The Proletariat in Perry
Trivia challenges are open to teams and individuals at The Proletariat. It’s free to play five rounds of five questions, and prizes are given each round as well as to the overall winner of the night and to the eight-week grand prize winner.
Belt Out a Tune at a Karaoke Night
Karaoke Nights take place on Wednesdays at Spare Time from 7 – 11 p.m. When you’re not trying to hit the right key, check out the arcade games, laser tag, bowling alley or try an escape room.
The Ducktail Lounge in Clive
Thursday and Saturday nights are when karaoke singers can hit the stage at The Ducktail Lounge. This cozy bar offers classic cocktails, wine, beer and Tall Boys (Thursdays), buckets of beer (Saturdays) and shot specials (Thursdays and Saturdays) during karaoke!
This Guthrie County sports bar (see the list below for more sports bars!) has everything you need for a fun night out — including karaoke nights! Check out the golf simulator, shuffleboard, darts and more at Tin Lizzie’s.
Catch the Big Game at a Sports Bar
Try the smashburgers and catch a game at this sports bar in Adel. 9th Street Smash and Tap offers six different smashburgers and is open until 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Jethro’s BBQ
Photo courtesy of Jethro's BBQ
With six locations scattered across the region, Jethro’s BBQ is your Iowa Neighborhood Sports Bar, serving smoked meats, drinks and your favorite sporting events.
Hometown Heroes is a sports grill located in downtown Grinnell where you can pre-game with a giant stadium pretzel then build your own burger or enjoy The Hawkeye or The Cyclone burgers.
An Irish pub with plenty of screens for the big game, Murph and Mary’s offers a menu of pizza, wings and local craft beers. Don’t miss Murph’s Monday Night Football Club either!
See a Show
Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) performances and events take place at the Pote Theater at Blank Performing Arts Center on the Simpson College campus. DMMO performances take place throughout the summer festival season in Indianola, while other events supporting DMMO take place at other venues across DSM.
If you’re looking for big names in comedy and music, the historic stage at Hoyt Sherman Place in the Sherman Hill neighborhood is the place to be. Make a reservation for dinner at nearby Aposto then hear punchlines or your favorite tunes during what’s sure to be a memorable night in Downtown Des Moines.
See touring musicians and standup comedians at Vibrant Music Hall. The Waukee venue welcomes comedic acts to the KeeTown Loop entertainment district, which will add even more entertainment amenities in the future.
Located in the Historic Greenfield Square, the Warren Cultural Center offers a stage to touring acts moving through Adair County. Previously the E.E. Warren Opera House, the building has been restored to welcome local and national performances.
Feel the Breeze from a Rooftop Bar or an Outdoor Patio
Sip your wine under the pergola, around the fire pit or on the patio at Madison County Winery. Dogs are welcome in outdoor areas as well so if you’re planning to make it a late night, bring yours along!
Drop by the rooftop patio at Mullets Uptown Ankeny and enjoy the view of Uptown, right near the High Trestle Trail bike path. Mullets welcomes live music acts, too, so don’t miss the next rooftop show!
Stop by Revelton Distilling Co. for a drink while relaxing on the outdoor patio. Note: There’s live music on Saturday nights, and you can also take a tour of the whiskey and gin production facility on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Poweshiek County’s Hotel Grinnell is home to a nightlife hotspot! The Periodic Table offers food, cocktails and a happy hour every day from 5 – 6 p.m. so start your night out early and enjoy drinks formulated by the “chemists” here.
Named 2025’s best rooftop bar in Iowa by Yelp, The Republic on Grand is located on the sixth floor of the AC Hotel. Toast to the panoramic views with your favorite cocktail! This Historic East Village spot hosts live music often as well.
Solve Mysteries
The Dinner Detective offers a murder mystery dinner show where participants witness a mystery performed by actors hidden in the audience. Be a top sleuth and win a prize package, and enjoy a dinner that includes a salad, entrée, dessert and more.
Twice a year in November and March, Salisbury House & Gardens holds a Murder Mystery Dinner comprised of a cocktail hour, dinner and, of course, the solving of a crime.
Try your luck with an escape room at Escapology in Clive. From discovering who stole the Mona Lisa to breaking a pirate’s curse, your adrenaline will rush as you race against the clock to solve the puzzle.
Explore Nightlife in DSM
Just because it’s after dusk, doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy all that DSM has to offer! Request a free relocation guide to learn more about the region or reach out to a MVP with questions.