How to GNO in KCMO!
Who doesn’t love a GNO? They are good for the soul!
Photos by Anna Petrow
By traditional definition GNO means Girls Night Out. This itinerary is a great guide for girls night, but that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in all it has to offer as a double date, book club outing, bonding with coworkers, or hitting the town with your grandma. The options are endless! This story is very much going to be focused on the Night and Out part of GNO, but we can always talk GNI in my next story!
These three ideas are foolproof, my friends and I have done them (somewhat) successfully.
GNO #1: South Plaza-Palooza
Stock Hill. Photo by Anna Petrow
We’re going to conquer Main St. near South Plaza.
First stop is the Stock Hill bar, just for a drink (balling on somewhat of a budget!) I’m picking The Dirty, c’mon… it has white truffle oil in it! But you can’t go wrong here, I have it on good authority that the Get Swifty and Ruby Slipper are delicious too. The Stock Hill bar has the best ambiance, arguably better than the restaurant itself.
Make sure those mini heels are strapped on, we’re walking up the road to Third Street Social. If the top floor isn’t rented out, sit up there for a new vibe! Their Blackened Shrimp Tacos are one of my favorites, especially paired with their fries and aioli. My mouth is watering!
BluHwy. Photo by Anna Petrow
Don’t go too crazy yet, because we’re jumping over to Blu Hwy. If it’s nice out, their patio is definitely the move. If you or your friends are picky eaters, this menu might scare you. BUT, the Spin Dip and Hummus are always a good choice. And they have some good moscow mules!
Want to keep going?
Osteria Il Centro it is then! I could only tell you their tagline and you’d be convinced. “Food and wine so good, it actually improves the conversation.” Their appetizer platter is a combination of all my favorite things- calamari, goat cheese, and bruschetta... yum! Night cap with an espresso martini, this may seem counterintuitive but it’s like tradition to my friends and I at this point.
The Peanut. Photo by Mary Marty
Still want more?
End the night at the original Peanut. There is no dive bar better than this!
Cheval. Photo by Anna Petrow
Tailleur. Photo by Anna Petrow
GNO #2: Main Street Hop
We’ll call this one the Main Street Hop Or the Cheval, Tailleur, Ragazza trio.
All of these are similar in my book- cocktails, and cozy cute ambiance. Maybe better described as more of a sip and eat GNO.
Cheval is a small cocktail bar just across the street from Tailleur, so it’s a good stop before or after for a change of scenery. They have friendly bartenders and are best known for seasonal cocktails & boutique wines.
Ragazza. Photo by Anna Petrow
Now just a hop and skip across Main, Tailleur has a stunning interior with a top and bottom floor. Whoever designed this place knew what they were doing! And they obviously had delicious food. The mussels as an appetizer and steak and frites for entrée was an unmatched choice in my book.
Just down the block, and also woman-owned, is neighborhood favorite Ragazza. The music is great, the limoncello is always flowing, and the small plates will keep you fed into the wee hours. Some of the best staff in the city, you’ll be sure to walk away with new friends!
Still hungry?
There is only one answer after all that fine dining… and it’s the Taco Bell Cantina. I mean talk about probably the best people watching ever. I have never said no to a Crunchwrap Supreme!
GNO #3: Crossed in the Crossroads
The Crossroads is debatably my favorite area for a GNO, but it can be tricky to narrow down all of the good options. I feel like the most trendy new stuff pops up down there!
Speaking of new and trendy, the first place on this list is Fern Bar. This place has a nice bar and is a hotspot in the Crossroads. A lot of their menu is in the tacos, and margs realm, which I am always in for. Apparently espresso martinis are better with tequila… and if I was ever going to be brave enough to try that it would be here (haha).
Now onto the Crossroads Hotel. And when I say Crossroads Hotel, that could mean either Percheron or Lazia. Both options are stellar! Percheron is a no-brainer if it’s nice weather, especially since it has the best view! They have great bevvies and snacks and sometimes even live music. Lazia is much more of a wine and pasta dinner situation, which again YUM. And they even have tableside mozzarella! It’s a BEAUTIFUL restaurant with dark modern vibes.
Fern Bar. Photo by Anna Petrow
Swordfish Tom’s. Photo by Anna Petrow
If we’re talking about where to find the cool kids, it’s Le Lounge at No Vacancy. Just up the road from the Crossroads Hotel, this place attracts the hippest crowd in KC. It is usually only open on Thursdays (sometimes Fridays so make sure to check their IG). Le Lounge is the most fun bar experience I’ve had in awhile! It almost feels like a house party. They have a great patio for summer (especially when Disco Burger is there) AND they have the amazing vibes from the No Vacancy hotel. Extend your stay and sleep here too!
Last stop of GNO #3… Swordfish Tom’s is unlike any other! It feels like it’s hiding and you have to find it. And even after you find it you can only go in if the light is green! This pre-prohibition cocktail bar only serves cocktails. It is definitely a dark, sophisticated vintage vibe. You might have to use your phone light to look at the menu, but the atmosphere and experience is unreal. Definitely a must see in the Crossroads!
And that concludes this edition of How to GNO in KCMO! Let me know if you try out any of these spots :)
