A Chappell Roan fan guide to exploring KC shops, barbecue, cafes and attractions
When you step into Missouri, you enter the Midwest Princess’ kingdom. Here’s what to see, eat and buy while you’re in Kansas City to see Chappell Roan.
Thousands of subjects will make the pilgrimage to Kansas City for the Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things Tour.
The Missouri native will perform for sold-out crowds of 30,000 each on Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4, in Kansas City.
Crews are already setting up the stage at Museum and Memorial Park, which is the lawn area in front of the Liberty Memorial and the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Kansas City is one of three locations for the mini tour, which started in New York City and ends in Los Angeles.
Roan’s team published a guide to Kansas City. But that’s not all you can do in the city that’s sprinkled with some of Roan’s favorite things.
There will be plenty to do during the weekend. First Friday brings extra art and vintage shopping opportunities on Friday in the Crossroads and all weekend long in the West Bottoms. You can also get a taste of Germany at the Oktoberfest celebration in Crown Center, near the concert venue.
Whether you’ve never been to Kansas City before or frequent The Paris of the Plains, here are some ideas of things to do before or after the concerts.
Find more information on KansasCity.com about the Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things tour, including openers, Pink Pony Club themed outfit ideas and transportation to the venue.
Barbecue restaurants to try in Kansas City
Kansas City’s barbecue spots are acclaimed by many famous meat eaters, who come for the smoky burnt ends and sweet and tangy sauce. Make a reservation or plan to wait, as these restaurants can get busy on the weekends.
- Joe’s KC BBQ in a KCK gas station is one of Anthony Bourdain’s 13 places to eat before you die. Travis Kelce said he chows down on their Z-Man sandwiches, ribs and fries.
- Slap’s in Kansas City, Kansas, is Missouri comedian Caleb Hearon’s favorite joint.
- Q39 on 39th Street hosted Morgan Freeman when he visited in September.
- Gates Bar-B-Q on Main Street is the setting of a yet-to-be-released “Ted Lasso” scene.
Other well-liked barbecue spots in Kansas City include Jack Stack, Char Bar, Wolfpack and Arthur Bryant’s.
KC museums to visit
- The Rabbit hOle transports the young-at-heart inside children’s books. Since opening in 2024, the museum has received national recognition.
- Take a free self-guided driving tour of Kansas City’s LGBTQ history with the KC Rainbow Tour.
- The National WWI Museum and Memorial, underneath the Chappell Roan venue, is offering discounted tickets on concert days.
- The National Toy and Miniature Museum, as its name implies, showcases nostalgic playthings and intricate dioramas.
- See 50 years of drag costumes and memorabilia from local queen Melinda Ryder at the Museum of Kansas City, which is free for the weekend.
For art lovers, check out the free Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art for a survey of art from around the world. To learn about Black history through the lens of sports, go to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
LGBTQ nightlife in Kansas City
The queer-centered bars and clubs are mostly near Westport, each about a 10-minute walk from the other.
- Q Kansas City, a queer nightclub in Westport, will host Chappell Roan-themed parties Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with drag performers and costume contests.
- Woody’s, more of a bar than a nightclub, is hosting no cover sapphic night on Friday.
- Missie B’s is an old-school, cash-only club with drag shows and a house music floor.
- Hamburger Mary’s was where Roan saw her first drag show. Catch drag brunch or karaoke at this restaurant slash performance venue.
One-of-a-kind attractions
You won’t find these experiences at any other Damsels tour stop.
- Take a stroll through the historic Kansas City neighborhood of Longfellow, which in the 90s was a lesbian enclave called Womontown.
- Since Kansas City is a metropolitan area spanning both Kansas and Missouri, just walk across State Line Road and you’ll land in a whole different state.
- Look out for pollinators and cats at the floral urban oasis of the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden.
- Pose underneath the new multistory Chappell Roan mural, tucked between two gay bars: Hamburger Mary’s and Woody’s.
Secondhand shopping in KC
Get a last-minute piece for your “Pink Pony Club” costume or a souvenir for a steal at these secondhand stores.
- Scraps KC meticulously organizes donated art and craft supplies and sells them at low prices.
- Arizona Trading Company, a consignment shop in the Crossroads, specializes in offbeat fashion and vintage items.
- Troost39 Thrift Store and Goodwill Midtown are general thrift shops with clothes, books, housewares and other goodies.
Guides to Kansas City neighborhoods
The Star curated tours of two neighborhoods with a mix of Roan-recommended eateries, queer landmarks and unique shops. While they’re not as popular as areas like The Plaza or the River Market, these neighborhoods contain off-the-beaten-path attractions for Roan fans.
A morning in the West Plaza
Start with a horchata latte or mocha flight at Café Corazón, a coffee shop with a Latin twist on Roan’s list. Go next door to May Day Paper & Post to shop for cute cards, notebooks and stickers.
Then, stroll past trees and bungalows to West 45th Street, where you can admire the antique shops or stock up on craft supplies at Yarn Social. Just a few blocks west is State Line Road, where you can cross the street into Kansas.
When you work up an appetite, walk back to Westport Road for a cool treat at Andy’s Frozen Custard. Roan is a fan of the Springfield-based chain, and her go-to order is the James Brownie Funky Jackhammer, which is a peanut butter and brownie frozen custard concrete filled with hot fudge.
An afternoon on 31st Street
This area between Union Hill, Longfellow and Hyde Park is approximately a 20-minute walk from the concert venue and has food, drinks, shopping and a lesbian landmark.
Get your queer and trans-inclusive romance books at Under the Cover, turn the corner for mod items at Urban Mining Vintage and Popluxe KC and stroll down the road for Kansas City souvenirs at Made in KC.
Walk 10 minutes uphill to find the historic marker for Womontown, an intentional community of lesbians in the ‘90s.
When you get hungry, stop into The Fix for vegan comfort food in a historic storefront, Orange by Devoured for elevated pizza at a Black and queer owned restaurant or Kitty’s Cafe for a hole-in-the-wall tempura pork tenderloin sandwich.
If you’re in the mood for something upscale, Japanese restaurant Noka is a favorite of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Stop for pre-concert drink before walking over to Liberty Memorial at area bars like Cliff’s Taphouse, Brick House or Tower Tavern.
This story was originally published October 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
