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Secret Speakeasy Closes, Reimagines Cocktail Scene
23 Jul
Summary
- An intimate 26-seat speakeasy known for theatrical cocktails has closed.
- The bar was created during the pandemic as a creative experimental space.
- A new cocktail lounge with ice cream will open in its place soon.
Good News, Darling, an intimate 26-seat speakeasy in Des Moines, served its final cocktail on June 20, 2026. Tucked behind the established Hello, Marjorie, the bar gained a reputation for its theatrical, high-concept cocktails and immersive atmosphere, drawing comparisons to Chicago's The Aviary.
Opened in April 2021 during the pandemic, the bar was conceived as a creative studio for its owners, Nick Tillinghast and Josh McAlexander. They focused on experimentation, offering drinks that engaged multiple senses with elaborate presentations like smoking or flaming vessels.
Despite achieving significant success, including profitable periods in early 2026, the team experienced creative and operational fatigue. Tillinghast cited a lack of passion for continuing the concept and the physical space as reasons for not renewing the lease.
The speakeasy's influence on Des Moines' cocktail culture is noted, fostering ambition and higher standards. This space will soon be reimagined as Nothing Major, a casual cocktail lounge with small-batch ice creams, scheduled to open on July 25, 2026.
This new establishment is not a direct replacement but a different direction, offering a more accessible experience. It opens alongside Des Moines Athletic Club, a sports bar launched by Tillinghast in November.
