Kansas City bets on patios — and its restaurants — to help sell itself to the world
The Country Club Plaza may not be camera-ready by the time World Cup fans arrive next year, but elsewhere in the city restaurants are brushing up for their moment on the global stage.
On Wednesday, Mayor Quinton Lucas announced a second round of funding in the city’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Program, awarding a total of $100,000 to 12 restaurants to expand or improve their outdoor dining spaces. It’s part of a broader citywide effort to prepare for the international spotlight that will arrive in June 2026.
The pilot program, funded by the city’s tourism budget, was initiated in December with $200,000 distributed to 20 restaurants. This time around, the grants were funded by KC BizCare, a city-staffed small-business resource center.
“This second round of funding demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting Kansas City’s exceptional restaurant community,” Lucas said in a press release. “These businesses will use the grants to create inviting outdoor spaces that will serve our community well beyond the 2026 World Cup, contributing to the unique character that makes Kansas City a premier destination.”
Among the recipients is Novel, a fine-dining restaurant in the Crossroads. Chef-owner Ryan Brazeal received $11,000 in the first round of grants to replace outdated iron patio furniture and add a sound system — investments that also helped launch Penrose, a coffee window and pastry bar at the restaurant. This time, they’re using the funds — about $10,000, Brazeal said — to install updated lighting and pay off a new 18-foot banquette on the patio.
“We’ve been trying to create a space outside that’s a little more lounge-y and conducive to enjoying a multi-course meal,” Brazeal said. “And we’re trying to make it a little cleaner and more comfortable for day guests at the coffee shop as well.”
At Mean Mule, a distillery also in the Crossroads, the grant is helping activate a loading dock located off the alley at the back of their building. It was used as a patio during the pandemic but has been mostly an afterthought since. Co-founder Megan Evans said they’re using the city funds to build a fence to protect the space overnight, pay for some heaters so it can be utilized year-round, and bring in a muralist to brighten up the space, which they’re calling Second Sun.
“We’re whipping it up pretty fast,” Evans said. “It should be ready to go in a few weeks. You should be able to stop by and see us on First Friday next month.”
Up in the Northland, barbecue-seeking tourists fresh off the plane will be able to enjoy burnt ends under a newly covered patio at Scott’s Kitchen, said owner Scott Umscheid.
“We’ve been dreaming of (this project) for years — to cover our patio and increase the amount of seating, and create a space that gives us the ability to entertain our guests in new and creative ways,” Umscheid said.
And on Troost Avenue, Marissa Williams of Ruby Jean’s Juicery is hoping that Kansas Citians and soccer fans alike can be convinced to see the neighborhood with fresh eyes. Their outdoor space, now dubbed Patio 3000 for its address at 3000 Troost, will get new seating, enhanced lighting, more shade, and some enclosure to give it a sense of place.
“We hope this will further encourage both new and returning visitors to this vibrant part of the city, which we believe is often unfairly overlooked,” Williams said.
Other recipients this time around: La Bodega, Border Brewing Company, Fifth and Emery, Orange By Devoured, Brewery Emperial, Torn Label Brewing Company, Trezo Mare Restaurant, and Kansas City Taco Company.
Restaurant owners interested in applying for potential future grants are encouraged to visit bizcare.kcmo.gov.
