Beloved KC bar ‘optimistic’ about relocating after closing. Here’s what’s next
While Kansas City’s bookstore and bar Afterword is closing its current Crossroads space, the story might not be over.
Manager Kate Hall is on the hunt for a new location, and she remains “cautiously hopeful” for the future of her bar.
Hall said the building Afterword occupies at 19th Street and Grand Boulevard was sold to new ownership with different plans for the space. Though Afterword can’t stay at its current 1834 Grand Blvd. spot past Jan. 31, Hall isn’t ready to give up.
“We’re not done,” Hall said. “The stars are gonna have to align, which, we have a really strong community, so I’m super optimistic that it’s a possibility.”
Since putting out a closing announcement less than a week ago, which contained a plea for help, Hall has been in contact with “at least five” owners of prospective locations.
Ideally, Afterword would continue not far from its original home, though she’s not opposed to moving outside city limits. Spaces already built out as bars would be ideal.
“Starting a bar is not an easy endeavor in any circumstances,” Hall said.
Specific plans for what will move into Afterword’s original location aren’t clear, though something called Desperado Lounge has filed for a business license for the space. The building’s new ownership could not be reached for comment Monday.
Afterword’s former neighbor, clothing store Guevel, has already relocated to 919 W. 17th St.
Though Hall is saddened to leave her current space, she harbors no ill will toward the new ownership and whatever comes into the space. She’s had time to sit with the disappointment, learning things in bits and pieces since this summer.
“Whatever happens to the business, I wish them all the best,” she said.
Hall hopes to bring back as much of the original crew as possible, though the earliest Afterword could reopen would likely be summer.
“We all really enjoy each other, so hopeful that we’d be able to bring our original core crew back and build it from there,” Hall said. “You wish it wasn’t happening.
“Now we can just kind of know and plan accordingly and see what we can do.”
Afterword will celebrate its “Last Hoorah” on Jan. 24. The bar is looking to donate 250 pounds of food. Customers can bring in cans for discounts on cocktails.
The spot, which sells books and serves literary-themed cocktails, was started by Christian Overgaard and Luke Pitz in 2018. The duo still own the bar, while Hall manages.
Pitz said he and Overgaard were minority owners of the building until its sale and “are actively working on finding a new location.”
“There are a lot of different bars in the city, but I don’t think there’s a lot of different bars like this place,” Hall said.
This story was originally published December 9, 2025 at 5:00 AM.