Getting Drunk Outside Makes It Even Better
by LaToya Prater
Due to popular demand, we've combed through our Hot Spots list for bars that have outside
seating now that the air is sweet with smells of spring and stale vomit. The ones with
five stars are personal favorites of KCD.
We know we've probably missed a slew of great places, so be sure to let us know
what else should be on this list. shot@kcdrinker.com
B B's Lawnside Barbecue *****
1205 E 85th St Kansas City, MO
One of the all-time great blues bars, BB's is down and dirty, and has great food. A few
broken down picnic tables out front qualify as your "outdoor seating" option.
Brooksider Bar & Grill
6330 Brookside Plz Kansas City MO
Fairly large back porch area with tables. Good drink specials, especially during the week,
and typical menu of bar food. If you're looking for a date, this is quite the pick-up bar,
but as usual, far more desperate men than available women.
Buzzard Beach **********
4110 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64111
OK, we gave Buzzard 10 stars, since everyone knows this is unofficial KCD headquarters.
Plenty of deck space outside. You can't eat here (popcorn doesn't count), but you can
drink for less than your mother charges for a blowjob. CHEAP draws from 5-8 every night of
the week. CASH ONLY.
Downing's *****
Rainbow Blvd., across from KU Med
This used to be the Texas Tom's across from KU Med Center, but is now a very happening bar
with plenty of room inside and out. Fun crowd of weirdoes almost every night, and a nice
menu.
Frank's Place *****
801 Central Ave, KC, KS 66102
One of the few great Polish bars left, Frank's is a nice dive with a lot of friendly
people in the heart of KCK.
Gossip Inn *****
2418 Park Dr Kansas City, KS
Another great dive in the heart of KCK, the Gossip Inn's always a good time. Huge outdoor
seating area, with covered gazebo area. Complete with horseshoe games, lawn darts and Pin
the Tail on the Biker. CASH ONLY.
Grand Street Café
4740 Grand Ave., Kansas City, MO
My vote for best martini in Kansas City goes to the Grand Street Café First of all, you
get a LOT of martini. Second, they make it the way you tell them. Fine dining also
available here. WARNING: PRICEY.
Harling's *****
3941 Main Street #A, Kansas City, MO 64111
There's a small deck upstairs that is technically outside, and each year I stand on it
wondering when it's going to completely fall down anyway. But everyone knows the real
action is always inside at Harlings! Very good drink prices. CASH ONLY.
Harpo's
4109 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64111
Probably the largest outdoor seating area of any bar in Kansas City. Harpo's huge back
patio also has a fully functional bar right there - very convenient. Good food available,
but beware of the young 20-somethings. They infest this place like cockroaches on
weekends, and it's hard to even move late at night.
Harry's Bar and Tables
501 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111
The outdoor area offers a pleasant view of the humanity parading up and down Pennsylvania
Avenue, but apparently the bar frowns on you offering beer to the homeless guy on the
other side of the fence. Good food, and a happy hour special between 5 and 8 that includes
half price wine and appetizers. Also a fine place to buy smokes - specialty cigarettes and
cigars.
Harry's Country Club *****
112 Missouri Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106
Harry's has a sizeable patio area, and that's where the action is during warm weather.
Great food, too!
John's Big Deck *****
9th & Wyandotte, Kansas City, MO 64105
One of the all time best places to go during nice weather, John is not bragging about how
big his deck is. Lots of good bands are always playing, but get there early - the top deck
(outside) fills up fast and gets packed. However, there are two more floors to choose from
if it gets too crowded - always room somewhere, and now they have karaoke on the first
floor! Bar food available.
Just Another Dive
2002 Armour Road, Kansas City, MO 64116
This place is a little scary, but there is a tiny patio area outside.
The Landing
1187 W State Route 152 # B, Liberty, MO
Shoot some pool, shoot some Jack Daniels, play the jukebox. Nice patio outside in nice
weather, and a pretty friendly crowd. Cheap pitchers at certain times. Bar food also
available.
McCormick and Schmick
448 W. 47th, Kansas City, MO 64111
For those of us who aren't running our own Fortune 500 company, McCormick and Schmick is
probably best known for a very reasonable happy hour featuring a $1.95 menu to accompany
hand-shaken cocktails or a selection from an extensive list of premium wines and beer.
Warning: The bar area is mobbed during happy hour, mostly with old white men. Outside
seating and excellent food available. WARNING: VERY PRICEY.
McCoy's Public House & Brewkitchen *****
4057 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64111
Conveniently located in the Westport Mecca of the Kansas City bar scene, McCoy's has
excellent food and exceptionally well brewed beers. They, too, have a nice patio area WITH
a full bar outside. In nice weather, get there early and hold your outside table, or else
you'll never get one. Large menu and consistently excellent food at very reasonable
prices.
O'Dowd's Little Dublin *****
4742 Pennsylvania Ave Kansas City, MO
One of the few Plaza bars we'll deal with. Upstairs outdoor patio is sizeable, but usually
very crowded. They open the bar out there most of the time, and when it gets a little
chilly, they have those big heater things that make it quite pleasant. Excellent authentic
Irish food.
The Point
917 W. 44th Kansas City, MO 64111
Once called the New Pointe Grill, this place has a nice menu of food, good dinner specials
all week long, and a small outdoor patio area. Best damn tuna salad I've ever had.
Twin City Tavern Bar & Grill
1815 Westport Rd Kansas City, MO 64111
This is a great little bar true to all things DIVE. Technically, there is a tiny outdoor
seating area, but I'm not sure anyone actually sits out there. And you are certainly not
going to steal their tables and chairs! They also serve food, but if you want to enjoy it,
don't look in the general direction of the kitchen, unless utter filth and failure to
comply with any laws pertaining to clean conditions don't phase you.
Velvet Dog
400 East 31st Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
Known for its martinis and general "hepness," the V.D. has a large outdoor patio
with a functioning bar in nice weather. Good menu. WARNING: PRICEY.
Westport Beach Club
4050 Pennsylvania Ave Kansas City, MO 64111
Summer is really the time to come here, obviously. Not only do they have outdoor seating,
they have a tiny little sand volleyball "court" where attractive drunk people
play volleyball in swimwear.
Your Dad's Trailer
Even though the seating area at Dear Old Dads only consists of two broken down rusty lawn
chairs in his weed-strewn yard, when he breaks out the Erasure remixes everyone's
guaranteed a good time, CASH ONLY
Your Mom's House
Mom, however, got the better end of the divorce settlement and has a nice place out in
Lenexa that almost conceals her white trash roots. It's the plastic slip-covers and neon
statues of the virgin Mary all over the place that give it away. CASH ONLY.
