The Blazing Saddle

Great gay bar! Friendly people and staff. Nice oasis in a small state with few gay bar options. Warm and nice and clean. Initially not crowded around 7:30 pm but it started popping before the drag show. Overall younger mixed women and male clientele which was nice, but a few of us older men were there.

Unsafe place for transgender people. Was ID'd by a bartender who read the name off my ID out loud in front of a group of people after I told him that it was not my preferred name. There was only five people in the bar and they all heard it. I confronted the bartender and he started to have an attitude with me. For my own safety I tried to be agreeable and enjoy my drink, but this behavior is unacceptable. Don't know if other people know the name. Showing staff my ID feels like playing russian roulette. I only try to go in when there is a person I know who is transgender is checking IDs or if I am with a friend.

Although this is a very thematic and specific place, my wife and I really enjoyed the time spent there. Incredible bartenders, a very cozy and calm atmosphere that will allow for a great rest. We will definitely go back there again. There are a couple of things that in my opinion I would like to change or add, but I think this is unrealistic - a powerful air conditioning or ventilation system in the room would not hurt, since it is a little stuffy inside. Well, I think that finishing work at 2 am is too early, make the working hours until 4-5 am and your revenue will increase significantly, since people will come to you from all the surrounding bars that also close at 2 o'clock. In any case, it was an incredible experience for my wife and I and we got very pleasant impressions. We will definitely be regular visitors to this place

Great place to visit. The drinks are very good. There was a bartender that worked in the back part that was truly a delight to see. Wish there was more seats in the back but I understand it was a Friday night and the bar was pretty busy.

Love a gay bar in Iowa! Bartender was incredibly rude to multiple people, including my friend, about bar being cash only. Lights went up at 1:30 and security ushered people out very quickly. Cute atmosphere, but don’t let this be your last bar of the night— it will be an early end and the bartenders obviously hate their job. It was ridiculous.

Nice place to come..treated with respect from everyone..I own a pleaser store here so I know about treating customers right.

This is still the best gay bar in Des Moines! The first time I went was in 2003. I didn't visit it again until about 2008, and then again this year in 2019. Not much has changed, and that's a good thing. This laid-back bar with a country western theme is very friendly to the bear and leather communities. They do have more of a modern dance area on the other side of the main bar too.The narrow patio gets pretty full. Their mixed drinks are intense! If you get a cocktail, account for having the amount of 3 alcoholic beverages. Definitely the best bang for your buck in town.