Restaurant
Unclaimed profileShirley’s Bar & Grill
West Des Moines, IA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Shirley’s Bar & Grill pours a serious cocktail lineup: The Dirty Shirley, Rob Roy, and a Cadillac Margarita with a Grand Marnier floater sit alongside brunch and dessert drinks. Wines by glass and bottle start at $8 and $28, and the QR-code beer list pulls in Iowa breweries like Confluence and Toppling Goliath. Non-alcoholic options include Busch NA and Ruthie NA.
- What should I order?
- Start with The Dirty Shirley, a Tito’s vodka and Luxardo cherry-liquor number with house cherry syrup, lime, and Starry. For a stronger pour, the Rob Roy uses Monkey Shoulder scotch and Antica Carpano. The Cadillac of Margarita's, with Corralejo reposado and a Grand Marnier floater, is worth the $11.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail drinkers who want both creative signatures and reliable classics will find a menu with range. The brunch list, with Bloody Marys and Espresso Martinis, suits midday drinkers. Wine fans have a compact but varied list of whites, reds, and bubbles by the glass or bottle.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $7 to $11; wines are $8 to $11 by the glass and $28 to $39 by the bottle. Beer prices are not listed, but the selection is broad.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail menu mixes playful house inventions like The Dirty Shirley and Shirley Shake Up with standards such as the Rob Roy and Old Fashioned. A brunch section adds a Salty Shirley and Rocky Balboa, and dessert drinks include Pink Squirrel and Mint Grasshopper. The wine list covers multiple styles at approachable prices.
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
A broad cocktail menu spans inventive signatures like The Dirty Shirley and Shirley Shake Up, classics such as the Rob Roy and Old Fashioned, plus brunch and dessert drinks. Prices stay from $7 to $11.
Menu strengths
- — The menu covers creative house drinks, brunch cocktails, and dessert options, giving clear range.
- — Prices from $7 to $11 keep the program accessible.
Standout selections
- — The Dirty Shirley: Tito's Vodka, Luxardo Cherry Liquor, house cherry syrup, lime, and Starry, $8.
- — Rob Roy: Monkey Shoulder Scotch, Antica Carpano, bitters, with a cherry, $10.
- — The Cadillac of Margarita's: Corralejo Reposado, Cointreau, lime, agave, orange, topped with Grand Marnier, $11.
Pricing: $7-$11
Wine
A compact wine list offers whites, a sparkling, a rosé, and reds by the glass and bottle. Eight selections are named, with glass prices from $8 to $11 and bottles from $28 to $39.
Menu strengths
- — The list spans Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Prosecco, rosé, Pinot Noir, a red blend, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
- — Glass and bottle options provide flexibility for different occasions.
Standout selections
- — Risata Prosecco, $8 glass / $28 bottle.; Storypoint Cabernet Sauvignon, $11 glass / $39 bottle.
- — Daou Sauvignon Blanc, $9 glass / $35 bottle.
Pricing: $8-$11 glass, $28-$39 bottle
Beer
The beer program is accessed by QR code, with a large list featuring local Iowa breweries.
Menu strengths
- — The list includes local Iowa breweries such as Confluence and Toppling Goliath.
- — Recent customer accounts describe a good choice of local beers.
- — A broad selection is suggested by 139 unique beers logged.
Standout selections
- — Over the Ivy, a Czech Pilsner by Confluence Brewing Company.
- — Pseudo Sue, a Pale Ale by Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
Nonalcoholic
Non-alcoholic options include three named NA beers: Busch NA, Ruthie NA, and Michelob ULTRA Zero. This is a modest but useful selection for designated drivers or those avoiding alcohol.
Menu strengths
- — Three non-alcoholic beers are named, covering lagers and an ale.
- — Offers an alternative for those not drinking alcohol.
Standout selections
- — Ruthie NA, a non-alcoholic blonde/golden ale.; Busch NA, a non-alcoholic lager.
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