8 Kansas City bars mixing tradition with creative flair

Kansas City’s bar scene blends innovation and elegance at every turn.

This list of stories outlines everything from secret speakeasies behind rotary phones to a sleek cocktail lounge that flips into a cozy coffee shop by day.

You can try a gin-forward Water Lily at Entity Lounge, discover an Old-Fashioned served smoky from a box at The Forge, or enjoy community vibes and Lemon Cake Martinis in the candlelit setting at Quaint. Members can also seek out the curated experience and intimate gatherings at In Good Company.

Each of the KC area nightlife destinations promises thoughtful details and a unique escape.

The entire space inside The Forge echos a speakeasy of the 1920s. By Roy Inman

NO. 1: TO GET INSIDE THIS NEW JOHNSON COUNTY BAR, ENTER AN UNMARKED DOOR. THEN GIVE A PASSWORD

The entryway looks like an old tool shed. The secret to getting inside is via the rotary phone on the wall. | Published March 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Brothers Levi and Caleb Roye, owners of Varsity Club, which opens Friday in the River Market. By Emily Curiel

NO. 2: BROTHERS’ NEW KANSAS CITY COCKTAIL BAR SERVES CREATIVE DRINKS, WITHOUT THE FUSS

No big ice cubes or nine-ingredient drinks here. “We’re over that,” the co-owner says. Get yourself a burger from the trailer outside. | Published July 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

XO, a hi-fi lounge and restaurant, was set to open Friday at 709 W. 17th St. By Josh Pruitt

NO. 3: NEW KANSAS CITY BAR IS MADE FOR ‘HI-FI NERDS,’ AND FANS OF GOOD WINE AND/OR MUSIC

“We wanted to create this portal feeling where you come inside and the outside world kind of melts away.” | Published June 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Belly Vang, owner of Entity Lounge, prepares a Water Lily cocktail on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Overland Park. The cocktail contains gin, dry curacao, creme de violette and topped with a slice of lemon. By Emily Curiel

NO. 4: SPIRITS AND ESPRESSO: INSIDE JOHNSON COUNTY’S GLITZY NEW COCKTAIL LOUNGE, COFFEE SHOP

“To me, it turned out just like it should be,” the owner said. | Published June 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Vintage ’78 won an award for its wine list, which features wines from around the world.

NO. 5: IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST WINE BARS IN JOHNSON COUNTY? IT JUST WON INTERNATIONAL AWARD

The bar competed with Michelin-starred restaurants around the world. | Published October 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Quaint sells a variety of cocktails, like the Lemon Cake Martini and El Diablo Suave.

NO. 6: UPSCALE COCKTAIL LOUNGE NOW OPEN IN JOHNSON COUNTY: WHISKEY, NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS, MORE

The owner said customers told him, “’It makes me feel like I’m downtown somewhere.’” | Published October 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The Truman & McGee, a cocktail made with gin, elderflower, cucumber, lime cordial, and a hint of smoked rosemary, served at In Good Company—a new members-only cocktail bar at 1518 McGee St. in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 7: INSIDE NEW MEMBERSHIP COCKTAIL LOUNGE IN KANSAS CITY OFFERING A ‘TARGETED’ EXPERIENCE

You may remember the bar that used to be in the space. | Published February 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The Vault opens Friday in the basement of Tom’s Town. By David Hudnall

NO. 8: CROSSROADS BAR WILL OPEN A NEW SPEAKEASY WITH NODS TO KANSAS CITY HISTORY

“We wanted to bring a little bit of that old rowdiness back downstairs,” one manager told The Star. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.