Restaurant
Unclaimed profileThe Royal Mile
Des Moines, IA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Royal Mile pairs a proper British pub beer list with a serious spirits program. Beyond the cask ales and draft mixes, over 20 Irish whiskeys and a Scotch list organized by region anchor the bar. Classic cocktails like the Vesper Martini and Gimlet hold their own, while a dedicated mocktail menu and non-alcoholic beers cover everyone else.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Around the World whiskey flight to sample four half-ounce pours, then move to a Pimms Cup or a draft English Snakebite. For beer, the Magners Irish Cider or a Guinness at happy hour fits the pub setting.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Whiskey drinkers will find the deepest bench, from Irish pot still to peated Islay. Beer fans get a broad draft list with Trappist ales and local options, and those avoiding alcohol can still order a mocktail or non-alcoholic craft beer.
- When should I go?
- Weekend breakfast service brings a separate cocktail list, including Irish Coffee and Bloody Marys with an optional beer back.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Draft beers run $6–$10, cocktails $6–$10, and spirits pours range from $5 for Jameson to $75 for Macallan 18 Yr. Whiskey flights are $25 for four half-ounce pours.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The Scotch list is organized by region, and the whiskey flights offer a structured tasting path through global styles. The draft cocktail section, mixing beer and cider, adds a twist rarely seen elsewhere.
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 dedicated menu spans traditional English cocktails, draft beer-cider mixes, and weekend breakfast drinks. Classics like the Gimlet and Vesper Martini sit beside pub-style draft concoctions, with a breakfast list that includes Irish Coffee and Bloody Mary.
Menu strengths
- — Three distinct cocktail sections: traditional, draft, and breakfast.
- — Draft cocktails offer a pub-specific format at $6.50 for 16 oz.
- — Breakfast cocktails extend the program beyond evening hours.
Standout selections
- — Vesper Martini – Beefeater gin, Tito's vodka, and Lillet, $10.
- — Pimms Cup – cucumber and lemon muddled with Pimm's, topped with lemonade and Sprite, $9.
Pricing: $6–$10
Beer
A broad draft selection covers stouts, IPAs, lagers, ciders, and sours, supplemented by bottles and cans that include non-alcoholic options. Happy hour deals on Guinness and pitchers add value to an already deep list.
Menu strengths
- — Wide range of styles across draft and packaged formats.
- — Includes Trappist ales like Chimay Blue and Rochefort 10.
- — Happy hour specials on Guinness and pitchers of Yuengling or Carlsberg.
Standout selections
- — Guinness Dry Stout – $6.75 for 16 oz, a pub staple.
- — Rochefort 10 – Trappist ale at $11, for a strong Belgian pour.
Pricing: $4–$12
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated mocktail section offers five non-alcoholic drinks, and the beer menu includes non-alcoholic options from Athletic Brewing and Guinness. Priced at $5–$6, these provide thoughtful alternatives beyond soda.
Menu strengths
- — Five mocktails, including a coffee-forward Cold-Fashioned.; Non-alcoholic beers from Athletic Brewing and Guinness.
Standout selections
- — Cold-Fashioned – muddled orange and cherry, simple syrup, bitters, and cold brew coffee, $6.
- — Athletic Brewing Run Wild – non-alcoholic IPA, $5 per can.
Pricing: $5–$6
Spirits
An extensive spirits list spans over 20 Irish whiskeys, a Scotch selection organized by region, and more than 20 American whiskeys. Flights offer a structured way to explore, with prices from $5 for Jameson to $75 for Macallan 18 Yr.
Menu strengths
- — Over 20 Irish whiskeys and a regionally organized Scotch list.
- — More than 20 American whiskeys, from bourbon to rye.
- — Whiskey flights, Around the World and Scotland, each with four half-ounce pours.
Standout selections
- — Redbreast 12 Yr – Irish whiskey, $12.; Ardbeg 10 Yr – Islay Scotch, $12.
Pricing: $5–$75 per pour; flights $25
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