In the 1920s, Martin City (the area surrounding 135th Street and Holmes) was a hub of activity. Catering to approximately 250 residents were a dance hall (above the dry-goods store), a men's gun club and a basketball team. Today, the south Kansas City community is home to Suburban Lawn & Garden, Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue and Beadz Galore. One of Martin City's newest businesses, the Martin City Brewing Company (500 East 135th Street, 816-268-2222), brings a cheery atmosphere, a full menu, and live music on Fridays and Saturdays. The beer selection — 18 drafts on tap and more than 50 different bottles — focuses on craft brews and small-batch choices (including Rogue, Lagunitas and Arcadia). "We'll have our own beers in the near future," server Josh Stazen says. The bilevel tavern and restaurant also serves cocktails, and its signature beverage is the Polar Ice Cap, a vodka-based lemonade drink served in a glass made of ice. (An MCBC-imprinted glove comes with the drink to prevent numbness.) The place is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. On Wednesdays after 3 p.m., the specials are $5 glasses of wine, $3 off all wine bottles and $1 off all whiskeys.
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