A new Kansas City jazz club is on its way, replacing Crossroads wine bar
.JPG "KC Wineworks was open for almost a decade before it closed earlier this year.")
Before Jon Copaken was principal of major Kansas City development company Copaken Brooks, he was a jazz-loving college student.
Copaken and his longtime best friend, Ted Burns, would spend their weekends in the 18th and Vine District, sometimes giving rides to musicians playing area gigs.
But tragically, Ted passed away three years ago. In honor of him, Copaken is naming his passion project — a new Kansas City jazz club — after him.
“Both of us were fans of jazz,” Copaken said.
Ted’s Taproom will open at 1829 McGee St., hopefully in February. It’s taking over the KC Wineworks space that closed earlier this year.
Copaken has long discussed his dream of opening a jazz club with friends and fellow investors, many of whom knew Ted.
It’s a space where Copaken has long seen opportunities for more investment.
“While Kansas City is known for jazz and barbecue and a bunch of other things, we really don’t have as many authentic jazz clubs as we should, or as we think we do,” he said. “We really just don’t have the venues.”
It won’t be a restaurant — Copaken says the focus will be more on drinks and music. And while live music will be a central feature, it won’t be a constant presence. He hopes it’ll be a place for community members with all different tastes to gather.
“It’s a place you can go whether you like or listen to jazz or not,” he said.
Many details of the space are still being ironed out, but Copaken promised a fun atmosphere.
“Definitely not stuffy, definitely not formal, but a place that showcases local jazz artists,” he said.
KC Wineworks closed its physical location in April, citing break-ins, rising costs and supply chain issues as factors. It had lived in the space for about a decade. The business still does pop-ups around the metro.
Meanwhile, the former Cafe Gratitude space is also being made over into a jazz-centric concept. The spot at 333 Southwest Blvd. will be called Cafe 333 and will serve food and drinks, as well as provide live entertainment.
Cafe 333 is a creation of Social Cabaret entertainment group (other experiences are Waldo Supper Club at 8011 Wornall Road and C.A.S.T. at 9050 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park).
Copaken Brooks has involvement in several Kansas City area developments but is perhaps most known for its Lenexa City Center project, a sprawling area off Interstate 435 with several restaurants, retail spaces and offices.
This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 1:44 PM.