Upscale cocktail lounge now open in Johnson County: whiskey, non-alcoholic drinks, more
It’s difficult to build community in the digital age, Matt Murphy said. Screens seem to have replaced small talk.
It’s partly why Murphy — who spent years in the cigar industry in Philadelphia — opened Fireside Cigar three years ago at 15999 S. Bradley Drive in Olathe.
So far, he’s been successful at building a space for strangers to bond while smoking cigars brands like Arturo Fuente, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. and La Flor Dominicana.
But not everyone likes to smoke. Murphy gets that. Enter his new concept — Quaint.
Murphy’s cocktail lounge opened Wednesday right next to Fireside, at 15995 South Bradley Drive. He hopes the new space will foster the same kind of camaraderie as his other business.
But unlike Fireside, which he says is decorated with more masculine decor, Quaint is meant to appeal to a wider audience.
Its marble bar, crystal chandeliers and exposed brick provide a different feel than his adjacent business. Quaint is a smoke-free zone.
Murphy feels like he succeeded in building a space that attracts a range of customers, if Wednesday night’s opening was any proof. He welcomed young 20-somethings, middle aged visitors and retirement-age customers.
With bar seating, several tables and chairs, the 1,500-square-foot space’s occupancy maxes out at 79 guests.
“It kinda turned out exactly how I wanted,” he said. ““I was ready for it to be open finally. … It’s been a project in the works for two years.”
Quaint serves several full-strength cocktails — like the Lemon Cake Martini (vodka, lemon, Frangelico) and the El Diablo Suave (jalapeno-infused tequila, St. Germain, cucumber, lime, agave and a chili salt rim). He also has a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails, like the Elderflower Dream, a Champagne-style cocktail with notes of elderflower and lavender.
He offers dozens of whiskeys, bourbons and other spirits. His food menu is limited but includes a charcuterie board and “sweet indulgence” board (chocolate caramels, mixed nuts, fruits, popcorn).
There aren’t too many cocktail lounges in south Olathe, Murphy said. His first few customers have already expressed their gratitude.
Murphy recalled some of the excited comments he’s gotten: “‘So glad it’s so close to us,’ and ‘There’s nothing like it around,’ and ‘It makes me feel like I’m not in Olathe, it makes me feel like I’m downtown somewhere.’”
“I think there’s a need for something, an after dinner spot. There’s not a whole lot of options in this area,” he added.
And Murphy predicts the demand will only increase. South Overland Park and south Olathe are growing, with developments like the Bluhawk project near 159th Street and Antioch Road adding more housing and shopping.
He encouraged his neighbors (and beyond) to stop by for a drink or two.
Quaint is open from 4 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 4 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. It’s closed Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.