The Waukee Brief
Waukee is a fast-growing town, and its drinking scene is young but real: one homegrown brewery, a cluster of good spots on the University Avenue corridor, and a run of neighborhood pubs and grills. Here's where to go, sorted by the mood you're in, with the honest note that for a big night out, West Des Moines and Jordan Creek sit just minutes east.
Yes. Waukee's homegrown brewery is Barn Town Brewing, a brewpub that brews its own beer on site and cooks a from-scratch pub menu. A second name is on the way: Exile Brewing is bringing a taproom to the planned Kettlestone Social food hall.
Note: Barn Town sits in the University Avenue complex right on the Waukee and West Des Moines line, so its mailing address reads West Des Moines. Locals count it as Waukee's own.
Barn Town's patio is the go-to warm-weather move in Waukee: a pint brewed a few feet away, from-scratch food, and room to bring the dog. Right next door, Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster gives you a second stop without moving the car, so you can make an evening of the University Avenue corner.
The Waukee Brief will be a free weekly email: new openings, happy hours, and where to go this week. Made for exactly this.
Barn Town Brewing is the natural after-work stop for house beer and pub food, and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill runs a happy hour at its FireBar. Hours and deals shift, so confirm the current offer before you go, and watch the weekly Brief; we flag the good ones.
Waukee's own scene is compact, but the metro is minutes away. Smash Park in West Des Moines pairs craft drinks with pickleball, duckpin bowling, axe throwing, and an arcade, and the Jordan Creek area adds more bars, restaurants, and a movie theater, about ten minutes east. More on planning the evening is in our night out in Waukee guide.
Waukee has one homegrown brewery, Barn Town Brewing, which brews its own beer on site, and a second taproom from Exile Brewing has been announced for the coming Kettlestone Social food hall. Central Standard Craft Burgers & Beer also pours a local-beer list.
Waukee's own brewpub is Barn Town Brewing on University Avenue. The bar-and-pub lineup includes Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster, Central Standard Craft Burgers & Beer, Gastro Grub & Pub, The Kee Bar & Grill, and 85 Bar. Exile Brewing is bringing a taproom to the coming Kettlestone Social food hall.
Barn Town Brewing on University Avenue has the best-known patio in Waukee, a big, dog-friendly space with house beer and from-scratch pub food. Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster is right next door for a second stop.
For a casual night out, Central Standard Craft Burgers & Beer, Gastro Grub & Pub, The Kee Bar & Grill, and 85 Bar are the neighborhood go-tos. For a bigger night, Smash Park and the Jordan Creek area in West Des Moines are about ten minutes east.
Barn Town Brewing pours its own beers in Waukee, and Central Standard Craft Burgers & Beer keeps a local-beer list. Exile Brewing's coming Kettlestone taproom will add another homegrown option.