dsmWeekly - July 24, 2024

Make the most of the sunny days ahead at one of the area's amazing patios, including Lua Brewing, featured above. (Photo: Cameron Campbell)

FOOD & DINING

Your ultimate Des Moines patio checklist
By Lily Allen-Dueñas

Summer is in full swing, and few things say “summer” like spending time on a patio. Luckily, Des Moines has more than a few that are perfect for brunching, lunching or happy-houring the day away. Consider this your handy checklist of all the patios you’ll want to hit up before the temperatures drop and all those tables and chairs get packed up for winter.
Ready? … Set? ... Pati-GO!

Secret Admirer
Secret Admirer in downtown Des Moines is a dream. Shade covers most of the patio, which is decked out with comfortable tables and chairs. A fence lines the back, and the bar has a large open window so you can order another round or flag someone down without leaving your seat. Funky art and exquisite drinks make Secret Admirer a picture-perfect summer spot.

Paws & Pints
Just south of Valley Junction, Paws & Pints boasts a sprawling patio that seems almost endless. The shaded area connects to the restaurant, and the outdoor bar, “Lost Stray,” will happily whip you up a “Corgito Mojito” or a “Regal Beagle.” What sets Paws & Pints apart isn't just its patio, but the pooches of all shapes and sizes. Bringing a dog is optional, but the fun is guaranteed. Eat, drink and enjoy watching the pups play.

Big Grove Brewery
It’s hard to believe Big Grove Brewery has been in downtown Des Moines for just two summers since its opening in July 2022. With lawn games, Adirondack chairs and fire pits, it offers outdoor seating for nearly 400 people. Big Grove is making a big name for itself in the local patio scene.

Lua Brewing
With a swoon-worthy beer and food menu, Lua is a must. Its indoor space can get a little noisy and crowded, so the best way to enjoy all that Lua has to offer is on the patio. (The weekday lunch deal is another way to win the Lua game.)

The Bartender’s Handshake
While The Bartender’s Handshake seems tiny at first glance, it does indeed have an eclectic, semi-secret patio out back, hidden from Ingersoll Avenue. Thrifted glassware and garage-sale-styled outdoor furniture with plenty of umbrellas create the vibe you want while sipping a “Vacation Email” in a glass.

Tupelo Honey
If you’re in the heart of downtown and need a convenient spot to plop down for a bit, Tupelo Honey has you covered. Its patio is almost always shaded, tucked between taller buildings on Grand Avenue. There is rarely a wait, and there always seems to be a special or deal. Consider the $3 nonalcoholic “Porch Sippers” or $8 “Peach Don’t Kill My Vibe” sangria during happy hour for your next Friday night plans.

Confluence Brewing Co.
Confluence’s slogan is “Where good things come together.” Good things, people, music and drinks all come together on the back patio. There are plenty of picnic tables in the sun or under an overhang, so it’s dealer’s choice. If there's a food truck or live music, you’re in luck. If not, bring your own food and call it good.

HUGO’s Wood-Fired Kitchen
HUGO’s is enjoying its first summer season here in Des Moines on University Avenue. The front patio is already buzzing on weekend evenings and slowly ramping up on weeknights. You can dig into affordably priced but upscale Mediterranean food with ample seating, shade and Spanish rosé.

Eggs and Jam
There really is something special about sipping a mimosa on a perfectly shaded patio. While I could talk about brunch all day, Eggs and Jam in West Des Moines tops my list. With its menu catering to various dietary restrictions and a breezy, tree-covered patio, you'll be loving life whether you’re sipping a “Supa Dupa Bloody Mary” or a “Royal Ice-T.” The relaxed atmosphere and delicious options make it an ideal spot to start your day on a high note.

So grab your sunglasses, gather your friends and make the most of these patios, which are summer destinations in and of themselves. Cheers to savoring every sunny moment!

Catch this hot air balloon on the cover of the current issue of dsm magazine. See dozens more this weekend in Indianola. (Photo: Ben Easter)

BEST BET

Just look up: the National Balloon Classic returns

On Friday, when the Olympics start in Paris, a French tradition is coming here. The National Balloon Classic, in and above Indianola though Aug. 3, continues a legacy that brothers Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier launched in 1783 at Versailles with the first human-piloted balloon. (On an earlier flight, the co-pilots were a sheep, a rooster and a duck.)

Here in Warren County, the nine-day festival that started in 1970 draws balloon pilots and enthusiasts from around the world, who annually send 100-some balloons into the sky during morning competitions and late afternoon exhibitions. Fans gather at the balloon field in the evenings for live music, fireworks and the Nite Glow, when dozens of tethered balloons light up like giant lanterns.

The Week Ahead

“Summer Sampler,” (5-7 p.m. Friday): Check out new work from artists represented by Olson-Larsen Galleries, including painters Ana Žanić and photographer Justin Rogers. The exhibit opens with Friday's reception and runs through Sept. 21.

“The Wizard of Oz” (7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday): Don't be surprised if road crews repave Aurora Avenue with yellow bricks. Urbandale Community Theatre presents the classic musical at Urbandale High School through Aug. 4.

Noce Salsa Night (9 p.m. Friday): Des Moines-based Latin band Son Peruchos takes the stage at the downtown Des Moines jazz club. Caffeinate if you need to: They'll play till 1 a.m.

40/34 Equal Access Festival (10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday): The nonprofit Disability Rights Iowa celebrates its 40-year history of advocacy and the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The event will take place at the Athene North Shore Recreation Area, the new fully accessible facility at Easter Lake. Guests can enjoy lunch, a raffle and, if the mood strikes, a dip in the lake.

Jazz in July (5:15-9:30 p.m.): Feelin' jazzy? Hoyt Sherman Place hosts one more free night of Jazz in July, featuring the Andrew Wittmer Quintet (5:15 p.m. outside), the Brazilian Jazz Project (6:30 p.m. outside) and the Parranderos Latin Combo (8 p.m. in the auditorium.)

Dana Hall, left, and Marcela Hermosillo-Tarin share a laugh at the MVP Sports Center. (Photo: Emily Kestel)

ARTS & CULTURE

The Olympic spirit, closer to home

Writer: Mathany Ahmed

On Friday nights at the indoor soccer courts of MVP Sports Center in Des Moines, up to 300 people — mostly immigrants or first-generation Americans — bond over their shared love for soccer. These weekly recreational leagues keep family traditions alive and provide an escape from everyday routines. They also build a community, a local network with global connections.

Tonight, it’s the semifinals for the United Futbol Academy (UFA), a year-round soccer league for kids. One court over, two women’s teams go head to head for a midseason matchup. On the third court, a few men are playing a casual pickup game in vests they tossed on over their gym clothes.

Rocio Hermosillo bounds over to the middle court to play with the Goal Diggers, a team of women mostly in their 30s. She coos over the pregnant belly of a teammate (watching safely from the bench). She hugs her friend Maria Rocha, who is also sitting out tonight due to an injury. Hermosillo met Rocha when they were both playing for the league as elementary school kids. “When you have that passion, that’s what it’s about,” she said. “It brings people together.”

Some of these lifelong friendships are just starting on the sidelines. Distinctions between families blur among the packs of toddlers who play hide-and-seek in the bleachers, protected from stray balls by nets that divide the courts. Older kids in uniforms kick around a ball to prep for upcoming games.

“I like playing soccer here because it gives me a way to express myself,” said Tatiana Miranda, a 12-year-old player who stopped sparring with a friend for a quick chat. “I meet so many friends here that I love. I really cherish our friendship.”

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