KC Sipps: 3 new places to drink, 2 food festivals, and 1 delicious weekend

Art by Cassondra Jones

Looking for delicious plans? Whether you want to impress a date, show your fam the best of KC, or just get out of the house, we’ve got you covered… all while supporting (mostly) local. 

Here is your weekly roundup of the best food and drink offerings around Kansas City. Cheers!

Something New

Vine Street Brewing: Tuesdays just got a little more interesting! Vine Street Brewing now offers tours of their brewery at your choice of three different times on Tuesdays. The cost is $30, which includes an educational look at the beer and the historic district, plus tastings and a souvenir.  

UnKCorked: The Overland Park liquor store is collecting school supplies for three kiddos through this Saturday at noon. Bring an item from their list and receive 10% off your purchase. Any extra supplies will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of KC. 

Opening

Force of Nature Brewing: De Soto’s first craft brewery is now open. Force of Nature Brewing specializes in brewing with locally sourced ingredients and offers a vintage garage atmosphere. The brewery also serves food, and is open Monday through Saturday.

Orange by Devoured: Jhy Coulter, the creative mind behind the popular Devoured Pizza pop-ups, has set up shop in Martini Corner. The new restaurant, Orange, opens Thursday, August 15. Lunch service runs from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and dinner at 5:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. that day, but check the site for daily hours. In addition to fabulous pizza–and that’s a personal recommendation I’m happy to endorse–the new spot features tapas such as orzo salad, smoked salmon toast, risotto bites, and more. 

Gnarly Hussle: Raytown has a new hot spot, and it may be the first of its kind. Gnarly Hussle, a vintage store, is opening a bar among the racks on August 17. The menu is basic for now, featuring wine, beer, and seltzers, but the grand opening will be anything but. Check out Kaylynn’s story for the full rundown.

Sagebrush: A new cocktail bar is opening on August 17 in Rosedale, Kansas, just outside of downtown KC. The hours vary by day, but the first day open–this Saturday–will be from 3 – 11 p.m. The intimate cocktail bar is connected to Garden House, and has a menu of cocktails and mocktails ranging from $4-16.

Closing

Soirée: Soirée owner and chef Anita Moore has announced that the restaurant will close at the end of this month, citing financial strains. The steak and oyster spot near 18th and Vine will remain open for the next few weeks, and will feature daily specials. A grand farewell event will be announced later. 

August 15 

Little Butter Bakery: The small-batch bakery will pop up at Big Mood Natural Wines in Crossroads from 6 – 8 p.m. Each of the evening’s menu offerings will pair perfectly with a glass of natural or non-alcoholic wine, but the spinach artichoke dip hand pies have my attention.

August 16

816 Day Specials: Let the KC celebrations commence! Many local spots use the day as a fun excuse to run $8.16 food and drink specials, such as J. Rieger & Co. Distillery, KC Live Block, Enzo, Lulu’s Thai Noodle House, District Biskuits, and more.

45th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival: Swope Park is the place to be all weekend long. The Ethnic Enrichment Festival runs now through Sunday and has around 50 countries represented via booths, foods, performances, and more. Admission is $5 at the gate.

Margarita Experience: Join The Pitch crew and community of readers at The Guild in Crossroads! We’ll be sampling margaritas and snacks from area restaurants and more, plus vibing with a DJ, live art, and a giant raffle to benefit Harvesters. Presented by Don Julio. VIP and GA tickets are still available starting at just $15 inclusive of all food and drink, but the price jumps to $25 at the door (if we don’t sell out first).

August 17

Vivilore: Here’s your chance to dine in the lovely Mandarin, the event space on the Vivilore grounds in Independence. Vivilore is transforming The Mandarin into a summertime high tea soiree, with seatings available starting at 11:30 a.m. $45 tickets in advance and includes two tea options, quiche, salad, fruit, and a tray of small bites for each table.

Kansas City Taco Festival: Today kicks off a two-day taco festival at KC Live! Over 60 different tacos will be featured, plus drinks, contests, games, live music, and more. Tickets start at $14.99 for entry and one drink ticket. This event is open for all ages. 

August 18

Wolfepack BBQ: A few seating times remain in Columbus Park for Wolfepack BBQ’s collab night with Moon Bar. Reservations are required for this special event, where Moon Bar cocktails and Wolfepack food will be available for purchase.

Fox & Pearl: Westside’s Fox & Pearl has invited Messenger Coffee for a joint venture from 5 – 10 p.m. No reservations are required for this event, which features a tasting menu of small plates and cocktails all inspired by coffee. 

Plan Ahead

Bon Bon: In Lawrence, the lovely Bon Bon neighborhood bistro is livening things up with a Provence Style Art Party on August 20. The $25 reservation fee includes one beverage and art supplies for the night–even a canvas.

Third Place Lounge: On August 21, Third Place Lounge near Kauffman Center for Performing Arts is hosting Vinetegrity for a rum-tasting event. Each $20 ticket includes a specialty cocktail, a $10 credit towards a featured bottle, and a chance to explore three unique cocktails—Daiquiri, Corn and Oil, and Mai Tai.

Kanbe’s Market: Two opportunities to support Kanbe’s Market are coming soon. First, they are partnering with Hemma Hemma in Waldo to host another Ugly Dinner. The top-notch culinary team of Hemma Hemma will use undesirable but perfectly healthy produce to create a meal, bringing awareness to food waste and redistribution. That dinner is on August 23. And then on September 11, Thelma’s Kitchen will be the next partner in the Ugly Dinner Series.