Play it cool: Ten spots with speakeasy vibes in Kansas City
Le Lounge // Photo by Sarah Sipple
The whole point of a speakeasy is to keep it hush-hush, hiding illicit activities like liquor sales and nightclubs during the time of prohibition. But in 2024, we can redefine speakeasy, for the casual diner or partier, to represent more of an ambiance than a truly secret operation.
Therefore, the following spots match the vibe of a speakeasy, to varying degrees.
One note about many speakeasy-style places is that accessibility is often a concern. All of these places have obstacles of some sort, from stairs to uneven terrain to low visibility.
*I’d like to thank user @sydneycrandall0 on TikTok who asked me about KC speakeasies and thus inspired this story.
P.S. Speakeasy
Starting off with one of the most true-to-form speakeasies, P.S. Speakeasy is accessed by an unassuming door near the check-in desk at Hotel Phillips. This downtown bar is in the basement and features a dimly lit interior and a relaxed atmosphere. There is a full bar, and cocktails range from $15-25. Reservations are recommended.
P.S. Speakeasy is inside Hotel Phillips at 106 W 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105.
Clandestino
Tucked inside Brix Latin American Cuisine in Westport, Clandestino leans into the speakeasy lore with a camouflaged entrance. Dark but lively, Clandestino operates on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a cocktail menu with drinks ranging from $14-17 and a small plates menu with prices ranging from $12-18.
Clandestino is inside Brix Latin American Cuisine at 4112 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111.
Le Lounge
No Vacancy, a boutique hotel in the heart of West Crossroads, brings an if-you-know-you-know element of mystique with Le Lounge. Le Lounge is less of space and more of an event. Typically on a Thursday night, No Vacancy opens up its eclectic and cozy lobby area and outdoor patio for a pop-up experience, transforming it into Le Lounge. The only way to know what’s going on is to follow them on Instagram, paying particular attention to Instagram Stories.
There is often a cover charge of $5, but ticketed events are rare. Usually, a bartender or two will serve a couple specialty cocktails ($15) alongside a few wine and beer selections, and there is always a non-alcoholic option.
Le Lounge is inside No Vacancy at 1717 Wyandotte St, Kansas City, MO 64108.
Lonnie’s Reno Club // Photo by Sarah Sipple
Lonnie’s Reno Club
I consider myself Lonnie McFadden’s number one fan, and encourage everyone I know to visit Lonnie’s Reno Club at least once. In my opinion, it is one of the quintessential Kansas City experiences, blending live jazz, history lessons, booze, and food.
The reason I’m including it in a speakeasy round-up is due to the fact that it is underground, dim and romantic, and somehow still a hidden gem. There is an elevator for accessibility, but the price can be an obstacle for some. Tickets start at $126 for an evening at Lonnie’s, and it includes a welcome cocktail, three-course dinner, and live entertainment from Lonnie and his band. Reservations are required.
Lonnie’s Reno Club is inside the Ambassador Hotel at 1111 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri, MO 64106.
Tom’s Town // Photo by Sarah Sipple
Tom’s Town
Tom’s Town may be one of more well-known establishments on this list, but the speakeasy-style basement space is a bit more of a hidden gem. Much of the year Tom’s Town uses the intimate basement space for themed pop-ups, such as Garden Party. Specialty cocktails using Tom’s Town spirits range from $12-18 and a selection of small plates range from $7-52. Reservations are encouraged.
Tom’s Town Distilling Co. is at 1701 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108.
Swordfish Tom’s
Swordfish Tom’s brings the back-alley grit to this speakeasy list. Enter through an unassuming door, go downstairs, and enter only if the signal light is green. The small cocktails-only bar in a West Crossroads basement allows outside food. (May I suggest a tamale from Cafe Corazon nearby, or a KC classic cheeseburger from Town Topic?) Owner Jill Cockson is known for creating inclusive spaces and using business as a tool for speaking up for others.
Swordfish Tom’s is at 210 W. 19th Terrace, Kansas City, MO.
Hey! Hey! Club
Rieger & Co. is no stranger to the actual prohibition era of speakeasies. After immigrating from Austria/Hungary in 1877, the namesake himself, Jacob Rieger, built what became J. Rieger & Co. and the largest mail-order whiskey producer in the U.S. before prohibition rocked the industry. Inspired by the original Hey Hay Club in 1931, at 4th and Cherry, the current Hey! Hey! Club honors that legacy by providing live music for patrons each Thursday night. Cocktails range from $10-15 and individual pours of the distillery’s spirits range from $5-20. The limited but satisfying food menu ranges from $8-45. Reservations are recommended.
The Hey! Hey! Club is in J. Rieger & Co. Distillery at 2700 Guinotte Ave, Kansas City, MO 64120.
Nightclaws at Nighthawk // Photo by Sarah Sipple
Nighthawk
Whether you enter from the direct yet discreet door on 13th Street, or through the ornate lobby of Hotel Kansas City, the feeling of stepping back in time is imminent. The Nighthawk basement bar has more of an edge than the famed The Town Company restaurant and overall historic building built in 1922. Nighthawk uses mixed metals and rich colors to forge its own identity. And speaking of its own, Nighthawk makes and cans hard seltzers on-site. Those go for $10, but the overall drink menu ranges from $6-18. Pitchers of beer and carafes of cocktails are available to quench a group’s thirst.
Nighthawk operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and even on nights with live music, there is no cover charge. Local acts like DJ Ne$$, Grand Marquis, Lorna Kay, Back Alley Brass Band, and more can be heard here four nights a week starting at 7 p.m.
Nighthawk is inside Hotel Kansas City at 1228 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105.
The W
Known as both The W and The Private Bar, the names alone lend themselves to an elusive setting. The W offers batched cocktails to go from $45-57, craft cocktails, and tasting events on occasion.
The W is located above Hand in Glove at 6 SW 3rd St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063.
Panther’s Place
Some elements of Panther’s Place may always remain a mystery. This Westside oasis brings the comfort of indoors to the lush outdoors as a partially covered courtyard bar. It closes each winter, and following along with the biz on Instagram is the best way to find out exactly when/if they are open. The unique setting is worth the “work.” I hope to see Outpost Social Club, next door, open again for the spring, but it does not look promising. They served one hell of a pizza.
Panther’s Place is at 1000 W 25 St, Kansas City, MO 64108.
