Country bar and restaurant closes on Court Avenue before Thanksgiving
On the eve of its 12th anniversary in Des Moines, Beer Can Alley calls it quits on the Court Avenue Entertainment District.
The country music bar that kept fans boot scootin’ and line dancing to Nashville beats announced that it was closing after service on Thanksgiving eve.
A year ago Beer Can Alley closed at 216 Court Ave., moving into smaller space two blocks west last February.
"As we approach Beer Can Alley’s 12th Birthday this week, it is unfortunately going to be our last in Downtown Des Moines," the restaurant's Facebook page announced. "While we are very happy with our product & food, it just hasn’t worked out with the change in venue. We’ve been beyond blessed to have spent the last 12 years with everyone, and have a ton of great memories."
The restaurant owners have no plans to open a new location in Des Moines, they wrote on Facebook.
Ted Hawley opened the bar with his cousin Rodney “Pete” Bell and the two named it for a little dirt road where everyone went to drink beer outside Vail, Iowa, their hometown.
While the new space took up a smaller footprint, it gave country artists a chance to perform on a small stage by the entrance, much like the honky-tonks of Nashville.
The new location also brought a food menu with pizza and wings, fried pickles and totchos, breaded pork tenderloins and burgers.
Where is Beer Can Alley located?
Location: 409 Court Ave., Des Moines
Contact: 515-243-0684 or facebook.com/beercanalleydsm
Hours: Open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Beer Can Alley closes months after moving down Des Moines’ Court Avenue
