Host Your Holiday Party at One of These 8 Places in Downtown DSM

 

It’s that time of year! Book your holiday party or group gathering at a Downtown Des Moines (DSM) restaurant or venue. Whether you desire an intimate vibe with private dining spaces or vibrant venues for team-building activities before the year comes to an end, you’ll find a festive atmosphere amidst the twinkling holiday lights of Downtown DSM.    

Private Dining Spaces in Downtown Des Moines   

1. 801 Chophouse – With four private dining rooms that can host eight to 48, this Downtown DSM restaurant is a great pick to dazzle your guests with upscale dining ranging from the highest-grade USDA Prime Beef and fresh seafood to an award-winning wine selection in addition to top- shelf handcrafted cocktails. 
2. Des Lux Bar – Boasting the “city’s best martini menu,” you can’t go wrong with a gathering in this classy, intimate venue available for private events or an impromptu get together with a friend or two. 
3. Django – Choose from the on-site private dining room able to accommodate up to 20, or located adjacent to the restaurant is Django’s exclusive private dining facility able to host groups up to 100 cocktail or 80 seated. Django’s menu is primarily French cuisine including cheese and charcuterie, fresh seafood, steaks and more.  
4. Fresko – Featuring seasonal menus made with locally sourced ingredients and flexible event spaces perfect for gatherings of all kinds. Choose from two private rooms that host 22 to 45 guests, or combine them for groups up to 80. Fresko’s team can assist with décor, floral arrangements and A/V needs to bring your event vision to life. 
5. Iowa Taproom – Choose from two available room spaces with capacity for 50 to a few hundred. The spaces can be configured for smaller groups, too. The Taproom offers tasty American food with Iowa-based ingredients and an extensive local-to-Iowa beer list. Try a festive selection such as the “Cranberry Orange Cider” by Jefferson County Ciderworks or the “Winter Break Ale” from Keg Creek Brewing Company.  
6. Malo – From business lunches to private holiday parties, Malo offers a bright, lively space for celebrations. The private dining room accommodates up to 80 seated or 100 for cocktails, with dedicated patio space available as well. 
7. Proudfoot & Bird – A great place to show off your best holiday dressy attire! Reserve a semi-private dining room for a little flair of exclusivity. You’ll find fine dining and eclectic cuisine paired with timeless cocktails here. 
8. Republic on Grand – Sip on handcrafted drinks and savor artisanal eats ranging from charcuterie to small plates, flatbreads and sliders. You’ll feel a little fancy entering the upscale AC Hotel on street level and taking the gilded elevator to the top floor where the Republic on Grand restaurant is located, with prime views of the twinkling holiday lights around Downtown DSM from the hotel’s top floor. (Insider tip: Check out the special New Year’s Eve packages available here, in addition to other Downtown DSM NYE events coming up later this month!) 

Bonus Holiday Party Gathering Spots

• Either/Or – A great pick for holiday gatherings and team celebrations, Either/Or’s private event space can host up to 60 guests and comes equipped with four large TVs, customizable sound, and a private bar with a curated banquet menu. Room minimums vary by day and season. 
• Splash Seafood – The perfect Downtown Core restaurant to host your employees and gather together this holiday season, Splash Seafood can also accommodate baby showers, family reunions, graduation parties and more!

Looking for More Holiday Venues and Activities in Downtown DSM?   

Browse this list of other food and drink venues including brunch spots, bakeries and coffee shops, cocktail and wine bars, lunch and brunch restaurants, nightlife destinations, local breweries and more! The possibilities for your holiday gathering in Downtown DSM are nearly endless.   

Additionally worth considering for your get together, most of the hotels located Downtown offer meeting space with on-site catering. Explore a list of Downtown Des Moines hotels and meeting spaces.    

Consider a unique indoor activity at one of the Downtown DSM attractions to host visiting friends, family or even teambuilding with coworkers. This could range from axe throwing at Lumber Axe, hands-on exhibits and experiments at the Science Center of Iowa or arcade games at your choice of venues: UpDown or Ricochet. Wandering the warm conservatory at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (with adjacent meeting space for a group and the in-house Flora for lunch) or a hands-on class at Mainframe Studios would make for a fun wintertime activity for your crew!   

And, take a look at this list of holiday shows and performances coming up in Downtown DSM through the end of the month for even more suggestions on seasonal happenings to align with your holiday party or group gatherings. Happy holidays!   

Make it one epic winter in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) by exploring, experiencing and enjoying what Downtown DSM has to offer. Plan your visit to Downtown DSM with these tips for parking and navigation. 

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