Welcome to The Blazing Saddle
Where it's ALWAYS a double and NEVER a cover!
416 E 5th St. - Des Moines, IA
Welcome to The Blazing Saddle
Where it's ALWAYS a double and NEVER a cover!
416 E 5th St. - Des Moines, IA
About Us
Welcome to the LEGENDARY Blazing Saddle!
If you’re looking for a friendly LGBTQIA+ bar in the Capital City then you’ve found it! The Blazing Saddle is the oldest gay bar in Des Moines and has been known as the Gay “Cheers” since we opened in 1983. The Saddle (as most people call it) is open 365 days a year without fail so you always have somewhere to go. We offer Happy Hour from 2 pm to 8 pm every Monday through Friday and Charity Beer Busts every Sunday raising money for various non-profits and events. We have Trivia Night every Wednesday, and Latin Nites and Drag Shows on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Our motto is “Never a Cover and Always a Double” so come on in and enjoy.
Our History
Bob “Mongo” Eikleberry opened the Saddle in October of 1983 in what is now considered Des Moines’ East Village. At the time, it was a struggling, decayed part of downtown with few businesses and not much activity. Now we sit as a cornerstone of the Historic East Village of Des Moines!