Gay in des moines
The history of Iowa’s oldest queer bar has been made into a documentary. Here's how to watch
On a typical Friday night at the Blazing Saddle in Des Moines’ East Village, tightly packed bodies crowd around the bar’s main stage, hands poking out from the throng to extend cash tips to performersdressed in flamboyant. It’s the Saddle Gurls & Friends show, and once the artists grab their final incline (or more commonly, dip into their most impressive split), the spotlights slash and the harmony bumps. Bargoers twist the stage into a technicolor boogie floor, strong drinks in hand, staying true to the bar's motto: "Always a double, never a cover."
The Blazing Saddle is Iowa's oldest operating male lover bar. It just celebrated its 40th anniversary. Opened in 1983 by Bob “Mongo” Eikleberry, it’s been referred to as the “Gay Cheers” and has seen Iowa — and the nation — through decades of change for the LGBTQ population: from the commencement — and conclude — of Don't Ask, Don't Say, to the outbreak of the AIDs epidemic, to the legalization of male lover marriage and the more recent passing and signing of anti-LGBTQ laws in the state.
That history will soon be shared in the form of a six-episode carry out
Explore LGBTQ+ Events and Activities
Annual Events
Des Moines Pride Festival
The 46th annual PrideFest will be held June 6 – 8, 2025 in the Historic East Village in Des Moines, Iowa. In previous years, The Des Moines Pride festival welcomed more than 40,000 attendees. To see our Pridefest itineraries, click here.
Pride Walk Des Moines
This annual event goes from the Nomade in the Sculpture Park to the Capital building, via Locust Street. It demonstrates that Pride is a celebration of people coming together in love and friendship. This year’s walk will be on June 1 starting at 6 p.m.
CCP Pride Parade
The highlight of PrideFest is on Sunday, June 8 beginning at Noon. This parade starts at the Iowa State Capital and travels down Grand Avenue into the Historic East Village, full of floats and flags and people all celebrating Pride in Greater Des Moines.
Year-Round Activities
Pride for the Gay community goes beyond one month in June. Capital City Identity festival produces authentic events and activities throughout the year for people to feel safe and welcome under the four pillars of Pride: Com
Bars and Nightlife
Gay Bars and Clubs
Blazing Saddle (416 East 5th Ave), If you’re looking for a kind LGBTQ+ bar in Des Moines, then you’ve set up it! The Saddle is open 365 days a year featuring daily Joyful Hour, Trivia Night every Tuesday, and monthly aid events for non-profits. Additionally, Latin “Nites” and various types of Drag Shows every Wednesday through Sunday. See the Blazing Saddle Calendar of Events.
Buddy's Corral (418 East 5th St) is a mixed, relaxed neighborhood bar with jukebox, karaoke, located next to Blazing Saddle.
The Garden Restaurant & Show Lounge (525 E Grand Ave) is an LGBT+ owned and operated business that is home to a host of amazing talent with an outstanding legacy. The Garden offers a large variety of entertainment and a full kitchen menu.
The Locust Tap (434 E Locust) embodies the word "dive bar" nearly perfectly. Between the years of graffiti on the walls, original tile floor (amongst other things) dating support 60+ years, cheap drinks, and no-frills atmosphere, what you see is what you get. It attracts an incredibly wide variety of clientele. It's tru
Gay Des Moines: Notice All that The Capital City has to Offer
Des Moines, sometimes known as “The Capital City”, is a midwestern city full of diverse and thriving communities, warm and friendly people, and plenty to look and do.
Digging into Des Moines History
Des Moines traces its modern-day history assist to May of 1843, when Captain James Allen supervised construction of a fort at the place where the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers merge. The fort was initially constructed for the purpose of dealing with unrest caused by Native American populations who had been displaced from their area, but stopped organism used for that purpose after the first few years. Eventually, settlers occupied the nearby fort and surrounding areas, and by 1851, Des Moines was officially incorporated as a city. While growth was initially slow, after completion of a railroad line to the area, it rapidly picked up pace. The city’s maturation has continued since that time, and Des Moines is now Iowa’s largest city – a thriving hub of midwestern industry and culture, with a warm and welcoming personality.
Some Fun Truth About Des Moines
- The city was originally called “Fort R