South Des Moines
South Des Moines is the half of the city that actually cooks. Italian bakeries on Indianola, taquerias and Vietnamese counters along SE 14th, and the kind of neighborhood bars where the regulars predate the zip code. Gray's Lake sits close enough for a walk-and-talk, Water Works Park handles the longer version. The tradeoff: housing stock is older, sidewalks are uneven, and nightlife thins out early on weeknights. Good for daters who plan around food and a slow loop afterward, rough for anyone needing a rooftop and a DJ. The southside courts on full stomachs, not bottle service.
South Des Moines by the numbers
South Des Moines is roughly balanced, about 51% men to 49% women.
Median individual income in South Des Moines is about $39,700.
Iowa registers voters by party, and Polk County is about 37% Democratic to 30% Republican, with a 32% No Party bloc.
The median renter in South Des Moines pays about $1,000 a month.
About 7,200 South Des Moines residents ages 22 to 50 are single.
Local date spots
- South Des MoinesDining
Buzzard Billy’s
- South Des MoinesDining
Mullets Restaurant Des Moines
- South Des MoinesDining
Bubba
- South Des MoinesDining
Angry Goldfish Pub & Eatery
- South Des MoinesDining
Francies
- South Des MoinesCafés
Classic Frozen Custard
- South Des MoinesActivity
Air Lanes Bowling Center
Wheelchair access - South Des MoinesDining
Ceviche Bar
- South Des MoinesCafés
7 Brew Coffee
- South Des MoinesActivity
Bowlerama Lanes
Wheelchair access - South Des MoinesDrinks
Club 2000
- South Des MoinesCafés
Cafe con Leche
- South Des MoinesDrinks
Thirsty Sportsman
- South Des MoinesCafés
Freedom Blend Coffee
- South Des MoinesDrinks
Wicked Rabbit Sports Bar
- South Des MoinesActivity
Monsterama Pubcade
LGBTQ+ friendlyWheelchair access - South Des MoinesActivity
Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
Wheelchair access