KC Sipps: Full festival weekend, two new spots, and a chance at $1,000 for a restaurant warrior

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

Gnarly Hussle: Not only has Raytown’s Gnarly Hussle vintage and thrift store opened a bar, but they’re hosting engaging events for even more reasons to plan a visit. First, they now carry Garage Beer–the canned brew from the Kelce brothers. Among the many sports-based specials that vary by day is college football Saturday with $1 Hamms while the local teams are winning.

KC Restaurant Warrior: Do you have a standout server, bartender, or other restaurant employee who blows you away each visit with their service? Nominate them to win one of 12 $1,000 Restaurant Warrior tipouts from KC Restaurant Festival! *You must know their name and place of employment, but you can input the restaurant/bar/cafe’s phone number as theirs in this form.

Opening

Karen’s Kakes: Raytown has a new sweet shop. Karen’s Kakes soft opening hours begin August 31 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with additional open hours on Tuesdays through Fridays. Karen’s Kakes features filled cupcakes, chocolate-covered pretzels and Oreos, pound cake, and custom cakes in over 100 flavor varieties. 

Swifts Cajun Cuisine: New to Main Street in KCMO–just across the street from Uptown Lounge–is Swifts Cajun Cuisine. After a busy year of Swifts Cajun Cuisine food truck and pop-ups, diners can now enjoy a permanent spot for seafood boils, Cajun pasta, shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and more. 

Festivals

No plans? No problem. This long weekend is bursting with fun–including food-focused options around the metro. In Independence, SantaCaliGon begins on August 30, with free admission. This is also the first weekend of the Kansas City Renaissance Festival! This Saturday, from 12 – 5 p.m., Char Bar’s Westport location is hosting its second annual Hatch Chile Fest! The event features a special menu of chile foods and cocktails, plus chiles available for purchase.

The first Natsu Matsuri KC, or Japanese “summer festival”, will take place at 12th Street Post in West Bottoms from 4 – 8 p.m. on August 31. This new festival is open to all (with advance rsvp) and features Japanese-owned and Japanese culture-focused vendors, food, and a live performance. 

The second Taste of Kansas City Festival lands in Harris Park in KCMO on September 2. The festival is free and open for all ages, with food trucks, pop-ups, vendors, and live music throughout. Some of the restaurants that stand out to me include Brain Freeze Daquiris, Holy Smoke BBQ, and Swifts Cajun Cusine as mentioned above.

The Kansas City Irish Fest kicks off at Crown Center on August 30 at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $25, with additional fees for whiskey tastings. Sunday’s post-Mass Irish Breakfast has been canceled by the festival’s board of directors. Earlier this week, Shaun Brady was shot and killed after police say he confronted individuals near a vehicle in the parking lot of his restaurant, according to KMBC. In addition to being a local chef and owner of Brady & Fox, Brady played a prominent role in the Irish Fest. His impact has reverberated throughout the Irish Fest community, the restaurant industry, and beyond. 

August 29

Saltwell Farm Kitchen: No reservations? No problem. For one night only, Saltwell is going into Farm Bar mode. Gates open at 6 p.m. for all ages (and even dogs–leashed of course), and a $5 cover charge for adults. Tonight’s more casual fare features a shrimp boil, burgers, hotdogs, and live music. 

Downtown Shawnee: Head to Shawnee for a Back to School Brews and Boutique Crawl! From 5 – 8 p.m., District Pour House, Servaes Brewing, Flying Cow Gelato, Transport Brewing, and more will be open and offering specials for the event.

August 30 

Café Ollama: Tickets are still available for the Cantarito Sip & Paint event at Café Ollama on Southwest Boulevard. Tickets are $35 and include all supplies and one drink. A cantarito is a tequila-based cocktail served in a clay cup–which is what guests will be painting.

715: Lawrence’s 715 restaurant is hosting its first Supper Club dinner at the connected 725 event space. Reservations are $75 per person, which includes tax, gratuity, and four courses. Drinks are available for purchase. The menu highlights late summer produce in Kansas, such as zucchini, corn, and sunflowers.

August 31

Tea Market: Between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., stop into Tea Market at Crestwood Shops for a free tea tasting! The five featured teas are selected to get you excited for all things autumn and cozy, such as apple strudel black tea, cinnamon plum, cranberry glow green tea, and more. 

KC Doner: KC Doner will be serving its traditional Turkish dishes at Discourse Brewing in Overland Park from 4 – 8 p.m. In case you can’t make this one, they will be popped-up next at Shawnee’s Pathlight Brewing on September 6.

Big Rip Brewing Company: Starting at 7 p.m., it’s time to get spooky. Big Rip has invited Rabid Unicorn Events to throw a Tim Burton Extravaganza. This event is for ages 18 and up, and tickets (starting at just $12) must be purchased in advance. The celebration features a Tim Burton character costume contest, music bingo, themed drinks, prizes, board games, and more.

Le Lounge: No Vacancy’s swanky but relaxed lounge space, Le Lounge, has relocated from an upstairs lobby to a first-floor space. I attended an art show there earlier this month, and it is a gorgeous space. From 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., be among the first to imbibe at the new and improved Le Lounge Lobby Bar. This is a first-come, first-served event, and entry is $10. 

September 1

Drunken Worm: The Drunken Worm has invited The Dub for a joint KC Current watch party! The Dub is a new women- and LGBTQ-owned sports bar dedicated to women’s sports. This is your chance to get to know The Dub and show your support before they open later this fall. In fact, snag some Dub merch and help spread the word! The fun starts at 12:30 p.m., and reservations are not available. In case you need a food recommendation, I just wrote about the Worm Dip for our August magazine.

September 2

Varsity Club: Starting at 2 p.m., Varsity Club and Disco Burger in River Market invite you to chill out with them–literally. The forecast high is only 80 degrees. Special menu items include backyard daddy burgers, jello shots, hot dogs, and more.

Plan Ahead

No Other Pub: Are you a fan of The Athletic Football Show podcast from The New York Times? Power and Light’s No Other Pub is hosting The Athletic Superstition Swap: Kansas City Watch Party on September 5. Podcast hosts Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, and Mike Sando will provide live game analysis and insights. Food and drink may be purchased from No Other Pub. The event is for ages 21+ and is first-come, first-served, with no advance tickets. 

Zero Zero Pasta: If you’re not interested in watching the Chiefs season kickoff, here’s a way to immerse yourself in a different part of KC culture. Spots are available for the September 5 class at Zero Zero Pasta. Let the handmade pasta experts school you on how to craft restaurant-quality spinach and ricotta ravioli. Tickets are $75, and seating is limited to six.

Iron District: For the mid-twenties to early-thirties crowd, KC’s Quarter Life Club is hosting a White Hot American Summer party on September 6. Tickets are $55 in advance for entry to this Iron District after-hours party. Each ticket includes one glass of prosecco and entertainment from a DJ, and there will be food and drink available to purchase from Iron District vendors.