Simple bar with simple drinks. Small place, but a good spot to start or end or just a friendly casual stop.

Is this a place you would take your grandma, no probably not. But if you are looking for a fun dive bar to have a drink that isn't overpriced and over hyped, this is it! Sharpie words and sayings graffiti the walls, and the paint hangs off of the old tin ceiling. The Locust Tap has its own charm.

Old bar. Interesting writings on all the walls. Simple affordable drinks. Cali was a friendly bartender.

average beer bar located in downtown Des Moines. Not a fancy pub, basic bar. Parking available on meter.

The Locust Tap embodies the term dive bar nearly perfectly. Between the years of graffiti on the walls, original tile floor (amongst other things) dating back 60+ years, cheap drinks, and no frills atmosphere, what you see is what you get. It attracts an incredibly wide variety of clientele, from bachelorette and wedding parties, political folk, musicians and concert goers from nearby Wooly's concert venue, to everyday Des Moines people and so much more. I've met some of my best friends there and consider so much more than just a bar. It's truly a gathering spot for an awesome community. The jukebox is great, the bartenders are fun, and the shots are tasty. There's a pool table as well, which you can play for free. Swing by for a beverage if you're walking around the East Village and give it a try for yourself, if dive bars and fun are your thing. You never know what's going to happen at the Tap!