KC Sipps: $14 Girl dinner, patio weather spots, and a new basketball pop-up bar

Art by Cassondra Jones

Life in KC is pretty delicious. In fact, there is often so much going on that it can be hard to decide where to go and what to try.

That’s where I come in. 

I’ve curated this weekly list of events, openings, deals, and celebrations to keep you in-the-know. Cheers!

Something New

News Bites: As of this weekend, many of KC’s favorite outdoor spots will be open for the season. This includes The Patio in Westport and Sido’s at Iron District. However, the official season opener for Iron District isn’t until March 15. 

The Fix: One of my favorite plant-based eateries has two March specials worth writing about. The first, as a playful social media-nod to Women’s History Month, is the “Girl Dinner.” For $14, diners can enjoy a Caesar salad, fries (they’re great btw–crispy and in generous portions), and a Diet Coke, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Girls on the Run KC. Also for the month of March, the reuben has returned while supplies last. I ordered this the day they announced the return–that’s how much I look forward to it.

Blanc Champagne Bar: Another spot honoring Women’s History Month is Blanc in Midtown. The woman-owned bar and restaurant is offering a 10% discount when you bring in a photo of a woman who inspires you. As soon as the wind dies down outside, be sure to check out their rooftop patio this month!

Opening

Besos y Abrazos: Besos y Abrazos, or kisses and hugs, is a new restaurant and bar opening in Power and Light. The new spot offers Latin-inspired cuisine and design to add some variety to the venue. Reservations are available starting on March 7, and here I’ll leave my annual reminder to try P&L on a random Tuesday at 4 p.m. or Sunday at 11 a.m. The off-peak times make the entire place less packed and party-like, and more like a massive covered patio, in case that’s more your speed.

Closing

Salty Iguana: All three locations of Salty Iguana have closed. According to KCTV5, two of the restaurants were seized for unpaid taxes. Fun fact: the Lawrence location is where I kicked off my 21st birthday celebration! I started with a fun daiquiri, learning in that moment that I didn’t quite care for daiquiris…

East Crossroads: KC Wineworks and Double Shift Brewing have announced closures. Double Shift will be open through March 17, with a variety of events between now and then; and KC Wineworks will continue to produce wine, but the storefront will close on April 5. And as a reminder, The Pairing will have its final bar service on March 30 and is offering discounts through the month to clear out inventory before closing. 

March 6

J. Rieger & Co. Distillery: J. Rieger’s Monogram Lounge has transformed into a basketball-themed pop-up in conjunction with Charlie Hustle. “Hangtime” is open now through April 7, featuring food and drink specials, vintage sports decor, and J. Rieger exclusive canned cocktails representing KU and Mizzou. Reservations are available Wednesdays through Sundays, but I do recommend trying walk-ins here. If this section is full, there are other fun areas to check out at the large distillery!

March 8

Vine Street Brewing: To celebrate the weather warming up a bit, head to Vine Street Brewing for a patio moment. Marcus Lewis takes the stage for live music at 6 p.m., and KC Que will be slinging barbeque from 2 – 9 p.m. As usual at breweries, I highly recommend starting with a tasting flight if you don’t already have a Vine Street fave.