Entry No. 16 — the Des Moines file — filed under: speakeasy
Alleged Lee's
A funky little East Village speakeasy decorated with art from Iowa's Prohibition years and anchored by an ornate 130-year-old hand-carved bar salvaged from a Pittsburgh ballroom. Dim, swanky, and stocked with a deep whiskey and bourbon list, it leans into the speakeasy ambiance while also hosting live music, karaoke, and pool.
The story
When the owners of Quinton's Bar & Deli renovated their East Grand Avenue space, they didn't just paint the walls—they chopped the footprint in half and carved out Alleged Lee's. The speakeasy label is a bit of front-end theatre; you won't need to recite a passcode to a dry cleaner or pull a fake book off a shelf. You just walk right in off the sidewalk. Step across the threshold, though, and the room flips the switch to Iowa's illicit past, wrapped in Prohibition-era art and cast in deep shadow.
The physical anchor of the room is an ornate, 130-year-old hand-carved bar rescued from a defunct ballroom in Pittsburgh. Behind that heavy, dark wood counter rests a collection of more than 200 whiskies and bourbons, making it one of the deepest brown-liquor stocks in the state. It's built for leaning in close and keeping your voice down.
What makes the place distinct is its refusal to stick to standard quiet-lounge decorum. One evening you can sit quietly beside antique carved mahogany over a pour of small-batch rye, and the next you'll walk straight into a pool game, live set, or a full room belt-singing late-night karaoke.
What it's like
Don't waste ten minutes searching the alley for a hidden latch. Alleged Lee's has a front door right on East Grand Avenue and a small outdoor patio. The trick is timing: arrive after dark when the lights go low and the dark-wood aesthetic takes over. Nab a stool directly at the 130-year-old ballroom bar and ask the bartender to steer you through their 200-plus whiskey collection. Just keep in mind that the vibe shifts rapidly depending on the day—you might get a quiet, dim cocktail hour or end up in a lively night of pool and karaoke.
The move: Post up at the 130-year-old salvaged bar with a couple of whiskeys, then stick around for whatever's on that night, live music or a karaoke duet if you're feeling brave.
📍 Before you go You will find it on E Grand Ave in the East Village, the walkable strip of shops, bars, and restaurants just east of the river and downtown, so it pairs easily with dinner or a stroll. It shares a building with Quinton's Bar and Deli under the same owner, who split the original space; despite the speakeasy framing, it now has a street-facing front door and a small patio, so there is no hidden entrance to hunt for. Inside it stays intimate, dim, and nightlife-leaning, best after dark. Live music, karaoke, and pool rotate by the night, so check what is on before you build the evening around it.
- 📍 East Village
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 510 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA
Pair it with
- Ken's - a not so secret speakeasy — Double down on hidden-vibe drinks by heading two blocks west to Ken's basement hideout beneath the Iowa Taproom.
- Up-Down Des Moines — Trade moody Prohibition decor and top-shelf bourbon for 25-cent skee-ball and retro arcade cabinets a block down the street.
- The Dust Collective — Browse curated vintage goods and local oddities down the street before stepping into Alleged Lee's after the sun goes down.
Good to know
Is there a secret door or hidden entrance?
No. Despite the speakeasy branding, Alleged Lee's has a plain-as-day front door and a street-facing patio on East Grand Avenue.
Where did the carved wooden bar come from?
The 130-year-old hand-carved wooden bar was salvaged from an old ballroom in Pittsburgh and reassembled inside.
How many whiskies do they actually stock?
The bar carries over 200 varieties of whiskey and bourbon behind the counter.
What is the entertainment schedule like?
It rotates night-by-night between live music performances, organized karaoke, and open pool table play.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Axios · speakeasymap.com · desmoinesregister.com
last checked: 2026-06-06