By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com
Eddy’s Sports Bar
The biggest bar in Marquisville
While driving down 14th Street and heading north out of Des Moines, you’ll
pass through a number of blink-and-you’ll-miss-them small towns before
hitting Ankeny. Even though they are tiny, that doesn’t mean the people
don’t know how to have fun, which is exactly what you’ll find at
the largest bar in Marquisville, Eddy’s Sports Bar.
“
I’ve owned this place for more than seven years,” said Steve “Eddy” Edwards. “Before
I took it over it was Elda’s, and it’s been a neighborhood bar
for more than 30 years.”
Although the bar looks small from the outside, step through doors and you’ll
find plenty of room at the L-shaped bar or on the all season smoking patio
(which is heated and drinks are allowed). Before the change in ownership,
the building was a little rough.
“
When I took it over, the place had no windows and no patio. There was nothing
here, and I think people were scared to stop in,” he said. “I
opened it all up, and the old customers were amazed at the changes.”
Along with being the biggest bar in a tiny town, Edwards points out that
they have a few things on the walls that no other establishment has.
“
We have an old west mural in one room, and we’re the only bar with
a sprint car on the wall,” he laughs.
It’s easy to see that Eddy’s is a race bar by looking at the
numerous racing memorabilia spread throughout.
“
We’re a big race bar, and even though we’re not open on Sundays,
we’ll open for the Daytona 500 and the final race of the season,” Edwards
said. “We also get quite a few Iowa Hawkeye fans stopping in for the
games. We’ll usually run specials during races and football games.”
The patrons stopping in runs the gauntlet from lawyers to union workers.
“
We have a great group of regulars, but new people stop in throughout the
week,” Edwards said. “We get everybody from blue collar to white
collar, and they all have a great time.”
Happy Hour takes place Monday through Friday, from 4 to 6 p.m. Patrons can
enjoy $2.50 wells and domestic bottles. Stop in during the week for daily
specials including $3 Captain Morgan drinks on Wednesday, $2.50 bottles and
wells on Thursday and $3 Captain drinks on Friday. On any given night, the
shots are flowing.
“
We have some great customers who are always trying to come up with some new
shots,” said bartender Jana Parsons. “Usually they end up tasting
pretty good.”
Along with the numerous drink specials, patrons can also enjoy Bike Night
on Thursday.
“
We’re on a great route, so we usually have a pretty good crowd,” Edwards
said.
So if you’re looking for a good, friendly time, try Eddy’s.
“
We’re a classic, neighborhood bar that offers a friendly and comfortable
atmosphere,” Edwards said. “You never have to worry about trouble
here and we’re the perfect place to stop while you’re out on
a cruise.” CV
caption: Bartender Jana Parsons pours some “Red Sluts” at Eddy’s Sports Bar, 1360 N.E. 54th Ave. Hours are 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Saturday. The bar is available to rent for private parties on Sunday, call 266-9097.
