Drink This Now: Patio sips at Harry’s Country Club

Patio drinks at Harry’s Country Club // Photo by Sarah Sipple

When you read “Country Club,” I want you to picture more country, less club. 

A divey, 1940s, Western-inspired aesthetic helps define Harry’s Country Club, but it’s not the art or exposed brick that have kept people returning for over 20 years. 

In my circle, Harry’s has two distinct reputations. Some know it as a cool, local, River Market spot that has a surprisingly strong food menu. Others have it mentally bookmarked as a must-visit patio each spring or summer. I combined both approaches on my recent visit, enjoying the skyline view from the patio but also ordering a hearty set of apps that carried me through the rest of the night. 

Pictured here are the Bomb Pop Martini ($8), Jalapeno Prickly Pear Margarita ($8), and the Spice 94 Colada mocktail ($8). All mocktails come in at $8, but the other cocktails were discounted during happy hour. As were the apps! French Onion Dip ($7) and Chicken Nachos ($11) were excellent salty, satisfying, crunchy companions to the sweet cocktails. I plan on making the same exact order next time.

Happy hour snacks at Harry’s Country Club // Photo by Sarah Sipple

Generally, I don’t gravitate towards blue drinks, but the term Bomb Pop had me hooked. It quenched the inner child as much as the inner adult who is desperate for sun and fun and whimsy. The “martini” reminded me 80% of a blue raspberry Jolly Rancher and 20% of Blue Gatorade. No notes–as long as you’re in the right mindset for a fun patio bevvie! 

The mocktail was unique, with Seedlip Spice nonalcoholic spirit, soda, a little juice from pineapple, orange, and lime, and Tiki bitters. I expected it to be sweeter or a bit thicker, but it was light and refreshing. Notes of cardamom peeked through, further setting it apart from a standard colada.  

Lastly, the spicy margarita was a safe order for my sister-in-law and me. We love comparing spicy margs and offering harsh critiques to each other regarding the heat level, sweeteners, and rim choices. The weak Tajin rim and the jalapeno straight from a jar didn’t curry any of our favor, but the heat and sweetness did. It didn’t lean too heavily on the sour mix, but was playfully balanced. Still, the blue drink was finished first.

This spring, make a plan to catch up with a pard’ner or two on Harry’s patio. No country or cowboy attire required. Have fun with it and try the ridiculous blue martini and the French onion dip–then treat yourself to a walk around River Market. The neighborhood always has a new shop or cafe or salon to surprise you.

Harry’s Country Club is at 112 E Missouri Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106.