"Has all the Irish Whiskey you can drink!"(2 Tips)
"The food is also delicious and inexpensive."(2 Tips)
"Somewhat hidden place"(2 Tips)
"beer from a goblet and toast"(3 Tips)
See what your friends are saying about Shorty's.
By creating an account you are able to follow friends and experts you trust and see the places they’ve recommended.
orSign up with email
31 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- good service
- mashed potatoes and gravy
- great value
- trendy
- turkey
- (4 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
If you're on the run and need to go into hiding, Shorty's is the basement bar for you. Enter through the alley and head downstairs. The staff, food and beers all have a no-frills charm.UpvoteDownvote- Kevan MurphyJuly 8, 2011The hidden gem of the Court Ave district. Great little basement snug with a friendly staff. Has all the Irish Whiskey you can drink! It's also the only place I've been where when I looked down the barUpvote1Downvote
Play Irish Ringboard! 1st person to 101 wins... Rules: 1st goal: get above 87. Once above 87, your next throw must get you to exactly 100 (or forfeit your turn). Once you get to 100, ring a 1 to win.UpvoteDownvote
kirk zismerApril 14, 2013Be at least a quasi regular, get to know a couple of the bartenders, tip generously even when you wait a little extra for a drink, it shows you appreciate them despite imperfectionsUpvoteDownvote
Tuesday night is charity night. A percentage of all sales go to a non-profit organization within the Des Moines community. Do your part! Cheers!Upvote1Downvote
Juice MagazineJanuary 3, 2013Try the chicken-fried turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy, an impressive serving of food for only $5.99. With a Schlitz, of course. Read moreUpvote3Downvote- Great atmosphere and hideaway. You can make it what you want. The food is also delicious and inexpensive.UpvoteDownvote
Quick lunches are hard to find on Court Ave... I was in and out in 22 minutes today! And hardy food, to boot!UpvoteDownvote
Jesse JohnsonJanuary 29, 2012There was once a dragon here. He was so short that a midget was able to slay him and so they called it shortys. You're drinking in a dragon carcus but whatever.UpvoteDownvote
Careful the bar falls apart then they hammer it back in! It's fun!
UpvoteDownvote
Ed MoranAugust 7, 2011Get bartender Bobby to give you a Creepin' Nathan! It'll creep on you... Try to count the number of liquors that are in it too!Upvote2Downvote- Get a root down! It's made with Court Ave Brewery's Root BeerUpvote3Downvote
- Lava RowSeptember 7, 2011Drink beer from a goblet and toast your tweeps, because you're in the location of Des Moines' very first tweetup (circa February 2008).UpvoteDownvote
- The most expensive thing on their new menu is the Deluxe Milwaukee Sausage & Cheese Plate $6.99. How can you afford not to?Upvote2Downvote
Chicken fried turkey for the win. Trust me.Upvote3Downvote
Brian ROctober 6, 2013Cute bar, but the bartender was a total douche. Sad, cause we wanted to come back. Waters over here...
UpvoteDownvote
They make their own cucumber vodka. It's good.Upvote2Downvote
Try a RedBreast. Voted best Irish Whiskey of 2010.UpvoteDownvote
- Otis KhounloJuly 5, 2011Somewhat hidden place where the bartender is talkative and mellow atmosphere.Upvote1Downvote
Chris TorresFebruary 18, 2011Nice little hide-away bar! Good place to go "below the radar".UpvoteDownvote
Terrible selection of beers and liquors. Great dive.UpvoteDownvote
Eric KinmanMarch 17, 2013Was more enjoyable when they had no sign and frozen pizza was the only menu item.UpvoteDownvote
Zachary Bales-HenryFebruary 27, 2011I heard there is a door here that leads to Narnia. #AteamUpvote6Downvote
39 Photos
Foursquare © 2025 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Open until 2:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon, Sun
- 4:00 PM–9:00 PM
- Tue–Thu
- 4:00 PM–Midnight
- Fri–Sat
- 4:00 PM–2:00 AM
(515) 282-3663
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Cocktails
See More
You might also like
"Their tequila drinks are unique."
Gach Both- 6.6
"Great Happy Hour. Drink prices decent, drinks themselves fantastic and the service was top notch. Decent patio with comfortable seating"
Kelli Roberts - 6.9
"Great place to go with friends to watch a game, hangout, and or just flat out party! Literally my favorite place downtown! Great people and even better staff!"
Kyle Pritchard
Appears on 13 lists
Created by David Zulaica
21 items • 14 followers
Created by Juice Magazine
55 items • 158 followersCreated by Katie Raymon
15 items • 3 followers
