‘We had a great run’: After a decade, bar closes in Kansas City’s Power & Light
Ryan Haverty says every great large city has a great Irish pub, and in the heart of Kansas City it was his, The Dubliner.
It closed Thursday after 10 years of operations in the Power & Light District.
“I love the space. It is the best Irish bar in the Midwest, if not the country,” he said Friday as workers packed up inventory. “We had a great run.”
He said his lease was up and he did consider renewing it.
“Because of the pandemic, the industry has been greatly affected and it hasn’t quite gotten back to pre-pandemic levels yet,” he said. “It’s just a tough proposition for us. It’s kind of a risky business to be in right now.”
In a statement, Power & Light District officials said, “Despite attempts to negotiate a new lease, The Dubliner has closed its doors.”
The location, at 170 E. 14th St., was one of the first to open in the district in March 2008. It was then the 10,000-square-foot Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, just across from what is now the T-Mobile Center.
The original owners spent several million dollars bringing in Irish workers for the build-out, and constructing pieces in Ireland for authenticity. It had three dining areas, two bars and two patios.
That’s why Haverty wants it to remain an Irish pub, and he has offered to help the next tenant if they choose to keep that concept.
“There’s just no way someone would spend that kind of money on the craftsmanship today. It’s unbelievable,” he said.
Celebrity Irish chef Kevin Dundon created the Raglan menu. Irish dancers and musicians performed there.
But in mid-2011, the landlord filed suit against Raglan for back rent and other charges, and possession of the space. Raglan filed a response alleging breach of contract. But it later closed.
Then Haverty and his silent partners took over.
Their menu included the Irish Cowboy sandwich with sliced corned beef and pulled pork, the Reuben Burger with corned beef and sauerkraut, shellfish chowder, shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips.
On Friday he said he was thankful for the community support over the years, the soccer clubs that made it their home base, and the “great staff.”
“We’ve loved being in the middle of downtown and being part of the heartbeat of downtown,” Haverty said. “I’ve been upset, thinking about all the great memories, helping charitable events. It was tempting to carry on. It’s just a personal choice at the end of the day on our behalf.”
The Power & Light District also lost longtime tenant Drunken Fish in February. But Blue Sushi Sake Grill said it would open in that spot later this year.
This story was originally published April 1, 2022 at 3:47 PM.