- Event Overview
About
Des Moines, IA
Pride Bar Crawl
Des Moines splits its nightlife between the East Village and Court Avenue, and the Pride Bar Crawl uses both. The river sits between them and the walk across is short.
Court Avenue is the older district with the larger rooms. The East Village across the river is newer, with cocktail bars and restaurants in restored buildings. Two districts on one wristband gives the night real variety.
June in central Iowa is warm and long, with the evenings staying comfortable well past dark. Both districts fill up and the walk between them is a pleasant part of the night rather than a chore.
Our hosts run the route across both districts with the stops confirmed beforehand. Specials are agreed at each bar and the wristband covers every stop.
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.
One Wristband, Every Stop
Check in once and the band handles entry at every stop across the East Village and Court Avenue.
Welcome Drink on Arrival
Included on arrival, before the Des Moines route starts moving.
Drink Specials at Every Stop
Each stop on the the East Village and Court Avenue route holds back specials for ticket holders.
Best Outfit Contest
Dress however you like and you are entered. Judges work the Des Moines route rather than one stage.
A Route Built for Groups
Groups, couples and solo crawlers all fit. The route keeps everyone moving together.
On-Site Hosts
Crawl staff are on the the East Village and Court Avenue route from the first stop to the last.
A Route You Do Not Plan
The stops, the order, and the specials are set before you arrive. You follow the map.
Priority Entry at Select Bars
Skip the queue at participating Des Moines venues with your wristband.
Participating Venues on the Pub Crawl Route
The Des Moines Pride Bar 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 Pride Bar Crawl and start bar hopping.
Tickets are available at pubcrawls.com ahead of the event.
Arrive at 7:00 PM. Your confirmation carries the exact starting location.
Welcome drink, wristband, and the route map. The crawl starts at 7:30 PM.
Work the the East Village and Court Avenue route at your own pace or stay with the pack.
Event Agendas
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Des Moines Pride Bar Crawl?
The East Village and Court Avenue give Des Moines two walkable clusters, and this Pride crawl links the participating venues in one of them on a single wristband.
What date and window does Des Moines show?
Saturday, June 26, 2027, from 6:00 PM. Five hours is listed, which in the East Village means you can pace the route rather than racing it from bar to bar.
When is Capital City Pride?
Des Moines runs its main Pride festival in June, centered on the East Village, so a late-June crawl sits inside the busiest stretch of the local calendar.
Where is Des Moines's LGBTQ nightlife?
The East Village east of the river carries most of it, with Court Avenue downtown as a broader mixed option. Your confirmed check-in venue comes with your ticket confirmation.
Is the Des Moines crawl open to allies?
Yes. The East Village has drawn a broad crowd for years and this is a public ticketed event, allies included. A valid photo ID is checked at every Des Moines venue.
What should I wear in Des Moines in June?
Something light. Iowa in late June runs warm and humid well into the evening, and a thunderstorm rolling across the prairie partway through the crawl is a genuine possibility.
Is the East Village walkable?
Yes, comfortably. The Des Moines East Village keeps its bars and restaurants within a few blocks of each other, so the route works on foot without a ride.
Can I do the Des Moines crawl solo?
Yes. The district is compact enough that the crawl group stays visible through the evening, so arriving alone in Des Moines rarely stays that way for long.
