Gate-side bar in Terminal 1 with quick pours
This Local bar kiosk sits airside in Terminal 1 at Des Moines (DSM), a few minutes’ walk from most gates because the concourse is short and simple. It’s a compact setup built for grab-and-go drinks more than lingering, so think pre-flight beer while you watch the nearby boarding lines, not a long sit-down meal.
The menu leans on bottled and canned beers, basic mixed drinks, and a few wines by the glass, with prices that typically land in the $8–$14 range depending on what you order. Food is light: packaged snacks, bar nuts, and similar small bites rather than hot plates or made-to-order dishes. If you want a full meal, pair a drink here with something more substantial from another Terminal 1 vendor.
Hours track the main bank of departures, usually opening by the first morning flights around 5:00–5:30 a.m. and running until the last departures in the evening. Early in the day you’ll mostly see coffee-in-one-hand, beer-in-the-other types heading for 6:00–7:00 a.m. flights; late afternoon and early evening skew heavier on cocktails and bigger pours as business travelers wrap up day trips.
Seating is limited to a short counter and a handful of nearby stools, and it fills fast during peak times around 4:00–6:00 p.m. If every stool is taken, many people simply grab a drink and stand near their gate a few yards away. Service is usually quick when there’s only a short line, but capacity is just one or two bartenders at a time, so a five-person queue can easily turn into a 10-minute wait.
Tip: If you’re tight on time before boarding, check the line first; if more than five people are waiting at this kiosk, you’re safer grabbing a drink at another Terminal 1 spot or skipping it until your next connection.