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9 of Kansas City’s most unique new nightlife destinations

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City's nightlife scene continues to expand. Check out the city's first anime and gaming bar, Otaku Lounge. Third Place Lounge provides an inclusive space designed for sober and sober-curious patrons focused more on socializing than drinking.

Meanwhile, Sickies Garage boasts an extensive menu of burgers and boozy shakes, housed in a uniquely themed setting. Local spots like Taquiza and 30hop combine vibrant atmospheres with diverse menu offerings, emphasizing fresh ingredients and innovative cocktails.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Amanda Blancarte has opened Third Place Lounge at 1744 Broadway Blvd. “I want to give people a socioeconomically affordable space where you can lose some of the titles in your life — mom, husband, employer, employee — and just come be yourself,” she said.

NO. 1: IT SERVES BEER AND COCKTAILS, BUT NEW KANSAS CITY LOUNGE IS MORE ABOUT SOCIALIZING

“I wanted to set the tone that it’s not a bar — it’s a lounge that has a bar in it.” | Published January 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Taquiza will sell tacos, burritos, mezcal drinks and more.

NO. 2: COMING TO JOHNSON COUNTY: A NEW SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-STYLE TACO AND TEQUILA RESTAURANT

The bar will sell cilantro lime chicken street tacos, margaritas and more. | Published January 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Merriam Grand Station, a $137 million mixed-use project, is taking shape on the 12.75 acre site of the former Kmart store at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch Road in Merriam. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 3: ‘ENERGETIC’ BAR & GRILL COMING TO JOHNSON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT. BUT FIRST: LEE’S SUMMIT

A partner said the restaurant “embraces food from scratch … large patios, and genuine hospitality.” | Published April 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Father-daughter Yvan Duin and Dominique Young hope to open their Mexican sports bar, Dos Tequilas, by early August. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 4: OWNER OF A KC AREA RADIO STATION IS OPENING A MEXICAN SPORTS BAR IN JOHNSON COUNTY

It will have plenty places to catch big games because its owners are “really, really big Chiefs fans.” | Published July 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The prize wall at a Chuck E. Cheese in Texas. The chain has opened a new Kansas City location at 8809 State Line Road. By Gareth Patterson

NO. 5: NOW OPEN IN KANSAS CITY: A PIZZA PLACE, A SHUFFLEBOARD BAR AND A NEW TACO CHAIN

Recent openings offer new options for a night out. | Published September 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by dhudnall@kcstar.comDavid Hudnall

Sickies Garage sells “supercharged burgers” with unconventional toppings, like its macaroni and cheese burger. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 6: ‘SUPERCHARGED’ BURGER CHAIN WITH BOOZY SHAKES OPENS IN OLD JOHNSON COUNTY RED ROBIN

Fifty burgers — including one with macaroni and another between two doughnuts — are on this restaurant’s menu. It has 50 kinds of beer, too. | Published May 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Pancho’s will open a new location in KC’s Northland later this month.

NO. 7: POPULAR LATE-NIGHT MEXICAN RESTAURANT IS OPENING A NEW KANSAS CITY AREA LOCATION

The restaurant’s breakfast burritos and birria tacos are an after-hours staple.   | Published September 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Gaming stations at Otaku Lounge.

NO. 8: FROM GROCERY STORE TO KOMBUCHA LOUNGE TO, NOW, KANSAS CITY’S FIRST ANIME AND GAMING BAR

In addition to video games, the bar features anime films playing on flat screen TVs, trading card game nights for fans of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon and discounts for customers wearing cosplay outfits. | Published October 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Craft Putt plans a 2025 opening in the Summit Fair shopping center in Lee’s Summit.

NO. 9: MINI-GOLF COURSE WITH FOOD AND CRAFT BEER WILL OPEN SECOND KANSAS CITY AREA LOCATION

The menu includes items like KC Poutine (french fries, garlic cheese curds, brisket, bourbon BBQ gravy), tacos, burgers, wings and sandwiches. | Published May 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.