🌟 Good morning, Des Moines!
Your weekly nudge to get out, feel connected, and love where you live.
In this week’s AroundDSM:
🍋 $5 Lemon Drops and one of the best happy hours in town!
🚛 A real monster truck + games + face painting? This is a win for kids of ALL ages.
🎬 Great films, local food trucks, and a celebration of Latino culture all in one afternoon.
🍽️ Restaurant Spotlight
Either/Or | 6222 Grand Avenue, Des Moines |
Photo: Italian Sub with fries | Emily Johnson
Photo: Chocolate mousse with cinnamon toasted tuiles | Emily Johnson
🍋 A happy hour that absolutely understands the assignment – Either/Or officially won me over with their happy hour specials, because honestly… a good happy hour is one of the quickest ways to my heart. The drink lineup alone had my attention: $5 Lemon Drops (say less), plus Old Fashioneds, Cold Brew Martinis, Waterbury Margaritas, wine by the glass, and draft beer.
🍗 The food is not an afterthought – Some places nail the drinks but phone it in on the food. Not here. I’ve gone back more than once for their BBQ wings and deviled eggs off the regular menu, and my friend confidently declared the Italian Sub “the best she’s ever had.” Their $10 happy hour apps also include wings, cheese curds, Brussels sprouts, caviar bites, chips & dips, and tuna poke — which is honestly a very strong little lineup.
🔥 The vibe works year-round – Inside is colorful, a little kitschy, and just plain fun. Outside, they’ve got a big covered patio with fire pits that makes this one of those places you can picture yourself coming back to in every season. It’s easy to see why this has become such a go-to. 👉 View the menu here.
🤝 Partner Spotlight: Systeme.io | Build Your Business Without Paying for 10 Different Tools
If you’ve ever thought about selling a product, growing an email list, creating a course, or starting an online business, but immediately felt overwhelmed by all the tech and monthly subscriptions, this might be worth a look.
I’ve been using systeme.io and what stands out most is that it gives you a generous free plan to get started.
With this platform, you can:
build landing pages and sales funnels
grow an email list and send emails
sell physical or digital products
host online courses or memberships
create an affiliate program
schedule meetings
organize your offers in a simple storefront
Basically, it can do the work of a bunch of separate tools without the giant learning curve or giant price tag.
If you’re in that “I know I want to build something, but I don’t want to make this harder than it needs to be” stage, this could be a solid starting point.
👉 Try systeme.io
💸 Local Deal of the Week: Statem!nt Pop-Up Sale | Horizon Events Center
If you love the thrill of finding a great deal without digging through a million racks, the Statem!nt Pop-Up is worth putting on your calendar. This consignment-style shopping event brings together 100+ closets in one place with gently used men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, hats, and accessories — all at 50–80% off retail.
Think name brands, designer pieces, and everyday staples with way less guilt than traditional shopping. If you’ve been wanting to refresh your closet for spring, this is a fun one to hit with a friend.
Sale Schedule:
🕶️ Thursday, April 9th – Charity Presale benefiting Alzheimer’s Association (ticketed)
👗 Friday, April 10th – 10 am–8 pm (Free Admission)
👚 Saturday, April 11th – 10 am–6 pm (Free Admission)
🪩 Saturday, April 11th – 6–9 pm StateMint After Dark Party (ticketed early access to half-price sale)
👖 Sunday, April 12th – 10 am–3 pm Half Off Day (Free Admission)
⭐ Sunday Presale – 8:30 am (ticketed)
📍 Horizon Events Center
👉 For ticketed events, purchase HERE
🎉 Top 5 Things to Do
The best bets handpicked for your week:
If you’ve got kids (or honestly, adults) who love big trucks, this is a fun one to check out. The El Toro Loco Monster Truck from Monster Jam is rolling to Texas Roadhouse for an evening of family-friendly excitement. Have you ever seen a monster truck up close? Now is your chance!
Along with seeing the truck, there will be games, prizes, face painting, and appearances from Andy Armadillo — so it can be more than just a quick stop if you want.
| Thursday, April 9th | 4:00–8:00 pm | Free | West Des Moines |
🌧️ Build a Rain Barrel Workshop | Izaak Walton League 4343 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
If you’ve been wanting to do something practical and eco-friendly this spring, this is a great one. Join local conservation partners at Water Works Park for a hands-on rain barrel workshop where you’ll learn how to install, maintain, and actually use a rain barrel at home then build one to take with you.
It’s a smart little project for gardeners, homeowners, or anyone wanting to be more intentional about water use this season. Bonus: you can also learn about available rebate programs in the Des Moines metro.
| Thursday, April 9th | 6:00–7:00 pm | Tickets Required | Izaak Walton League |
🎬 Latino Film Festival | Varsity Cinema
Spend your Saturday afternoon celebrating storytelling, culture, and creativity at the Latino Film Festival presented by the Latino Center of Iowa. This community event highlights Latino voices and talent through a lineup of films that invite connection, reflection, and fun along the way.
In addition to the screenings, there will be local food trucks and dessert vendors on site so you can make an afternoon of it while supporting both artists and local businesses.
| Saturday, April 11th | 12:30–5:30 pm | Tickets Required | varsitydesmoines.com |
🪄 Magic for Adults | Funny Bone Comedy Club
If you’re in the mood for a night out that’s a little different, this one mixes comedy, crowd interaction, and mind-bending magic into one adults-only show. Eric Eaton — seen on Masters of Illusion and a multi-time Comedy Magician of the Year winner — is bringing his touring show back to Des Moines!
Expect quick wit, surprises, and the kind of “wait… HOW did he do that?” moments that make live magic especially fun.
| Friday, April 10th at 7:00pm & Saturday, April 11th at 6:30pm | Adults Only | Tickets Required | themagicofericeaton.com |
🛍️ Des Moines Makers Market & Bar Hop | Big Grove Brewery & Taproom + Lua Brewing + Exile Brewing Co.
Welcome spring with an afternoon of shopping local, sipping something good, and wandering between a few favorite downtown spots. This makers market brings together 30 local artists and creators with everything from jewelry and candles to artwork, home décor, and more — all handmade (no MLMs, just the real deal).
The fun part? It’s spread across three breweries, so you can browse, grab a drink if you’d like, and hop between locations at your own pace. It’s a relaxed, come-and-go kind of event that feels like a perfect way to ease into the season.
| Sunday, April 12th | 1:00–6:00 pm | Free to Attend | Downtown Des Moines |
Stop wondering what to do and start doing. Pick one and make it happen!
🐾 Pet Pick-Me-Up
Now get out there, Des Moines!
With local love,
Emily
AroundDSM
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