Best of KC 2026: High fidelity Xs and Os

Photo by Rosy He

Earlier this month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can take a peek at the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some local people, places, and things that we think make 2026 KC life feel like a winner. We’ll be publishing these online throughout June and July.

You’ll find, in XO HiFi, Kansas City’s only high-fidelity listening bar with an eclectic collection of vinyls played at the staff’s whim.

This Westside joint is cozily low-lit, a tad upscale, and serves a lineup of Japanese-inspired cocktails and small plates.

There are two ways to approach XO. One: during their weekend floating hours (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.), where they’ve got a selection of coffee and teas alongside their regular cocktail menu. Here, things are quieter and more relaxed while, as one bartender tells us, they play whatever weird records they want to a smaller crowd. Evenings are first-come, first-served and crowded, but a warm layer of chatter over that rich sound system is wonderful to soak in when you’ve got a buzz going.

Other delights: the bathroom’s heated toilet seats and the fire pit on the patio.