When you are in the mood for a drink, Ames has a large selection of establishments to choose from. We have a list of five of our favorite Ames bars, including a Prohibition-style jazz club, a wine bar with great non-wine options, a speakeasy and dive bars.
Noir
Noir bar is located in the historic Sheldon Munn, a former hotel in downtown Ames. With a bourbon-forward drink menu, Noir will take you back to the speakeasy days of the 1920s when the historic building was constructed. The Prohibition-era theme includes a luxe interior with beautiful chandeliers and banquette seating. With a sophisticated drink menu and a jazz club feel, Noir is a cozy and chic music venue with a diverse lineup of musicians. Try the Raven, which Noir’s bartenders describe as a “rich, boozy take on chilled espresso with notes of roasted chestnut, sweet butter, cane sugar and orange,” or the “refreshing and tart” Blackberry Smash with Knob Creek, blackberry mint, marmalade and lime juice.
Location : 405 Kellogg Ave., Ames
Contact : noirames.com
Della Viti
Della Viti may be best known as a wine bar in downtown Ames, but it has developed into a place to get great cocktails as well as craft beers. With a cool, relaxed atmosphere, Della Viti offers comfy couches and chairs set up in nooks as well as the customary tables, chairs and barstools. It’s a great place to go for a cold Moscow Mule, and there’s a charming space for outside seating. Della Viti has an active calendar featuring fun events such as wine and spirit tastings, live music and trivia nights.
Location : 323 Main St., Ames
Contact : 515-232-0241, store10888460.ecwid.com
Cellar 626
Iowa’s Cellar 626 is hidden in the back of Cyclone Liquors in Ames. Walk through a cooler door in the back of the store or go down an alleyway in the back of the building to find the entrance. It has often been listed on USA Today’s hidden bar and speakeasy lists for the state of Iowa. Cellar 626 says the highest honor is to have a cocktail named for you, such as The Cliff, a Manhattan made with Dickel rye, or the Stan, an Old Fashion made with Old Forester bourbon. Cellar 626 offers craft cocktails, plus wine and beer flights. Cyclone Liquors has more than 800 beers, a collection of more than 2,000 wines, several liquors, spirits, accessory products and cellar collections.
Location : 626 Lincoln Way, Ames
Contact : 515-233-2327, cycloneliquors.com
Tip Top Lounge
Iconic Ames bar Tip Top Lounge is small but mighty and is the second-oldest bar in town. The Tip Top has the perfect dive-bar vibe and a friendly crowd of regulars. A great place to gather with other Cyclone fans on gamedays, the Tip Top also has occasional live music. It opens early to pre-game on home football gamedays, and the crowd tends to be loud and enthusiastic.
Location : 201 E. Lincoln Way, Ames
Contact : 515-232-8980
Sportsman’s Lounge
Posted by Sportsman's lounge on Monday, August 22, 2022
Sportsman’s Lounge in downtown Ames is affectionately known as Sporty’s by locals. It is Ames’ longest-running bar operating continuously under the same name. It opened in the 1950s and has had its liquor license longer than any other Ames bar. With a quintessential dive-bar atmosphere, Sportsman’s is a great place to watch Cyclone games and the friendly vibe is always welcoming.
Location : 123 Main St., Ames
Contact : 515-233-6320
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: From historic dive bars to a luxe jazz bar, 5 places to get drinks in Ames
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