Opening hours
Opening hours not available
We don’t have confirmed opening hours for The Contrary yet.
Typical hours for bars in Des Moines
Most bars in Des Moines open around 3:00 PM and close around 2:00 AM on weekdays; 73% are open on Sundays and 100% stay open until 10 PM or later.
Based on 15 similar places in our guide.
Location & directions
503 East Locust StreetDes Moines, IA 50309
About The Contrary
Located at 503 East Locust Street in Des Moines, Iowa, The Contrary is a bar. It is one of 377 places to eat and drink we list in Des Moines.
Accessibility features: wheelchair accessible.
Quick facts
- Category
- Bar
- Address
- 503 East Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Listing updated
- · Suggest an edit
Popular times (typical for bars)
Bars are usually busiest around 10 PM on Fridays; one of the quieter times is around 4 PM on weekdays.
Based on typical visit patterns and the usual opening hours of bars in Des Moines.
Typical prices for bars across the US
Based on 108 menus with 1,803 priced items from bars across the US, the median menu item costs $10.00, and half of all items are priced between $6.50 and $14.00.
We don’t have The Contrary’s own menu on file yet, so use these figures as a guide to what bars across the US typically charge.
| Item | On menus | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Onion Rings | 20% | $7.00 |
| Cheeseburger | 16% | $9.50 |
| Chicken Strips | 14% | $7.88 |
| Grilled Cheese | 13% | $6.75 |
| Mozzarella Sticks | 13% | $7.37 |
| Blt | 13% | $9.95 |
| Chicken Tenders | 12% | $8.00 |
| Chef Salad | 12% | $12.20 |
Calculated from 108 menus in our guide. Prices vary by location and change over time.
Features & amenities
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
Amenities
- Non-smoking
The neighborhood
Within a 10-minute walk (half a mile) of The Contrary there are 42 other places to eat and drink in our guide, and 108 within one mile. By type, the places within a mile include Bars & Pubs (31), Mexican & Tex-Mex (11), Cafes & Coffee (9), and American (6).
Competition is strong: 20 other bars are within a mile and 31 within three miles. The closest is Locust Tap, < 0.1 mi away.
22 places within a mile stay open until 10 PM or later on at least one night a week.
Nearest places of other kinds
- Burgers & Fast FoodThe Continental< 0.1 mi
- Mexican & Tex-MexBar Nico< 0.1 mi
- Cafes & CoffeeDaisy Chain Coffee< 0.1 mi
- Sandwiches & DelisJimmy John's< 0.1 mi
- ItalianLucca< 0.1 mi
What to expect at a bar
Bars and pubs cover everything from neighborhood dives and sports bars to cocktail lounges, wine bars, brewpubs and taprooms. Many serve food – burgers, wings, pub fare or a full kitchen – while others offer little beyond snacks or host food trucks.
What to order
- Local beer on draft – especially at brewpubs and taprooms
- A house cocktail – cocktail bars often have signature drinks
- Wings or nachos – classic bar food
- Pub burger – often one of the best-value meals in town
Good to know
- Bring a valid photo ID – it may be checked even if you look over 21.
- Kitchens often close earlier than the bar.
- Plan a safe ride home; rideshare pickup points are common outside busy bars.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Where is The Contrary located?
The Contrary is located at 503 East Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309.
Is The Contrary wheelchair accessible?
Listed accessibility features: wheelchair accessible.
What else is near The Contrary?
There are 108 other places to eat and drink within a mile of The Contrary. Nearby options include The Continental (< 0.1 mi), Bar Nico (< 0.1 mi), and Daisy Chain Coffee (< 0.1 mi).
Are there other bars near The Contrary?
20 other bars within a mile. The closest is Locust Tap, < 0.1 mi away.
How much do bars across the US cost?
Based on 108 menus with 1,803 priced items from bars across the US, the median menu item costs $10.00, and half of all items are priced between $6.50 and $14.00.
Nearby places
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