Dish & Drink KC: Relaxed patio stops in West Bottoms and Westwood Hills

Larks // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Thursday’s at Larks is a steal: they do $1 wings all day, so we made a whole day out of food, drinks, and games, and it was exactly the kind of easy afternoon I needed. No rush, no big plans, just me and my friends hanging out in the West Bottoms, a margarita in one hand, and shuffleboard instructions in the other.

The best part? We grabbed a spot on the patio. It’s roomy out there, with plenty of space to play and just enough of a breeze to make it feel like a mini-escape. Lark’s already feels like a giant living room with lanes, but being outside made it even more relaxed.

I ordered honey sriracha wings and fries, and although they didn’t come out nearly as saucey as I would’ve liked, everything came out hot and was just messy enough to make you lick your fingers without shame. The wings were also a little crisp at the edges and juicy in the middle, just the way I like them.

The rest of the afternoon turned into an endless loop of: take a shot (shuffleboard, not tequila), laugh at how bad it was, grab a fry, sip a margarita, and try again. Of course, there was some friendly trash talk, plenty of missed shots, and a few accidental wins. None of us actually knew what we were doing, but we were having fun eating and trying to figure it out.

Lark’s is located at 1527 W 9th St, Kansas City, MO 64101.

Hi Hat Coffee Photo By Tiffany Watts

Hi Hat Coffee is a charming little corner shop that rests right on State Line and 50th Terrace like it’s been there forever. And in a way, it has. Long before it became a coffee shop in 1998, this tiny building was a 1930s Phillips 66 gas station, later a barber shop in the ’60s, and now, arguably its best era yet. 

Inside, it’s built for quick stops: grab a coffee, briefly chat with the baristas, and head out. But outside? That’s where the magic is. There’s a patio that makes you want to linger. People sprawl out with books, neighbors catch up on what’s happening in the city, and time seems to move just a little slower in that corner of Westwood Hills.

On my visit, I ordered something I’d never tried before: an iced Raspberry Mint Matcha with oat milk ($5.25). It tasted like spring in a glass. The matcha gives you that earthy, green backbone, but then the raspberry comes through bright and fruity, and the mint gives it this cool, refreshing lift that makes it almost feel like a mocktail. The oat milk ties it all together, adding just enough creaminess to round out the sharper edges. It’s not overly sweet. It’s layered, interesting, and ridiculously easy to sip on a warm afternoon.

Sitting outside with that drink in hand, it made perfect sense why Hi Hat Coffee has stayed such a beloved neighborhood spot for more than two decades. It’s small, unpretentious, and genuinely feels like a place that belongs to everyone.

Hi Hat Coffee is located at 5012 State Line Rd., Westwood Hills, KS 66205.