In Confidence — Local services in Des Moines

We visited the speakeasy for a post-wedding celebration, expecting a memorable end to the night in a fun setting. Instead, we encountered a disorganized and inhospitable experience that soured the occasion.

Despite having a reservation for a room in the speakeasy, the hostess seemed overwhelmed, repeatedly running upstairs and downstairs to “figure out” if we could be accommodated. Her concern about fitting our group suggested the bar was tiny, yet when we were finally allowed down, just a few at a time, the space was massive and at least 50% empty.

The staff’s flustered demeanor and vague communication were baffling, especially as they separated the bride and groom, leaving the groom stuck upstairs for much of the night.

Our group was placed in a side room which they wouldn’t allow more people into even though there were many empty seats. Half our party, including the groom (split from the bride), was forced to stay in the upstairs bar due to the staff’s inexplicable restrictions. We would have gladly split into two groups in the speakeasy if offered, given the ample space.

The lack of hospitality was staggering for a hotel speakeasy, showing no empathy. Splitting up a bride and groom was unacceptable.

On a positive note, our server was exceptional, and the drinks were well-received. However, the overall experience was a letdown, marked by poor organization and zero effort to provide a positive experience.

I hope management takes this feedback seriously and reconsiders their approach to customer service, rather than offering a generic apology in response to...

In Confidence reminds me of someone who had the idea of making a speakeasy but had limited creative flair and detail and gave up after buying most of the furniture.

The drinks are over priced, limited in selection and brand type, and poorly made.

Actually, there’s a better way to put this in perspective for those who may not travel a lot. Compared to Texas Roadhouse (TR) this is how In Confidence (IC) measures up: Atmosphere (in relation to loudness): TR +1 Atmosphere (in relation to repair): TR +1 Service (in relation to speed): TR +1 Service (in relation to quality): TR +1 Drinks (in relation to value): TR +2 Drinks (in relation to presentation): TR +1 (they actually garnish their drinks) Drinks (in relation to taste): TR +1 Variety of alcohol: TR +3

In short, if you want a more talented bartender with better selection where you can hear your partner and a table that isn’t on the verge of falling over, go to Texas Roadhouse. If you’re a college kid who wants to insta a boring drink at a speakeasy, go here. If you’re a social media influencer (or human) who is used to proper cocktails, go to...

While I agree with the poster who called this “less of a speakeasy and more of a bar in a basement” In Confidence does have some of the classic ingredients in a modern speakeasy. It’s got a quirky entrance, a dark atmosphere, cool plush seating, and a well-dressed staff. It’s also got a cocktail menu that’s loaded with alcohol-forward classics served in beautiful glassware. We sampled eight different drinks off the menu and all were excellent. The bartenders there (at least that night) were really on-point.

Now for the reason I’ve given it four stars instead of five. $15-$22 is just too much for a 3-4 ounce cocktail in Des Moines. They’re very good, and most incorporate some house-made ingredients, but markups this extreme are unnecessary in a place like this. Anything less than perfect drinks and service at this price will be unforgivable here, and that’s tough at a time when good mixologists and servers are so hard to find and keep.

That said, we will absolutely go back to In Confidence on special occasions. It’s beautiful, special, and well-executed. It’s a great addition to Des Moines’...