A dark room with light projecting from colored frames a

Try DSM: Gaming Enthusiasts

The Operating Room, Dungeon's Gate and Mayhem Collectibles are top gaming destinations in Greater Des Moines (DSM). But did you know the region has more than just board games and comic books to keep gamers busy? Find puzzles and trivia at the likes of Mickey's Irish Pub, Backpocket Pin & Pixel and community libraries, too. Check out the itinerary below for gaming ideas in DSM.

Hotel Pick: Kasa Downtown Des Moines

In Downtown Des Moines (DSM), the Kasa Downtown Des Moines offers virtual self-check-in and close proximity to restaurants, event locations and more. Find a game room on the premises — there’s skee ball, air hockey and more. Kasa Downtown Des Moines is also within walking distance of the Wellmark YMCA, where you can grab a basketball and play a game during open gym times.

Thursday

Start your weekend in Clive at the comic book and game shop, Mayhem Collectibles. Mayhem has everything from board games and card games to newly released comic books. Thursdays are also Board Game Night at Mayhem from 5 – 10 p.m., so return later in the day to join in the fun.
Stop by Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines next and pick up the latest games from GameStop.
For a fun dinner, stop by Spare Time, also in West Des Moines for sandwiches, shareables, pizza and even a Share Time Sundae. Then, try your hand at arcade games, laser tag or an Escape Room. (Have kiddos in tow? Spare Time is kid-approved!)
For the adults, if you’re still out west, Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee has Trivia Every Thursday Night for up to six people per team and menu highlights like three tacos for $6 all day long. Don’t miss out on the fun!
For those who are looking to try out a role-playing game, head back to Des Moines Public Library for DMPL & Dragons on Thursdays from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (it’s also offered on Sundays from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.) at Central Library in Downtown DSM. The Dungeons & Dragons meetup welcomes new players and volunteers!
Or, from 6 – 9 p.m. on Thursdays at The New Northwestern in Downtown DSM, take part in Cocktails and Cardboard, one of The Dealt Hand’s game events in the region. You can even rent board games through The Dealt Hand, with options starting at $15 per month. The New Northwestern in the Historic East Village is just a short distance from your hotel, which will make it easy to return to at the end of your night.

Friday

Perk up with a morning coffee from The Slow Down Coffee Co. while you play board games or put together a puzzle in the Highland Park neighborhood of Des Moines.
At the North Side Library, check out a comic book. This location also has Switch Gaming on two Tuesdays a month for kids ages 8 – 18.
While you’re on the northern side of DSM, head to Ankeny for drinks at The Operating Room in The District at Prairie Trail, where you can also enjoy pinball and arcade games in a family friendly environment until 8 p.m. Want to head west instead? The Operating Room also has a location in West Des Moines!
After lunch, shop at local favorite gaming shops, Dungeon’s Gate, Uptown Gaming & Collectibles, Arkham Games (Ankeny’s oldest game shop!) and Rodman Comics. On Fridays, Dungeon’s Gate holds open gaming from Noon – 5 p.m., too!
Before you head back to Downtown DSM and wind down for the night, enjoy board games, live music and local brews at Firetrucker in Uptown Ankeny. You can check their calendar for themed trivia nights or visit on Wednesdays for BINGO!

Saturday

Play pinball and arcade games at Backpocket Pin & Pixel in Johnston, which also offers food and drinks. This family-friendly location also offers a winter puzzle league on Sundays and Mondays as well as weekly Trivia Nights and a Duckpin League in June.
You’ll also love the games you can find at Merle Hay Mall near Johnston in Des Moines, including CombatLive!, Gameday Lanes (grab lunch here, too!), Warhammer and White Rabbit Virtual Reality Arcade.
Solve puzzles at Escapology in nearby Clive to find your way out of themed escape rooms like A Pirate’s Curse, Lost City or Scooby-Doo™ and the Spooky Castle Adventure.
Round out your Saturday with game play at Up-Down, Downtown DSM’s arcade bar where games are just a quarter to play, or at Ricochet, where free board games, rings, corn hole, foosball, bubble hockey and skeeball await (premium games are accessible with a GamePass!). Ricochet also offers Tailgate Saturdays, a weekly tailgate party to watch or play games and enjoy tailgate specials.

Other Options for Your Itinerary

DSM’s got other trivia nights and clubs of interest to gaming enthusiasts. Try one of the options below:

Brunch Bingo at Smash Park in West Des Moines is free every Sunday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. This location also has free Sporcle Trivia every Monday from 7 – 9 p.m. See these events and other trivia night information on the Smash Park weekly events calendar.
One Sunday a month at 2 p.m., you can also find Puzzles & Pints nights at The Drift in Winterset. Four puzzlers compete to put together a 300-piece puzzle to win a round of pints.
Looking to join a local gaming club? Check out DSM Gaming Club, which holds local events, and take advantage of an extensive game library. Join a league to take home cash prizes in Call of Duty, PUBG and other games.
This spring, Greater DSM will become home to The Rook Room Game Lounge and Café, where gamers who love board games, puzzles and good food and drinks can gather to watch as players “do not pass go” as they move around the Monopoly board or learn winning strategies behind games like Catan and Battleship.

Pick Up a Game Piece in Greater Des Moines