New ‘eclectic’ speakeasy opens in Kansas City with a mysterious backstory
Kansas City’s newest speakeasy is born out of a fantastical myth and a true — though somewhat cryptic — history.
A search through The Star’s archives will reveal that the building at 307 Admiral Blvd. has been around since at least the early 1900s, housing several businesses like a home renovations company and small printing press.
There’s a longstanding rumor that the space was once a CIA bunker, the bar’s manager said. Perhaps the reinforced concrete and lack of windows is what spurred the speculation.
But for several decades, the building has been home to a vitamin company started by V.E. Irons. His family still owned the space — until now.
Irons’ true history shapes the fictional story behind The Brass Monkey Lounge, a bar hidden in the basement of the once-abandoned building in the greater downtown area.
“The goal is to lean into it enough to get you interested, and if you want to pull on the threads, great,” operations director Dan Scott explained. “The further you want to go down the rabbit hole, the further you go.”
According to Scott, Irons traveled the world to find the perfect ingredients for his herbal remedies.
Here comes the embellished part of the story: While on his journey, he apparently encountered a brass monkey statue that granted magic healing powers. Irons brought the monkey with him to Kansas City, and, as legend has it, it’s buried somewhere on the property.
The Brass Monkey Lounge /team plans to hide different immersive puzzles around the space that will unlock aspects of the story and menu developments.
Scott and his business partner, Mark Denton, will later also open a music-themed, boutique hotel called The Riff in a conjoined building. The 22-room hotel is coming circa 2027, but its secluded basement always seemed to be the perfect spot for a speakeasy.
“It’s a little eclectic, maybe unexpected,” Scott said. “It’s a space that’s designed to be accessible, and comfortable and inviting and warm.”
Antique chairs, vintage picture frames and dim lamps make the space look like it’s been plucked from the 1940s. A specialty speaker system plans to play thematic tunes. Scott called the space a “music-forward” lounge.
The drinks similarly play into the storyline. Each includes some sort of herbal tonic.
The Armor of Aphrodite is a $16 drink with Yuzu vodka, elderflower liqueur, sloe gin, strawberry, pink peppercorn, lemon and egg whites (elderflower contains a high level of antioxidants). The Cherry Moon ($18) has clarified amaretto sour, cherry Pepsi cold foam, vanilla and hibiscus.
Several non-alcoholic drinks are on the menu, too. The Elixir of Krokos ($13), for example, is a zero-proof drink with raspberry saffron shrub, aloe and pomegranate molasses.
Adventurous drinkers can embark on a journey The Brass Monkey calls “The Alchemist Experience.”
For $21, employees will shuffle a deck of cards. Patrons select two cards from the splayed out deck, and each card corresponds with a different flavor.
From those flavors, the bartender — or “alchemist” — will craft a unique alcoholic elixir for the customer. Hearts are sweet flavors; clubs are herbal, floral or spice; diamonds are tart, citrus or fruity; and spades are bitter.
Employees also pass around trays filled with snacks from around the world, for $2 each.
“The goal was to make you want to take the menu home,” he said. “To make everything as delicious as it looks, some unexpected things for a menu.”
The bar will be open on Wednesdays from 4 to 11 p.m., and Thursdays through Saturdays 4 to 1:30 a.m.
With a capacity of 48 people, Scott advises customers to make a reservation on the bar’s website at brassmonkeylounge.com.
This story was originally published September 20, 2025 at 6:00 AM.