It's telling that Firefly Lounge does not have a telephone number, is located in the back of a narrow 50-foot hallway, and the custom sign in front is so easy to miss that even if you know where to look, you'll probably drive past it.
Firefly is a modern "speakeasy," and while it's open to the public it's not going out of its way to draw just anybody.
That's because Firefly wants to distinguish itself from the dozens of other bars in Westport, explains manager Matt Jones. "It's a little bit of a tier above but it's not pretentious or as pricey as downtown," Jones said as he showed me around the space which still had areas that were unfinished.
"When people get tired of Downtown and they will, Westport will be where they come back and we'll be right here for them."
Firefly
Lounge is managed by, amonst others, Jones and Todd Gambal. They also manage Westport bar Dark Horse Tavern and Westport restaurant Torre's Pizza. Jones
and Gambal were proudly showing off the furniture in Firefly Lounge
which has all been custom-built on site (by
Rahmeen Hirsch Designing Finishing) and Jones is not shy in saying that
it will be nicer and cleaner than anything else in Westport.
"In
all senses of the word it's a Westport bar but it will be the nicest
one. This is not a place to just throw away your money on some
watered-down drinks while having to listen to a jukebox play Journey or
REO Speedwagon. There's no jukebox here...There's a space for live
music or a DJ and we'll have jazz and, and I can't exactly say what
else. I know what we won't have is rap, hip-hop, techno, metal. This is
a lounge."
Firefly will have food, albeit a limited menu
devoted to small plates. I counted 10 items, including a
bowl of edamame for $4, hummus served with chipotle salsa for $8, and
the most expensive item, tenderloin sliders with pomme frittes for
$11.
As for the drink selection, there are six wine flights on the menu
(three reds, three whites) and 30 reserve bottles in the cellar. In the
beer category, Firefly may be the first place to have Boulevard's new
Singlewide I.P.A on tap. -- it was just released two days ago. They also have Framboise, Peroni and Kronenbourg 1664 on
tap. In a nice reversal of the Westport usual, if you want just
domestic beer like Miller or Budweiser you have to buy it in a bottle.
Firefly
is legal so it's not technically a speakeasy, but it's only open limited hours: Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m. until 3 a.m. Tonight
marks its first regular night in business. (It's grand opening was last
week, as Pitch Fork readers know.) Jones is quick to point out Firefly
is happy to rent out the space Sundays through Wednesdays.
While Firefly doesn't have a phone number, if you really need to get ahold of someone there call Dark Horse Tavern at 816-931-3663. And the secret
address -- well it's not really that secret. It's 4118 Pennsylvania
Avenue.
-- Owen Morris
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Nice Classy looking lounge! Amazing DJ's and the atmosphere is defianetly nothing you find in Westport.
Definately Agree with all the bloggers above: Been there about 4 times now and I did notice that the service is not the best.
Recommendation : Get new management and hire a completely new staff that is more professional and customer service oriented.
I was there saturday too and the service was horrible, it took so long for us to get drinks, like Theresa said we were not drunk and the bartender was so rude, and used vulgar language while talking to customers. Very dissapointed and definately not going back.
Agree with Dan.
Really classy looking place. Different from any other bar at westport area.
Staff is really unprofessional though. Would not recommend it either. Giving it a one star rating on customer service.
Classy looking place but the service is a BIG Disgrace and very disrespectful... What a shame for a new place... wouldn't recommend it anyone.
Oh my God! This is so funny because I was there that Saturday night and my friends and I came in a little bit early around tenish in order to get a table.
When we sat down a waitress came and cleared the table and when we tried to get her attention to order drinks she didnt even acknowledge that we needed drinks....she just rudely left.
We were in shock -- we really thought it was just her. But I guess it is the whole staff that is that ignorant and rude.
My friends and I were so disappointed. We are definately not going back.
I agree with Avril. The place is decent but some of the staff are really rude and ignorant.
My recommendation: When you order drinks order 3 drinks at one go. Service is really slow!!!!!
I totally remember that i was there saturday night it took forever to get a drink and one of the servers asked us to make sure we tip her even before she gave us our drinks REALLY!!!!!! The other bar tender was rude and incapable of holding a civil conversation. Its a nice place but the staff totally unprofessional.
Horrible Experience :
Last Saturday, 05/16, my friends and I had the worst experience at firefly.
A couple of my male friends were at the bar waiting for a drink. They were there for about 20 minutes and the bar tender - Jason-completly was ignoring them.
Finally when they tried to get his attention he immeadiately responded that they were being loud and rude and he was kicking them out.
My friends whom yes i do agree was upset asked why was he not getting served. And thats when Jason went ahead and said he was calling the police.
The police did show up and ironically they did even know why they were called. Because we spoke to them and they seemed confused because we were not drunk and loud....infact we simply just said we are leaving. We cannot be disrepected to that level. No one can. The police left before we even got to leave that should say something.
This blog is just the beginning. Not only are we going on a mission to get managment and ownership of Dark Horse and Torres Pizza aware of what is going on in their establishment but the whole of Kansas City.
Action and Investigation has to happen. That is not how customers should be treated no matter their race income or age you name it.
That was my second time there. The first time I was so impressed but now i am so disappointed and in utter disbelief.
Our aim to make sure that everyone in Kansas City is aware of such happenings even it leads to further press releases.
Funny:
Tom- you must be perfect! I thought the people who opened it did a pretty good job. The fumes where a little rough, but I wasn't in a 'who-can-drink-the-most-the-fastest' mood. I was when I was 17, but I'm an adult. I waited about 10 minutes for a drink, but it was great. The bartenders make a great drink, and the server was real sweet. I talked with Mitch, and 2 other partners. They were very aware of the situation, and then bought me and my girl a drink. I thought they were very understanding. So I guess Mr. Perfect Tom should just stay to Downtown. Won't be back? Who cares. I'm sure you were a real gem to deal with anyways.
Todd- Thanks for the info, from a partner. Its good to see local people open local places for us locals to go to. Thanks, We loved the place.
Jason-
I was also there. And saw 3 guys being pretty friendly with each other...and with others. They bought a couple bottles of wine and shared. I had a few drinks. They're not chasing me away. I also enjoyed the server (I think her name was Parker) and just cause a few gay dudes came in, that isn't keeping me away. Just like when I see a couple chicks making out.
Went to Firefly this weekend to check it out(12/12). Very cool place. Carter(parker posey) is an excellent waitress. Excellent place to go and hang out...and then a bunch of dudes started making out and grinding on one another. That really sucks, you open a cool place and the queers come out and chase away the straights. I give it 6 months to close. Late.
Well Tom, to tell you the truth, Mitch, who is our general operations manager and I were there, along with the other partners of Roadhousegroup who over see our properties. It WAS a messy opening to which I can only apologize for, we did have many computer problems and other mis haps. We were working up to the last minute to try and have things right. Obviously we did not. As for the waiting outside, we had our main waterline burst 10 minutes before we were supposed to open, with water gushing over the bathrooms - sucks to be us. Bad service, long drink times, and "fumes" is NOT what we wanted to have happen during our sneak preview night, but I would hope that we can try and make it up to you and anyone else who came and was disappointed. This place will be a work in progress as we try to create something that is unique for westport. First impressions sometimes is everything, but second chances are often the best thing to happen.
While I also got a few paint fume highs from the Firefly Grand Opening, I thought it was a very COOL space in Westport. After they shake off their opening blues- yes the drinks were slow, but if the computers were not working that is too be expected- it will be a great place to relax and not be surrounded by a lot of crapy bar swag. I loved the feel of the place and I will be back for the wine flights!!
Ty
Went to the grand opening last week, and unfortunately they weren't ready. After waiting outside in the entry way for about 10 minutes, we were let in and grabbed a table. The place had a very strong varnish/paint smell.
After sitting down and reviewing the menu, my friends and I ordered from drinks from the waitress. The waitress then comes by 3 times to say "there are computer problems". At about the 50 minute mark our oh-so-helpful waitress told us we had to go to the bar and get drinks instead. So we waited about 50 minutes to be told go to the bar???? On the way out we tell the doorguys (who we got to know since we had to wait to get in) and they said "that sucks". No manager in sight. (Mitch Jones, Todd Gambal where were you that night???) Left Firefly high on paint fumes, mad as hell, and drink free. We went to Harry's where we saw a few other people who left the grand opening pretty quickly. Not a good sign if people are leaving your nice new bar after an hour. My friends and I decided this was pretty much the worst service experience ever. Congrats Firefly!
Cool idea, nice setup inside, and it's unique for Westport. I worry about the service issues, location (a hidden speakeasy is good if people know about it) and the rep this will get from a horrible grand opening. I won't be back.
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