Live Music in Des Moines: Best Venues, Bands & Upcoming Shows

Wooly's: Standing-Room Energy in the East Village

At 504 East Locust Street, Wooly’s is an East Village music venue with a varied concert calendar. Most shows use general-admission standing, while some have booths or tables. Read the seating information for your performance rather than assuming a chair comes with admission.

Wooly’s does not serve food, so plan your meal separately from the show. Age limits depend on the event. If you need an accessible viewing arrangement, contact the box office before choosing your tickets. The venue guide brings those practical details together.

xBk Live: Intimate Listening Room Near Drake

xBk Live, at 1159 24th Street in Drake Dogtown, describes itself as a small performing-arts listening room. It offers a different scale from a large auditorium. Check the event’s admission details for its particular setup instead of treating general admission as a seat reservation.

The venue is all ages, with identification required for alcohol. Its main floor and accessible restrooms are accessible, but the mezzanine requires stairs. If an upper-level location would not work for you, discuss your needs with the venue before purchasing.

Hoyt Sherman Place: Historic Theater on Sherman Hill

The theater at Hoyt Sherman Place has 1,252 seats across the main floor and balcony. Its address is 1501 Woodland Avenue in Sherman Hill. Concerts share the calendar with comedy, dance and spoken-word performances.

Built in 1923 and restored in 2003, the theater is part of a property that also includes a mansion and gallery. A concert ticket concerns the performance and its stated admission terms; it should not be treated as an invitation to tour every space. Compare the seating chart with the section on your ticket.

Des Moines Civic Center: Touring Headliners and Symphony

At 221 Walnut Street, the Des Moines Civic Center hosts concerts, touring Broadway and special presentations. It is also home to the Des Moines Symphony. Its Main Hall has 2,762 seats.

Stoner Theater is a separate black-box room inside the same building. Temple Theater is a different venue. Check the room name as well as the presenting organization when making your plans.

DMPA offers wheelchair seating, assistive listening and selected interpreted or audio-described performances. Contact 515-246-2300 or [email protected] about the specific date you are considering.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Night

If you want to stand for a band, compare Wooly’s event details with the standing format you have in mind. If a smaller room appeals to you, look through xBk’s calendar. For an auditorium setting, compare Hoyt Sherman Place and the Civic Center.

Make the choice around your group’s needs: a seat, space to stand, an accessible location or a particular performer. These questions are more useful than choosing by building size alone. Use the concert calendar when your date matters more than your venue.

What to Know Before You Go

Read the event page for its start time and any separately stated door time. Check age guidance for everyone attending, and distinguish the performer from a tribute act or themed production when comparing titles.

For parking, bags and re-entry, use the venue’s current visitor information. Keep the ticket confirmation handy and agree on the correct address before your group sets out. The concert listings let you compare other dates if tonight’s selection does not fit.

Before you head out

Questions, answered