Entry No. 14 — the Des Moines file — filed under: speakeasy
Good News, Darling
A tiny, moody, no-signage cocktail parlor hidden directly behind Hello, Marjorie. With only 26 seats and its own unmarked door, a host escorts you to the back for intricate modern and classic cocktails built on premium spirits. Note: it's slated to move and rebrand as 'Nothing Major' in the Equitable Building in summer 2026, so this exact secret-parlor version is on borrowed time.
The move: Tuck into the back room before it disappears: sit at the bar, tell the bartender your spirit and mood, and let them build you something off-menu. The 26-seat intimacy makes it a quiet, conspiratorial first-date kind of night.
📍 Before you go There's no street door to hunt for: walk into Hello, Marjorie at 717 Locust St in downtown Des Moines and tell the hostess stand you're headed to the parlor in back, and they'll lead you through. It's a drinks-only spot, and the lounge runs on reservations that open later in the week, so booking ahead is the safer play; if you're feeling lucky, ask the Hello, Marjorie host about a walk-in seat. Downtown garages and the skywalk make parking easy on weeknights. Pair it with dinner at Hello, Marjorie out front. Heads-up: a move and rebrand is on the horizon, so confirm it's still the secret-parlor version before you go.
- 📍 Downtown (Locust St)
- 💸 $$$
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 717 Locust St, Des Moines, IA
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: desmoinesgirl.com · Axios
last checked: 2026-06-06