Hey, NY Mets fans: Our top 5 lists to help you have fun in KC

So here you are, in Kansas City for the World Series.

Thing is, you’ve never been here before. What to do? And what’s all this about barbecue? Here’s a list of things and places that baseball enthusiasts will fall for in the City of Fountains. New York Mets fans: we may not want you to win, but we’d love for you have a good time in KC.

5 places to grab a beer

Kansas City’s reputation might be more closely staked to barbecue, but it has also emerged as a hub for beer nerds. And because anyone worth his salt knows that nothing complements a baseball game quite like a cold one.

1. Boulevard Brewing Co., 2501 Southwest Blvd.

For the record, let us just say that this isn’t the kind of place you’re going to sit down and watch a game. But it’s Kansas City’s crown brew, and it has been slowly expanding its footprint across the country. Tours are from Wednesday through Sunday and come with a number of free samples. Getting into a tour will be tricky — they’re often filled months ahead of time — but if you show up on a tour day and wait in line, there’s a chance you can get in.

2. Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 101 East 13th St.

If you’re staying in downtown KC, check out this bar in the Power & Light District. Flying Saucer has dozens of beers on tap from A-Z. Menu options range from sandwiches to salads to Shepherd’s Pie.

3. Johnny’s Tavern, 1310 Grand Blvd.

Also in the Power & Light District, this University of Kansas-friendly bar serves up pizza and drinks inside a massive venue. Some of the locations have extreme bingo, poker and DJs. The original is in Lawrence (home of KU), but there are also locations in Overland Park, Shawnee, Olathe and Prairie Village.

4. Harpo’s, 4109 Pennsylvania Ave.

What Johnny’s is for Kansas fans, Harpo’s is for the University of Missouri supporter. The KC version of the iconic Columbia bar is in Westport and boasts a sizeable courtyard patio, which features its own bar. As for food, you’ll find the sports bar regulars (burgers, sandwiches, buffalo wings), as well as a plethora of drink options.

5. Westport Café and Bar, 419 Westport Road

Thrillist recently deemed Westport the “Brooklyn of Missouri.” We’ll take it as a compliment. The Westport Cafe and Bar recently added two TVs and a game-day menu. The menu, which is available only during Royals playoff games, features Korean nachos, a spicy pork torta and a foot-long bratwurst from Broadway Butcher Shop. The drink menu features Sluggerrr-ade ($10) made with Kansas City’s own J. Rieger & Co. whiskey, Boulevard Bob’s 47 beer, lemon juice, grapefruit juice and honey.

Want to swing for the fences? Order the #BloodyMaryTizer ($15), a towering Bloody Mary garnished with seven skewered appetizers, from fried chicken and waffles to mini corn dogs and pizza rolls. It serves two to four people.

[KC restaurants toast Royals postseason with food, drink specials]

5 barbecue dishes you absolutely, positively have to try

Few will debate that Kansas City is America’s barbeque capital.

Where to go to get the city’s best, though, stirs up the sauciness in all of us. Here are five items that no self-respecting foodie can pass up. To judge for yourself, you may want to taste-test your way across the metro.

1. The “Z-Man,” Joe’s Kansas City, 3002 W. 47th Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

Chad Johnson’s tried one. Same with Rachael Ray. And Jimmy Kimmel. It’s arguably Kansas City’s most notable sandwich. Smoked provolone cheese with a pair of onion rings tops smoked beef brisket, all served on a Kaiser roll. Plenty of other options are available at this restaurant housed in gas station.

2. Burnt ends, Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue 101 W. 22nd St.

It’s hard to go wrong with Jack Stack’s hickory pit beans, but the burnt ends are the can’t-miss menu item at this Freight House District locale. They come with your choice of meat (brisket, ham, pork or sausage) and are double-smoked to keep ’em juicy. The burnt end plate ($14.95) comes with your choice of two sides, so consider the popular cheesy corn bake with those beans.

3. Mixed Plate, Gates Bar-B-Q, 3205 Main St.

How famous is Gates’ mixed plate? When Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne was looking for a title for his 11th studio album not long ago, he named it after the restaurant’s renowned dish. If you decide to go with it, bring an appetite. The plate ($18.75) comes with five slices of ham, 10 slices of beef, three ribs and a half order of fries. Plus plenty of bread and a variety of sauce options. Oh, and take Tech’s advice and wash it down with a strawberry soda.

4. Sauce, Arthur Bryant’s, 1727 Brooklyn Ave.

It doesn’t really matter what you get at Arthur Bryant’s as long as you smother it in the restaurant’s famous sauce. Celebs such as Jack Nicholson and Wilt Chamberlain have given the grub a whirl. President Obama has stopped by, too. Bryant is said to have created his sauce to be tasty enough to spread on bread and be eaten alone.

5. Pork Butt Burger, RJ’s Bob-Be-Que Shack, 5835 Lamar Ave., Mission

The name alone warrants a stop by RJ’s for a date with this behemoth. The chef packs 8 ounces of ground pork butt into a patty and then slow-cooks it before plopping it onto a toasted bun. Guy Fieri made a stop here for his “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” show, and if you’re not feeling the pork butt burgers, tons of unusual dishes await, such as the jalapeno sausage and the crispy pig tails.

5 places every sports fan should see while they’re here

The city is on a Royals high, but our athletic past is brimming with prestige.

From the old faithful (Lawrence’s Allen Fieldhouse and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City) to the newer kids on the block (Livestrong Sporting Park, the College Basketball Experience), these places cater to the sports fan.

1. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, 1616 E. 18th St.

The museum honoring the history of African-American baseball has been one of the city’s jewels since 1990, thanks largely to the work of former Negro League standout Buck O’Neil. Many high-profile guests have paid a visit, from presidents (Bill Clinton and George W. Bush) to poets (Maya Angelou) to sports stars (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Barry Bonds). Admission is $8 for adults, $3 for children younger than 12 or free for children younger than 5; group rates are available. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

2. College Basketball Experience, 1401 Grand Blvd.

With 41,500 square feet of space, the venue is a sanctuary for all things hoops. It houses the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, with various exhibits dedicated to the game’s greats. And it’s interactive. There’s a full-length, six-hoop court where anyone can play, and a number of side baskets with games like Beat the Clock. At the ESPNU Media Lounge, fans can call their own highlights. The Experience is directly adjacent to the Sprint Center in the Power & Light District.

3. Sporting Park, 1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kan.

You don’t have to be a soccer fan to appreciate the work that went into creating one of the country’s top soccer-only sports venues. Designers helped make the hometown MLS squad Sporting KC fan-friendly in just about every way possible.

4. Chappell’s Restaurant and Sports Museum, 323 Armour Road, North Kansas City

Yes, the name is for real. Chappell’s has been listed on the Sports Illustrated 25 Best Sports Bars in America and USA Today’s Top 10 Restaurants and Sports Museums. From Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves to Paul Hornung’s 1956 Heisman Trophy to jerseys, you’ll be able to eat, drink and learn something at the same time. “Walking into Chappell’s for free is a better value than some sports museums I’ve paid to enter,” says Marty Willadsen, vice president of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, told The Star last year.

5. Royals Hall of Fame, Kauffman Stadium

You’re already at Kauffman Stadium, why don’t you take a tour of the Royals Hall of Fame to get to know the enemy better? See the evolution of the Kansas City team and learn more about Ewing Kauffman.

5 places near Kauffman Stadium

Speaking of Kauffman, if you want to stay near the stadium, here are some options for fun.

1. Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive

You can’t miss it, it’s right next to the stadium. The NFL’s Chiefs have called it home since 1972, and it recently underwent a massive renovation. When the Chiefs are winning, it’s one of the league’s most electric venues (in 2014, fans reclaimed a Guinness World Record for being the loudest crowd at a sports stadium).

2. LC’s Barbecue, 5800 Blue Parkway

No frills here, LC’s is one of the stalwart barbecue joints of Kansas City. Find burnt ends, baked beans, cole slaw and slabs. You won’t be disappointed.

3. Dixon’s Famous Chili, 9105 E. U.S. 40, Independence

If fall weather has you in the mood for chili, Dixon is the place. It has three types of chili: juicy, soupy and dry. And you can add it as a topping to hot dogs or burgers or have it as part of a taco salad. One of the more expensive menu items is all-meat three-tamale spread for $8.29.

4. Hi-Boy Drive-In, 16721 E. Gudgell Road and 924 West U.S. 24, Independence

In Kansas City, Hi-Boy and baseball go together like peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Located near Kauffman Stadium and convenient for postgame pit stops, this Kansas City-area institution serves cold treats along with burgers and fries. There are traditional items — limeades, sundaes and shakes — but your best bet might be a Cyclone, a Concrete-style ice cream dessert that comes with your choice of topping.

5. Cool Crest, 10735 E. U.S. 40, Independence

What to do with the kids before game time? Between a video arcade, miniature golf and a KidsGym Playland, you can let the kids get their energy out here.

This story was originally published October 27, 2015 at 6:02 AM with the headline "Hey, NY Mets fans: Our top 5 lists to help you have fun in KC."