Tonic

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by R Brock

The best in all of the world. Been in 23 countries none can compare to the friendship, the service and the overall relationship that a lounge/bar has to offer. Try it for a week you will understand what I'm saying.

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by cambohooker

This is a cool place that gets really packed on the weekends. This is more of an upscale bar. They have a good selection of martinis if you're into that. They used to be known for their cigar selection but with the state smoking ban, i'm not sure what's going to happen with that. The drinks can be pricey.

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by nevesis

Cool place -- great atmosphere and a classy, upscale crowd. The only caveat is that many of the patrons are part of the over 35 crowd.

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by straight money

I love this bar I've gone there every wednesday since I moved back to Des Moines. I live on the other side of town and don't mind driving all the way out there to enjoy a fun environment where I don't have to worry about being surrounded by people who don't know how to just sit down and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. I can go here with my friends and really have a good time because you are surrounded by classy people.

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by BENCHWARMER

By far the best bar in Des Moines area I did'nt even know it existed until City Views ad came out a week or so ago on best bars in Des Moines. The bartender's & cocktail waitresses were more than helpful it was a Wenesday night & the place was packed-I just can't get over how nice of a place it was- the decor -is out of this world it's like something you would find in Chicago or New York they defenetily went a step or two above.I know this is were I will be hanging out from now on-they even offered to call a cab or give me a ride home ! Thank You Tonic staff

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by dsmjay

Talk about missed oppotunities! This should have be a cool place to go, but isn't. Who run this place, Denny Arthur? I've seen a younger crowd at the local nursing home. Maybe its a cigar manufacturer; the little guy behind the bar would'nt stop trying to sell us his overpriced cigars. As for the music, worst selection is DSM. One night they played one reggae CD all night, nothing else. Thank god Cabaret opened next door, so normal people in the neighborhood have a place to drink.

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by T

I thought the atmosphere was decent, the beer prices were fair, and the service was great. We sat upstairs (not outside). I thought the top floor atmosphere was a little bland/boring, otherwise it is a place I will go again.

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by Roberta

Great location. We sat on the patio and ordered drinks during a weekday Happy Hour. Margaritas were terrible, rather bitter in flavor. Beer was ok and the waitress didn't have change and forgot to bring it back to one patron twice. He had to point it out to her that she failed to return his change!! We did get take away food from Wok Fuzion and ate on the patio-appreciated that courtesy. I doubt we will return but it was mediocre at worst!

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by Tom Brazelton

My two star rating is generous only because I think this is an interesting location and I want it to do better.

We went maybe a week after they first opened and things did not go smoothly. Drinks took forever to get to us and when we called for the check, it took even longer. Then the girl couldn't find our receipt to sign off on the credit card. She "thought" we were charged thou...

We were so frustrated we just left.

I've been kind of itching to go back since West Glen started filling in a little more. I think if the owners shelf the sports bar idea and just said "Hey, it's a classy joint." there would probably be less confusion.

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by Josh

Just becasue a bar has TVs doesn't make it a sports bar. Just another bar with big flat screens thinking they're a sports bar. Prices are too high for a sports bar and what kind of sports bar doesn't serve pitchers? The only reason I'd go back was if I was on that side of town and wanted to watch a two minute drill. Other than that, it's a lounge at best. Looks like the owners tried to duplicate a Ducktail Lounge for the Jordan Creek area. Overall, prices are too high. $10 for 3 beers and $27 for four shots, ouch!

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by Tom

Great bar with a great atmosphere and good happy hour prices. Plus the best looking women I have seen at a bar in Des Moines. I just guess some of us think it is okay to show up and watch a game and leave the jersey at home.

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by nathan

So I read the review and this is NOT a sports bar. It is a yuppie crowd and that's what you will find there. Of all the TV's in the place 3 had sports going on and the others had FOX regular programming. The bartenders don't really have their feet set quite yet. And apparently you just walk in because the door guy only checks ID's if you walk up to him. I would call this place a mix of lounge and I don't know what else. It really has no identity as a bar. The only reason it got this good of a rating is because everyone there was good looking and it was clean. I'd like to check it out on a Sunday afternoon and see who shows up in jerseys.

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Tips for Tonic from foursquare users

Collin C.

cold coors light and happy peeps.

7 people have done this

Chris M.

McCauley uses his interest free Von Maur charge card to buy the store out of Robert Graham shirts.

4 people have done this and 1 other wants to

Chris M.

Johnny Krohn wears six inch platform shoes to be as tall as his average customer. If you're lucky, he may sport his tongue ring that he wore while going to school at Dowling Catholic High School.

4 people have done this

Chris M.

Tuesdays are real deece. The Tiff and Holly show can not be beat...

4 people have done this

Joe F.

Help MSRP Matt pay his dry cleaning bill by leaving a good tip.....kitten!

3 people have done this

Zachary B.

This is a nice chill place. We need to have more like it in Des Moines.

3 people have done this

Sean G.

Toy soldiers on the speaker makes me dream of Brett Fine in a speedo smokin a cigar while krohn does shots with 3 inch

2 people have done this

brandon n.

Ya Bud let's have some !

1 person has done this

Bailey B.

Matt basart is the best bartender. Go upstairs on the weekends. You will not be disappointed.

1 person has done this

Brian

Matt mcCauley gives handjobs to frequent customers

Tonic is a West Glen bar near Target and Jordan Creek Town Center off of Mills Civic Parkway.

The owners themselves had trouble describing what the bar would be like, they said there is nothing like it in Des Moines and claimed it would be classy, fun, and relaxing. They also hesitantly described it as an upscale sportsbar - which is probably due to the 10 huge TVs.

However there isn't a lot of sports paraphernalia and typical sports bar stuff; instead you'll find leather furniture, dark wood, 2 huge bars (1 on each level), 2 patios, and a mezzanine that overlooks the ground floor. It really is a classy place.

Due to its location and style, Tonic is definitely a yuppie bar with a yuppie crowd, drinks aren't cheap, and some of the bartenders don't exactly know what they're doing yet, but all-in-all, it's a nice place.

We've only been on a friday night - I'd like to check it out during a football game, or sometime during the week to see how it transforms.

The front of Tonic The front entrance to Tonic