The 10 Best Bars In Kansas City USA

Kansas City is a place where action never stops. For those visiting this city, known for its jazz heritage, looking for a place to enjoy a few drinks and experience the city’s nightlife; we have prepared a list of some of the best bars in Kansas City.

1. Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

Bar, Restaurant, American, Pub Grub

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium is Kansas City’s major draught house, with 76 brews on tap and over one hundred in bottles. Visitors can choose to drink any style of beer, such as a fruity ale, imperial red ale, or a pale ale. Since 1995, the bar has been serving a wide variety of imported and domestic quality craft beers as well as offering a full pub menu. Flying Saucer Draught Emporium recommends pairing their beers with nachos, hot wings, fries, or burgers, or visitors can come after dinner to enjoy the quality brews on their own.

2. Charlie Hooper’s Bar and Grille

Bar, Restaurant, American, Pub Grub, Fast Food

For over 30 years, Charlie Hooper’s Bar and Grille has been one of Kansas City’s main spots for food and fun. The bar is conveniently located in Brookside, easy to reach from any part of town. With 30 beers on tap and 150 in bottles, Charlie Hooper’s Bar and Grille features one of the widest beer selections in the city, yet the wide range of beers isn’t the only reason why the bar is successful. The delicious daily specials are a major hit. Each day, patrons can enjoy dishes such as pot pies, Philly cheese steaks, fish and chips, chicken fried steaks, lasagna, and meatloaf. The entrées can be paired with your drink of choice from the beer and wine list.

3. Kelly’s Westport Inn

Bar, Pub, Irish, Pub Grub

This is the number one Irish pub in the city. In 1947, Randal Kelly was hired as a bartender at Westport Inn, which was owned by three retired police captains. Due to Randal’s sense of humor and popularity, locals began calling the bar Kelly’s. In 1977, he officially changed the bar’s name to Kelly’s Westport Inn after the owners passed. In 1988, the bar was passed to Kelly’s sons, Kyle and Pat, after their father died. Currently, Kelly’s Westport Inn is a family-owned and operated establishment with a diverse crowd of customers and a colorful history featuring live music performances and weekday specials.

4. B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ

Restaurant, American, BBQ

B.B.s Lawnside BBQ serves great jambalaya

In October 1990, Lindsay Shannon and his wife Jo opened B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ. When the restaurant opened, it had everything it needed to survive: a 1950s barbecue pit, a full kitchen, a parking lot, and a large dining room. Lindsay and Jo make the perfect team, Jo handles the marketing, advertising, and entertainment, and Lindsay controls the food, incorporating Kansas City and Louisiana elements into all the recipes. Every week they host live music performances which attract a large crowd, and sometimes the restaurant hosts special community events. The Shannon family invites everyone to join the fun at B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ.

5. Grunauer

Restaurant, Austrian, Greek, European

Grunauer serves classic Austrian dishes and beverages in a welcoming atmosphere. Nicholas and Peter Grunauer opened this pub to share their love for the Austrian culture with Kansas City. The Grunauer family thought the Crossroads Art District was the best place to open the pub. Every day locals can enjoy food and beer at Grunauer, an establishment characterized by its dedication, hospitality and authenticity. This pub prides itself on presenting the best of Austrian culinary culture. Most brews are imported directly from the country and the meals are inspired by recipes passed down by the Grunauer family.

6. Nara Japanese Sushi Grill

Restaurant, Japanese, Sushi

Nara Japanese Sushi Grill is a stylish Japanese restaurant. In this hip hotspot, urbanites and suburbanites come together to enjoy culinary treats and late night beats and drinks. Aside from a great Japanes food menu, the restaurant has an excellent drink menu which features a delicious variety of exotic cocktails with Japanese touches, a wine selection, draft, bottled and import beers. However, for an original experience browse their sake list. Nara Japanese Sushi Grill‘s atmosphere is welcoming and diners can relax in the chic urban environment.

7. Johnny’s Tavern

Bar, American, Pub Grub

In 1953, John Wilson opened Johnny’s Tavern in 1953. Patrons could come after work and enjoy cold beer and music on the jukebox. Since its beginning, the tavern had a red arrow and giant beer mug sign on the building. As years progressed, the bar became a place where rugby players came to have celebratory drinks and dance. In 1978, bar keepers Rick Renfro and Doug Hassig added a grill behind the bar, which allowed Johnny’s Tavern to start serving its famous burgers together with sides such as chips and pickled eggs. Come to this bar to have a drink and, if you’re hungry, try some of their entrees.

Price: Budget

Opening hours: (Sun-Thu) 10:30am-1am, (Fri-Sat) 10:30am-2am

Watch out for: Fried ice cream

8. La Bodega

Restaurant, Spanish

La Bodega is a stylish restaurant famous for its tapas. In Spain, tapas are usually accompanied by wine, and this restaurant honors the tradition by offering an extensive wine list which includes many Spanish wines among other international wines. Sample their white Torres Viña Sol Chardonnay Penedès, or their red Vina Eguia Reserva Rioja. La Bodega celebrates authentic Spanish culinary culture, with fresco paintings adorning the walls and Spanish tiles decorating the floor. The restaurant offers tasty Spanish food and wine, a beautiful patio, easy parking, and a friendly staff.

9. h Street

Bar, Restaurant, American, Fast Food

54th Street is a casual neighborhood bar and grill style restaurant which offers a great selection of food and spirits at reasonable prices. The restaurant has a laid back and cheerful ambiance. The menu features options such as steak, baby back ribs, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and Gringo dip which can be enjoyed with some ice cold beer; 54th Street serves quality food and drinks. Additionally, the outdoor patio has a fully equipped bar where they can serve drinks and food.

10. The Quaff Bar and Grill

Bar, Restaurant, American, Pub Grub

The Quaff Bar and Grill is Kansas City’s number one sports bar. Locals love the fantastic drinks, music, and atmosphere. There are several giant screen TVs and a large dance floor, perfect for dancing to the hottest hits played by different DJs. Patrons can also sit and relax on the outdoor patio, which offers the ideal environment to dine and have a drink. At The Quaff Bar and Grill visitors can also come for a game of darts, pool, and Pop-A-Shot.

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