Part of the Gay Des Moines Guide — bars, events & things to do.
Des Moines, Iowa
LGBTQ+ complex in Des Moines' East Village with restaurant and rooftop
The Garden is a Gay-owned complex in Des Moines' East Village that works as a restaurant, drag show lounge, and rooftop bar all at once. Co-owners Rusty Jones and Jerry Byrd ran the club for 36 years out of an old Southeast Fourth Street warehouse before moving it into the former House of Bricks space on Grand Avenue in 2021. The current room leans all-black with silver and glitter accents, and a garage door drops to wall off the performance area once the show starts. The central stage is named for the late showgirl Yazmine You'nique DeMornay. A full kitchen turns out dinner and weekend drag brunches, and the rooftop patio adds a second bar above the neighborhood. The Garden is one of a small cluster of LGBTQ+ spots in the East Village, and it's the one that doubles as a sit-down dinner before the night gets loud. Come for a weekend drag show, stay for the roof.
Have feedback on this description? Let us knowGet the full experience — check in, follow this venue, and connect with the community.
No upcoming events
Try checking a later date or browse events in the app
Catch your city's vibe or the global LGBTQ+ scene.
No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
The fast ferry from Boston is the classic, car-free way to arrive in Provincetown — 90 minutes across the bay, straight to MacMillan Wharf. Here's the complete guide: operators, schedules, tickets, plus the Plymouth boat, driving and flying.
Robbie S.Provincetown is famous for its nightlife, but the daytime is half the magic — gay beaches, whale watching, the Pilgrim Monument, dune tours and a historic art colony. Here's the complete guide to what to do in P-town beyond the bars.
Robbie S.Cherry Grove is where gay America summered before there was a word for it. Here's the complete guide to Fire Island's original queer hamlet — its history, its drag-soaked nightlife, where to stay and eat, the beach, and how it differs from the Pines next door.
Robbie S.