Inside new membership cocktail lounge in Kansas City offering a ‘targeted’ experience
Editor’s note: Weeks after this story was published as part of our coverage of food and drinks in Kansas City, The Star heard separately from readers who had negative experiences in business dealings with one of the subjects, Dan Edwards. The Star’s investigation into those dealings is published here.
Over a decade ago, Dan Edwards took his eventual wife to a buzzy bar called Retro Downtown Drinks & Dance.
Several years and a few tenants later, Edwards saw a “for lease” sign in the window of the 1518 McGee St. space. He went to his college friend and hospitality professional, Cedric Ransburg, and they decided it was time to open a space of their own.
Unlike Retro, however, this spot is a little more selective.
It’s called In Good Company, and it hopes to serve the kind of customers its name describes.
There’s a profusion of bars in downtown Kansas City that offer boisterous partying and pounding music.
This is not that.
“We like the idea of being able to cater to a very targeted clientele,” Edwards said. “Building up a membership allows us to focus in, more as a hospitality brand than a cocktail spot, so we can take care of our members …”
“We want people who want to be here,” Ransburg added.
There’s no neon sign hanging above the door of the Crossroads spot to let you know it’s there. No lines of people filtering in and out.
Instead, its members pay a monthly fee ($50, $150 or $250), which includes a varying number of drink credits.
Customers can enter the space as much as they want during visiting hours. After their drink credits wear out, cocktails cost around $14.
Edwards and Ransburg opened the space in late November but rolled out the membership system in January. And so far, the reception has been positive. Most of their members have joined through word of mouth. Friends of friends of friends.
Members can bring up to four guests in with them, too.
“There are little niches in places that do a certain cover or deposit. So it’s a similar mindset … just leaning into that all the way is what we decided to do,” Ransburg said.
A microphone sits behind the bar, so staff can announce members by name as they walk through the door. Members can help decide what tunes will play that night.
Its wood floors and brick walls match the ambiance of the arts district. A lofted space above the main floor is aglow with subtle mood lighting.
It’s the ideal spot for those who want to enjoy the social aspect of a bar without the chaos and crowds, Edwards said.
With social events and entertainment, In Good Company is more of a social club than a bar. Weeks ago, Grammy Award-winning artist Brian Kennedy hosted a live recording in the bar. They hope to have more experiences for members in the future.
There’s not a stringent vetting process, but they do have a few rules: no bad company, no bad spirits (on the shelf, or in people) and no bad tippers.
Edwards said he’s not sure how many members they have at the moment, but they’re hoping to pull in around 500.
The concept of a members-only lounge is not for everyone, the duo admit. And they’re OK with that.
It’s not common, though not entirely unheard of in the Kansas City metro. Other spots include The Final Final Club in Overland Park at 12687 Metcalf Ave. and the Members Only Lounge at 11932 W. 119th St. in Overland Park.
Some drinks on In Good Company’s menu: Vintage Luxury (Amontillado sherry, rosemary-infused dry vermouth and bitters), Truman & McGee (gin, elderflower, cucumber cordial and lime), and Lost in the Crossroads (bourbon, beer cordial, Orleans bitters).
To sign up for a membership, customers can go online to igkc.com/membership.
Non-members can purchase a day pass to the club to “come in, catch the vibe, and hopefully see enough value,” Edwards said.
This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM.