Shout It from the Rooftop: Exploring Kansas City’s Newest Cocktail Lounge
Prime Social is a stunning new addition to the Plaza, offering decadent cocktails, delicious bites and a view like no other.
Interior photos courtesy of Block Real Estate
If you’re from Kansas City or visit enough to consider yourself a temporary transplant, you already know that our food and cocktail scene is one of the nation’s best. With new spaces opening regularly all over town, there’s no shortage of bars, restaurants and local hangouts worthy of your attention. This is especially true of Prime Social, one of the newest hotspots towering far above the Plaza. Prime Social, PS for short, exudes energy and life in a dynamic environment cultivated and curated for conversation. The space, with its numerous food and drink options, is everything you’d expect it to be for the neighborhood where it resides, yet it exceeds expectations in every sense of the word.
PS is part of the award-winning portfolio of restaurants and bars from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (CMR), based out of Columbus, Ohio. And while this was my first exposure to CMR, it’s clear they have their finger on the pulse of what’s new and exciting in the cocktail world. PS has been open to Kansas City since mid-November ‘21, yet my visit felt as if they’d been operational for years. General Manager Travis Cusack and his stellar team have the guest experience top-of-mind — from ambiance, service, and presentation to everything in-between.
Upon entering the ground floor at 46 Penn Centre, you’re greeted by an attendant who will check you in for your reservations or give you an estimated wait time to proceed (spoiler alert — this is a dope new bar in Kansas City and will be busy for the foreseeable future, so make reservations). Then, you’ll be escorted to an elevator, and up you go. When you exit, that’s when the real experience begins.
As you make your way inside, the livliness and energy of PS is inviting and immersive, with an expansive selection of seating to choose from (again, see above re: reservations). The furniture and aesthetic takes on a very elevated — yet classic — mid-century modern vibe. I was pleasantly surprised with how large and spacious PS is, yet every nook and table feels very personal. Each corner of the space is enticing and while you can’t go wrong wherever you sit, I’d highly recommend trying for a seat alongside the windows — where a stellar view of the Plaza can be had, free of charge.
You’ll also notice the 360° bar, front-and-center. Glowing amber lights illuminate the multitude of bottles ascending from its center, while candles and mood lighting set the stage for the rest of the space. Plenty of seating surrounds the bar with the promise of a first-hand perspective of watching the talented bartenders at work. This is where I witnessed my old fashioned being crafted, which was unveiled to me under a glass dome and a cloud of smoke (Instagrammable moments, FTW). Near the bar is the outdoor rooftop patio. Again, plenty of seating available and, depending on the time of year you visit, a roaring firepit in its center. Sixteen stories below, Plaza pedestrians, bystanders and onlookers fill the sidewalks. You really will feel on top of the world.
Photo by Weston Owen
Okay, PS is spot-on for ambiance (which is always a big factor for experience in my book), but what about the food and drinks? The illustrated menu is robust with a very Death & Company look and feel, while each drink description showcases the type of glassware used (again, there’s some sort of science behind unique glassware making a drink taste better). The aforementioned old fashioned was fantastic and the smoky presentation was even better. I also sampled their Gatsby — a bourbon-forward cocktail with oak bitters, hibiscus, lavender and peppercorn. Another stellar drink. For their bites, I made the amateur mistake of eating beforehand, so I only saw the food choices from afar. Yet the plating and presentation would have been well worth making room for.
Photo courtesy of Prime Social
Overall, Prime Social provides an elevated experience, both literally and figuratively. Whether meeting up with friends, playing tour guide for family, sparking up conversation on a first date or grabbing a cocktail after work, you’re in for a memorable time. But as always, don’t take my word for it. Head down to the Plaza and up to the rooftop to one of the coolest new lounges in Kansas City.
