Where can I hear live music in Grimes?

The most regular live music in Grimes is the summer series on Destination Grille's rooftop terrace (2491 E 1st St, 515-355-1153): Thursdays, 6 to 9 p.m., with local acts from acoustic sets to full bands. The 2026 lineup ran from May through September 3 and included Mike Moody & the Outlaws, The Schmids, Kelsie James, Haywire, and Velvet. The terrace is enclosed and heated in winter, but the music is a warm-weather thing, so watch the restaurant's site in spring for next year's dates.

The local bars

Grimes's downtown bars, Uptown Bar and Grill, Sips on Main, Stevie C's, and Pour Choices, are the spots to catch a local musician or a weekend crowd. Live-music nights are not on a fixed published schedule, so check each bar's Facebook page for what is on this week. What we found when we looked:

• Uptown posts a weekly calendar, but it is DJ trivia (Mondays, 7 p.m.) and DJ bingo (Sundays, 5 p.m.), not bands.
• Sips on Main had live music at its one-year anniversary party in October 2025, per the Chamber's event listing.
• Pour Choices booked a local band in its first months and said it wanted more music without a set schedule, per a 2020 Cityview write-up.

What is the nearest concert venue to Grimes?

Vibrant Music Hall, Waukee

Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee (2938 Grand Prairie Pkwy, 515-895-4980) is the closest large concert venue, hosting national touring acts, with a pit and a balcony. It is an easy drive from Grimes and the best bet when you want a proper show. Coming up on its calendar: Rodney Carrington (comedy, Nov 5), Sabaton (Nov 25), The Temptations (Jan 7, 2027), Hairball (Jan 22), and Dylan Scott (Jan 23). Tickets go through Ticketmaster.

• Ages: all ages unless the show says otherwise. Kids 2 and under get in free on a lap; no strollers.
• Bags: no bigger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, and every bag is searched.
• Parking: $15 general, card or mobile pay only.
• Box office: east side of the building, Thursdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from September to May, and two hours before doors on show days. Doors usually open an hour before the show.

Val Air Ballroom, West Des Moines

Val Air Ballroom (301 Ashworth Rd, West Des Moines) started as an outdoor dance venue in the 1940s and now hosts a range of touring and local acts. Coming up: Rock4Vets (Nov 11), The Prince Experience (Nov 14), Yung Gravy (Nov 23), PetRock (Dec 5), and The Pork Tornadoes on New Year's Eve.

Neighborhood bar stages

A recent edition of the metro's weekly live-music roundup listed bars in the towns next door, including Back Roads Lounge and Doc's Lounge in Johnston and Poncho's Friendly Confines, Kenny's Garage, and Mickey's Irish Pub in Waukee.

How do I find live music near Grimes this week?

• The weekly list: the Greater Des Moines Partnership posts Live Music This Week in DSM every week, listing acts and venues across the metro.
• Venue calendars: Vibrant Music Hall's site and First Fleet Concerts' Val Air page.
• Grimes bars: their Facebook pages, since that is where one-off music nights get announced.
• Summer: Destination Grille's live music page for the rooftop lineup.

Live music near Grimes: FAQ

Where can I hear live music in Grimes, Iowa?

Destination Grille's rooftop terrace (2491 E 1st St) hosts local acts on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. in summer. The SE Main Street bars, Uptown Bar and Grill, Sips on Main, Stevie C's, and Pour Choices, sometimes host local acts. Check each bar's Facebook page, as there is no fixed schedule.

What is the nearest concert venue to Grimes?

Vibrant Music Hall in neighboring Waukee (2938 Grand Prairie Pkwy) is the closest large concert venue, hosting national touring acts, and it is a short drive from Grimes.

How much is parking at Vibrant Music Hall?

General parking is $15, paid by card or mobile pay only, per the venue's visitor page. Premier parking prices vary by show.

Does Destination Grille have live music?

Yes, in summer. Its 2026 rooftop series ran Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m., from May through September 3, with a rotating lineup of local acts.

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