Fine food and entertainment are part of the perfect recipe for celebrating a New Year, and not only does Des Moines have an abundance of both, but in many cases, meals and entertainment can be enjoyed at a single event.
Whatever combination of food and entertainment you’re looking for on New Years Eve, the Des Moines Register has compiled a list of some of the city’s liveliest places to vacation.
Clyde’s Finer Diner New Years Eve Party
Instead of a full dinner menu, Clyde’s rings in the New Year with a premium cocktail. The package includes beer, wine, and appetizers, and to top it off, a midnight champagne toast.
When: Customers can choose from two ticket hours available to pass, 5 p.m. or 8 p.m., but all are welcome to stay for a midnight toast.
Or: 111 E. Grand Ave., Suite 111, Des Moines
Tickets: Tickets for $ 75 can be purchased on Tock.
Cornbred New Years Party
Party the night away at the Cornbred BBQ Restaurant in Ames. Diners can munch on appetizers, barbecues and many desserts during this lively party. Each ticket includes four drinks, and a cash bar covers the rest. Choose from a plethora of games such as Giant Jenga, Cornhole, or Mario Kart while listening to live musical performances. A photo wall will be available to capture the night away, and prizes are up for grabs throughout the event. Toast to the New Year at midnight with champagne and a drop ball.
When: 7 p.m. Friday to 12:30 a.m. Saturday
Or: 526 Main Street, Ames
Tickets: Admission for one is $ 75, but if you buy a two-ticket package, it’s $ 120 for the pair. Buy them on Eventbrite.
Following:Vacation pop-ups are coming to town. Eat, drink and have fun at these bars in central Des Moines.
TrailSide Tap Dinner
End the year over a prix fixe meal with friends with TrailSide Tap’s New Years Eve menu. The spread includes entrees such as charcoal-grilled sardines dressed in butter, lemon, Parmesan and herbs, and a shared charcuterie board of local meats and cheeses. Feast on dishes such as lobster pie coated in puff pastry, tandoori game with lentils in curry or creamy beetroot risotto with goat cheese mousse.
When: Starting at 17h
Or: 710 SW Third St., Ankeny
Reservations: Call (515) 964-5259 to save a seat.
12-course blind tasting dinner from Proof
For an adventurous meal, reserve a seat at Proof. Chef Diego Rodriguez-Negrete has put together a decadent 12-course blind tasting menu that includes rare and delicious specialties. An optional wine pairing menu is available to make this a dinner you won’t soon forget.
When: Two hours of reservations are available at 5 p.m. or 8 p.m.
Or: 1301 Locust Street, Suite C, Des Moines
Reservations: The 12-course dinner costs $ 165 per person and the food and wine pairing is $ 80. Reserve online or by calling (515) 244-0655.
Smash Park New Years Eve
Great for last-minute planners, Smash Park’s New Years party doesn’t require a reservation. Show up with your family and friends for all the regular games as well as live music from The Sheet and Orphan Annie starting at 9 p.m. Make it a night to remember with a drink package that includes an open bar and access to paddle club area 21 and up with additional seating and a private bar. The kitchen stays open late until 11 p.m. and shots of $ 1 champagne jelly go around all night.
When: 7 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday
Or: 6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines
Tickets: Admission is free, but get a drink package for $ 49 online.
The Seventh Annual Wild Wedding Party
Following:19 University of Iowa students sign Hollywood film deal to adapt “Great Gatsby”
To usher in the New Year, patrons of the Noce de Des Moines jazz club can celebrate 2022 like they’re back in the Roaring Twenties with “a Gatsby-Esque Black Tie Nightâ€.
Noce turns seven on New Years Eve and the evening includes a cocktail party, live music from co-owner Max Wellman and others, and a three-course dinner from Chef Jerry Talerico.
When: 8 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday
Or: 1326 Walnut Street, Des Moines
Tickets: $ 125 will reserve a seat for the evening and include dinner, shows and a midnight champagne toast. Online booking.
Des Moines Symphony – New Year’s Pops: The Music of Elton John
Celebrate the start of a New Year with the Des Moines Symphony’s annual New Year’s Eve Pops concert, which this year’s theme is British rock star Elton John.
Michael Cavanaugh, famous for his involvement in Billy Joel’s Broadway musical “Movin ‘Out”, joins the symphony this year, guiding it through Elton John hits such as “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man” alongside. other classics.
When: The 8 p.m. show will last 2.10 hours with a 20-minute intermission.
Or: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut Street, Des Moines
Tickets: Tickets range from $ 60 to $ 95 and can be purchased online.
Pianopalooza at Wooly’s
The tickling ivory duo known as Pianopalooza will ensure Wooly’s patrons have musical accompaniment in the final hours of 2021. For the evening, the Des Moines-based musical act pays homage to rock n ‘roll from the 50s and 60s.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, a rock n ‘roll band who typically play songs from the 50s and 60s by artists such as Chuck Berry and Johnny Cash, join the piano duo.
When: Doors open at 7 p.m. for the show at 9 p.m.
Or: 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines
Tickets: General admission tickets are $ 25. Table reservations are $ 75 and booths are $ 150. Book on Tixr.
Wild Iowa New Years Afternoon
Not a night owl? Start the party early at a hockey game. Cheer on the Iowa Wild as they take on the Colorado Eagles at Wells Fargo Arena. It’s a $ 2 Beer Night presented by 100.3 The Bus, so grab some discounted foam for the entire first period. Stay throughout the event to enjoy the post-game fireworks display.
When: 2:00 p.m.
Or: Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center Street, Des Moines
Tickets: Buy tickets online from $ 15 to $ 55.
Comedy Xperiment New Year
Some people enter a new year with a list of aspirations, others make it up as they go. Regardless of your preferred approach to the passage of time, audiences can laugh at the improvisation of Comedy Xperiment as the Des Moines improv troupe returns to the Stoner Theater so attendees can have their last laughs of 2021.
When: The show starts at 10 p.m. and lasts 1.5 hours with a 10-minute intermission.
Or: Stoner Theater, 221 Walnut Street, Des Moines
Tickets: $ 25 tickets are available online.
Elle Wignall covers meals for the Register. Contact her at [email protected] Follow her on twitter @ElleWignallDMR.
Isaac Hamlet covers arts, entertainment and culture at Des Moines Register. Contact him at [email protected] or (319) 600-2124, follow him on Twitter @IsaacHamlet.
