Entry No. 17 — the Des Moines file — filed under: speakeasy
In Confidence
“a clear glass knob on what looks like an ordinary kitchen cabinet”
A blind-tiger speakeasy in the basement of the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines. The entrance is the trick: a clear glass knob on what looks like an ordinary kitchen cabinet near the ground-floor Hobnob coffee/wine bar, where a waiter opens the secret door and walks you down. Inside it's Roaring '20s with a whimsical Alice-in-Wonderland streak: exposed brick, velvet chairs, ornate rugs, a cuckoo-style clock, and a curated wine and cocktail list.
The story
The Hotel Fort Des Moines has anchored the corner of 10th and Walnut since 1919, hosting its share of presidents and Prohibition-era secrets over the decades. To find its hidden cellar bar, you bypass the main lobby seating and head straight toward Hobnob, the hotel's ground-floor coffee and wine counter. Tucked into the wall near the counter sits what appears to be a basic, glass-knobbed kitchen cabinet.
Pulling that cabinet knob doesn't reveal coffee beans or extra china. Instead, a host steps up to unlatch the cabinet's false back, opening a secret doorway that leads you down a staircase into the hotel basement. The space below pairs classic 1920s blind-tiger details—exposed brick, dark wood, velvet chairs, and heavy rugs—with an odd Alice-in-Wonderland motif, anchored by a cuckoo-style clock and subtle rabbit accents.
Because the subterranean footprint is intentionally small, the atmosphere stays quiet and focused on curated wines and Prohibition-style cocktails. You didn't hear it from us, but watching your date's reaction when a waiter pulls open a kitchen cabinet to reveal a basement stairwell is worth the trip alone.
What it's like
Walk into the hotel lobby at 1000 Walnut Street, head toward Hobnob, and let the host work the glass cabinet knob to reveal the hidden staircase. The basement lounge is small and fills up fast later in the week, so reserve a table via OpenTable in advance, especially on nights featuring live music. Expect low ceilings, dim lighting, heavy velvet seating, and a tight menu of cocktails and wine. If the weather is rough, you can reach the hotel directly through the downtown skywalk system.
The move: Have an early drink at Hobnob upstairs, then let the host reveal the cabinet door, the look on your date's face is the whole point. Settle into the velvet chairs downstairs and order off the curated wine list under the cuckoo clock.
📍 Before you go It lives in the basement of the Hotel Fort Des Moines at 1000 Walnut St, right in the downtown core. There is no separate street door — walk into the ground-floor lobby toward the Hobnob coffee and wine bar and let a host work the glass-knobbed cabinet. The room is small and leans evenings later in the week, so reservations are smart, especially on a weekend or any night with live music. Park in the garage behind the hotel or a nearby downtown ramp; the hotel ties into the climate-controlled skywalk if the weather turns. The Court Avenue district is a short walk for dinner or a nightcap after.
- 📍 Downtown (Hotel Fort Des Moines)
- 💸 $$$
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1000 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA
Hours: Reported open Thursday-Saturday; some nights live music or private events
Pair it with
- Good News, Darling — Double down on hidden doors by walking two blocks north to this 26-seat cocktail parlor concealed behind Hello, Marjorie.
- 'Nature's Algorithm' Augmented-Reality Mural by Leon Keer — Walk two blocks down Walnut Street to view an 8,000-square-foot mural of vintage televisions that comes to life on your phone screen before going underground.
- The Haunt — Trade '20s velvet and wine lists for underground horror vibes three blocks away inside a year-round haunted attraction.
Good to know
How do I actually get inside In Confidence?
Walk into the Hotel Fort Des Moines lobby at 1000 Walnut St, head toward the Hobnob coffee and wine bar, and tell the host you are going down to In Confidence. They will unlatch the clear-knobbed kitchen cabinet door that opens onto the basement stairs.
Do I need reservations?
Yes, reservations via OpenTable are highly recommended. The basement room is small, and walk-in space vanishes quickly on Friday and Saturday nights or when live music is scheduled.
Where should I park?
Park in the garage located directly behind the hotel or in a nearby downtown parking ramp. The hotel is also connected to the climate-controlled downtown skywalk system.
What days is In Confidence open?
The lounge generally operates Thursday through Saturday evenings, though hours can shift for private events.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: urban-plains.com · dmcityview.com · Official site · hotelfortdesmoines.com · opentable.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-06