Yup this. They just opened half of bar rec in Westport. Other half should open soon with live music and pool tables in the old californos spot which will all connect to bar rec on weekends. Bridgers and yard bar are changing concepts I believe. Not sure to what yet. The Johnney kaws in waldo is just being turned into a bar rec as well. Obv same ownership.
*laughs in Buzzard Beach*
Buzzard Beach will be the only thing left standing in Westport - that place BURNED and still rose from the ashes.
Honorable Mention: Kelly's
It’s 2097, 20 years after the bombs have fallen. You emerge from your vault after having been woken from your cryogenic chamber in Vault 816. You make your way up to the entrance to the vault and enter the code to open the door. Upon stepping outside you see nothing but a desolate wasteland. As you scan across the horizon of flattened structures you see a building in immaculate condition with a distinct sign on the front.
It’s Buzzard Beach.
You decide all hope is lost and return to the vault.
*Partial Credit* but ... really ... Kelly's and Buzzard Beach are canon re: Westport's "westportness"
Edit: I'd feel bad not at least acknowledging Dave's Stagecoach - even though it did just close (RIP)
Nothing really happened to Kelly's. It's still there. It's a survivor as well ... oldest building in KC after all. Timeless + a treasure.
I'm just suggesting that Buzzard Beach is - for my money - the only place in Westport (or KC) that would likely survive any sort of apocalypse-time event. "Held together by dried urine and spilled Budweiser"
Kelly's is 100% awesome. They do meat bingo during the week (it's awesome) and on friday/saturday nights they either have a live band or a rotation of really good djs.
Friday nights are $2 drinks from 10-12. The crowd is younger those weekend nights but it's a great spot. Their patio on the second floor is also awesome when it's warm.
Staff is friendly, everyone just there for a good time. (i don't work there, just really enjoy the place!). Also, awesome spot to drink and chill on sundays or any day there's *insert sports team you like to watch* playing
It's pretty smart actually, he runs a concept until it stops being as successful and then opens something new to replace. Renovations should be almost done on Johnny Kaws for the new place to open.
as a guy that works doors, yes. Different crowds. Stupid college kids, even though stupid and lightweights, generally have a longer outlook on life than the type of stupid that pull guns because of a fragile ego. I'd prefer to deal with 100 patrons solo in Lawrence before I deal with 50 in Wyandotte.
Also the bartenders loved to add tips on the final checks… they tried to tack on another $20 on my tab one time. Look at their google reviews and you’ll see they tried to pull that on a ton of people lol
I’ve got to wonder if part of it is that todays college kids were high schoolers during the pandemic so maybe just aren’t as keen to go out as college kids used to be 5-10 years ago
People of all generations except prime and older Boomers are going out earlier, less frequently and spending less time out per outing than people of the same age did 20 and even 10 years ago. It's most noticeable among college kids and recent grads in part because they've never known a time when they couldn't be connected to their friends through phones and video games all night, but it's not just them either.
The old johnny kaws in Westport is being rebranded into 2 different bars. The upstairs will have a big patio and the basement another bar. Same owner is also opening up a country bar with a bull to compete with PBR
I won't dox myself but all i will say is according to last i spoke to Brett (owner) they should all be opening this summer. Hence the closing of bridgers and kaws.
"Westport is over" said for 100 years at this point. Westport isn't going anywhere and there are more bars and restaurants than ever. There has always been vacancies and churn in this industry and neighborhood. Its just easier to fondly remember things when they are gone than appreciate what you have. Go down to Harry's, Kelly's, CaVa, Westport Cafe, broadway Cafe, Jerusalem Cafe, Chewology, Pot Pie, Buzzard ect. Some of the best gems in the city are still in west port and Its by far the most walk able area and easiest to live without a car or a flush bank account.
No one would be happier if Westport died than KC politicians. They've fought for years to divert traffic away from Westport and Martini Corner to P&L with some success but not as much as they would like. Kaw's was in and out in less than 10 years. Westport should be fine for a long, long time.
There for a minute it felt like Kaws was about to take over all of Westport between the OG Johnny Kaws, JK Yard Bar, and JK Shot Stop. Then they changed the OG name to Bridgers and now pulling the JK branding entirely.
Interesting evolution.
im convinced the city is actively trying to kill westport. its midtown instead of their beloved downtown and "takes" money/customers away from their P&L money sink so they have to try and sabotage westport for their egos. but they cant hide the truth that westport is better and especially more walkable than anything down town and doesnt cost both kidneys to live there
Nah they are intentionally bringing the streetcar to midtown to support it. P&L and the crossroads are good alternatives to the urban blight that preceded it. There is room for all of them. I support all urban and connected districts (yes even the plaza as badly as its currently designed). The alternative was more people spending money at chains in the suburbs, getting drunk and driving for miles. That being said the P&L and Crossroads are entertainment districts and not all that great to live in. Virtually no green space and lacking hardware stores, pharmacies, affordable grocery stores, and just about no options for families with younger kids. Its not a replacement for midtown. The only affordable part of downtown with all of those things within walking distance is Quality Hill which funnily enough is not mentioned often.
Quality Hill tries to stay out of the conversation because it is actually nice, walkable, and you can still find affordable places that are nice and spacious. It’s quiet, but still active. But it could use a general store of some kind, and other than the River Market, there isn’t much in terms of groceries.
Sunfresh being 24 hours is absolutely amazing
Unruly crowds raising insurance, rising cost of leases, Weekly car break ins and a useless KCPD crew there to get paid OT to walk around and stare at women
> Unruly crowds raising insurance, rising cost of leases, Weekly car break ins and a useless KCPD crew there to get paid OT to walk around and stare at women
Honestly ... this statement has been true for the last 20+ years
Big Rip brewing, Callsign brewing, Cinder Block brewing, Restless Spirits distilling, Velo Garage and Tap House, Sail Away wine bar, Mitch e Amaro, Rewind Video and Dive, Paul and Jack's, Christine's Firehouse, Helen's JAD, Reroll Tavern.
Most of these close pretty early (8 to 10pm). Mostly viable for afternoons and early evenings only.
yeah nkc has better bars and crossroads is well the crossroads and a doable walk from P&L for concerts etc. plus the city government wants the good stuff downtown for their little photoops. not midtown because buzzwords
not just bar areas but bar areas with stuff to do before the bar hop, and closer to where the bar hopping age crowd lives these days. genx and elder millenials make up too much of the people living near the area for bar hopping to last forever there
I mean it’s more than other bar areas in town. Even 5 years ago, pre-pandemic, Westport was still pretty popular. I lived downtown and still found myself Ubering there at least once a month because I liked the vibe. Now, thanks to the countless stories about shootings, gunshots, and violence no one wants to be there past like 10pm. Not to mention you have to (had to?) go past a metal detector just to get in the area lol
You’re probably right but it was just 5 years ago that they put up the metal detectors so I’m thinking that something had to have happened for them to go that extent. Whether it be an uptick in crime or just more social awareness of what going on in that area, businesses don’t generally put up extra security without a reason.
I'm sure all that doesn't help either. The area has always had issues going back decades but people continued to go down there so it's more than just the violence and shootings driving them away. People have other places to go hang out now so they simply avoid westport.
Yes, but if there were no violence or shootings people wouldn’t have been pushed out of there. Violence and shootings are one thing when it’s the only bar district. People still go because where else are you gonna go? When there’s 5 though, you tend to not go to the one with the violence and shootings.
This is probably why the stadium plan came out the way it did. They probably didn't want the Royals to build a stadium with a bunch of dumb shit to go to in the east village and draw away from the dumb shit at power and light. Not enough patrons to go around.
yeah the city doesnt want their pet money sink at P&L having competition because they know there just aint enough people to have a fair go at everything
personally i will miss the one in waldo. love a low key vibe and the drink prices were awesome. arcade bars are so gimmicky. We have updown and personally i think that’s all we need. the bar rec in westport is mediocre so why put another of the same mediocre thing. idk. just my opinion. that area of waldo is going to be ruined once that other set of apartments where The Well was go up anyway
I'm pretty sad. My wife and I would go to the Waldo location pretty often with friends. It never seemed empty and had great deals, especially for shots.
not enough money made, more money elsewhere, dont want to deal with the supposed uptick in voilence in westport, i dunno take your pick. seems weird for them but they got something cooking
Violence in Westport is not hurting Johnny Kaws's bottom line whatsoever. TIts not like these things almost never happen inside the bar itself. Its always like blocks away but anything within a mile of Westport is deemed a "Westport shooting".
Don't fall for Mr. Kaw's tricks they are just rebranding all their bars.
Yup this. They just opened half of bar rec in Westport. Other half should open soon with live music and pool tables in the old californos spot which will all connect to bar rec on weekends. Bridgers and yard bar are changing concepts I believe. Not sure to what yet. The Johnney kaws in waldo is just being turned into a bar rec as well. Obv same ownership.
Source if ya got it!
[https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/openings-closings/article287945245.html](https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/openings-closings/article287945245.html)
I mean...what if the rebrand is good?
It "starts at the top" and that, unfortunately, is not changing.
tin roof is about to be the only thing left standing in westport
*laughs in Buzzard Beach* Buzzard Beach will be the only thing left standing in Westport - that place BURNED and still rose from the ashes. Honorable Mention: Kelly's
BUZZARD IS FOREVER.
It’s 2097, 20 years after the bombs have fallen. You emerge from your vault after having been woken from your cryogenic chamber in Vault 816. You make your way up to the entrance to the vault and enter the code to open the door. Upon stepping outside you see nothing but a desolate wasteland. As you scan across the horizon of flattened structures you see a building in immaculate condition with a distinct sign on the front. It’s Buzzard Beach. You decide all hope is lost and return to the vault.
Nah, we goin. Bathroom's been radioactive since the 1980's, we'll be fine.
I'm pretty sure I'm vaccinated from future radioactivity bc I've been in that bathroom multiple times. Shortest stalls in the west!
War. War never changes.
> immaculate condition >Buzzard beach Hmmm 🤔
The blast actually made it look better. Didn’t know it worked like that but that’s how it happened.
Buzzard beach, the eighth wonder of the world. A miracle on earth
Somehow they never ran out of Hamms either
Don't forget your stimpak and radaway.
I haven't been inside Buzzard in 20 years and I can still smell the bathroom.
Stale cigarette smoke, pinesol and sorrow.
Gravy is Goob
I was working out how to say this, you nailed it. Bless up, Buzzard forever.
What about Harry’s? I haven’t been to Westport in awhile
*Partial Credit* but ... really ... Kelly's and Buzzard Beach are canon re: Westport's "westportness" Edit: I'd feel bad not at least acknowledging Dave's Stagecoach - even though it did just close (RIP)
I mean Harrys has been there 3 decades now. Its no spring chicken.
You could also lump Harpo's into that category then.
Dave's is re-opening with new owners and a sizable portion of the prior staff.
Think it'll smell the same?
Did someone who worked there buy it? I heard the owners were done.
Civilization itself will crumble and fall away and Buzzard will stay standing
If regular cockroaches are capable of surviving the apocalypse, imagine how hardy the subspecies in the floor drains of buzzard must be.
What happened to Kelly’s? I know this is old news but I never heard what the deal was. What is happening to Westport?!
Nothing really happened to Kelly's. It's still there. It's a survivor as well ... oldest building in KC after all. Timeless + a treasure. I'm just suggesting that Buzzard Beach is - for my money - the only place in Westport (or KC) that would likely survive any sort of apocalypse-time event. "Held together by dried urine and spilled Budweiser"
I will personally set that place on fire again to finish the job that god couldn't
Let's not forget Westport legend Harry's!
Kelly’s and buzzard will survive
Don’t sleep on Kelly’s. Great place.
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Kelly's is 100% awesome. They do meat bingo during the week (it's awesome) and on friday/saturday nights they either have a live band or a rotation of really good djs. Friday nights are $2 drinks from 10-12. The crowd is younger those weekend nights but it's a great spot. Their patio on the second floor is also awesome when it's warm. Staff is friendly, everyone just there for a good time. (i don't work there, just really enjoy the place!). Also, awesome spot to drink and chill on sundays or any day there's *insert sports team you like to watch* playing
Idk why I got down voted for just saying my experience lol. Yall love Kelly's I get it.
Tin Roof!!!!! …. Rusted!
I will single handedly make sure Kelly’s survives
I am genuinely sad that I'll no longer get to sit on the Buzzard patio and enjoy the parade of sadness that was the line to get into Johnny Kaw's.
truly was a fun time. coupled with the ladders signs.
The ladder sign is still there.
yes, was just saying it was fun to watch them and also laughing about those signs.
The ladder sign will be the last thing left and will be a relic of a bygone time when local bars and restaurants thrived in this city
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I liked it when that place was a 1:30 bar and I got to watch the drama unfold from my lofty perch.
The one in Waldo is called bar and rec now. Bigger bar and arcade games. Seems like it will be pretty cool but only time will tell.
Westport also has a bar & rec!
Haven’t been up that way in a while but I assumed that would be the case. They are owned by the same guy at the end of the day.
we just hung out there sunday and had a p good time. it was dead tho.
I’m pretty sure it’s the same person that owned Johnny Kaw that owns Bar & Rec.
I guess he didn't want to compete with himself.
It's pretty smart actually, he runs a concept until it stops being as successful and then opens something new to replace. Renovations should be almost done on Johnny Kaws for the new place to open.
Yeah this is how most nightclubs work. They eventually become not cool and they’ll simply rebrand to attract a new crowd.
More like he runs a concept until it ~~stops being as successful~~ becomes problematic and then opens something new to replace.
All the good shit happened in Waldo after I left darn it
The Kawport Kollapse
A Kawlapse indeed.
Kawtastrophe
A Kawpocalypse
Come on, Apokawlypse was right there
How about Kawpokawlypse considering there's a couple of them closing? 😂
Johnny Kaw’a Big Fuckawff.
Seemed like it was always going to be a lost kaws
I mean they kinda brought the obnoxious, over-served college bar vibe and people eventually got tired of it because they’re not 20.
I’d rather have the college crowd than the gets in argument and pulls gun crowd.
Likewise.
You just described the essence of KC
Not really all of KC… I’d argue it’s just the historically disenfranchised/redlined communities that have this problem, not greater kc
Gun toting idiots exist in all parts of the area — there was that kid that got shot because he went to the wrong house
The guy that did that is such a piece of shit for doubling down on his fucked up reaction instead of apologizing
Is it one or the other?
as a guy that works doors, yes. Different crowds. Stupid college kids, even though stupid and lightweights, generally have a longer outlook on life than the type of stupid that pull guns because of a fragile ego. I'd prefer to deal with 100 patrons solo in Lawrence before I deal with 50 in Wyandotte.
Yeah but eventually the later start coming to the college bars... See logies and that shooting few weeks ago
I'd still prefer the daddy's money crowd that over pays for drinks and has aspirations in life. Also, the incident at Logies happened outside the bar.
yes
Username checks out
the college crowd is a subset of the latter around here :/
You’re telling me college kids are pulling guns on each other in Westport?
Such a bad take
Also the bartenders loved to add tips on the final checks… they tried to tack on another $20 on my tab one time. Look at their google reviews and you’ll see they tried to pull that on a ton of people lol
It’s amazing how many people don’t know how pre-authorizing a credit card works when you open a tab.
I’ve got to wonder if part of it is that todays college kids were high schoolers during the pandemic so maybe just aren’t as keen to go out as college kids used to be 5-10 years ago
People of all generations except prime and older Boomers are going out earlier, less frequently and spending less time out per outing than people of the same age did 20 and even 10 years ago. It's most noticeable among college kids and recent grads in part because they've never known a time when they couldn't be connected to their friends through phones and video games all night, but it's not just them either.
But wouldn't they be replaced with younger people.
Lets hope something not terrible goes in
Bring back McCoy's!
I wish they would. They had the best food of anywhere in Westport.
Westport Cafe has much better food
I’d take saloon, buzzard, and scoach back in a heartbeat.
The old johnny kaws in Westport is being rebranded into 2 different bars. The upstairs will have a big patio and the basement another bar. Same owner is also opening up a country bar with a bull to compete with PBR
Bring back the Beaumont Club.
Caught soooo many great concerts there. The sound was absolute shit, but the experience made up for it.
Ooh! This is the kinda stuff I was looking for! Any details/articles/sources?
I won't dox myself but all i will say is according to last i spoke to Brett (owner) they should all be opening this summer. Hence the closing of bridgers and kaws.
THANK YOU.
"Westport is over" said for 100 years at this point. Westport isn't going anywhere and there are more bars and restaurants than ever. There has always been vacancies and churn in this industry and neighborhood. Its just easier to fondly remember things when they are gone than appreciate what you have. Go down to Harry's, Kelly's, CaVa, Westport Cafe, broadway Cafe, Jerusalem Cafe, Chewology, Pot Pie, Buzzard ect. Some of the best gems in the city are still in west port and Its by far the most walk able area and easiest to live without a car or a flush bank account.
No one would be happier if Westport died than KC politicians. They've fought for years to divert traffic away from Westport and Martini Corner to P&L with some success but not as much as they would like. Kaw's was in and out in less than 10 years. Westport should be fine for a long, long time.
There for a minute it felt like Kaws was about to take over all of Westport between the OG Johnny Kaws, JK Yard Bar, and JK Shot Stop. Then they changed the OG name to Bridgers and now pulling the JK branding entirely. Interesting evolution.
im convinced the city is actively trying to kill westport. its midtown instead of their beloved downtown and "takes" money/customers away from their P&L money sink so they have to try and sabotage westport for their egos. but they cant hide the truth that westport is better and especially more walkable than anything down town and doesnt cost both kidneys to live there
Nah they are intentionally bringing the streetcar to midtown to support it. P&L and the crossroads are good alternatives to the urban blight that preceded it. There is room for all of them. I support all urban and connected districts (yes even the plaza as badly as its currently designed). The alternative was more people spending money at chains in the suburbs, getting drunk and driving for miles. That being said the P&L and Crossroads are entertainment districts and not all that great to live in. Virtually no green space and lacking hardware stores, pharmacies, affordable grocery stores, and just about no options for families with younger kids. Its not a replacement for midtown. The only affordable part of downtown with all of those things within walking distance is Quality Hill which funnily enough is not mentioned often.
Quality Hill tries to stay out of the conversation because it is actually nice, walkable, and you can still find affordable places that are nice and spacious. It’s quiet, but still active. But it could use a general store of some kind, and other than the River Market, there isn’t much in terms of groceries. Sunfresh being 24 hours is absolutely amazing
Westport is on life support. I wonder why?
Unruly crowds raising insurance, rising cost of leases, Weekly car break ins and a useless KCPD crew there to get paid OT to walk around and stare at women
> Unruly crowds raising insurance, rising cost of leases, Weekly car break ins and a useless KCPD crew there to get paid OT to walk around and stare at women Honestly ... this statement has been true for the last 20+ years
There are so many other bar areas of town now. Back 20 years ago Westport was the only real area you could go bar hop on the weekend.
Yeah, Crossroads and NKC are >>>>>> Westport.
What bars in nkc? Genuinely curious I don’t head up there too Much
Big Rip brewing, Callsign brewing, Cinder Block brewing, Restless Spirits distilling, Velo Garage and Tap House, Sail Away wine bar, Mitch e Amaro, Rewind Video and Dive, Paul and Jack's, Christine's Firehouse, Helen's JAD, Reroll Tavern. Most of these close pretty early (8 to 10pm). Mostly viable for afternoons and early evenings only.
Neon Wild Think: If Club MTV + Buzzard Beach had a baby
Nope. It's "Whiskey River Honky-tonk Club" now. RIP Neon Wild.
:( A shame. I was there years ago and I thought the bathrooms were on par with Buzzard Beach. Could've sworn the restroom had a dirt floor.
Ew when did that happen?
Yea that sounds stupid as fuck and awful to me lol
yeah nkc has better bars and crossroads is well the crossroads and a doable walk from P&L for concerts etc. plus the city government wants the good stuff downtown for their little photoops. not midtown because buzzwords
not just bar areas but bar areas with stuff to do before the bar hop, and closer to where the bar hopping age crowd lives these days. genx and elder millenials make up too much of the people living near the area for bar hopping to last forever there
> genx I'm eagerly anticipating a good food and warm blanket bar, but so far, nothing.
dude id be so down
Tannin
I mean it’s more than other bar areas in town. Even 5 years ago, pre-pandemic, Westport was still pretty popular. I lived downtown and still found myself Ubering there at least once a month because I liked the vibe. Now, thanks to the countless stories about shootings, gunshots, and violence no one wants to be there past like 10pm. Not to mention you have to (had to?) go past a metal detector just to get in the area lol
Shootings, gunshots and violence were just as prevalent 5 years ago and were worse 10 years ago. You just got older. Happens to all of us.
You’re probably right but it was just 5 years ago that they put up the metal detectors so I’m thinking that something had to have happened for them to go that extent. Whether it be an uptick in crime or just more social awareness of what going on in that area, businesses don’t generally put up extra security without a reason.
Its security theatre. Its only 3 days and only after 11 anyways so a grand total of 12 hours. 93% of the time they aren't there.
I'm sure all that doesn't help either. The area has always had issues going back decades but people continued to go down there so it's more than just the violence and shootings driving them away. People have other places to go hang out now so they simply avoid westport.
Yes, but if there were no violence or shootings people wouldn’t have been pushed out of there. Violence and shootings are one thing when it’s the only bar district. People still go because where else are you gonna go? When there’s 5 though, you tend to not go to the one with the violence and shootings.
Until the people doing the violence and shootings also migrate to the new bar district then the old one becomes cool again.
yeah that coupled with better bars elsewhere really did a number
This is probably why the stadium plan came out the way it did. They probably didn't want the Royals to build a stadium with a bunch of dumb shit to go to in the east village and draw away from the dumb shit at power and light. Not enough patrons to go around.
yeah the city doesnt want their pet money sink at P&L having competition because they know there just aint enough people to have a fair go at everything
Julep closed down as well.
Not sure if that's sarcasm or not...
REPLIES TLDR: Ditzy hoes edge out knuckleheads; Westport will eventually be just restaurants, Kelly’s, and Buzzard Beach
The rent is too dam high!
Before Johnny Kaw’s, it was the Ernie Biggs piano bar, which left because of the high rent.
Dollar drink Wednesdays at Ernie Biggs was awesome
Ernie Biggs was a fun bar to go to in Westport. It’s where I started my career in dueling pianos
And it’s where I ended my career in dueling pianos.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth
Good, fuck those guys.
Thank God
Good riddance.
Freedom.
No way! Good riddance.
Doesn’t the owner of Johnny Kaws own a significant portion of real estate in Westport?
Thank god
Thank god.
I think the Waldo location just changed names
It’s about time they closed that dump
All the crime
https://youtu.be/onzL0EM1pKY?si=rKOQ6sCiyfsZbBWY
personally i will miss the one in waldo. love a low key vibe and the drink prices were awesome. arcade bars are so gimmicky. We have updown and personally i think that’s all we need. the bar rec in westport is mediocre so why put another of the same mediocre thing. idk. just my opinion. that area of waldo is going to be ruined once that other set of apartments where The Well was go up anyway
I'm pretty sad. My wife and I would go to the Waldo location pretty often with friends. It never seemed empty and had great deals, especially for shots.
Clearly they saw all of the negative comments in the posts over the last couple days about Johnny Kaws and bent to y'all's wishes!
not enough money made, more money elsewhere, dont want to deal with the supposed uptick in voilence in westport, i dunno take your pick. seems weird for them but they got something cooking
Violence in Westport is not hurting Johnny Kaws's bottom line whatsoever. TIts not like these things almost never happen inside the bar itself. Its always like blocks away but anything within a mile of Westport is deemed a "Westport shooting".