Soft opening for Leawood’s new Barley’s Brewhaus

A sign on Nall Avenue points the way to 77 South. But 77 South is no more.

KC Hopps Ltd. took over the restaurant space, turning it into one of its Barley’s Brewhaus & Restaurant concepts. It will quietly open to the public at 4 p.m. June 21. The official opening is 11 a.m. June 24.

The 7,000-square-foot space in Cornerstone of Leawood, 5041 W. 135th St., now features a rustic/industrial decor that includes reclaimed wood from an 80-year-old Emma, Mo., barn, along with hand-glazed dark green ceramic tile, stainless steel elements, whiskey barrels here and there, and Edison light fixtures. Images of breweries from across the country line the walls.

In back is a private dining room that can be shut off with a sliding door from an old school. A long table with restored sycamore planks is nearby for another large group.

But the main focus of the dining room is a horseshoe-shaped bar featuring custom-designed stainless steel beer towers. Barley’s has 66 beers on tap.

Three garage doors in front open up to a front patio area that is flanked by two TVs overhead. Another patio on the west side of the restaurant doesn’t offer service but just serves as a smoker’s lounge. Barley’s also has a separate counter at the entrance for carryout orders.

Barley’s Brewhaus is known for its large selection of beers and made-from-scratch menu items, including fish and chips, steaks, and pizza. It also has a variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees.

But the new menu includes micro plates made for sharing. It includes Haus-made meatballs (pork and beef meatballs served over creamy polenta and topped with Parmesan fondue), Haus-made pickles, crispy pork belly, smoked trout and pears, and langostino and curried risotto croquettes served with sour apple slaw and lemon basil aioli.

Before 77 South opened in the space it also was home to Cheeseburger in Paradise and then Tannahs.

There also are Barley’s Brewhaus locations in Overland Park and Shawnee.

This story was originally published June 21, 2013 at 4:04 PM with the headline "Soft opening for Leawood’s new Barley’s Brewhaus."