Restaurant
Unclaimed profile85 Bar West
Waukee, IA
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
Research completed 2026-09-09 · Based on current public sources
Editor: Micah Rousey
Review methodology and evidence standardsThe editorial take
85 Bar West runs a wide beverage program: a cocktail list balanced between seasonal inventions and classics, a deep draft and packaged beer selection, and a nonalcoholic lineup that goes beyond soda. Named drinks like the Wrigley Water and Key Lime Social show a playful, fruit-forward bent, while the State & Rye Espresso adds a boozy coffee option. Beer drinkers get familiar drafts plus sours and lagers. House lemonades come in seven flavors for $5.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Spicy Pineapple Margarita if you want heat, or the Key Lime Social for a dessert-like tequila drink. The State & Rye Espresso offers a coffee-cocktail twist. For something lighter, the Gold Coast Glow uses fresh watermelon juice. Beer-wise, Odell Sippin' Pretty Sour adds tart contrast to the standard lagers.
- What should I expect to spend?
- House lemonade runs $5 per glass. A Monday special pairs a domestic draft with burger and fries for $12. Weekend Nightcap offers $8 margaritas and espresso martinis; Sunday Funday features $5 vodka lemonades and $6 Moscow Mules.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail menu is notably creative, with drinks like the State & Rye Espresso combining rye, Frangelico, and espresso, and the Key Lime Social using coconut tequila and condensed milk. The nonalcoholic list is also thoughtful, offering NA beers, hop water, and a variety of flavored lemonades.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Seasonal and classic cocktails with a playful, fruit-forward style. Eight named drinks include the Wrigley Water, Red Line Rum Punch, Key Lime Social, and State & Rye Espresso. Specials lower the price on margaritas, espresso martinis, and vodka lemonades.
Menu strengths
- — Menu balances seasonal creations with classic cocktails, offering a variety of spirits and flavors.
- — Recipes show range, from the fresh watermelon juice in Gold Coast Glow to the rye-espresso mix of State & Rye Espresso.
- — Drink specials like Weekend Nightcap and Sunday Funday make the cocktail program accessible.
Standout selections
- — Wrigley Water: Absolut Wildberri vodka, blue curaçao, passionfruit purée, lime, simple syrup, lemon-lime soda.
- — Key Lime Social: 1800 coconut tequila, Cointreau, Licor 43, lime, condensed milk, lime zest and sugar rim.
- — State & Rye Espresso: rye, Frangelico, Kahlua, espresso, banana liquor, caramel, nutmeg, dried banana.
- — Spicy Pineapple Margarita: Espolon reposado, pineapple, jalapeño, agave, lime, Tajin rim.
Pricing: Weekend Nightcap $8 margaritas and espresso martinis; Sunday Funday $5 vodka lemonades, $6 Moscow Mules.
Beer
A large draft and packaged selection includes eight named drafts: Coors Light, Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Hamm's, Golden Road Mango Cart Wheat, Odell Sippin' Pretty Sour, Revolution Cold Time Lager, and Yuengling Lager. Monday special bundles a domestic draft with food.
Menu strengths
- — Draft list spans domestic standards, a mango wheat, a sour, and a lager, giving variety.
- — Monday special pairs a domestic draft with burger and fries for $12, a clear value.
Standout selections
- — Odell Sippin' Pretty Sour – a tart option among the drafts.
- — Golden Road Mango Cart Wheat – fruit-forward wheat beer.
- — Revolution Cold Time Lager – a craft lager choice.
Pricing: Monday special: domestic draft with burger and fries for $12.
Nonalcoholic
Beyond soft drinks, the menu lists NA beers (Exile Ruthie NA, Corona NA, Heineken NA), Lagunitas Hop Water, and house lemonades in seven flavors. The lemonades are priced at $5 and offer a non-alcoholic alternative with variety.
Menu strengths
- — Includes multiple NA beers and a hop water, expanding nonalcoholic options beyond typical sodas.
- — House lemonade comes in regular, blueberry, strawberry, mango, peach, ginger, and lavender flavors.
Standout selections
- — House Lemonade – $5 per glass, available in seven flavors.
- — Lagunitas Hop Water – a nonalcoholic hop-flavored option.
Pricing: House lemonade $5 per glass.
Spirits
Classic cocktails demonstrate a working knowledge of gin, whiskey, and vodka.; Cocktail recipes use a range of spirits including rye, tequila, rum, and bourbon.
Menu strengths
- — Classic cocktails demonstrate a working knowledge of gin, whiskey, and vodka.
- — Cocktail recipes use a range of spirits including rye, tequila, rum, and bourbon.
Standout selections
- — Manhattan – Maker's Mark whiskey, sweet vermouth, angostura bitters.
- — Negroni – London dry gin, Campari, sweet vermouth.
- — Moscow Mule – Wheatley vodka, ginger beer, lime juice.
How it sits with the food
The Monday special pairs a domestic draft with burger and fries for $12, suggesting beer-friendly bar food.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
About this review
Research is based on recent public evidence, including official venue materials and beverage menus when available. The review date is the research completion date and does not imply an in-person visit.
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