11 places to throw an adult birthday party in Des Moines

All birthdays are worth celebrating! But why should the kids have all the fun?

Just because you aren’t a kid anymore doesn’t mean you can’t throw a fun-tastic birthday party. There’s plenty of fun to be had whether you are celebrating your 21st birthday, your 40th, your 70th, or any birthday in between. 

Whether you are looking to throw a more conventional party (bring on the cake, drinks, and presents) or you are looking for an option that adds a unique twist to your special day, we’ve got you covered. (Can we consider this as our gift to you?!).

Here are just a few ideas of happening spots around the Des Moines area where you can host a birthday party fit for a really fun grown-up and their friends. You’ll usher in another trip around the sun in style. 

Wellman’s Pub and Rooftop and Wellman’s Pub Ingersoll

597 Market St., West Des Moines & 2920 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines

(515) 245-9737

Wellman’s (either on Ingersoll or in West Des Moines) is a great spot to gather your besties to toast your birthday. Their outdoor spaces are a hit in summertime. Indoors, you’ll find plenty of room to belly up the bar and catch your favorite sporting event on the big screen. Wellman’s Rooftop can be reserved for special events so give them a call and get ready to order your favorite adult beverage. 

Smash Park

6625 Coachlight Dr., West Des Moines

(515) 313-0700

If you are looking to get physically active for your new birthday celebration, check out Smash Park. There are lots of options from just showing up with a group of friends to reserving your own patio space, indoor cabana, or even the entire venue. There’s plenty to keep you busy while you are there: pickleball, electronic darts, ax throwing and arcade games. There are also yard games, including bocce ball and shuffleboard, outside. And tasty food and drinks to top it all off. 

Up-Down Arcade Bar

500 East Locust St, Des Moines

(515) 243-4322

If old-school games are your thing, then Up-Down Arcade Bar is a fun spot for a birthday bash. There are pinball machines and skeeball (who doesn’t love skeeball?!) along with a whole host (more than 60!) of other arcade games like Mortal Kombat, Pac-Man, and so much more. There are daily drink and game specials as well and you can choose from a variety of bar options including hosted, open, or cash for your special day and special guests.

Ricochet

400 Locust St. Suite 105, Des Moines

(515) 410-1323

Another gaming option in Des Moines is Ricochet. From board games and bubble hockey to foosball and skeeball, this hot spot is packed with grown-up adventures. Other options that can be added to your party plan include ping pong, shuffleboard, pool, and darts. They host small group events or have party packages to choose from. They make the planning easy when you are looking to guarantee some birthday fun. 

Breakout Games

3763 86th St., Urbandale

(515) 414- 8760

For a different kind of team experience, check out an escape room with a few of your closest friends. Breakout Games in Urbandale offers several different escape room scenarios that will challenge your buddies to work together and solve a puzzle. Afterward, you may go grab a bite to eat to discuss and laugh about your ability (or inability) to escape. 

K1 Speed

1350 SE Gateway Dr. #108, Grimes 

(855) 517-7333

If the competitive spirit is feeling stronger than the cooperative spirit, check out K1 Speed for a little birthday fun. This indoor go-kart race track in Grimes is a spot that will have you celebrating in a speedy way. Group packages are available for eight or more racers. There’s food and reserved seating for you post-race as well, and the awards ceremony includes ribbons for the top three racers. It’s one activity that’s sure to get your adrenaline pumping. 

Des Moines Botanical Center

909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines

(515) 323-6290

For something completely different, you might look into surrounding yourself with the beauty of the Des Moines Botanical Center for your birthday festivities. The Botanical Center offers private event rentals or you could plan to meet up with friends to wander around the conservatory and gardens to take in the natural beauty right along the Des Moines River. 

Glazed Expressions

8826 Swanson Blvd., Clive & 1315 SW Oralabor Rd., Ankeny

(515) 224-4700 & (515) 264-5600

If you want to tap into your creative side to celebrate another trip around the sun, check out Glazed Expressions. With locations in Clive and Ankeny, this is a great spot to take a group of friends for a night of crafting, chatting and celebrating. They have party rooms available to reserve for groups of eight or more for three hours of ceramics fun. You’ll each pick out your own piece of pottery to paint then it will be glazed and ready for you to enjoy as a birthday memento for years to come. 

Let’s Roam Birthday Scavenger Hunt

For a truly unique and surprising birthday experience, consider getting a group of friends together and doing the Let’s Roam Birthday Scavenger Hunt. This day of fun is app-guided and will send you and friends all around the city looking for clues as you make (and snap pictures of) awesome memories. You’ll be sightseeing around the city while enjoying quality time with some of your favorite people. It takes 1-2 hours and can include anywhere from two to twenty people. You can even add in some personalized birthday trivia for extra fun. 

Cirque Wonderland

105 S. 11th St. West Des Moines

(515) 783-3338

Another unique birthday experience can happen at Cirque Wonderland in West Des Moines. This studio is Iowa’s premier circus training facility with classes in ground acrobatics, static trapeze, aerial hoop, aerial fabric, cirque fitness, and aerial flexibility. Private parties, which encourage you to “slip out of the ordinary,” are available with aerial and non-aerial options depending on your comfort level, no previous experience necessary. 

Animal Rescue League of Iowa

5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines

(515) 262-9503

This is a great option if you feel like giving back for your birthday. And especially fitting if you are an animal lover. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa has several birthday party package options including up to 25 people in your event. There’s a Birthday Brunch full of “meow”-mosas, bagels and pastries, and hanging out with an adoptable pet and supporting the ARL. You can also host a private Yappy Hour, including beer and pizza and a 30-minute visit from an adoptable pet. Plus, all proceeds support the work of ARL. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.