- Event Overview
About
Des Moines, IA
July 4th Pub Crawls
Des Moines, Iowa has a downtown that punches well above the city’s size, and on Saturday, July 4, 2027 the official Red, White and Brew bar crawl runs through it. The route covers the Court Avenue district and crosses toward the East Village, two areas separated by the river and a short walk.
Court Avenue is the concentrated end, a compact grid of bars that has been the city’s going-out district for decades. The East Village on the other side of the Des Moines River is newer, smaller-scale and more independent, with the gold dome of the State Capitol sitting above it. Using both districts gives the crawl two distinct halves.
The Fourth in Des Moines is an outdoor day in a state that takes its summers seriously. The riverfront hosts the crowd through the afternoon, the weather is reliably warm, and the evening pulls everyone into the downtown bars. Iowa has a short window for nights like this and the city does not waste it.
In 2027 the Semiquincentennial marks 250 years of American independence. Iowa’s place in that story begins with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, which brought the land into the United States. Fort Des Moines was established in the 1840s and Iowa entered the Union as a state in 1846, seventy years after the Declaration was signed.
The event is run by PubCrawls.com. Bars are locked in ahead of the Fourth, the specials at each stop are set in advance, and the digital venue map goes out before the night. Arrive in Court Avenue / East Village for check-in and the route does the rest.
The Des Moines July 4th pub crawl draws locals from downtown, Beaverdale and Sherman Hill alongside visitors from West Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames and across Central Iowa who come into the city for the holiday.
The event is 21 and over only. Birthday groups, bachelorette parties, work crews and friend groups from across the metro all make the Des Moines July 4th crawl a summer fixture. Groups of 20 or more can arrange pricing in advance.
Tickets are on sale now at PubCrawls.com. Court Avenue has a real capacity limit on a holiday and the official pub crawl fills. Buy early and mark America’s 250th birthday in the best downtown in Central Iowa.
Event Detalis
Largest Pub Crawl Event
40,000+ Attendees
100+ Participating Bars
Organized Event
- What's Included
What You Get With a Pub Crawl Ticket
Pub crawls for the biggest party holidays. Choose your event and join the party in 100+ cities across the USA.
VIP Event Wristband
Check in once in State Street / Capitol Square and receive your official wristband unlocking every bar on the route.
Drink Specials
Exclusive drink specials at every stop. Each bar sets up its own deals for wristband holders.
Live Music & DJs
Live DJs and entertainment at select stops throughout the Des Moines crawl night.
Prizes & Giveaways
Best patriotic outfit contests and raffle drawings at select stops.
Meet New People
The crawl pulls together locals and visitors from across South-Central Wisconsin on the same holiday night.
Digital Venue Map
Every ticket holder gets a digital map of the full Madison crawl route before the event.
Photo Opportunities
State Street / Capitol Square on July 4th is a great setting for photos and memories.
After-Party Access
Official after party follows the main crawl. Your wristband gets you in. Details sent before July 4th.
Participating Venues on the Pub Crawl Route
The 2027 Des Moines July 4th pub crawl route runs through State Street / Capitol Square. All stops within walking distance. Full lineup sent to ticket holders before the event.
How the Pub Crawl Works
Four simple steps to join the July 4th Bar Crawl and start bar hopping.
Purchase at PubCrawls.com. Receive confirmation with all Des Moines event details.
Arrive at State Street / Capitol Square at 6:00 PM for your wristband and digital venue map.
Your wristband unlocks drink specials at every stop on the route.
Official after party continues after main crawl hours. Wristband required.
Event Agendas
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Des Moines July 4th Bar Crawl?
Saturday, July 3, 2027, running from 5:00 PM until 11:00 PM. The listing sits in 2027, when the Fourth falls on the Sunday of that weekend. Check the year before you plan around it.
Which Des Moines district hosts the July crawl?
The East Village and the Court Avenue district are the two realistic candidates, and they run differently. Your confirmed check-in venue arrives with the ticket confirmation. The two sit a short walk apart across the river.
Is Yankee Doodle Pops that weekend?
It usually sits in the days around the Fourth. The State Capitol lawn concert is one of the largest single events in Iowa, so check the date against your plans.
How hot is Des Moines in early July?
Hot and humid, usually in the high 80s or low 90s in the afternoon with little relief until well after dark. Iowa humidity in July is not to be underestimated.
Is the East Village walkable that evening?
Yes. The district keeps its bars and restaurants close together just east of the river, and the walk across into Court Avenue is short enough to manage.
Do people leave Des Moines for the holiday?
A good number head for the lakes in northern Iowa over the Fourth, which is a long-standing tradition here and thins the city on the holiday itself.
Are Des Moines patios open that evening?
Yes, and they carry the season. The East Village and Court Avenue both run substantial patio setups through summer, which is where most of the crowd sits in early July.
How do I get home from Des Moines that night?
Yes. Rideshare demand across Polk County peaks on the holiday Saturday, and the drive out to the western suburbs is a real distance from downtown. Agree the pickup point before you set off.
