Afterword Tavern & Shelves turns the page on KC’s nightlife
Photo by: Rowan Bickelhaupt
If you’ve ever wished you could sip a cocktail inside a novel, you’ll find your next chapter waiting at Afterword Tavern & Shelves. Tucked away in the Crossroads Arts District, this bar-bookstore hybrid has grown to be one of the most alluring locations in the city. Afterword is where books and drinks meet, where glass clinks and pages rustle.
Through consistent growth, Afterword has become a vital part of the local artistic and social scene, with 2025 being a particularly successful year for the company. From its creative cocktails and pressed sandwiches to its book club memberships and neighborhood gatherings, the tavern’s success is attributed to its ambiance and the individuals who have meticulously nurtured it.
Photo by: Rowan Bickelhaupt
“We want everyone who walks in to feel respected, valued, and appreciated for being there,” says Kate Hall, general manager of Afterword Tavern & Shelves. She explains the bar’s guiding principle through what’s known as the third space theory. “Third space theory is like, people spend their time at work and they spend their time at home, and then their third space is the place they like to go — it’s an extension of your living room.”
That feeling defines Afterword. The bar’s interior is a sensory retreat filled with calm lighting, leather and velvet seating, gothic chandeliers, and walls lined with books. It feels both elegant and cozy, creating an environment where conversation hums quietly under jazz and the faint scent of espresso and spirits.
Even on a busy night, the atmosphere stays unhurried. Bartenders here don’t rush your order. They craft your drink before you pay, taking time to perfect balance and presentation. As a reflection of the thought and care that encompasses everything Afterword does, the process seems more ritual than routine.
Afterword’s cocktail menu is entirely created and curated by the staff, giving every drink a personal touch. “They’ve really been able to hone their craft, and that always shows on the other side of the bar,” Hall says. The result is a menu that feels cohesive but never predictable, with each season bringing a new lineup of imaginative concoctions.
During my visit, I sampled four vibrant and whimsical cocktails.
The Appletini is a bright and balanced blend of vodka, apple brandy, rye, honey crisp apple, sage, and clarified lemon. It’s sweet, herbaceous, and autumn in a glass.
The Zombie is a bold mix of pale rum, agricole rum, Bitter Bianco, lime cordial, basil, and coconut. Intense and complex, it demands your attention and was fittingly recommended by the bartender.
Top left: Appletini, Top right: The Zombie, Bottom left: Moscow Mule, Bottom right: Chocolate Martini // Photo by: Rowan Bickelhaupt
The Mists of Avalon is a dreamlike cocktail of botanical gin, earl grey, lemon, honey, bergamot liqueur, and tea foam, smooth, floral, and quietly powerful.
And my personal favorite, the Chocolate Martini. “We’ve never had a Chocolate Martini on the menu before,” Hall says. “It’s a black cacao salted simple with spiced pear liqueur and Amaro chili. For a Chocolate Martini, it’s surprisingly balanced, with a little lemon for brightness.” The drink is rich yet light, decadent without feeling heavy, and the kind that lingers like a last line of poetry.
Every drink has a beautiful presentation, complete with thoughtfully selected garnishes, bright hues, and gleaming glassware. The bar’s literary spirit is connected to each specialty cocktail. “Our specialties are always titled after book titles,” Hall explains. “Sometimes it’s a direct reference, sometimes it’s an interpretation. We’ll even put the books that inspired them out on display so you can see the connection.”
That literary inspiration transforms a cocktail into an experience, creating a conversation between stories and spirits.
While the drinks draw crowds, the bookstore identity gives Afterword its distinctive rhythm. “The bookstore provides people the comfort level to come in, sit with headphones on, and read completely by themselves, just surrounded by people,” Hall says. There is a soft buzz of activity that makes the place feel both lively and tranquil as customers work on laptops, have quiet conversations, or curl up with great literature.
For readers who want to bring the experience home, Afterword’s Books & Booze Membership is a five-star fit. The quarterly subscription offers three tiers: Books, Books and a Bottle of Wine, or Books and Spirits. Members can also choose a genre — Genre Be Damned, Fiction, or Mysteries and Thrillers — and receive a curated selection that matches their literary taste and beverage of choice.
The idea is considerate, cozy, and a little decadent—all of which perfectly capture Afterword’s essence.
Photo by: Rowan Bickelhaupt
Complementing the drinks is a partnership with Hot Off the Press, a sandwich concept by local chef Devin Crawford. The rotating menu leans into what Hall affectionately calls “sexy, snacky food,” lighter dishes that pair with cocktails without overwhelming them.
Right now, the options include a Medianoche Cubano, a Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup, and a Tofu Buffalo Wrap. I tried the grilled cheese and soup — simple but deeply satisfying, with the kind of comfort that perfectly mirrors the warmth of the space itself.
Part of what’s fueled Afterword’s recent growth is its evolving connection to Kansas City’s creative community. “Annie does an absolutely fabulous job,” Hall says of her social media manager, Annie Stewart. “She’s really active with our social media, and that’s made a huge impact on brand recognition and consistency this year.”
The buzz doesn’t live only online. Afterword has built momentum through real, tangible events that keep people coming back. The tavern invites local poets, songwriters, and storytellers to perform during its open mic night, taking place every second Monday of the month from 7 – 9 p.m.
When the holidays draw near, the event calendar turns as festive as the cocktail selection. Hall and her team are planning a Halloween party complete with a costume runway and audience-voted prizes, followed by their annual Scholastic Book Fair in December, a grown-up twist on childhood nostalgia that regulars look forward to each year.
Among the many excellent bars in the city, Afterword stands out for its sense of community. Readers, creatives, and cocktail lovers gather here to share space, trade stories, and slow down for a while. A stranger might recommend a book over the hum of a shaker, or a bartender might introduce you to your new favorite drink.
Kansas City offers countless options for a cocktail, but Afterword Tavern & Shelves offers something richer. The space invites guests to unwind, savor a story, and feel at home, one page and one pour at a time.
