Just across the river from North Kansas City, on either side of City Market, lie two neighborhoods that evoke the spirit of the Wild West. Both East and West Bottoms have repurposed their historic agri-industrial buildings into vibrant districts reminiscent of Kansas City’s glamorous past, offering a modern twist on the city’s old Vegas and hey-hey days.
The East Bottoms
East Bottoms might not offer much beyond convenient access to the CPKC Current Soccer Stadium from City Market parking. The Current’s soccer popularity is undeniable, thanks to its ownership by Brittany and Patrick Mahomes. The stadium just as well with its groundbreaking status as the world’s first stadium dedicated to a women’s athletic team.
While East Bottoms may be limited in its offerings, it does boast a couple of standout attractions.
Knucklehead’s Saloons -2715 Rochester Ave, Kansas City, MO 64120
Knuckleheads, a beloved venue with a rustic biker vibe, has evolved from a small bar with an intimate stage to a larger space that attracts a diverse crowd. While it remains a go-to destination for country and rockabilly music, Knuckleheads now offers a wider range of musical acts and entertainment.
Pro tip: Consider adding show at Knuckleheads to your visit for a complete Kansas City experience.
J. Rieger & Co. Distillery – 2700 Guinotte Ave, Kansas City, MO 64120
Rieger Distillery, a vibrant addition to Kansas City’s East Bottoms, blends vintage aesthetics with contemporary flair. This distillery, once a pioneer in reviving Prohibition-style whiskey, has undergone a stunning transformation. Now a sprawling complex, adult playground slide included. Reiger offers a unique experience combining a distillery tour, historical exhibits, and a variety of trendy dining and drinking options.
The centerpiece of Rieger is its commemoration to historic Electric Park, a former two-carnival-themed amusement areas that existed in the same district in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s; one coined as Kansas City’s coney Island. -now is a mini moniker extended patio off their atrium hall. The distillery has recreated this nostalgic parks’ atmosphere in its indoor and outdoor tasting rooms. For a more upscale dining experience, The Monogram Lounge upstairs offers creative cuisine in a spacious setting. However, if you’re seeking a more intimate and trendy atmosphere, the Hey Hey Speakeasy below is the place to be.
While Rieger’s ambiance and offerings are undeniably impressive, it’s important to note that the service may not always meet the highest standards. The pretension comes free as a garnish to everything. But If you’re looking for a fun and lively night out with friends, Rieger is a fantastic choice. Just remember to go with the flow and enjoy the unique environment it offers. Don’t expect a song and dance, they traded that for the building.
The West Bottoms
The West Bottoms is where it’s at! The West Bottoms is the growing trendy area of Kansas City. But it’s not the first time it’s had it’s herd corralling through. Known for holding the famous Stockyards up until as late as 1991, and the American Royal from it’s infancy as the Hereford Show. The American Royal has now outgrown the West Bottoms and is currently hosted at the Kansas Speedway, leaving plenty of room for the growing nightlife in the West Bottoms.
The Golden Ox -1600 Genessee St #110, Kansas City, MO 64102
Located in the historic Stockyard Exchange Building completed in 1911. The Golden Ox was added in 1949 and to this day holds the candle for the American classic steak and potatoes dinner. Recently visited by Chiefs Football Player Travis Kelce for his latest birthday, the Golden Ox is the hot spot for a fine dining experience with just enough hint of the wild west. (Note:Kelce’s Birthday 2024)
Stockyards Brewing -1600 Genessee St #100, Kansas City, MO 64102
Located right next door to the Golden Ox, Stockyards Brewing offers a relaxed atmosphere and a wide selection of refreshing beers. From their light and flavorful Summer wheats to their hoppy IPAs, there’s something to suit every taste. Enjoy a pint of your favorite brew and soak up the laid-back cowboy vibe at Stockyards Brewing.
The Campground – 1531 Genessee St, Kansas City, MO 64102
This restaurant recently touched ground on the food scene and instantly blew people out of the water with their award-winning culinary inventiveness. This pricey joint is definitely worth its bucks in flavor and we foresee this restaurant being a 3-Crown location in the future. As a start-up restaurant, this place is still getting it’s footing on the service side. The staff here is friendly and an accommodating style that is excellent, less the understaffing by mis-management. It’s clear they are saving on staff expense by overwhelming the servers they do have. That being said, expect the wait in between water refills and meal courses to be longer than the wait to be seated. The food at our most recent visit was incredible, truly fabulous! However the wait and lack in prompt service during the visit overshadowed the great food and definitely walked our group before dessert. We believe knowing this going in may allow for more appreciation and realistic expectations. If you have the time, it’s a yes.
Lemonade Park -1628 Wyoming St, Kansas City, MO 64102
Weather permitting, Lemonade Park transforms into a energetic outdoor block party on weekends. With its eclectic mix of regional music, captivating art installations, and delicious food from local vendors, Lemonade Park is your go-to destination for a fun-filled mini-festival.
Chef J BBQ -1401 W 13th St Suite G, Kansas City, MO 64102
Chef J was on the KC BBQ tour but now has become too big for the little people anymore. In jest and in truth, Chef J has been selected and featured at Kauffman Stadium for Royals games. Chef Justin’s selection of high quality proteins and Texas inspired bbq style, has skyrocketed Chef J’s to bbq stardom in less time it takes to stir a pot of barbecue beans. Chef J’s flavors are definitely off the trail with a very cowboy slinger approach to traditional dishes like candied-bacon-burdnt ends and jalapeno sausage, so be ready for those wild flavors. The service is slightly bored but the standard for bbq has more spice than sweet so it’s not the worst in bbq you’ll find. Pro-Tip: Arrive early on this one, Chef J’s is known for a daily line before doors open.
Java Garage – 1323 W 13th St, Kansas City, MO 64101
This friendly little coffee shop is as warm and inviting as can be. Java’s fun picnic and park swing inside their shop adds to the very vintage days of playing in summer fields. The coffee and house-made lemonades and drinks are great, and with the comfortable seating, it’s a perfect day-environment for your remote working or company entertaining. Java Garage holds a little bit more than meets the eye, with their fully furnished podcast studio available for short and long term rentals.
West Bottoms Whiskey -1321 W 13th St HT, Kansas City, MO 64102
Nestled within a historic repurposed freight house, WBW Distillery offers a charming saloon-style ambiance, making it the perfect spot for a romantic date. Renowned for its award-winning Prohibition-style whiskey, WBW is one of only two distilleries in the region specializing in this unique method. On weekends, enjoy the live music of talented folksy and acoustic musicians, adding to the distillery’s inviting atmosphere.
Fuego Cantina and Speakeasy -1412 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64101
Fuego Cantina is the second venture by the Guatemalan local Kandi Kerns. Previously known for her tapas restaurant in the Northland community of Liberty, Mo, Kandi closed her Northland location to open this cantina bar and speakeasy with her daughter Alex. Together this Mother-Daughter Duo has brought Hispanic roots to the bottoms. Excellent for weddings and private events! The decor and ambiance is fun and festive every season!
Fountain City Winery -1409 W 11th St, Kansas City, MO 64101
Jay and Melissa are the perfect love story to go with a merlot. They fell in love on a vineyard and like a good Kansas girl, Melissa brought Jay home where they together founded and operated Fountain City Winery. Referring to the nickname of Kansas City, Fountain City Winery displays a KC fountain on each of their wines made, tying their wine to all parts of Kansas City. This large, brick warehouse is filled with charm and excitement as a host for weddings and nightclubs on the weekends. TKC frequently finds themselves at Fountain City with a good dj or live music or even customized tour stop. Their flatbread pizzas and wines are excellent dry- dry wines and excellent sweet wines perfect for wine beginners and pros alike.
In the Lowest Ferns – 1105 Hickory St, Kansas City, MO 64101
Started as pop-ups around the city, and has an arrangement of production talents but known every weekend for hosting the young and vibrant crowd on a dance floor surrounded with plants and trendy lights. This location originated with a few local guys (which requested to remain unnamed); Their production of artist’s ASAP Rocky’s music video has absolutely given them fifteen minutes of fame. Landing the large gig empowered them to open “In the Lowest Ferns”. When ITLF says it’s a moody HIFI lounge, it means it. With artists and Dj’s covering industrial and garage music, ITLF is not an easy approach. It’s been known to have overpriced sugary drinks and a hard to work with personality. This is going to be one of the few establishments, that TKC has NOT visited indoors but has witnessed enough of cool and stylish vibes as well as heard the whispers of its almost “prima donna” personality. It would be inaccurate to not include them in the directory with their new popularity. However, In The Lowest Ferns will be re-reviewed within the next calendar year for an accurate reading post their drama dust settling and once they have gained more substantial roots to critique.
The Ship -1221 Union Ave, Kansas City, MO 64101
Since 2014, The Ship has been a cornerstone of the West Bottoms nightlife scene. This popular music venue boasts an underrated kitchen that serves delicious food throughout the week. However, it’s at night that The Ship truly comes alive. When you pull up, there’s a pistol hanging over their door walking you into a spacious dance hall and concert stage offering a variety of entertainment options. For those familiar with the venue before it’s popularity the “front” side is actually the alley and now known as back entrance. The bar lounge area on the now back side offers a more intimate setting, with plenty of room to dance and enjoy a drink on the patio. This cozy space also features a smaller stage, but don’t be fooled by its size – the atmosphere here is electric and reminiscent of a lively party on the Titanic’s lower decks.The Ship’s unique blend of dive bar charm and vintage elegance creates a welcoming environment for all. Whether you’re seeking a large-scale concert experience or a more intimate bar setting, The Ship has something to offer consistently crediting the trendy speakeasy it was from 1935 to 1993 in Kc’s downtown. The Ship is pretty legendary.
Blip Roasters and Brewery -1301 Woodswether Rd, Kansas City, MO 64105
You really can begin and end your day with Blip. This trendy coffee roaster is open daily as a refreshing coffee shop and workspace. It’s filled with couch-work from several eras leading to a very biker retro but contemporary feel. The space itself is huge and has a stage and large rec space in the second room for comedy shows and other special live acts. If coffee isn’t your speed, they have beer. A small line of session beers to fit the everyday hang is their niche. This homely but bad-assery, biker-esque shop has its fair share of merchandise, cold and hot foods and a sunny patio to keep you hanging around like a regular work sloth all day. Just tip accordingly if you do.