Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co
Perfect for Rehearsal Dinners & Bespoke Beers
Meet the team
- Bob TraderGeneral ManagerWith over a decade of culinary and event experience, including more than 20 years as a chef specializing in high-end event execution at one of Iowa’s top wedding venues, and the past two years serving as General Manager at Court Avenue Brewery, Bob brings a passion for hospitality, precision, and memorable guest experiences to every occasion. His blend of culinary expertise and operational leadership ensures that each event — from intimate dinners to full wedding celebrations — runs seamlessly and leaves a lasting impression.
Reviews
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8/12/25
Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewery in Des Moines, Iowa is a great downtown spot for enjoying a drink in a relaxed, welcoming setting. On our recent visit, we stopped in for a quick drink and were pleasantly surprised by the quality and atmospher...
e. I ordered one of their house-brewed IPA beers, which was crisp, flavorful, and perfectly balanced for IPA lovers. My wife went with a grapefruit mule, which was refreshing, well-mixed, and had just the right amount of citrus zing.
The brewery itself has a beautiful, historic building vibe with high ceilings, exposed brick, and warm lighting that makes it feel both cozy and upscale. The brewing area behind glass is a fun touch — it’s always interesting to see where the beer is actually made while you’re enjoying a pint.
While we didn’t order food this time, the menu offers a wide range of pub favorites, burgers, sandwiches, and locally inspired dishes. Service was friendly and efficient, and despite the State Fair pulling most of the downtown crowd, the staff kept the atmosphere upbeat and welcoming.
Court Avenue is also known for being a great gathering place for friends, date nights, or pre-event drinks before a concert or game. If you’re exploring downtown Des Moines, it’s worth stopping in to try their craft beer, cocktails, and hearty food in a unique, historic setting.
1/04/26
Court Avenue has been one of our favorite places in Des Moines. From the Mug Club to brunch, we are never disappointed. Their staff always go out of their way to take good care of us. We recently took our family for Sunday brunch. The menu was ...
amazing and drinks even better. Highly recommend!
1/10/26
Overall good experience. The Cabro Sandwich had a sauce that was bit blunt and not much flavor. Hummus appetizer was amazing.
1/11/26
Our biggest takeaway was that the happy hour pizza was the best deal. Greasy, delicious and filling for about $7? Excellent.
The Brussels and the the chips with dip were also tasty, but we won’t be coming back for them specifically.
2/16/26
A solid downtown option, likely better if you are a beer connoisseur. They do not have a private lot, so allocate extra time for parking. Average service. Liked my Southwest Bowl with seared salmon. Interior is spacious, easy to have conversati...
ons. They include a 2.75% credit card surcharge.
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