Best Transgender Bars and Clubs in Des Moines
Des Moines has a genuine, walkable LGBTQ+ nightlife scene anchored in its Historic East Village and Court District neighborhoods — and the good news for trans locals is that several of those venues actively host drag programming and carry a reputation for being genuinely inclusive, not just nominally so. There are no dedicated trans-only bars here, which is true of most mid-size American cities, but the queer bars that do exist tend to run deep on community and tend to attract a mixed LGBTQ+ crowd where trans patrons are a normal, expected part of the room.
The Des Moines Trans Scene
The Des Moines River separates the two downtown neighborhoods with the most LGBTQ+ nightlife — East Village and the Court District — but it is easy to get between them. Downtown Des Moines gay bars and pubs offer up some classic Americana alongside community favorites like drag shows and leather or bear subculture nights. The trans community here plugs primarily into two anchor venues — The Blazing Saddle and The Garden — both within a few blocks of each other in the East Village. Des Moines has not reached the point of having full dedicated trans bars, but drag shows at The Garden Nightclub and Wednesday-through-Sunday drag programming at The Blazing Saddle are where trans community members most reliably find their people. Beyond the bars, the Capital City Pride calendar and the Des Moines Pride Center carry trans-specific programming that extends community connection well beyond closing time.
Top Transgender Bars and Clubs for Des Moines Locals
The Blazing Saddle
Type: LGBTQ+ bar with regular drag programming
Location: 416 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Features: The Blazing Saddle is the oldest gay bar in Des Moines and has been known as the gay "Cheers" since it opened in 1983. The bar offers happy hour every day and trivia night every Tuesday, holds monthly charity events for nonprofits, and runs Latin Nights and various types of drag shows Wednesdays through Sundays. The crowd skews mixed LGBTQ+ and is considered one of the most consistently trans-welcoming rooms in the city.
Website: https://www.theblazingsaddle.com
The Garden Restaurant and Show Lounge
Type: LGBTQ+-owned drag venue and restaurant
Location: 525 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Features: Voted Des Moines' best nightclub by People's Choice in 2023 and 2024, The Garden has been serving the community for nearly 40 years and offers several unique drag shows, drag brunches, and a rooftop patio bar. The Garden is particularly renowned for its drag shows, with patrons highlighting how safe and welcomed they feel in the space. The full kitchen menu and daytime brunch format make it accessible to trans patrons who want a community atmosphere without a late-night setting.
Website: https://www.grdn.com
The Locust Tap
Type: Queer-adjacent dive bar
Location: 434 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Features: The Locust Tap embodies the term "dive bar" nearly perfectly, with years of graffiti on the walls, an original tile floor dating back 60-plus years, cheap drinks, and a no-frills atmosphere. It sits in the LGBTQ+ nightlife corridor of East Village, draws a queer-friendly mixed crowd, and is a solid low-key option for trans patrons who prefer a bar without a cover charge or performance format.
Buddy's Corral
Type: LGBTQ+ neighborhood bar
Location: 418 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Features: Buddy's Corral is a mixed, relaxed neighborhood bar with a jukebox and karaoke, located next to the Blazing Saddle. Affordable drinks, karaoke, and friendly patrons make it a popular local hangout; it is one of the few cash-only bars in Des Moines, and crowds are usually a mix of straight, gay, and lesbian clientele. Note that reports as of late 2024 indicate the bar may have closed — Buddy's Corral was reported to have closed in 2024 — so confirm before making it a destination.
Rook Room Game Lounge and Cafe (LGBTQ+ Game Nights)
Type: LGBTQ+-friendly social venue with organized queer nights
Location: Des Moines, IA
Features: Capital City Pride has partnered with the Rook Room Game Lounge and Cafe for LGBTQ+ game nights. This is a sober-optional, all-ages-friendly format that gives trans community members a structured social setting without the bar environment — useful for those who are new to Des Moines or prefer community connection without alcohol.
Website: https://capitalcitypride.org
What to Expect
Most nights at Des Moines' queer venues start relatively low-key — happy hour at the Saddle is genuinely low-pressure, good for solo arrivals or first-timers. Drag shows at both The Blazing