Power & Light District
Westport
Kelly’s Westport Inn
The Riot Room
Ernie Biggs
McCoy’s Public House
DJ Shad
The Foundry
Buzzard Beach
Gordon Biersch
McFadden’s
Vinino
PBR Big Sky Bar
America’s Pub
Tengo Sed Cantina
Howl at the Moon
Click here for Crystal K. Wiebe's reporter's notebook on her trip to the Power & Light District.
Click here for Jen Chen's account of spending the night in Westport.
Click on the photo for a slideshow of pictures from Westport and the Power & Light District.
The plan was simple: Send two correspondents out on the same night to Westport and the Power & Light District.
Ever since the P&L opened this past spring, we've heard stories about how other local bars have suffered. We wanted to see whether the newest entertainment district in town has affected the city's oldest entertainment district. Plus, we wanted to examine for ourselves what both places are really like on a typical weekend.
So on a recent Saturday, we went out to gauge the temperature of nightlife in Kansas City. We tried to hit similar bars at the same time — for example, Kelly’s in Westport versus McFadden's in the P&L. But as any seasoned bargoer knows, sticking to a pub-crawl schedule isn't always possible.
For this report, Jen Chen headed to Westport, while Crystal K. Wiebe covered Power & Light.
What did we discover? The liquor still flows, the music still plays and the cops are occasionally still necessary. And we figured out that this town seems capable of supporting two rocking entertainment districts at once.
Power & Light 7:15 p.m.
There's a 20-minute wait for a table at Gordon Biersch, the anchor establishment at the corner of 14th Street and Walnut, so we decide to kill time at the bar. The tab for a Dr Pepper and a vodka and Red Bull: $13.79. At least the atmosphere is good. The ceilings are high, and the open patio doors allow in natural light and fresh air.
We're ushered to a booth facing the 14th Street patio. Around us, clean-cut couples — some in their 20s, others middle-aged — dine on pizza and steaks and order tall glasses of the brewery's signature beers. Waiter Shawn Bryant coaches us through a beer flight (Golden Export tastes like Bud Light; Märzen has the highest alcohol content) and steers us away from the crab-and-artichoke dip. But he can't advise us on where to go in the Power & Light District. "Everything is so expensive upstairs that I've never really been," he says.
After our meal, Bryant wishes us luck. "Come back and tell me what's best," he says. "Write it down, please!"
Westport 8 p.m.
It's a lovely summer night, and most of the tables on the patio at McCoy’s are occupied. Inside, though, is a different story — the restaurant is sparsely populated. At the bar, I order an $8 burger and a $4 shandy.
Sitting nearby is Brian Poel, a nattily dressed guy with a shaved head. He wears a white textured polo shirt and slim-fitting plaid pants. He's a 32-year-old registered nurse and a Westport regular. "I'm loyal. I've been coming to Westport for about 14 years," he says.
Poel gives a sociological breakdown of how Westport has changed since Power & Light opened. "It's been profound," he says. "It's less crowded now, so it's easier to get a drink." The annoying people who came in only on weekends have moved on, leaving a local crowd. "Now the people who want to be here are here," he says.
Power & Light 8:23 p.m.
There's already a line at the ID checkpoint at the entrance to the district's main area, called "Kansas City Live!" A security guard checks my driver's license and stamps "Power & Light District" on my right hand. It's the first of many brands that will serve as a record of my whereabouts.
Upstairs, no one's waiting in line to get into Howl at the Moon, but the joint is packed. Cheers and applause erupt inside as we approach the door. We pay a $5 cover and squeeze into a slightly elevated area with a good view of the stage, where two pianists face each other. When "Land of 1,000 Dances" comes on, about seven female Howl employees get onstage to demonstrate the mashed potato and the alligator. Dollar bills stick out of their tight black tank tops.
Showing 1-25 of 48
Looking at P&L and Westport require a balanced view, otherwise all you're doing is perpetuating your bias rather than saying anything meaningful. Sure both districts have their up sides, and their down sides. I personally go to both areas quite often (not so much P&L lately because I'm poor), and on various different nights of the week. There are weeks when I would no more want to be in Westport on a friday or saturday night than I would want to be in P&L. Every westport regular (as in, you go on more than just your weekend) knows about the weekend warriors that you likely want no part of.
It's really easy to attack P&L, and I see no reason to discourage the criticism. But personally, I'd be happy with P&L being whatever its going to be (tax breaks notwithstanding), and for the surrounding areas to take advantage of it. Willies is an excellent example. Czar Bar is carving out a niche, Crosstown Station, Madrigal. I bet even as far south (and indie) as the Brick can benefit from P&L. I hope the Drum Room really takes off once all of the construction is done. And you really have to consider an extremely changed dynamic once the performing arts center is done.
But Westport needs a wakeup call. McCoy's, the Foundry, Harry's, the Riot Room, and Harpo's are the only places with outdoor smoking areas that people would consider in inclement weather (especially hot, sunny days). You could SAY that Buzzard fits this description, but that place is in serious danger if they don't put some sheltered outdoor smoking and drinking areas, and maybe steam clean the stink out of the place, now that we don't have the smoke to kill some of the smell. Personally, I think they should just try to find a way to block off the drive in front and turn that into a patio. The only people that use it for vehicles are cabs, security, drunks and other assholes.
Even Kelly's with all of its tradition is apparently considering a rooftop patio.
And what's up with the signs in westport talking about the millions of dollars that is going to be spent on the common areas? Maybe a good idea would be some additional lighting and maybe some of those security call button things so that people are less likely to get shot.
Looking at P&L and Westport require a balanced view, otherwise all you're doing is perpetuating your bias rather than saying anything meaningful. Sure both districts have their up sides, and their down sides. I personally go to both areas quite often (not so much P&L lately because I'm poor), and on various different nights of the week. There are weeks when I would no more want to be in Westport on a friday or saturday night than I would want to be in P&L. Every westport regular (as in, you go on more than just your weekend) knows about the weekend warriors that you likely want no part of. It's really easy to attack P&L, and I see no reason to discourage the criticism. But personally, I'd be happy with P&L being whatever its going to be (tax breaks notwithstanding), and for the surrounding areas to take advantage of it. Willies is an excellent example. Czar Bar is carving out a niche, Crosstown Station, Madrigal. I bet even as far south (and indie) as the Brick can benefit from P&L. I hope the Drum Room really takes off once all of the construction is done. And you really have to consider an extremely changed dynamic once the performing arts center is done. But Westport needs a wakeup call. McCoy's, the Foundry, Harry's, the Riot Room, and Harpo's are the only places with outdoor smoking areas that people would consider in inclement weather (especially hot, sunny days). You could SAY that Buzzard fits this description, but that place is in serious danger if they don't put some sheltered outdoor smoking and drinking areas, and maybe steam clean the stink out of the place, now that we don't have the smoke to kill some of the smell. Personally, I think they should just try to find a way to block off the drive in front and turn that into a patio. The only people that use it for vehicles are cabs, security, drunks and other assholes. Even Kelly's with all of its tradition is apparently considering a rooftop patio. And what's up with the signs in westport talking about the millions of dollars that is going to be spent on the common areas? Maybe a good idea would be some additional lighting and maybe some of those security call button things so that people are less likely to get shot.
maybe westport can become more creative and organic now.
it always made a ton of money, but they never seemed to reinvest the money into the area. you want business.....make it unique. let the cookie cutter power and light district cater to cookie cutter people who have cookie cutter jobs and hundreds of dollars to burn and the intelligence to stand in line for 3 hours to spend hundreds of dollars. whatever you do, don't give westport a corporate makeover.
maybe westport can become more creative and organic now. it always made a ton of money, but they never seemed to reinvest the money into the area. you want business.....make it unique. let the cookie cutter power and light district cater to cookie cutter people who have cookie cutter jobs and hundreds of dollars to burn and the intelligence to stand in line for 3 hours to spend hundreds of dollars. whatever you do, don't give westport a corporate makeover.
The Power and Light District is NOT revitalizing downtown. It's killing business for LOCALLY-owned businesses--who pay more in taxes for one quarter than the entire Cordish Corporation pays for an entire year--even though these locally owned businesses are struggling.
If you ask, you will find dozens of businesses around the perimeter of Power and Blight--that were once thriving, and should by all accounts be surviving--are closing.
The Power and Blight district is the equivalent of an entertainment Hypermart. There is very little that is unique, creative, satisfying or LOCALLY-sustaining about it. There are similar set-ups in Nashville, Atlanta, etc. It's completely unsophisticated and devoid of any charm. However, it is making some people in Baltimore very rich.
What's going to happen to downtown when it's cold and parking still sucks...and any acceptable alternative in the area has closed down? Then, you will find out what it means to have a real blighted downtown.
If you love Kansas City and want it to thrive, don't P&L it. Support locally-owned businesses instead.
The Power and Light District is NOT revitalizing downtown. It's killing business for LOCALLY-owned businesses--who pay more in taxes for one quarter than the entire Cordish Corporation pays for an entire year--even though these locally owned businesses are struggling. If you ask, you will find dozens of businesses around the perimeter of Power and Blight--that were once thriving, and should by all accounts be surviving--are closing. The Power and Blight district is the equivalent of an entertainment Hypermart. There is very little that is unique, creative, satisfying or LOCALLY-sustaining about it. There are similar set-ups in Nashville, Atlanta, etc. It's completely unsophisticated and devoid of any charm. However, it is making some people in Baltimore very rich. What's going to happen to downtown when it's cold and parking still sucks...and any acceptable alternative in the area has closed down? Then, you will find out what it means to have a real blighted downtown. If you love Kansas City and want it to thrive, don't P&L it. Support locally-owned businesses instead.
Thanks for writing such an informative and detailed article, looking into both areas. I just turned 21 this month, so I'm somewhat new to KC nightlife. I've since visited both P&L and Westport, leaving me with both positive and negative opinions of the two.
Like many others, I like how P&L has brought life back to the downtown area. After traveling to other large cities, their downtown areas would be the life of their town...putting us to shame. But P&L has changed that and I'm glad that we've improved in that sense, but being a young, black, college student born and raised in the nitty-gritty of Kansas City (that rhymes =)), I'm not really satisfied with the nightlife options that cater to my crowd.
You mentioned in your description of both areas, the various bars crowded with cowboy hat-wearing tobacco-chewers, spiked-hair rockers and blonde babes. References were made of repeated songs you heard throughout the night, that I've never heard of and probably have no desire to hear. You probably assume that I'm a fan of hip-hop, r&b and any other form of music associated with African Americans and...you're absolutely correct! So, I'm dissappointed that there are no real places in both P&L and Westport where I can complain of Era-cap, tall white-tee wearing "gangstas" and the repeated sounds of "A Milli'" or "I Put On". Granted, I'm a connoisseur of multiple forms of great music and entertainment, but I do have a preference.
My friends and I can either endure the sounds of Toby Keith and friends, party at a place that looks like a pig stye or call it dinner and a movie on a Friday night.
I think you all did a wonderful job on the article, I just wish that there were more options for me to choose from, and if there are I wish that you would have covered a wider range of places in these areas and/or given a more diverse perspective.
Thank you.
I tried P&L for the first time this past weekend. First, it's cool looking. Very new, very hip, I liked it as soon as I got there. Parking is horrible. On Friday night, at 10:00, we had to park down by Totally Nude Temptations and walk over the highway. People coming after us must have parked at the Liberty Memorial, I don't know.
It was HOT. It was hot in the common area, and it was hot in the bars. It was really hot while standing in line. Here's a secret, though, that I thought of while standing in line. You can enter the bars through the common area, or through the front doors along the street. While we waited 45 minutes in line at PBR before bailing, we walked directly in from the street with no wait at all. For the remainder of the night, we didn't attempt to enter any bar from the interior entrances.
The crowd was a mixed bag. The women were mostly stripper hot. Lots of fake boobies hanging out all over the place, lots of hair, lots of hairspray. The guys were generally of the Frat Boy sort, lots of plucked eyebrows among the men.
The bars themselves were too crowded and loud to accomplish much except people watching. There was no way in the world you could pick a chick up in that place unless she just loved the way you looked -- and since my eyebrows aren't plucked, I felt underprepared.
By the end of the night a couple of the frat boy types started a fight with me and my friend. We tried to ignore them for a while, but eventually let them get to us -- security came over and kicked us out while letting them stay. No big loss, it wasn't that good of a time anyway.
Personally, P&L isn't my kind of scene. If you like Fuel out in JO, you'll probably like P&L. If you like Davies Rambler's Club, you definately won't like P&L. It is pretty affected, definately tourist-trappy, and WAY too expensive. I paid $8.75 for a Vodka and Tonic!
But remember: skip the lines from the KC Live area, and enter the bars from the street-level entrances. You'll pay the same cover, but you'll get in in seconds rather than hours. I'm not sure if it always works like that, but it did last Friday.
Thanks for writing such an informative and detailed article, looking into both areas. I just turned 21 this month, so I'm somewhat new to KC nightlife. I've since visited both P&L and Westport, leaving me with both positive and negative opinions of the two. Like many others, I like how P&L has brought life back to the downtown area. After traveling to other large cities, their downtown areas would be the life of their town...putting us to shame. But P&L has changed that and I'm glad that we've improved in that sense, but being a young, black, college student born and raised in the nitty-gritty of Kansas City (that rhymes =)), I'm not really satisfied with the nightlife options that cater to my crowd. You mentioned in your description of both areas, the various bars crowded with cowboy hat-wearing tobacco-chewers, spiked-hair rockers and blonde babes. References were made of repeated songs you heard throughout the night, that I've never heard of and probably have no desire to hear. You probably assume that I'm a fan of hip-hop, r&b and any other form of music associated with African Americans and...you're absolutely correct! So, I'm dissappointed that there are no real places in both P&L and Westport where I can complain of Era-cap, tall white-tee wearing "gangstas" and the repeated sounds of "A Milli'" or "I Put On". Granted, I'm a connoisseur of multiple forms of great music and entertainment, but I do have a preference. My friends and I can either endure the sounds of Toby Keith and friends, party at a place that looks like a pig stye or call it dinner and a movie on a Friday night. I think you all did a wonderful job on the article, I just wish that there were more options for me to choose from, and if there are I wish that you would have covered a wider range of places in these areas and/or given a more diverse perspective. Thank you.
I tried P&L for the first time this past weekend. First, it's cool looking. Very new, very hip, I liked it as soon as I got there. Parking is horrible. On Friday night, at 10:00, we had to park down by Totally Nude Temptations and walk over the highway. People coming after us must have parked at the Liberty Memorial, I don't know. It was HOT. It was hot in the common area, and it was hot in the bars. It was really hot while standing in line. Here's a secret, though, that I thought of while standing in line. You can enter the bars through the common area, or through the front doors along the street. While we waited 45 minutes in line at PBR before bailing, we walked directly in from the street with no wait at all. For the remainder of the night, we didn't attempt to enter any bar from the interior entrances. The crowd was a mixed bag. The women were mostly stripper hot. Lots of fake boobies hanging out all over the place, lots of hair, lots of hairspray. The guys were generally of the Frat Boy sort, lots of plucked eyebrows among the men. The bars themselves were too crowded and loud to accomplish much except people watching. There was no way in the world you could pick a chick up in that place unless she just loved the way you looked -- and since my eyebrows aren't plucked, I felt underprepared. By the end of the night a couple of the frat boy types started a fight with me and my friend. We tried to ignore them for a while, but eventually let them get to us -- security came over and kicked us out while letting them stay. No big loss, it wasn't that good of a time anyway. Personally, P&L isn't my kind of scene. If you like Fuel out in JO, you'll probably like P&L. If you like Davies Rambler's Club, you definately won't like P&L. It is pretty affected, definately tourist-trappy, and WAY too expensive. I paid $8.75 for a Vodka and Tonic! But remember: skip the lines from the KC Live area, and enter the bars from the street-level entrances. You'll pay the same cover, but you'll get in in seconds rather than hours. I'm not sure if it always works like that, but it did last Friday.
"J"... I am not from JoCo, I am from Kansas City. Born & raised. As far as being progressive... yes, there have been improvements in the area & new life has emerged. But when I say progressive, I mean Liberal & change toward better conditions. In your opinion, there has been a change for the better. As for my opinion, I would prefer something else for my tax dollars... something, say... for everyone. Cops, Bull Riding & Country Music are obviously not welcoming to ALL who live in & around Kansas City. Which brings me to this; when I say Open Minded, I am talking about unprejudiced. The article proved to me that the P&L district is advertising to only some of us. It also, unfortunately, sounds like it's meant for tourists and/or people who can spend $100 a night on entertainment. So, please, by all means, take it to your bosom & embrace it. It just doesn�t sound like my cup of tea. I'll continue to frequent my favorite downtown spots to keep them thriving, as I always have. I just won't give any of my hard earned money to these new places until they change their tune. Literally & figuratively.
Eddie,
We drew a few conclusions in the reporter's notebook-style blogs, which go along with this piece. Check them out: http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/20...
and http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/20...
"J"... I am not from JoCo, I am from Kansas City. Born & raised. As far as being progressive... yes, there have been improvements in the area & new life has emerged. But when I say progressive, I mean Liberal & change toward better conditions. In your opinion, there has been a change for the better. As for my opinion, I would prefer something else for my tax dollars... something, say... for everyone. Cops, Bull Riding & Country Music are obviously not welcoming to ALL who live in & around Kansas City. Which brings me to this; when I say Open Minded, I am talking about unprejudiced. The article proved to me that the P&L district is advertising to only some of us. It also, unfortunately, sounds like it's meant for tourists and/or people who can spend $100 a night on entertainment. So, please, by all means, take it to your bosom & embrace it. It just doesn’t sound like my cup of tea. I'll continue to frequent my favorite downtown spots to keep them thriving, as I always have. I just won't give any of my hard earned money to these new places until they change their tune. Literally & figuratively.
Eddie, We drew a few conclusions in the reporter's notebook-style blogs, which go along with this piece. Check them out: http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2008/07/a_reporters_notebook_why_westp.php and http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2008/07/a_reporters_notebook_how_to_ha.php
I like the fact that the P&L district has brought patrons downtown - but unfortunately it has caused some casualties. We have lost Tanners on Broadway, Paddy OQuigly's and now The Studio. Its too bad that the local business aren't be supported like the P&L. Westport will survive - always has - always will. It may be more 'shop' oriented vs. nightlife but that would be a welcomed mix.
I like the fact that the P&L district has brought patrons downtown - but unfortunately it has caused some casualties. We have lost Tanners on Broadway, Paddy OQuigly's and now The Studio. Its too bad that the local business aren't be supported like the P&L. Westport will survive - always has - always will. It may be more 'shop' oriented vs. nightlife but that would be a welcomed mix.
I'm still undecided on if I really like the Power and Light District...I'm still a Westport loyal patron...but the downtown area in the last few years, with a huge help from the Power and Light District, has turned from a ghost, shell of a urban core to a living, breathing city center. I was at a friend's loft not far from the Power and Light/Sprint Center area and I saw on a Sunday people walking their dogs, couples walking, bike riders on a Sunday stroll, and friends meeting up for a bite to eat. It was the first time I've noticed a change from the old downtown to the new one. It was amazing. Sooo...is Power and Light good. You might not like to go there on a Friday or Saturday night but it's been the catalyst for more projects that are continuing to inject live into a once lifeless downtown.
For being so "progressive" and "open-minded", the Westport loyalists don't have much tolerance for the P&L and its patrons. Can't say as I'm surprised, as the self-proclaimed champions of "tolerance" typically display anything but when it comes to an opposing viewpoint.
Personally, I like the contrast between the two districts. One is trendy, expensive, and intense, while the other is cheap and chilled. Why not enjoy both depending on your mood?
I'm still undecided on if I really like the Power and Light District...I'm still a Westport loyal patron...but the downtown area in the last few years, with a huge help from the Power and Light District, has turned from a ghost, shell of a urban core to a living, breathing city center. I was at a friend's loft not far from the Power and Light/Sprint Center area and I saw on a Sunday people walking their dogs, couples walking, bike riders on a Sunday stroll, and friends meeting up for a bite to eat. It was the first time I've noticed a change from the old downtown to the new one. It was amazing. Sooo...is Power and Light good. You might not like to go there on a Friday or Saturday night but it's been the catalyst for more projects that are continuing to inject live into a once lifeless downtown.
For being so "progressive" and "open-minded", the Westport loyalists don't have much tolerance for the P&L and its patrons. Can't say as I'm surprised, as the self-proclaimed champions of "tolerance" typically display anything but when it comes to an opposing viewpoint. Personally, I like the contrast between the two districts. One is trendy, expensive, and intense, while the other is cheap and chilled. Why not enjoy both depending on your mood?
John asked about our final tabs for the night. I don't know about Jen's but mine was roughly $90, including $28 alone in cover charges.
like
dislike
