Moines
Contact:(515) 336-1317;http://thetearoomdsm.com; Facebook
Details:Located in the newly-restored Wilkins building and with over 5,000 square feet and 16-foot ceilings, this venue can accommodate a seated dinner for up to 325 people and a co*cktail reception with up to 385people. Your caterer of choice has use of a full professional commercial kitchen.
The Hall at The Foundry
Location:111 S. 11th St., West Des Moines
Contact:(515) 608-4100
Details: The completion of this exciting food truck and beer hall in The Foundry building added a great party venue to historic Valley Junction. Guests order individually from the rotating food trucks.Tables can be reserved for parties of 20 or more. Limited bookings for the entire spacecan be made in advance for 280-plus people.
Des Moines Embassy Club & Embassy Club West
Location:666 Grand Ave., Des Moines;520 Market St., West Des Moines
Contact:(515) 244-2582;embassyclub.com; Facebook
Details:With two locations — one at the top of the Ruan Building and one in West Des Moines — Embassy Club can handle any size or kind of event. With in-house catering available, the downtown spaces can accommodate 22 to 225 people for a sit-down dinner and over 400 for a co*cktail party, and the West Des Moines spaces can accommodate 40 to 380 people for a sit-down dinner and up to 425 co*cktail-style.
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Big City Burgers and Greens
Location:400 Locust St. #195, Des Moines
Contact:(515) 537-8433;bigcityburgersandgreens.com;Facebook
Details:Big City Burgers and Greens has the ability to elevate its minimalist space from a burger joint to an event space accommodating up to 200 gusts with a custom-tailored menu of organic cuisine.
The Iowa Taproom
Location:215 E. 3rd St. #100, Des Moines
Contact:(515) 243-0827;iowataproom.com;Facebook
Details:Since its opening in March 2016, The Iowa Taproom has become one of the places to go in Des Moines for the largest selection of beers on tap and gastropub fare. The Joliet Room accommodates 50 guests for a seated dinner or 75 for a co*cktail reception, and the larger Marquette Room seats 200 guests or 300 for a co*cktail-style party.
The Cub Club Restaurant at Principal Park
Location:Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines
Contact:(515) 280-2650;cubclubrestaurant.com; Facebook
Details:One of the few Minor League facilities to host private events, the indoor Cub Club can accommodate 100 people for dinner and 150 people for a co*cktail party. There is a 25-guest minimum for all events held outside of the restaurant’s normal business hours of 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Location:909 Robert D. Ray Drive,Des Moines
Contact:(515) 323-6290;dmbotanicalgarden.com; Facebook
Details:What better way to shrug off the Iowa chill than surrounding yourself with tropical foliage and blooming orchids? Between three unique meeting rooms, chef Lisa LaValle's Trellis Café and the tropical plant-filled Conservatory, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden can accommodate 20 to 220 people for your custom-made party. Approved caterers include Trellis Café, Tangerine Food Co., Embassy Club and Gateway Market.
Bubba
Location:200 10th St., Des Moines
Contact:(515) 257-4744;bubbadsm.com; Facebook
Details: Bubba has become synonymous with Southern hospitality since its opening last year. It can accommodate 20 people in a party room off the lounge and groups of up to 70 in the upstairs mezzanine. Food and beverage minimums are required based on party size.
Malo
Location:900 Mulberry St., Des Moines
Contact:(515) 244-5000;malodesmoines.com; Facebook
Details:For classic Mexican cuisine in an upscale dining room with a modern vibe, head to Malo for your holiday celebration.With the ability to book events throughthe Des Moines Social Club, Malo has dining flexibility for groups up to 100.
The Temple forPerforming Arts
Location:1011 Locust St., Des Moines
Contact:(515) 508-0829;templeforperformingarts.com;Facebook
Details:The Temple for Performing Arts is not just a theater. The Recital Hall accommodates up to 90 seated guests (200 theater-style) with several room configurations. The Grand Hall has a variety of floor plans to choose from and seats 350 guests (450 theater-style). Catering is provided by Catering DSM.
Centro
Location:1003 Locust St., Des Moines
Contact:(515) 248-1780;centrodesmoines.com; Facebook
Details:One of Des Moines' premier spots for Italian-inspired dishes, Centro has become known for hosting private events throughout the year. Centro boasts seating for up to 80 guests or 150 for a mingling reception-style event.
Strudl Haus
Location:1951 Indianola Ave., Des Moines
Contact:(515) 259-9886;strudlhaus.com;Facebook
Details:Even though its dining room is a cozy and elegant space, Strudl Haus can accommodate larger parties of up to 40 people. Look for an array of European entrée specialties and delectable desserts.
Vivian's Diner + Drinks
Location:400 Walnut St. #101, Des Moines
Contact:(515) 282-8936;viviansdm.com;Facebook
Details:This upscale-but-casual dining venue takes diner classics and gives them a modern twist. Vivian's can accommodate parties of 10 in a private upstairs lounge to events of 350 people in their restaurant. Vivian's is the exclusive caterer for the newly renovated Lewis Room at the Hotel Kirkwood with an 18-foot ceiling.
Do you have a party space that should be on this list? Email Brian Carlson at btaylorcar@dmreg.com.
