Restaurant
Unclaimed profileThe Dam Pub
Des Moines, IA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Dam Pub runs an 80's and 90's themed pub program with a beverage list that leans hard into beer and cocktails. The draft section carries 11 named beers, including local Iowa breweries like Backpocket, Exile, Big Grove, Confluence, and West O, across 44 named products in four formats. Cocktails split into two sections—nine in Cocktails and seven Rooftop Refreshers—with branded spirits and prices from $6.00 to $13.00. Non-alcoholic options are eight strong at $3.00 each. Wine and spirits are lighter, but the core program is deep and consistent.
- What should I order?
- Start with a draft from one of the local Iowa breweries—Backpocket Slingshot or Confluence DSM IPA. For cocktails, The Dam Mule and The Best Dam Margarita are named options at $7.50 and $7.00. On Fridays, $5 Deep Eddy Vodka and $5 Dollar Bombs run all day and night.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Beer drinkers who want local Iowa drafts and a wide format range, cocktail drinkers looking for mules and margaritas with branded spirits, and anyone who wants a non-alcoholic option that isn't an afterthought.
- When should I go?
- Fridays for $5 Deep Eddy Vodka and $5 Dollar Bombs all day and night, Tuesdays for $5 Tito's, Mondays for $1.00 off pints and mugs, and Sundays for half-off Sangria.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range $8.00–$13.00, Rooftop Refreshers $6.00–$7.50, Shot 'n' Beer combinations $8.00 each, and non-alcoholic drinks $3.00 each. Daily specials include $5 Deep Eddy Vodka and $5 Dollar Bombs on Friday, $5 Tito's on Tuesday, and $1.00 off pints and mugs on Monday.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The Dam Pub combines an 80's and 90's themed pub setting with a beverage list that includes 44 named beers across four formats, 16 named cocktails across two sections, and a dedicated Shot 'n' Beer section pairing beer with spirits. Local Iowa breweries on draft—Backpocket, Exile, Big Grove, Confluence, and West O—give the beer list a specific regional anchor.
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
Two cocktail sections—Cocktails and Rooftop Refreshers—offer 16 named drinks with branded spirits like Tito's, Deep Eddy, Hornitos, Sombra, Myers's, and Cruzan. Prices run $8.00–$13.00 in the main section and $6.00–$7.50 in Rooftop Refreshers. A Shot 'n' Beer section adds seven combinations at $8.00 each, and Friday brings $5 Deep Eddy Vodka and $5 Dollar Bombs all day and night.
Menu strengths
- — 16 named cocktails across two distinct sections with branded spirits
- — Price range from $6.00 to $13.00 gives clear choice between light and full cocktails
- — $5 Deep Eddy Vodka and $5 Dollar Bombs all day and night on Friday
Standout selections
- — The Dam Mule — Tito's Handmade Vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, $7.50
- — The Best Dam Margarita — Sombra Mezcal, triple sec, lime juice, $7.00
- — Dam Mai Tai — Myers's dark rum, Cruzan coconut rum, OJ, pineapple, grenadine, muddled jalapenos, $10.00
Pricing: $6.00–$13.00
Wine
Wine shows up through two clear specials: half-priced wine bottles on Wednesday and 1/2 off Sangria on Sundays from the food menu banner.
Menu strengths
- — Half-priced wine bottles on Wednesday; 1/2 off Sangria on Sundays
Standout selections
- — Food menu banner lists 1/2 off Sangria on Sundays.
Beer
Beer is the deepest part of the program: 44 named products across Draft, Bottles, Tall boys, and Cans, with 11 named drafts. The draft list includes local Iowa breweries Backpocket, Exile, Big Grove, Confluence, and West O, alongside national names. Monday takes $1.00 off all pints and mugs, and a Shot 'n' Beer section pairs beer with spirits.
Menu strengths
- — 44 named beers across four formats—Draft, Bottles, Tall boys, Cans
- — 11 named drafts including local Iowa breweries Backpocket, Exile, Big Grove, Confluence, and West O
- — Monday $1.00 off all pints & mugs of beer
Standout selections
- — Backpocket Slingshot — draft beer from a local Iowa brewery
- — Confluence DSM IPA — draft beer from a local Iowa brewery
- — West O Nitro Coco Stout — draft beer from a local Iowa brewery
Nonalcoholic
The pricing is consistent across the list, and the range gives non-drinkers more than a single default choice.
Menu strengths
- — Eight non-alcoholic options at a consistent $3.00 price
Standout selections
- — Lemonade — $3.00 — Non-alcoholic beverage; Iced Tea — $3.00 — Non-alcoholic beverage
Pricing: $3.00 each
Spirits
Spirits are present mainly through daily specials and the Shot 'n' Beer section. $5 Deep Eddy Vodka runs all day and night on Friday, $5 Tito's runs all day and night on Tuesday, and seven Shot 'n' Beer combinations pair beer with spirits at $8.00 each.
Menu strengths
- — $5 Deep Eddy Vodka all day and night on Friday
- — $5 Tito's all day and night on Tuesday
- — Shot 'n' Beer section pairs beer with spirits at $8.00 each
Standout selections
- — $5 Deep Eddy Vodka's all day and night on Friday.
- — Tito's — $5 all day and night on Tuesday
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