15 Kansas City Cocktail Classics
15 of KC’s spots to grab a cocktail– variety, quality, and atmosphere– they have it all!
Photo by Anna Petrow
The colder months are coming, and you need someplace warm and cozy to have a drink. KC’s cocktail scene is truly the gem of the city– so we had contributor Kara Lust round up 15 of the best for you to try!
Photo by Pilsen Photo
Mean Mule Distilling
@meanmuledistillingco
1733 Locust St, Kansas City, MO
Mean Mule Distilling’s tasting room is located in the heart of the Crossroads, where they’re focusing on creating intentional cocktails for people of all lifestyles. Their trendy, casual southwest inspired atmosphere draws people from all over Kansas and beyond to Mean Mule’s carefully crafted menus and cocktails. Oh and, don’t forget to stop by their merch vending machine where they sell hand-made postcards, bandanas, and dried crickets for when you need some protein after drinking a cocktail or two, or three.
What to order : My favorite drink on their menu right now is their “Latin Lava Lamp” that features mango, chile, silver tequila, and a chamoy dipped straw.
The Mercury Room
@the.mercury.room
1800 Walnut St Suite 1400, Kansas City, MO
We’re getting fancy, this reservation-only cocktail bar is one that you’d think you can only find in magazines and movies. The Mercury Room is located on top of luxury modern apartment complex, Reverb. The Mercury Room is creating experiences that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. You walk in and are immediately greeted and taken to the 14th floor, where floor-to-ceiling windows are showing off KC’s gorgeous skyline. The room has over 9,000 tiny lights that create a dazzling, intergalactic effect.
What to order : The bartender's are able to customize cocktails to your liking, they ask you what you typically enjoy to drink, and hand-craft a cocktail on their menu suitable for a celeb, but in this case, you are the celeb!
The Campground
@thecampgroundkc
1531 Genessee St, Kansas City, MO
Think elevated summer camp, meets chill speakeasy vibes. There’s truly nothing better than being able to order phenomenal cocktails and impressive small plates all from the same place, The Campground is doing just that. Their cocktail menu is tiki and traditional cocktail-centric, but tweaked to make it their own. I love coming with a small group of friends and all ordering multiple small plates and cocktails, and then sharing them all.
What to order : I’m in love with their Desert Paloma + their Watermelon Feta salad. I mean, how can you go wrong with these menus?
Sot
@sotkc
1521 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO
Sot is simply a fun place to be, you feel welcomed the second you walk in. The atmosphere is warm, comforting and features a gorgeous brick wall bar, with ample seating options and textures throughout the bar. As their website states, they take cocktails seriously, not themselves. Their menu features classic, traditional cocktails with vibrant ingredients.
What to order : Try their “A Night at the Strawberry”, a cocktail featuring Dickel Rye, Strawberry Puree, Lime, and Rosemary.
Green lady lounge
@greenladylounge
1809 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO
Featuring Kansas City Jazz Musicians nightly, Green Lady Lounge is the ultimate experience for a fun night spent in true Kansas City tradition. This lounge has no TV’s, no screens, and very dimmed red-hued lighting to settle into the warm ambiance and put all focus on the music. Their bar menus feature traditional style cocktails as well as a large selection of beer and wine.
What to order : I love ordering a traditional Old Fashioned, or Martini here to fit right in with the fancy atmosphere. Don’t forget to tip the musicians!
Drastic Measures
@drasticmeasures.kc
5817 Nieman Rd, Shawnee, KS
Fairly new, opening in June of 2020, and sister bar to Swordfish Tom’s in the Crossroads, Drastic Measures has already quickly become a Kansas City staple. Their menu features traditional style drinks, but with their own unique twist to the cocktails that we already know and love. Drastic Measures is a spirits-only bar, so don’t bring any beer heads here, but instead sit back and enjoy the laid-back, casual environment with a hand-crafted mixed drink of your choice.
What to order : Their “Grows together/Goes Together cocktail is the savory cocktail of your wildest vegetal dreams. It features chive infused tequila, aquavit, lemon, strawberry and tomato. If you can’t eat your fruit and veggies, drink em!
The Monarch Bar
@themonarchbarkc
4808 Roanoke Pkwy, Kansas City, MO
One of the most refined, lavish spaces in all of Kansas City for cocktails. The Monarch bar features plush velvet seating, A stunning monarch butterfly chandelier, and a just as lavish cocktail menu to go along with the atmosphere. One of the things that stands out most to me about the cocktails at The Monarch Bar is the presentation, each cocktail is presented in a gorgeous crystal glass that is sure to make you feel your most luxurious.
What to order : I'm absolutely in love with their cocktail called “Stop Figgin’ Around”, a riff on a negroni. It features gin, Pasubio Vino Amaro, Truncheri Vermouth Rosso, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, and Lacto-fermented Fig.
Percheron Rooftop Bar
@crossroadshotelkc
2101 Central St, Kansas City, MO'
Perched perfectly on top of one of Kansas City’s most prominent hotels, The Crossroads Hotel, Percheron rooftop bar is where to go to chase that picturesque KC skyline, the best frozen cocktails, and fun activities. Seriously, their view from the rooftop bar is unbeatable, one of, if not the best rooftops in all of Kansas City.
What to order : The rotating frozen cocktails! They are the perfect amount of sweet, sour, and boozy.
Novel
@novel_kc
1927 McGee St, Kansas City, MO
Novel is one of my most favorite spots for dinner, but a lot of people don’t know that their cocktail bar is just as highly esteemed. The atmosphere is comfortable, yet elegant in all the right ways. Date night dinner and cocktails are a must here. Their menus feature locally sourced ingredients, with contemporary flares and techniques. Every cocktail I've gotten from Novel is perfectly balanced, as well as bright and refreshing.
What to order : The “Tea Thyme” Cocktail, it features vodka, lemon, honey, lavender, thyme, currant tisane blend, sparkling wine.
Verdigris
@verdigris.bar
5245 W 116th Pl, Leawood, KS
Opening in Late March of 2020, Verdigris has succeeded in creating an elevated bar menu and cocktail experience far beyond the limitations of the Covid-19 pandemic. From the team that started The Monarch Bar, and The Mercury Room, Verdigris is bringing its own elegant flare to the Johnson County side of KC. The atmosphere at Verdigris is art deco-inspired and features a stunning bar with ample seating options. And just because they can, they also have an outstanding food menu featuring small and large plates such as Tuna Poke, and Grilled Ribeye with Chimichurri.
What to order : Nothing better than enjoying their smoked popcorn with paprika, brown sugar, and smoked salt alongside their Painkiller cocktail, with sweet pineapple, coconut, lime, nutmeg, and of course lots of rum.
The Hey Hey club
@theheyheyclub
2700 Guinotte Ave, Kansas City, MO
Located in the basement of the J. Rieger & Co. Distillery, The Hey Hey Club is a tribute to Kansas City’s prominent Jazz history. Its name is a direct reference to the Hey Hay Club, which was open from 1931 to 1938 at Fourth and Cherry street, and hosted legendary musicians including Count Basie and Lester Young. Not just the history of this cocktail bar is fascinating, but also their premium cocktail menu. They have a wide array of cocktail styles and craft beers, and specialty wines.
What to order : Their “Mopac” Cocktail, featuring blended rum, mezcal, smoked pear shrub, and brachetto D’acqui. Mezcal is an intense liquor, but if you love it, you’ll love this cocktail!
Julep
@julepkc
4141 Pennsylvania Ave #104, Kansas City, MO
Specializing in whiskey, Julep has my heart when it comes to their unique cocktail menu, and inviting atmosphere. They have multiple different styles of Old Fashioneds on the menu, and of course, Mint Juleps off all variations. Their indoor seating is adorned with fun pops of vibrant color, and huge windows. They also have a large outdoor patio perfect for hanging with friends and family!
What to order : A julep, of course! My favorite is their Kokomo Julep, which features Cognac, Pineapple, Dark Rum, and Mint.
Goat & Rabbit
@goatandrabbitkc
1804 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO
Goat & Rabbit is THE spot for weeknight cocktails with friends, the atmosphere is unintimidating, casual, and inviting. Specializing in approachable and recognizable cocktails for everyone from the at-home bartender to the experienced cocktail connoisseur. Along with their cocktail menu, they also feature a large selection of beers and wines.
What to order : I adore their cocktail called “The Salty Dog”, it features Vodka, Aperol, Salt, and fresh Grapefruit. It’s the perfect balance of tart, sweet, and salty.
Nimble
@nimblebrewing
1735 Oak St, Kansas City, MO
We’re switching gears and focusing on beer for a quick moment, because Nimble is doing it right. Nimble is a family owned, small brewery right in the heart of East Crossroads that is intentionally bringing a small-batch approach to brewing. Nimble offers an ever-changing and wide variety of beers, as well as beer-infused cocktails like their well loved vodka beer frozen slushies!
What to order : I like to order whatever their special is for the night! Take a leap of faith, try something new!
Swordfish Toms
@swordfishtomkc
210 W 19 Terrace, Kansas City, MO
We’re jumping in a time machine and going back to the roaring 20s, this pre-prohibition style speakeasy is the perfect location for an intimate round of drinks in a small, hospitality driven atmosphere. Swordfish toms specializes in creating a small, well-curated menu to suit everyone’s cocktail desires.
What to order : one of Jen’s many Manhattan-inspired creations!
