The Hessen Haus, located in the refurbished train depot at 101 Fourth St. in downtown Des Moines, opened Thursday to the sound of polka music by Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen while patrons dined on authentic German food and imbibed German beer in large steins. The German-themed bar and restaurant is the brainchild of the owners of Buzzard Billy’s and The Royal Mile, two popular downtown venues that offer customers a unique experience.

“The only places we want to open are niche-type places,” Andy Massoth, co-owner of the three businesses, told the Des Moines Business Record in June when he announced plans for the bar and restaurant. “We want [the Hessen Haus] to be a beer hall with good food.”

Massoth, president of Rayon Redevelopment, said his company spent about $220,000 to renovate the building and purchase equipment. The long, narrow building features a vaulted ceiling, a 40-foot bar and several large plank tables, lending to its beer hall atmosphere. Outside, a renovated deck awaits warm-weather customers.

“We feel really good about opening now,” said Massoth. “We’re excited about the possibilities.”

The restaurant and bar features moderately priced traditional German foods such as Wiener schnitzel, bratwurst, sauerbraten and kassler rippchen, as well as pizza and other American foods. The lunch menu ranges in price from $2.83 to $8.95, while dinner choices range from $5.95 for sausage to $14.95 for pan-sautéed pheasant. Sixteen German beers and a number of wines are served.

Massoth said he hopes the restaurant will spark an Oktoberfest celebration in downtown someday. In the meantime, the Hessen Haus and Buzzard Billy’s will host Fasching, a German celebration akin to Mardi Gras, on Feb. 24.