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Who needs pumpkin spice when you have college football?

The start of college football season is just days away, and there are plenty of places in the Des Moines metro where you can watch the big games while sipping on an ice-cold beverage and enjoying some great grub.

These venues have TVs in every corner and can play several games at one time, so you can practice your multitasking skills while keeping track of scores and stats.

More: More than 50 places to eat and drink in the Des Moines metro during big sporting events

Here’s a sampling of where to watch the games in Des Moines in the upcoming months:

Barn Town Brewing

Enjoy house-brewed beer and comfort food classics like poutine and amped-up nachos. Or go for a mac and cheese waffle. 

Location: 9500 University Ave., No. 1100, West Des Moines

Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Contact: (515) 978-6767; barntownbrewing.com; Facebook

Benchwarmers

This grub pub is an Ankeny favorite with plenty of food and drink specials. Order up some traditional or boneless wings served with ranch or bleu cheese dressing.

Location: 705 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Contact: (515) 965-2556; benchwarmersankeny.comFacebook

Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille

There’s plenty of food, sports and fun at the Cabaret in Ankeny. Grab an order of onion strings to go with its line of specialty and build-your-own burgers.

Location: 2785 N Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny

Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Contact: (515) 965-5481; cabaretsportsbar.com; Facebook

The Front Row

This Hawkeye-themed sports bar is a great place to watch any sport with Monday and Thursday steak nights and free weekend breakfast with a bloody mary bar.

Location: 9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive

Hours: Monday-Friday, 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m.

Contact: (515) 334-8746; frontrowbar.com; Facebook

Gilroy’s Kitchen + Pub + Patio

With one of the most popular outdoor patios in Des Moines, Gilroy’s sports plenty of American comfort food, weekend brunch buffets and food and drink specials during big games.

Location: 1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:45 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday, 7:45 a.m.-12 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

Contact: (515) 809-1727; gilroyskitchen.com; Facebook

The Hall

Enjoy a German-style beer hall in Valley Junction with food truck fare made by culinary students, a giant custom TV screen and 54 beers on tap.

Location: 111 S 11th St., West Des Moines

Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m.

Contact: (515) 608-4100; thehalldsm.com; Facebook

Rookies Sports Bar & Grill

For almost 20 years, Rookies has been a great family-friendly spot to catch lots of sports action, beer, burgers, onion rings, potato skins and barbecue ribs.

Location: 2180 NW 156th St., Clive

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m to 12 a.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-12 a.m.

Contact: (515) 987-0093; gorookies.com; Facebook

Saints Pub + Patio

With three locations in Des Moines, a lively atmosphere, plenty of pub grub, drink specials and outdoor patios, Saints has established itself as a great place to catch the big game. 

Locations:

  • 4041 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines; (515) 270-6175
  • 3701 NW 86th St., Urbandale; (515) 528-2039
  • 87 NE Carefree Lane, Waukee; (515) 216-1654

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-12 a.m.

Contact: saintspub.com; Facebook BeaverdaleFacebook UrbandaleFacebook Waukee

Smash Park

Watch games, play games, or make up new games at this sports and entertainment complex sporting a full-service restaurant — Court 7 Munchery. Try an order of the waffle sliders.

Location: 6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Contact: (515) 313-0700; smashpark.com; Facebook

Spectator’s Sports Bar & Grill

You’ll find all the college football and daily food and drink specials you’ve been craving at this Altoona favorite. Grab an order of smothered tots with chili and cheddar cheese.

Location: 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Summer hours: Open daily, 8 am.-11 p.m.

Contact: (515) 957-5707; spectatorssbg.com; Facebook

Brian Taylor Carlson is the food and dining reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach him at btaylorcar@dmreg.com or 515-284-8552 and follow @briantaylorcarlson on Facebook, @BriinDSM on Twitter and @briindsm on Instagram.

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