Sunday Afternoon in KCK
This past Sunday B and I decided to head to Kansas City, KS to do a little barhopping. Since it was Sunday we didn't expect to find much open, we we ever in for a surprise!
We headed to the west end of the city and began working our way back towards downtown.
#1: Office Bar & Grill
Bethel, Kansas City, KS [map]
Our first stop was actually a bonus bar. We weren't expecting to find one here and were just flying by when B spotted it. Our bartender, who was watching women's softball on TV, was a wealth of information and filled us in on the concept of private clubs in KCK. She also told us about several others that would be open on a Sunday. This included two right next door on either side that we had completely failed to notice.
#2: Jerry's Neighborhood Sports Bar
Bethel, Kansas City, KS [map]
Because of the lack of neon we had driven right past this place without noticing it. The main bar was full, with everyone watching one of the Die Hard movies on TV, so we had to sit at the side bar.
#3: American Legion Post 199
Bethel, Kansas City, KS [map]
We entered through the patio out back to find a fairly full house. There was a fish fry going on that we were invited to join, but we weren't hungry yet so politely declined. I forgot to get a picture of this place.
#4: To The Hoop
State Ave, Kansas City, KS [map]
A pretty small sports bar in a commercial area. I had a Bud Select and quickly remembered why I don't get Bud Select. A patron to our right filled us in on a couple of nearby places to try, includuding The Sports Page plus a place further down the road that he had never worked up the courage to try. So naturally that's where we went next. :)
#5: 61st Street Pit Stop
State Ave, Kansas City, KS [map]
Your basic dive bar. I can't remember for sure but this might be the place where our 10oz draws were 75 cents. We had to chug, though, because several guys were about to try to squeeze a massive beer cooler through that small front door and we didn't want to get stuck waiting.
#6: The Sports Page
State Ave, Kansas City, KS [map]
We had a hard time finding this place which was why we had to do some backtracking. We paused for lunch at an Arby's and while we were there deduced that our next stop had to be located down the hill across the street.
The locals all touted this as the premier bar in the area and the best place to be. It was large and decent, but an older man to our left was being a little too pompous about this place and describing everything else as a shithole.
#7: Experience
Welborn, Kansas City, KS [map]
This was a bit of a surprise. This was the only bar whose web site we had checked out in advance. There was a major incongruity between what that web site presents and the converted former Rax restaurant we found ourselves in as the only white customers. No one seemed bothered by our presence, perhaps they were too distracted watching Village of the Damned on the TV at the bar, but a few newcomers did do double-takes when they saw us sitting in there.
#8: Bills 32 West
Muncie, Kansas City, KS [map]
This was our first stop at what we thought was a cluster of three bars. We were invited to partake of free nachos but were too full from our earlier Arby's stop.
#9: Roadhouse
Muncie, Kansas City, KS [map]
When we stepped inside here we found ourselves at a nearly-full bar shrouded in total silence. No music, no TV, no conversation. So B told the bar his "schnauzer" joke to break the ice.
#10: Frankie D's
Muncie, Kansas City, KS [map]
Part bar, part Mexican restuarant. I ate some beef jerky while B and I discussed Ken's taste in comedy.
#11: Jamie's Place
Turner, Kansas City, KS [map]
B and I continued our conversation from the previous place and then I noticed what I think may be a natural law... when B and I are drinking, after 10 bars the topic of Ken comes up. :)
The bartender here was a really cool guy and came over to chat with us a bit. He pointed out that we missed a bar back in Muncie so we had to head back and search for that next...
#12: Muddy Waters
Muncie, Kansas City, KS [map]
No wonder we didn't see it, this biker bar was in a strip mall, across from Wild Woody's, but hidden from highway view by another building.
#13: Coyote Blue Cantina
Argentine, Kansas City, KS [map]
The photo is actually of the building we went in by mistake first. Coyote Blue is the next building to the left, the gray building. We were invited to join in on a nacho bar and also to have some free tripe but we were too scared to try it. As the only non-hispanics in the place, while I was in the restroom B was accused of being an undercover cop from the vice squad. B did neither confirmed nor denied this allegation. ;)
We tried to hit up one final bar at 7th & Central in downtown KCK, but after the bartender had already poured our beers he asked if we were members. "Yes," said B. "Ok, I need to see your membership cards," said the bartender. "Ah, I said, we assumed this was one of those 'say yes and wink' situations," I said. But he told us the owner was cracking down and not allowing him to do that, so we had to leave beerless.
Apart from that minor setback it ended up being a surprisingly good round of barhopping, with more than twice as many stops as we reasonably expected to find open. And we missed a lot of places, so another KCK trip will be in order soon.
We headed to the west end of the city and began working our way back towards downtown.
#1: Office Bar & Grill
Bethel, Kansas City, KS [map]
Our first stop was actually a bonus bar. We weren't expecting to find one here and were just flying by when B spotted it. Our bartender, who was watching women's softball on TV, was a wealth of information and filled us in on the concept of private clubs in KCK. She also told us about several others that would be open on a Sunday. This included two right next door on either side that we had completely failed to notice.
#2: Jerry's Neighborhood Sports Bar
Bethel, Kansas City, KS [map]
Because of the lack of neon we had driven right past this place without noticing it. The main bar was full, with everyone watching one of the Die Hard movies on TV, so we had to sit at the side bar.
#3: American Legion Post 199
Bethel, Kansas City, KS [map]
We entered through the patio out back to find a fairly full house. There was a fish fry going on that we were invited to join, but we weren't hungry yet so politely declined. I forgot to get a picture of this place.
#4: To The Hoop
State Ave, Kansas City, KS [map]
A pretty small sports bar in a commercial area. I had a Bud Select and quickly remembered why I don't get Bud Select. A patron to our right filled us in on a couple of nearby places to try, includuding The Sports Page plus a place further down the road that he had never worked up the courage to try. So naturally that's where we went next. :)
#5: 61st Street Pit Stop
State Ave, Kansas City, KS [map]
Your basic dive bar. I can't remember for sure but this might be the place where our 10oz draws were 75 cents. We had to chug, though, because several guys were about to try to squeeze a massive beer cooler through that small front door and we didn't want to get stuck waiting.
#6: The Sports Page
State Ave, Kansas City, KS [map]
We had a hard time finding this place which was why we had to do some backtracking. We paused for lunch at an Arby's and while we were there deduced that our next stop had to be located down the hill across the street.
The locals all touted this as the premier bar in the area and the best place to be. It was large and decent, but an older man to our left was being a little too pompous about this place and describing everything else as a shithole.
#7: Experience
Welborn, Kansas City, KS [map]
This was a bit of a surprise. This was the only bar whose web site we had checked out in advance. There was a major incongruity between what that web site presents and the converted former Rax restaurant we found ourselves in as the only white customers. No one seemed bothered by our presence, perhaps they were too distracted watching Village of the Damned on the TV at the bar, but a few newcomers did do double-takes when they saw us sitting in there.
#8: Bills 32 West
Muncie, Kansas City, KS [map]
This was our first stop at what we thought was a cluster of three bars. We were invited to partake of free nachos but were too full from our earlier Arby's stop.
#9: Roadhouse
Muncie, Kansas City, KS [map]
When we stepped inside here we found ourselves at a nearly-full bar shrouded in total silence. No music, no TV, no conversation. So B told the bar his "schnauzer" joke to break the ice.
#10: Frankie D's
Muncie, Kansas City, KS [map]
Part bar, part Mexican restuarant. I ate some beef jerky while B and I discussed Ken's taste in comedy.
#11: Jamie's Place
Turner, Kansas City, KS [map]
B and I continued our conversation from the previous place and then I noticed what I think may be a natural law... when B and I are drinking, after 10 bars the topic of Ken comes up. :)
The bartender here was a really cool guy and came over to chat with us a bit. He pointed out that we missed a bar back in Muncie so we had to head back and search for that next...
#12: Muddy Waters
Muncie, Kansas City, KS [map]
No wonder we didn't see it, this biker bar was in a strip mall, across from Wild Woody's, but hidden from highway view by another building.
#13: Coyote Blue Cantina
Argentine, Kansas City, KS [map]
The photo is actually of the building we went in by mistake first. Coyote Blue is the next building to the left, the gray building. We were invited to join in on a nacho bar and also to have some free tripe but we were too scared to try it. As the only non-hispanics in the place, while I was in the restroom B was accused of being an undercover cop from the vice squad. B did neither confirmed nor denied this allegation. ;)
We tried to hit up one final bar at 7th & Central in downtown KCK, but after the bartender had already poured our beers he asked if we were members. "Yes," said B. "Ok, I need to see your membership cards," said the bartender. "Ah, I said, we assumed this was one of those 'say yes and wink' situations," I said. But he told us the owner was cracking down and not allowing him to do that, so we had to leave beerless.
Apart from that minor setback it ended up being a surprisingly good round of barhopping, with more than twice as many stops as we reasonably expected to find open. And we missed a lot of places, so another KCK trip will be in order soon.
Comments
To The Hoops is also known as "Hoops". There is a gog chicken go acrross the street and the Police station is near there also. The Sports Page used to have a waterslide down the hill, just to the left of where the photo was taken, in fact we still call it "the Waterslide" I was just there a few weeks ago. The lumber yard across the street used to be a Dolgins. I grew up in that area. It's my "Hood". You didn't make it to any downtown bars like Johnnys on 7th street, or Brits and the 420 club on 5th? You misssed out, those are the places to be! But those might have been closed.
Posted by: The D | July 18, 2007 08:51 AM
Was the waterslide associated with the bar or did it precede it? I did notice though how they made the path leading to the door look like a mini-golf ramp.
We're saving downtown for another trip. We did try to go to one place but that was the one that kicked us out.
Posted by: ScooterJ | July 18, 2007 08:58 AM
The waterslide preceded the bar. The area that is the bar used to be 2 rooms the area where the dance floor and pool table are used to be was an arcade and the place where you rented mats. The area where the bar and most of the tables are, used to be a lounge /restaurant. In your pic on the left just behind where the sign says “Welcome to Sports Page” was the pool at the end of the slide. The start was at the top of the hill where can see the sigh from the street.
Posted by: The D | July 18, 2007 11:18 AM