Akebono 515
Downtown, Des Moines
Bar in Des Moines, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Bottle-Depth Cocktail Focus
Why go
Akebono 515 is a downtown Des Moines bar with a Japanese-inflected identity and a cocktail program that sets it apart from the Court Avenue crowd. Booking is easy and walk-ins are realistic most nights. If you've been once and haven't properly worked through the drinks list, that's the reason to go back.
About Akebono 515
Worth Booking in Des Moines?
If you've already been to Akebono 515 once, the question on your second visit is whether the drinks program alone justifies the return trip. In the Des Moines bar scene, where Captain Roy's leans into dive-bar accessibility and Centro trades on its Italian-leaning patio crowd, Akebono 515 occupies a more focused position at 215 10th St in the Court Avenue corridor; a spot that draws a deliberately different kind of drinker.
The address places it squarely in downtown Des Moines, within easy reach of the convention center hotels and the city's walkable core. That's a logistical plus: you don't need a plan to end up here, which helps explain its reputation as a venue that rewards regulars. If you came once for the atmosphere and left without working through the cocktail list, that's the gap worth closing on visit two. A bar's cocktail program is usually where you find out whether a venue has genuine ambition or is just playing the part; and Akebono 515's Japanese-inflected name signals a specific aesthetic intention that the drinks should either deliver on or fall short of. Based on its positioning in the downtown market, it's aiming at the former.
Booking here is easy, this isn't Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu or Jewel of the South in New Orleans, where seats require planning days in advance. Walk-in availability is realistic on most nights, though a weekend downtown crowd can fill the room faster than the week suggests. If you're coming as a pair for a specific night, a quick call or check of their current booking method before you head out is reasonable precaution rather than hard necessity. For a spirits-forward alternative with a similarly curated program, Julep in Houston gives you a useful benchmark for what a cocktail bar with real editorial intent looks like at its ceiling.
For the regular visitor: come on a quieter weeknight if conversation matters, order beyond your comfort zone on the cocktail list, treat the Japanese-influenced naming as a directional cue for what the bar is trying to do. Des Moines has options, see our full Des Moines bars guide, but Akebono 515 is worth holding in rotation. Also worth cross-referencing: our Des Moines restaurants guide, hotels guide, wineries guide, and experiences guide if you're building a full night out.
Planning details
- Location
- 215 10th St Suite 120, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Website
- akebono515.com
- Phone
- +1 515 244 5972
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Akebono 515 reads like a focused cocktail destination rather than a neighborhood walk-in. Housed in a suite off the street, it cultivates a quiet, specialist atmosphere where the back bar and bottle depth take center stage. The writing positions it alongside other local bars that push standards upward, and it favors substance over showmanship: you come here for curated spirits, discipline of program, and repeat discoveries rather than loud nightlife energy. The overall tone is deliberate and refined—an understated option for drinkers who care about selection and the craft of cocktails.
Best For
This is a place for deliberate drinking: guests who plan their nights around serious spirits and collectors’ bottles will find it rewarding. Because the bar is a destination rather than a streetfront grab, it suits people who arrive with intent—regulars who value depth of selection, small groups who want a composed drinking experience, and couples seeking a quieter cocktail-focused outing. The copy frames Akebono 515 as part of a higher tier of bars in Des Moines, making it a pick for locals in the know and visitors chasing the city’s more curated drinking scenes.
Ordering Tips
Given the emphasis on a 'spirits-first identity' and a back bar that 'rewards return visits,' prioritize drinks that showcase the collection: ask the bartender about unusual bottles, limited-release spirits, or curated classics from the back bar. Skip loud, showy formats and lean into spirit-led cocktails or neat pours that let the selection speak. Because the program favors depth over breadth, bartenders are likely to be able to recommend bottles or off-menu pours worth exploring—mention your preference and let them guide you through the deeper parts of the list.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, upscale, and airy atmosphere with metro vibe and Japanese inspired art.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Format
Accessibility
At the Bar
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Captain Roy's; Notable alternative
- Centro; Notable alternative
- Clyde's Fine Diner; Notable alternative
- F&O's / Felix and Oscars; Notable alternative
- Jasper Winery; Notable alternative
Bar context
How It Compares
Against Clyde's Fine Diner, which leans into a retro diner-bar format with broader food appeal, Akebono 515 is the better pick if you're coming specifically for the cocktail program rather than a meal. Clyde's wins on food-first occasions; Akebono 515 wins when the drinks are the point of the evening.
F&O;'s / Felix and Oscars is the easier crowd-pleaser for larger groups; more room, more noise tolerance, a format that handles varied preferences well. Akebono 515 is better suited to a pair or a small group with a shared interest in what the bar is doing, rather than a party that needs maximum flexibility.
For the most interesting night out in Des Moines if cocktails are your measure, Akebono 515 and Centro are the two venues worth comparing directly. Centro brings more versatility on the food side; Akebono 515 is the more focused choice if a considered drinks list is what you're paying for. Both are easy to book. Go to Akebono 515 when you want a bar that takes the cocktail program seriously; go to Centro when you want the full evening covered under one roof.
Explore Des Moines
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Akebono 515 guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Akebono 515
| Venue | Awards | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Akebono 515 | No published awards | Easy |
| Captain Roy's | No published awards | Unknown |
| Centro | No published awards | Unknown |
| Clyde's Fine Diner | No published awards | Unknown |
| F&O's / Felix and Oscars | No published awards | Unknown |
| Jasper Winery | No published awards | Unknown |
What to weigh when choosing between Akebono 515 and alternatives.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation at Akebono 515?
For a weekday visit to Akebono 515 at 215 10th St, walk-ins are likely manageable, but weekend evenings in downtown Des Moines fill quickly at spots this size. Check ahead before showing up with a group. If booking isn't available online, calling ahead is your safest move given the suite-style layout at Suite 120.
Is Akebono 515 good for groups?
Small-to-mid-size groups of 4-6 are the sweet spot here. The Suite 120 address suggests a contained space, so large parties of 8 or more should confirm capacity directly before committing. For bigger group outings in Des Moines, Jasper Winery offers more flexible event space.
Does Akebono 515 have happy hour deals?
Happy hour specifics aren't confirmed in available venue data for Akebono 515, so contact them directly before planning a post-work visit. Downtown Des Moines competitors like F&O;'s / Felix and Oscars have more publicly documented happy hour programs if that's a firm priority.
Is Akebono 515 good for a date?
Yes, with caveats. The drinks-forward positioning and downtown Des Moines address at 215 10th St make it a credible date-night pick for a first or second outing. It works better as a drinks stop than a full dinner date given the format, so pair it with a nearby dinner reservation for a complete evening.
Is the food good at Akebono 515?
Food specifics aren't documented for Akebono 515, which points to a venue where the drinks are the main draw, not the kitchen. If a strong food program is your priority, Centro in Des Moines is a more reliable choice. Treat Akebono 515 as a drinks destination and calibrate expectations accordingly.
What's the crowd like at Akebono 515?
Located in downtown Des Moines's 10th Street corridor, Akebono 515 draws an after-work and evening crowd typical of the area; professionals, local regulars, date-nighters rather than a tourist-heavy or loud late-night scene. The Suite 120 setting keeps the scale intimate.
What's the signature drink at Akebono 515?
No specific signature drinks are confirmed in the venue record, but the drinks program is the core reason locals return here. Ask the bar staff directly when you arrive; at a drinks-led venue of this type, the bartenders will have strong opinions on what to order.
