Welcome to the brand new website and blog for the Royal Mile. I know “technology” is most likely one of the last words to spring forth when thinking of the Mile, but as Bob Dylan once said, “The times they are a-changin’.” Between our new BeerGenius kiosk, Twitter, Facebook, and our website/blog we are moving forward with some exciting possibilities in both social media and pushing the envelope technologically while maintaining the rustic nature of our establishment.
Accuse me of drinking the Kool-Aid if you must but I am a die hard Royal Mile fan. I have been a patron for much longer than I have worked at the Mile and its still my favorite watering hole. Is this because I’m a gigantic beer nerd? Perhaps. More than anything though I find myself wandering into the Mile on my days off and having a bite to eat, or a pint of Fuller’s ESB because it feels like home. There is a reason we have such a devoted group of regulars. There is a reason the Register called the Royal Mile Des Moines’ living room. There is a reason Esquire named the Mile one of the top 100 bars in the U.S. We are different, we are unique, and we are damned proud of it.
Do yourself a favor, venture downtown and swing by the Mile. Grab some traditional English grub in a relaxed atmosphere. Spice things up a bit and don’t try to order a Bud Light or a “64″ (we don’t have either so don’t waste your breath.) Ask the bartender for a recommendation and allow yourself to enjoy a slice of Britain.
I feel as though I have to thank our regulars. Your generosity and patronage has helped make us one of the most well known and respected bars in downtown Des Moines. For those of you who have never visited the Royal Mile or the Red Monk let me be the first to say, come on down and have a pint.
Your resident beer geek
~Eric the Red