This KCK bar is now open, inspired by dogs, Cher & its cheery neighborhood
For years, a bar with high ceilings, exposed brick and wooden floors has perched on Kansas City, Kansas’ historic Strawberry Hill neighborhood.
The spot at 401 N. Sixth St. has lived a few lives: Over Under, Manor Records, and most recently, The Davenport.
It’s always tempted Andi Ryan, a former employee who was high up at J. Rieger Co.
Last summer, Ryan heard the space had gone up for sale and drove over with her then-boss and mentor, Ryan Maybee, to check it out. Months later, she reopened it as Beverly’s: a cocktail bar serving pizza, charcuterie boards and beer.
Beverly’s aims for a level of friendliness worthy of the Hill.
“I genuinely love getting to make people’s memories,” Ryan said, bouncing between serving drinks and talking to The Star on a Tuesday afternoon. “What other industry can you do that in? I genuinely love taking care of people.”
The bar’s namesake, written in cursive script on its signs and windows, isn’t some aging relative or fictional muse. She’s Ryan’s 2-year-old pitbull.
Beverly was one of five 3-week-old puppies Ryan’s fiance, Kyle, found abandoned by the side of the road. He took the pups to KCK Animal Services until they were old enough to foster, and Beverly has been part of Ryan’s family since.
Beverly’s logo includes a graphic of the pup with her head titled and ears raised.
“Isn’t she cute?” Ryan remarked, spinning around a napkin holder to show a sticker of the dog’s face.
Every month, Beverly’s features an adoptable pup in the community by creating a signature drink in their name.
January’s pup of the month is a pitbull named Otis. If customers wish to support KCK Animal Services, they can order his $12 cocktail — vodka, Caffe Amaro, Irish cream, chocolate and cold brew. Beverly’s will give a dollar of each Otis drink to the shelter.
If interested adoptees head to KCK Animal Services and tell them Beverly sent them, the bar will cover the adoption fee.
“We just love pups,” Ryan said, then added with a laugh, “It’s kind of ironic, because dogs aren’t allowed in here, because we have a kitchen.”
Beverly’s menu is, in fact, almost entirely inspired by dogs.
Each of the signature cocktails on the menu is named after her family and friends’ furry friends (and one cat).
Ryan’s sister, Denise Whiteman, is also an owner. Her pup inspired the Julesberry Hill, a housemade strawberry limeade for $3. (Add vodka, gin, rum or tequila for $5.)
“My sister has three kids. … They think it’s so cool they have a mocktail named after their dog,” Ryan said.
The Manhattan, Kanesas, is a drink named after Beverly’s brother, Kane. It features Rieger rye, vermouth and bitters for $11.
As for food, Beverly’s serves scratch-made pizza with homemade ranch, “Cher”cuterie boards (aka charcuterie boards with Cher’s face on them) for $24, shareable charcuterie nachos (kettle chips with burrata, prosciutto, salami, fig jam, hot honey, etc.) for $21 and more.
While Ryan is proud of her first few months at Beverly’s, there are, of course, times she misses J. Rieger.
“They let me do so many cool things,” she said, reflecting on her more than 10 years there.
Ryan had several different roles during her time there, most recently being a director of brand education.
Luckily, she’s been able to carry her knowledge over to her current role. And her shelves are lined with J. Rieger products. Ryan Maybee is officiating her upcoming wedding.
“I absolutely love J. Rieger,” Ryan said. “The relationship there is still so strong. It was just a blast.”
On a late Tuesday afternoon, she demonstrated to one customer how she creates the perfect lemon twist.
Customers slowly piled in as the clock ticked closer to 5 p.m.
“Hi, girlfriend,” she said cheerfully to one of her friends who wondered in. “How are you? Come crash over here.”
It’s hard to tell which customers Ryan has just met, and which ones she’s known for years. But she said that’s partially the way Strawberry Hill rolls. Everyone looks out for each other here.
“There’s no other neighborhood I would’ve done it in other than Strawberry Hill,” she said, adding that it was high time the neighborhood had something other than a dive bar. “I think it’s time for one step up.”