Openings & Closings

This Kansas City suburb didn’t have a cocktail bar. Now it does

There’s a few divey places to grab a drink in Liberty: Corner Bar, Catch 22, etc.

But nothing quite like the upscale lounges you’ll find in Kansas City or closer to it — until now.

34 South Main is a new Liberty cocktail bar at 34 S. Main St. (as readers could have guessed by its name).

Dell Ann Upp opened the spot a couple of weeks ago, saying she hasn’t found anything similar nearby.

“Liberty has a lot of great little sports bars, but they were kinda missing a great elevated experience,” Upp said. “It’s something you would see in Crossroads or downtown. I think that’s something the Liberty community has really been wanting and needing.”

Upp also owns Creative Culture, a DIY craft workshop and milkshake bar in Leawood and the Crossroads. She’d planned to put Creative Culture in the space but decided to fill a void in the area via her new concept.

34 South Main is owned by Dell Ann Upp, who also owns Creative Culture.
34 South Main is owned by Dell Ann Upp, who also owns Creative Culture. Jenna Thompson jthompson@kcstar.com

When customers push open the door, they’ll enter a dimly lit space with exposed brick, vintage light fixtures, old cowboy hats and miniature evergreens.

The aim was to have a European, equestrian-style ski lodge look.

“You just come in and want to sink into one of our oversized chairs,” Upp said. “A Ralph Lauren feel.”

Liberty’s new cocktail bar is meant to emulate a European ski lodge atmosphere.
Liberty’s new cocktail bar is meant to emulate a European ski lodge atmosphere. Jenna Thompson jthompson@kcstar.com

Specialty cocktails, all $16, include the No. 34, which is a house pineapple-infused vodka.

The Toasted Around the Fire includes Tito’s vodka, Mr. Black, espresso and marshmallow. A Wild Night in Mexico has Ocho tequila, Cointreau, charred lemon and agave.

Upp included spirits from several local distillers, like J. Rieger and Tom’s Town.

“There’s just a bunch of fun, local stuff that you’ll see on the menu,” Upp said.

34 South Main is now open in Liberty.
34 South Main is now open in Liberty. Jenna Thompson jthompson@kcstar.com

The front is open to the public, while the back is a dedicated private lounge. Members’ lockers line the winding back hallway.

The bar sold out of its founding member slots before it opened, just one example of how Liberty has welcomed the new concept.

“The Liberty community has just embraced us and been so supportive, it’s unbelievable. We just have the best customers,” Upp said. “Our doors and seats have been full since we’ve opened.”

This story was originally published March 9, 2026 at 2:39 PM.

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Jenna Thompson
The Kansas City Star
Jenna Thompson covers retail news for The Kansas City Star. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, she previously reported for the Lincoln Journal Star and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she studied journalism and English.
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