First of all, there are 3 big entertainment/shopping districts where you can eat, drink and shop until your hearts content. They are:
The Country Club Plaza* - A true Kansas City landmark and by many accounts, the real heart of the city... Plaza hotspots include:
- Blonde - Probably the hottest nightspot in town these days with long lines and well-dressed beautiful people...
- Reverse - Trendy eatery/lounge which serves Mediterranean food with a Beatnik flair.
- Kona Grill* - Rub elbows with others in the packed bar area or sit down for great food.
- O'Dowd's Little Dublin - Feels so much like Ireland that you expect Bono to walk around the corner... (The Pitch's Best Pub, 2005)
- The Peanut - Just off the Plaza, this is the original location for what is now one of KC's top dive franchises with seven locations including downtown and in OP. Probably the most memorable chicken wings you'll ever have but you gotta like 'em hot and BIG. (The Pitch's Best Wings, 2005)
Zona Rosa - One of those planned, packaged outdoor malls & entertainment zones between downtown and the airport. It's big and fun to walk around in and the home to one of our favorite Indian restaurants, Swagat*.
Legends - See Zona Rosa. This one's out by the Kansas Speedway and likely to be swamped with NASCAR in town but if you're looking for Dave and Buster's, this is the place.
In addition to these areas, another neighborhood which has more of an emphasis on food and drink is Westport.
- McCoy's Public House* - Good food and drink at this microbrewery but it's most memorable to us as the place we met initially for a drink on our first date before heading down the street to Matsu for sushi...
- Kelly's Westport Inn* - Great Irish dive bar housed in one of KC's oldest buildings. Joe's Pizza in the back serves by the slice for late night munchies.
- The Beaumont Club - When there's no concert scheduled, you'll find the boot scootin' crowd drinkin' Bud and line dancing their asses off here.
- The Hurricane - A great place to catch a band, have a drink and dance.
- Buzzard Beach - Another great dive bar that's open late. (The Pitch's "Best Place to Find a Party After Hours, 2005)
- Harry's Bar and Tables - If the other joints and dives scare you off, here's a bit more upscale place that also has a great patio to sit, drink and watch people. In fact, the patio was picked as "best patio" by The Pitch this year.
- Bar Natasha* - A piano bar with... uh... a cross-dressing twist.
- The Brick* - More of a dive bar with cheap beer and loud rock bands playing original music.
- The Cashew - Picked by The Pitch as the best new bar in 2005.
In addition to these hotspots, if you're feeling like a high roller, the Kansas City area has several fine casinos:
Other nightspots that don't fit neatly into a neighborhood or category...
- Davey's Uptown Ramblers Club* - A bit of a dive to be sure, but without a doubt it's the best venue in town for live music
- Velvet Dog * - Probably the best place in town to sit outside and have a drink and also one of our favorite places for a nightcap. If you like to dance, the Empire Room is right across the street. It's off the beaten path a bit, but look for the big lighted 'eiffel tower'-like structure and it'll lead you to Martini Corner. Highly recommended.
- The Lava Room* - Another great place for a nightcap located between downtown and Westport.
- Raoul's Velvet Room/Fuel * - If you find yourself out in the Overland Park area, these two side-by-side bars are definite hotspots for the good-looking crowd.
- Johnny's Tavern on 119th* - Also in OP, this is my favorite hangout and a great place to watch a game.
