Home of the Halfie
Home of the Halfie
Cooney’s Tavern is the anchor of North Beaverdale. An Irish bar since 1984 and every day since - it is the home of the coldest draught beer in the area.
Some say it is like a neighborhood “Cheers.” Others just call it their favorite bar. Anyway you see it Cooney’s is a casual neighborhood place. No pretense, no dress code, no fancy shots or Jagermeister, and no credit cards accepted. Just great service, cold beer and cocktails in a smoke free environment.
Cooney’s is a place to meet old friends and make new ones. Known for it’s “regulars” it is a great place for meeting friends, conversation and an occasional sporting event on one of the five televisions.
Friendly bartenders, ice cold beer and an outstanding Bloody Mary make Cooney’s a place to call “Your Bar.”
For an enjoyable time check us out at 3708 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA - that’s north Beaver Avenue!
Cooney’s is a locally owned tavern well known and loved by the Beaverdale neighborhood. Your host Joe Leinen is there to greet you at @ 2 PM on weekdays and noon on weekends and there to announce last call.
Known for an Irish Pub feeling you’ll be immersed in a history of politics, local places and Drake University Athletics as the walls are filled with hundreds of photos and news clippings. The street signs from Ireland and the stained glass windows from the old Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Beaverdale round out this wonderful atmosphere.
Heralded as one of “Cityview Magazine’s” Best Bloody Mary’s in Des Moines this unique blend is always served with a beer back. Cocktails and select beers are served along with great conversation and an occasional fiery discussion about politics or sports.
You never know who you’ll see at Cooney’s - from the afternoon regulars to local media personalities and and every once in awhile a candidate for President of the United States.
Make Cooney’s “Your Bar!”
Cooney’s Lesson in Life #1 ....
There is no such thing as “I’ll meet you at Cooney’s for one.”
Cooney’s Lesson in Life #2 ....
You can’t have a second without a first.
Cooney’s Lesson in Life #3 ....
It’s not the last drink that got you, it’s the first. (see lesson #2).
Cooney’s Lesson in Life #4 ....
Be Good or Be Gone!
Most Popular Drink ....
Your Host: Joe Leinen
Ambiance: Casual, Relaxed
Food Served: None
Green Beer: NEVER
ATM: Yes • Credit Cards Not Accepted
Dart Room: Yes
For the past 38 years Brian has spent most of his days building his business into a respectable Irish tavern proud in tradition and consistent in service.
What started as an idea from Brian’s summer job helping out at Holy Trinity to the reality of a bar on the east side of Beaver Avenue, Cooney’s has become a Des Moines tradition and the pride of the Beaverdale neighborhood.
Construction and a new corner convenience store forced a 2004 move across the street to the current location. The new location was built in the exact design and layout Brian had thought about for years. Over the years the place has made slight improvements but maintained its Irish tradition. As Cooney is known to say “we’re an Irish bar 365 days a year!”
Cooney’s has survived a lot along the way. From the move, through the end of indoor smoking, maintaining cash only bar and surviving the pandemic, Brian has made sure his customers were always taken care of. Over the years he’s welcomed many part time staffers from the Beaverdale neighborhood to the halls of the law school at Drake University making sure they all maintained the tradition of Cooney’s.
The weekday routined has remained pretty much the same from the beginning - morning cleaning and bank run then putting on a starched white shirt to greet the regulars at 1PM. The day saw Brian heading home at 6PM for dinner and a few hours with the family before returning at 10PM to see the night through to close at 2AM.
Maintaining a successful bar business for thirty eight years isn’t easy but can go by fast. It requires a lot of sacrifice, missed family events and travel opportunities. With the satisfaction of knowing he’s built a successful business there comes a time to ease away from the business and let the next generation carry on the tradition. It isn’t called retirement if you plan to be available for a few hours each week - let’s call it time management.
So on October 3, 2022 Brian handed off the apron for the last time as the owner. As has been the case it’s not without a plan. The next up in the ownership batter’s box is Joe Leinen, a nine year veteran of Cooney’s, with time spent at Raccoon River Brewing, Exile and most recently Beer Styles. Joe’s experience and Cooney’s training assure the customers of a smooth transition with the assurance that little will change as the tradition lives on.
As the book closes on one era of “North Beaverdale’s Finest” a new one is about to be written.