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Kansas City Bar Guide
KC Daily
September 26, 2023
KC Daily’s Guide to Bars in Kansas City 🍸
Craft Cocktails. Live Music. Cool Vibes. Ice Cold Beer. Hidden Entrances. Oh My! Kansas City’s bar scene has something for every type of drinker. Here is our guide to our favorites in the metro.
📍5817 Nieman Rd, Shawnee
Photo Courtesy of Drastic Measures
You don’t get named a James Beard finalist for Outstanding Bar without knowing how to make a world-class cocktail. Drastic Measures sits in a small and unassuming storefront in downtown Shawnee, but the drinks are anything but unassuming. Serving only cocktails (no wine, no beer), Drastic Measures is able to mix up something for every drinker’s palate.
📍 1809 Grand Blvd
Photo Courtesy of Green Lady Lounge
Not many places capture the essence of Kansas City better than Green Lady Lounge. Live Jazz 365 days a year, candlelit tables, and meaningful conversation; history abounds between these walls. Always a great option for a late-night stop when showcasing KC to your out-of-town friends.
If you're feeling an upscale evening on the Plaza, a nightcap at The Monarch Bar is a must. The luxurious interior is defined by the marble bar in the center, where you can watch your mixologist create a liquid masterpiece. Their cocktail menu changes seasonally, just like the winged creature the bar is named after.
📍1221 Union Ave
Photo Courtesy of The Ship
Nestled in the heart of the West Bottoms, The Ship is truly a “sunken treasure”. Featuring live music, a full food and drink menu, and (of course) a nautical-themed space that will have you telling all your mates to come join you for a drink.
📍1000 W 25 St
Photo Courtesy of Panther’s Place
“Wait, there’s a bar back here?” Tucked behind an airstream camper is a hidden courtyard that is argued to be one of the coolest spaces in Kansas City. Structured primarily by shipping containers, Panther’s Place is adorned by lush greenery, a metal spiral staircase, and an old dent-filled van. Check their Instagram for their daily hours (subject to change) and be sure to head there as the sun goes down as the vibe only gets better.
📍5622 Johnson Dr, Mission
Photo Courtesy of The Primrose
If you appreciate curated design and aesthetically pleasing touches, then you’re gonna love The Primrose in Mission. Co-owner Abby Hans has designed the space to be a cozy neighborhood cocktail bar that community members can stop by for a cocktail after a long day’s work. You won’t regret an order of their signature drink, The Primrose, which features gin, vermouth, Campari, rosemary, lemon, orange, and egg white served in a smoked rosemary-infused glass.
📍1800 Walnut St Suite 1400
Photo Courtesy of The Mercury Room
For a truly elevated cocktail experience in Kansas City, look no further than The Mercury Room. Situated on the top floor of the ReVerb apartment building in the Crossroads, The Mercury Room offers sweeping vistas of the KC skyline while gently lit by string lights adorning the ceiling. Reservations are required and a dress code is enforced, so plan ahead for an unforgettable date night.
📍3940 Main St
Photo Courtesy of Cheval
Just across Main Street from its sister restaurant and local favorite, Tailleur, sits Cheval; a beautifully-styled lounge serving cocktails, share plates, desserts, and wines. Owner Heather White designed the space to represent “triumph and success” just like the horses the Bar is named after (Cheval means “horse” in French). No reservations are required, so stop in during your next visit to Midtown.