Take a trip back in time to this 60s style corner tap. The Champagne of Bars knows nostalgia and retro like no one else! We are the home of Tangermeisters, Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots and Thirsty Thursdays. Featured on Travel Channel’s “Man Vs Food” 2010; highlighted in the travel section of the New York Times; voted one of the best bars in America by Esquire Magazine; voted by Des Moines as Best Bar Food, Best Fried Chicken and more.
A 1960's style corner tavern opened by local owners of (Full Court Press) on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2005. Every city should have a bar like this with shag carpet, Formica bar top, vintage wallpaper, and wood paneling. Retro light fixtures and vintage Miller beer promotional lights and signs hang everywhere. The star of the show, Miller High Life, had a culture of its own in the 60’s and 70’s and its allure lives on today. The “Champagne of Beers” outsells two-to-one the next popular beer at the High Life Lounge. If a customer isn’t sipping a High Life, they’re still probably enjoying one of its contemporaries such as Hamm’s, Pabst Blue Ribbon, or original recipe Schlitz.
Like the beer, the food remains true to the era. Deviled eggs, Spam and egg sandwiches, liver and onions, broasted chicken, fried chicken gizzards, and Mom’s pot roast are all favorites. The High Life Lounge is a place for regular folks to relax and have a good time without spending a lot of money, the most popular item on the menu is the cheeseburger basket. It’s a quarter pound burger with cheese, pickle and onion served in a basket with a generous portion of golden brown French fries.
The High Life Lounge has won its share of awards. Cityview magazine has named it “Best New Bar” and “Best Downtown Hangout”. It was featured on the Travel Channel’s Man v Food and also featured in the travel section of the New York Times It was also named one of the best bars in America by Esquire Magazine. One of the High Life’s proudest moments was when the president of Miller Brewing, Norm Adami stopped by after a ballgame and bought a round for the house to a capacity crowd.
Situated a block from the ballpark, the High Life Lounge is the perfect place before and after an Iowa Cubs baseball game. Being so close to the bike trail the High Life Lounge is a favorite of cyclists before, during, and after a bike ride.
The minute you walk in the High Life Lounge, “It’s Miller Time” and you’ll know you belong here.
Oh, and don’t forget. It’s also the home of the world-famous “Tangermeister”, Thursday’s Crappy Beer Night, and America’s most popular Groundhog Day party every February 2nd. We hope to see you soon and remember, “Isn’t it time you lived the High Life?”