Dogtown Business and Entertainment District

09/02/2026

knows that Dogtown is THE place to be! 💙🎉

Get this beatiful day started right with the incredible Mars Cafe - if you don't enjoy coffee, they have the BEST chai you'll ever get your hands on 😍😋

And don't forget to stop by the newly renovated, Dough Co. Pizza!

08/07/2026

It's FriYay and the heat is ON! 🔥
We've got Sports, Live Shows & Pop-Up Eats in Dogtown!

🏃‍♂️ AAU Junior Olympic Championships (Drake Stadium)
It’s Championship Friday! Relay prelims and sprint finals are underway.
Track Events now through 1:30 PM: Relay Prelims, Sprint & Hurdle Finals
Field Events now through 3:00 PM: High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put, and Discus finals

💡 FUN FACT for residents and our visiting Champions!
Kitchen Spaces (1139 24th St) is hosting Rockstar local pop-up eats TODAY ONLY!
🍗 Lady Jerk Soul Food | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Estilo Boricua Puerto Rican | 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🌭 Border Dogos | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
🧁 Cie Cie’s Sweet Treats | 7:00 PM – 2:00 AM
(Head to their respective pages for full menus!)

🎬 Not a fan of the heat? Check out the Odyssey at the Varsity Cinema! This film deserves the big screen.
🎸 Live Music at xBk Live - bands are on tonight and tomorrow!

📍 What are your Friday plans this weekend in Dogtown?

08/03/2026

Looking for some fun in the sun tomorrow? Come watch the nation's best young athletes at Drake Stadium! 🏆

Thousands of athletes are in Des Moines for the AAU Junior Olympic Games, and tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug 4) is jam-packed with Track & Field action on the iconic Blue Oval:

🔹 Morning (8:00 AM): 1500m Distance Finals & Hurdle Championships
🔹 Midday (11:30 AM): High-speed 100m Dash Quarterfinals
🔹 Afternoon (3:00 PM+): 200m Dash Quarterfinals & Field Events

Make a neighborhood outing of it! Walk over to the stadium, soak in the excitement, and support our local Dogtown restaurants and shops right across University Ave while you're here.

📍 Drake Stadium | 2507 University Ave

07/30/2026

🏆 Attention AAU Athletes & Families! Welcome!!

We know you’re hungry after competing hard all morning at Drake University! If you're looking for the ultimate midday refuel or an early dinner right across from the events, the historic Drake Diner is a Dogtown MUST.

🍔 Grab a classic diner booth and a legendary shake. It’s perfect for the whole family!

📍 Just across University Ave from campus. Make sure to check out the diner and other fun things has to offer like the female hip hop showcase tomorrow at xBk Live!

07/06/2026

Get this added to your calendar this week!✨

The Drake Neighborhood Association is hosting FREE lantern-making workshops leading up to the Magic of the Night Lantern Parade & Night Market on Friday, July 10. 🌙

The parade feels like a scene out of a cottage-core storybook—glowing lanterns, giant illuminated puppets, live music, local vendors, food, and magic so make sure you add it to your calendar also! 🌌🌌🌌

Registration helps them plan for supplies, so grab a spot and prepare for whimsy (or just learn more about the event:
🔗 https://dna.wildapricot.org/art-night

06/22/2026

🍃You close your eyes and feel a cool summer's breeze as you walk down University Ave. You turn into xBk Live where an incredible lineup of Americana, Folk, and Blues fills your ears with tunes that make your spirit sway...

This isn't a dream, but it is the Monday or your dreams in Dogtown ✨🌤️ Don't take our word for it - give it a listen! 🎻🎼 Then make plans to grab a bite and enjoy peak vibes with us tn!

Music written and performed by Weary Ramblers (Chad Elliott & Kathr...

06/18/2026

Knee Deep in the Bittersweet 😩
🤯The incredible China Place is closed... TEMPORARILY! They will be back in July as Pho-Dee-Licious 🍜✨

Fingers crossed that some of our favorites will stay on the menu! 🙏
Stay up to date on their Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18W3UTfYoq/

06/12/2026

Happy Pride!! 🏳️‍🌈 Crowds not your vibe? Celebrate in Dogtown! 🎉

Watch Stop That Train starring Mama Ru at Varsity Cinema 🎥🍿

Details: During a massive storm, two stewardesses work with snooty first-class crew and President Gagwell to prevent disaster.

Before the show, stop at Lucky Horse for a mouthwatering Sesame Ginger Salad 🥗

Not your vibe? 🤔 Might I interest you in a prime rib sandy with a root b**r float? 🥤🥪

06/04/2026

Did you know we have an impressive barbershop staffed with Artists?? Go get that shape up for date night or just a little trim!

We’ll let the work at Platinum Kutz Barber/Beauty Salon speaks for itself 👌👌👌

05/22/2026

Thanks citysoundsdsm for the beautiful addition to our District! 🥰

Stop by xBk Live to check out our area’s new musical work of art! Make sure to also take in the mural and 3D mural model by artist, Jill Wells! Bradford Johnson