KC Pizza Club serves up connection one slice at a time

14 hours ago

Rowan Bickelhaupt,

Keaton Adams // Photo by: Rowan Bickelhaupt

When Keaton Adams moved to Kansas City in July, he came with two things in mind: finding great pizza and finding genuine connection. The 26-year-old transplant from St. Louis had been “city hopping” for a couple of years, trying out different places in search of where he might want to put down roots. After stints in Oklahoma City and beyond, he found that the Midwest’s biggest small town might be the perfect fit—and the ideal place to launch his new passion project, KC Pizza Club.

“I wanted to start a project where I could connect with people about something I’m passionate about—which is pizza,” Adams said. “A lot of people might not be as obsessed with it as I am, but they’re really looking for something to grab onto—connection, friends, small groups. That’s really what KC Pizza Club is aiming to do.”

That philosophy—connection first, pizza second—has guided Adams from the moment he dreamed up KC Pizza Club earlier this year. The group officially launched in September, with Adams introducing his concept online and quickly gaining traction in the Kansas City food scene. What began as a way to make friends turned into a fast-growing social club that blends pizza appreciation with genuine human connection.

Adams’ pizza journey started in an unlikely place: behind the counter of a gas station. “They put me on the pizza station and said, ‘You’re not gonna last two days—everyone hates this job,’” he said, laughing. “But I fell in love with it on the first day. I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I just knew—this is my spot.”

Jimmy B’s Pizza & Wings // Photo by: Rowan Bickelhaupt

Since then, Adams has worked at multiple pizzerias and developed a deep love for the craft. KC Pizza Club combines a passion for great pizza with the shared joy that comes with gathering around the table. That sense of togetherness came to life on Nov. 4, when the club hosted its first-ever event, the Adult Pizza Party, at Jimmy B’s Pizza & Wings.

Tickets sold out quickly, with all 40 spots claimed and 38 attendees showing up for a Tuesday night of games, conversation, and—of course—great pizza. The event delivered on every front. Guests chatted over beers and shared Jimmy B’s pizza slices, with the Jimmy B’s Special being a crowd favorite. The room was alive with the carefree spirit that arises when strangers become friends over something as simple as a mutual love of pizza.

To add a thoughtful touch, Adams created small pizza box gift sets for each attendee. Inside was a mix of playful and personal items: a gummy pizza, a locally made Cooki T cookie, a pizza-themed slap bracelet, a temporary tattoo, and a set of conversation cards that Adams designed himself. As an introvert, he wanted to ensure that anyone attending alone had an easy way to initiate a conversation.

Pizza Gift Box // Photo by: Rowan Bickelhaupt

In the end, the cards were a sweet addition rather than a necessity. From the moment guests arrived, conversations sparked naturally—about pizza, Kansas City life, favorite restaurants, and upcoming events. By the end of the night, tables were full of laughter, and no one seemed to be leaving early.

The success of the inaugural Adult Pizza Party has validated what Adams hoped to build: a space that feels both low-pressure and profoundly communal. “I haven’t seen one negative comment online or in person,” he said. “People just want to rally behind something that isn’t another negative thing in the world right now.”

The enthusiasm hasn’t gone unnoticed. KC Pizza Club’s social media following continues to grow, with locals tagging their favorite pizza spots, sharing photos from the event, and inquiring about the next one. Adams says he’s taking it one event at a time, with plans for another gathering in January that will continue to build on the momentum and connections sparked this fall.

For Adams, Kansas City has quickly become home in more ways than one. “I was city-hopping for a while, but I have no intention of leaving Kansas City,” he said. “It’s the perfect mix of a small big city with Midwestern hospitality. People here have been the nicest I’ve ever met.”

KC Pizza Club might be new, but it’s already serving up something more lasting than a meal: a reminder that community can be built from something as simple and universally loved as a good slice. In a city known for its barbecue, it turns out there’s plenty of room at the table for pizza too.