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Name: Back Roads Lounge
Telephone: (515) 331-6611

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Back Roads Lounge

"The Best Neighborhood Bar In The Greater Des Moines Area"

About Us

Big neighborhood bar with Live Music, great acoustics, Pool and Darts. Patio in the back, 7 Dart Boards, 2 pool tables. Cool double sided bar seating and daily happy hour specials.

Areas Served

Our Professional Associations

Johnston Chamber of Commerce

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Locally-Owned
Dart Leagues
Lounge

Our Services include:

Table Service: Enjoy personalized service right at your table—perfect for relaxing with friends or hosting casual meetings.
Limited Service: A streamlined experience for guests who prefer quick orders and minimal interaction.
Bar Service: Belly up to the bar for handcrafted cocktails, cold beers, and friendly bartenders ready to serve.
Patio Space: Unwind outdoors in our comfortable patio area, ideal for sunny days and evening hangouts.
Party Accommodations: Planning a celebration? We offer flexible space and support for birthdays, reunions, and private events.
Watch Parties: Catch the big game with fellow fans—Back Roads Lounge is your go-to spot for sports viewing.
Iowa Hawkeye Watch Parties: Cheer on the Hawkeyes with fellow fans in a spirited, game-day atmosphere.
Iowa State Watch Parties: Join Cyclone Nation for every touchdown and buzzer-beater in a lively community setting.
Cyclone Watch Parties: Dedicated events for Iowa State fans—food, drinks, and team spirit included.
Pool Tables: Challenge your friends or unwind solo with a few rounds of pool in our game area.
Pool Tournaments: Compete for bragging rights and prizes in our regularly hosted pool competitions.
Live Music: Enjoy local talent and acoustic sets that bring energy and soul to your night out.
Live Bands on Occasion: Special nights feature full bands for a more dynamic live music experience.
Concerts: Bigger acts, louder sound, and unforgettable nights—check our calendar for upcoming shows.
Drive Thru: Grab your favorites on the go with our convenient drive-thru service.
Full Service: From drinks to meals, we offer a complete hospitality experience tailored to your needs.
Local Craft Beer: Sip on a curated selection of Iowa’s finest brews—supporting local breweries with every pour.

Our Products include:

Beer
Cold Beer
High End Tequila
Liquor
Top Shelf Alcohol
Top Shelf Whiskey
Wine
Seltzers
Spritzers
Specialize Bomb Shots- Grape Bombs, Cherry Bombs with Monster

Testimonials

On 8/30/2025 Andrea Murray had this to say:
Best bar in iowa

On 8/6/2025 Kirk Magill had this to say:
Live Music Night – Great Venue for Bands! We came here to see a band we love — Sister Sarah — and had a great time! The location is super convenient, just off the interstate in a shopping center. We heard it used to be a bank, and yes — we checked the vault… sadly, no forgotten stacks of cash. 😄 There are multiple entrances — front, back, and side — and from what we observed, the locals seem to use the front while the band crowd tends to come in through the back. Just an observation, but kind of fun! The bar itself is huge and double-sided, which makes getting a drink quick and easy, even when it’s busy. There’s plenty of seating and lots of entertainment options — darts, pool tables, and big TVs. Before the band started, they moved and covered the pool tables to make room for a dance floor, and even turned off the background music and TVs during the show — a nice, respectful touch. We had no problem getting drinks — they were well-priced and served fast, even with a crowd. Every staff member we interacted with was friendly and accommodating. Food options appear to be limited to frozen pizzas, but hey — that’s better than nothing. (And there are several food options just steps away outside the main entrance if you’re looking for more.) The space is surprisingly large and easily handles a crowd while still offering room to dance. Maybe next time we’ll join in! Yes, it still looks a bit like a bank — but it works! Honestly, they should turn the vault into a VIP lounge. That would be amazing. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of our favorite bands playing here. PRO TIP: You can get here easily via back roads too — super handy if you’re avoiding the interstate!

On 8/5/2025 Kirk M. had this to say:
We came here to see a band we like (Sister Sarah). This place is conveniently located just off the interstate and in a shopping center. We are told it used to be a bank, but we checked the vault and sadly no money was left there for us... There are multiple entrances to use - Front, back side... It looks like the locals use the front, and the band lovers use the other doors...just an observation. The bar is very large and double sided which makes it super accessible There is lots of seating and entertainment to be had. Darts, and Pool tables and televisions - they move the pool tables aside and cover them so the band can play and so there is more dance floor. They respectfully shut the music off and the TVs down while the band plays too - nice touch! We were able to walk up to the bar and get nicely priced drinks served very quickly despite how busy they were. All of the employees were very friendly and accomodating. Food looks like it is limited to the frozen pizza, but hey better than nothing. (There are multiple options just outside the front door if you want other food) The place is large and there is pent of room to accomodate a large crowd, and still room to dance! (Maybe next time) It is still obvious it used to be a bank, but it works for a bar. They should turn the Vault into a VIP room! We will keep an eye out for our favorite bands playing here. PRO TIP: Conveniently enough you can also get here using only back roads.

On 7/2/2025 Valerie Kane had this to say:
Great place for drinks & live music with no cover on weekends.

On 4/12/2025 Colby Giudicessi had this to say:
If you love darts amd live music its the place to be.

Contact Us

Back Roads Lounge
8460 Birchwood Ct Suite 900 Johnston, IA 50131
Phone: (515) 331-6611
Email: backroadslounge@gmail.com

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Apple Pay, Android Pay, Personal Checks, Debit Cards, Cash

Our Hours

Holiday Hours May Vary. Please Call For Details.

Monday: 2:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Tuesday: 2:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Wednesday: 2:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Thursday: 2:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Friday: 2:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 2:00 AM

Info

September Events

FAQ

What kind of atmosphere can I expect at Back Roads Lounge?

We're a big neighborhood bar with a laid-back vibe, great acoustics, and a welcoming crowd. Whether you're here for live music, games, or just a cold drink, you'll feel right at home.

What games are available?

We have 7 dart boards and 2 pool tables, perfect for casual play or friendly competition. We also host tournaments—check our calendar for upcoming events!

Do you have happy hour specials?

Yes! We offer daily happy hour specials—great deals on drinks and select menu items. Stop by and see what’s featured today!

What makes your bar layout unique?

Our cool double-sided bar offers seating on both sides, making it easy to grab a drink and chat with friends no matter where you’re sitting.