Basketball-Themed Groundhog Day Festivities + Breakfast to Mark 19th Celebration at High Life Lounge

The High Life Lounge has prepared for the 19th Groundhog Day Celebration. This Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, come celebrate the annual anniversary of their grand opening on Groundhog Day.

Polk County Paula, Greater Des Moines’ (DSM’s) resident groundhog, will once again be present to help lead the festivities for all of those in attendance. Doors open at 6 a.m., with a long line of loyal attendees who celebrate the occasion year after year with costumes, festive attire and long-formed friendships from years of attending the event.

Schedule of Events

Polk County Paula will look for her shadow at sunrise around 7:26 a.m. and free Miller High Life will be given to those in attendance from 6 – 8 a.m. With the recent blast of winter in DSM, Paula’s prediction will be anxiously anticipated by all who are certainly hoping she will NOT see her shadow, indicating an early Spring.

This year will celebrate the upcoming NCAA Championships slated to be held in Des Moines with the Groundhog Day celebration featuring a basketball theme and prizes. One lucky guest will win a spot on the High Life Groundhog Day basketball squad through a series of contests. 

High Life Lounge will serve breakfast until 11 a.m. featuring flapjacks, egg casserole, biscuits and gravy, breakfast sandwiches and bacon as a nod to the popular Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day.

The High Life Lounge is located at 200 S.W. 2nd Street and opened on February 2, 2005. They are well known for their “corner tap” atmosphere and 1960’s era theme showcasing authentic 60’s menu items such as Broasted Chicken and Goulash. The High Life Lounge has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food program and is known for “down home” cooking and vintage beer selection. 

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses or events specific to Downtown DSM.

More Downtown Des Moines (DSM) restaurants are opening all the time. Don’t miss out on bakeries, brunch, breakfast, lunch, dinner, pizza, seafood, bars and breweries in downtown. Here’s the in on where to eat locally in Downtown DSM.