By Drake Student
Paws and Pints is a dog park with a half bar and grill situated on the south side of Des Moines. Visitors can enjoy a cocktail or burger in the Best Friends Bar while letting their furry friend run around in the large fenced-in dog park. The patio has an inside portion and an outside option to give the dogs more space and allow Paws and Pints to stay open year-round. Large windows on the side of the restaurant ensure the owners can see that their dog stays safe and engaged.
Best Friends Bar
The restaurant isn’t exactly amazing, but I wouldn’t necessarily base my opinion strictly on the food. The restaurant environment feels like the millennial burger places going viral on TikTok. Some of the food seems a bit overpriced for what you would get. A burger alone could cost around $15.00. Seating is also extremely uncomfortable. No seats had padding on them, and at the inside tables, there were what were essentially lawn chairs.
However, they do have an interesting take on cheese curds with their honey glaze topping. Overall, my favorite aspects of the restaurant would have to be the cheese curds and the house sauce that they put over the burgers.
Along with the main bar and restaurant, there is also an additional bar located outside. However, the outside bar is seasonal and only used during the summer months.
Coffee Shop:
Another thing that I find special about this location is the built-in coffee shop. When customers bring their dogs in the morning, they can enjoy a coffee or latte from the connected coffee bar. The coffee shop has more limited hours than the main restaurant, though, as it is only open in the morning and afternoon.
Pet Services:
Beside the main dog park, Paws and Pints offers dog grooming and a new transportation service. Customers can now request that Paws and Pints pick up their animals from their homes and transport them to their appointments. Destinations for this service can range from a day at the dog park or grooming appointment to other doctor appointments off-site.
Dog Park:
Dogs can attend the park only if their owners register an account with Paws and Pints and upload the dog’s veterinarian records for proof of vaccination. Owners can also purchase a day pass or the membership option. While bringing a dog is expensive, entering the park without animals is completely free.
Thoughts:
Paws and Pints is an underrated place in Des Moines for the many things it offers. It’s a great place to get some food and play with dogs. In my experience, it’s a great stress reliever and a great way to get some love from furry friends.
