New KC speakeasy-style lounge will be an ‘immersive experience’
A new speakeasy-style cocktail lounge in Kansas City will combine craft cocktails, mysticism and a little bit of theater.
Think levers, spells and riddles. Owner Mark Denton doesn’t have all the fine details sorted out just yet, but he aims to create a space that’s sure to intrigue.
“There’s going to be some trickery to activate the system to get into the door,” he said. “Maybe some questions you have to answer, some switches you have to switch in the right direction.”
The concept for the upcoming lounge downtown at 307 Admiral Blvd. starts with a true story, sprinkled with a little fiction.
As the tale goes, a tenant of the historic three-story building in the 1940s once operated a supplement business there, which helped him cure a deadly disease that once ailed him. (Denton didn’t want to name him without running it by his family first.)
He traveled across the world to find the perfect blend of botanicals.
Here comes the enchanting part that Denton and his team created: The man encountered a brass monkey statue on his journey that seemed to bring him healing power. He brought the monkey back with him to Kansas City. Legend has it that it’s buried somewhere on the property.
Keeping with the story Denton created, they’re calling the space The Brass Monkey.
“Our mission is to create an immersive and intimate experience that feels exclusive yet welcoming,” he said. “We want this to truly be a place where people escape.”
The Brass Monkey plans to open this summer, likely early July
Staff will be dressed up as different characters from around the world who aided the young herbalist. He’s working with a local designer to create costumes for the characters, which will include a ship captain, an airman, an English pub operator and a cowboy.
“This is kind of like ‘Jumanji,’ the movie, where they collected all those characters along the way,” he said.
While the menu isn’t fully fleshed out, it will offer snacks and drinks from across the globe.
The 1940s-style space will have dim lighting, antique furniture and a discrete entrance. It’s an intimate space, seating about 30 people, but it will have an outside courtyard and patio space that will host events and themed nights. The outside area will be called The Patio at The Brass Monkey.
Denton is the founder and designer of Project 607, a graphic design and branding company in the area.
For The Brass Monkey, Denton is partnering with Brad McDonald, Dan Scott and his wife, Marissa Denton.
‘An entertainment destination’ in downtown KC
Last year, Denton announced plans for a new, 22-room music-themed hotel called The Riff. The hotel will have an event space and “listening lounge” with live music acts.
The Brass Monkey will be a separate space with its own entrance, but it will be attached to the hotel.
“This is more of an entertainment destination that has a few rooms as an amenity, is kind of how we’re looking at it,” he said.
The second phase of the project is still undergoing design and fundraising, but it will include the hotel rooms, event space and listening lounge. He expects that portion to open in 2026.
His team is excited to have the space for out-of-towners and locals alike.
“We want people to feel like they’re in a completely different world while they’re there,” Denton said.