KC Sipps: Final Moon Market, restaurant openings and closings, and festive weekend events

KC Sipps logo by Teddy Rosen

Life in KC is pretty delicious. In fact, there is often so much going on that it can be hard to decide where to go and what to try.

That’s where I come in. 

I’ve curated this weekly list of events, openings, deals, and celebrations to keep you in-the-know. Cheers!

Opening

La Fetta Delicatessen: Last month, Jordan Baranowski dove into all things La Fetta ahead of their expansion. Now, the new deli is open in Corinth Square, Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

Cafe Equinox: After a renovation, the Cafe Equinox location inside Family Tree Nursery Overland Park is reopening. Guests at this location will receive a free 2” plant with a drink purchase this Saturday (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and Sunday (10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.).  

Closing

Rochester Brewing and Roasting Co.: The Crossroads location of Rochester Brewing and Roasting will close in early 2027. Until January 3, you can still stop by the spacious cafe and brewery. The Parkville location will remain open. Despite living downtown, I’ve actually visited the Parkville location more frequently. Its train car setup is novel, and the proximity to English Landing Park is convenient; however, the Crossroads location is great for remote work or a casual meeting.

Car No. 551: The sandwich shop in the historic trolley at 5th and Delaware has announced closure. The small River Market eatery cited rising costs and parking as the reasons. While they have since deleted their closure announcement, their Google listing is marked as permanently closed, and the restaurant’s website shows no hours of operation. Personally, it was their frequent use of AI “art” that had me choosing other area sandwich shops instead.

October 22

Blanc Champagne Bar: In Midtown, the lovely Blanc Champagne Bar has partnered with Clarity Care for a breast health event. Sips & Screenings, from 5 – 7 p.m., is free to attend with an RSVP, and features giveaways, breast health education, and, of course, bubbles. Lean in and wear pink, bring a pal, and leave with a mammogram added to your calendar. 

October 23

Lenexa Public Market: Lenexa Public Market is a fun lunch or dinner spot, with a wide variety of kitchens to visit for a meal as diverse as you can dream up. Now the variety is even greater, with a rotating short-term residency in The Kitchen space. This weekend, KiK’s BBQ will pop up in The Kitchen space on the second floor of Lenexa Public Market (there is elevator access). KiK’s will serve brisket, pulled pork, pork belly, banh mi bowls, loaded nachos, and more. The Kitchen will be open from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.

Moon Market: I’ve said this before, but I reiterate: If you haven’t visited Rock Island Bridge yet, here’s a fun opportunity to do so. This year’s final Moon Market kicks off at 6 p.m. as an open-air market curated by the team at West Bottoms Plant Co. A lovely fall evening, a pay-what-you-can produce station, easy-going dinner and drink menus at Rock Island Eats and River House, local vendors and makers, and live music starting at 7 p.m. No admission or RSVP required. 

October 24

East Crossroads Fall Crawl: A bar crawl with no tickets or admission, no check-in, and no frills—sounds perfect for a relaxed fall Saturday. 13 East Crossroads bars and restaurants are participating, offering a spooky-themed cocktail or two as a chance to try something new, which is scary enough for some folks. If my day wasn’t already booked, I’d start at Chartreuse Saloon with a fall old fashioned, continue the afternoon with skee-ball and a peach cobbler margarita at Ricochet, before heading to Tannin for a free JUSTIN Winery wine tasting at 5:30.  

Frost Frozen Bar: Crit & Ale, a trivia and entertainment company, is popping up at Frost in Westport for one mysterious night. They invite you to “Murder at Midnight Margaritas,” an immersive murder mystery game inspired by the film Practical Magic. Arrive by 7 p.m. ready to solve puzzles and interrogate strangers and friends alike. Tickets are $15 and include admission to the Practically Magic pop-up space as well as popcorn. Themed cocktails and snacks will be available for purchase — and this is one of my favorite places to grab a drink in the area. 

October 25

Jarocho: The KCK Mexican seafood restaurant is celebrating 12 years and Chef Carlos Falcon’s birthday with a special brunch. From 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., they’re offering a $50 brunch special, including unlimited buffet, small plates, and house margaritas. Call 913-281-7757 to book one of the few remaining spots or get on the waitlist. 

Nostalgia Room: Lawrence’s premier n/a bar is celebrating four years! Visit between 4 – 8 p.m. for a special anniversary market event, featuring a DJ, handmade art and goods, and extra treats. In fact, our former associate editor-turned-baker, Steph Castor, will be on site with decadent Drippy baked goodies. 

The Corner Mexican Food Restaurant: In Grandview, The Corner Mexican Food Restaurant is hosting Shucker’s Union for a pop-up. This could be your chance to preview Shucker’s Union before they open their planned brick-and-mortar spot in East Crossroads. This “fiesta de ostras” dinner is from 5 – 9 p.m. and features a variety of oysters, plus lobster burritos, crab tostadas, caviar hot dogs, and more. No tickets or reservations required. 

Plan Ahead

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen: Tannin in Crossroads is hosting another author dinner with Adib Khorram, featuring his latest book, Isn’t He Romantic? On November 5, Chef Robert Carlton and the team will serve dishes and wine pairings inspired by the story, while Khorram shares personal insights into the book. Tickets are $125.