Former Kansas City chicken restaurant will soon become a bar
A former Kansas City chicken restaurant and music venue in Westport will take on a new life as a sit-down bar by day, party spot by night.
Recently closed Laney’s Get Down, 4057 Pennsylvania Ave., will soon reopen as The Social Room.
The Columbia-based bar aims to open its second location this summer.
Manager Jules Graebner described it as a “something for everybody” spot with a full menu of large plates, shareables and drinks.
By day, it’ll be an elevated sit-down spot. After a certain hour, the music’s volume will increase and patrons can hit the dance floor.
“It’s everything all at the same time,” Graebner said. “That’s evidenced by our crowd.”
While its Columbia location is near the University of Missouri, The Social Room aims to attract patrons of all ages and walks of life.
The bar will be brought to life by owners Cody Hill and Andrew Jackson. Graebner grew up just outside KC and is excited for the bar to join Westport, a nightlife hub in the metro.
“We believe in Kansas City, and we want to be there,” she said.
The Social Room has been in business for more than a decade in Columbia. Hill took over the bar a few years ago and has been operating it since.
The management team doesn’t want to give away too much too early and is keeping the menu hush-hush for now.
Laney’s Get Down opened in the space in late 2024 and closed at the end of March. The ‘70s-themed concept was headed up by the Nashville-based group behind Tin Roof.
After about a year, CEO Bob Franklin decided to give someone else a chance at the spot.
“It wasn’t working out as well as we would’ve liked,” Franklin said. “Longtime tenants in the neighborhood want to see the neighborhood do well.”
The space was home to Mickey’s Hideaway before that, which closed in late 2022. McCoy’s Public House was there for 21 years.
Neighboring concept Tin Roof is still open.
Pretty Please Social Room, a separate concept with a similar name, will soon open in Westport at 4141 Mill St.