The “Best of the Best” Outing Spots in KC & LFK
“The Mercury Room is the perfect spot for anyone who sees life as art. The ambience alone is worth admission with twinkling lights on the ceiling and a breathtaking cityscape view, and the craftsmanship of each drink is unmatched. The Mercury Room is my absolute favorite spot for drinks I have ever been, hands down.”
With the holidays right around the corner, there’s of course a lot to celebrate. But life is always something to celebrate! Bookmark this blog post for the BEST OF THE BEST date/friendship date spots in the place in the heartland that has a special place in my heart — the Kansas City (KC) and Lawrence (LFK) area.
Knowing that I was planning to move out of the LFK/KC area, I set out to make memories celebrating loves ones and our bonds, cheering over a good meal and/or a well-crafted drink from 2023-2024. Here are a few of my absolute favorite bars and restaurants in Kansas City, MO — home of a thriving Jazz scene and the KC Chiefs — and Lawrence, KS — home of KU Jayhawks I visited in the past 2 years. Can you tell I’m a taurus? Working hard to celebrate loyal loved ones through the finer things in life is the taurus way!
Read this post of “the best of the best” outing spots in KC and LFK, then set out to make cherished memories with the ones who make life worth living. Time is never promised and every moment shared with loyal and trustworthy friends is precious. So gather your loved ones and celebrate each other today — you all deserve it! (hand heart)
KANSAS CITY, MO
BARS
“The live music at the Green Lady Lounge transports you nearly back in time in the lounge dressed like a speakeasy. For energy of a classic night, it’s the perfect jazz nightclub to pop into.”
“Percheron Rooftop Bar is sure to give you laughs and smiles with friends. A green space view of the KC cityscape with a citrus drink in hand? The perfect summer day.”
RESTAURANTS
BRUNCH SPOTS
CASUAL
QUICK BITES
UPSCALE
“The Smoked Old Fashioned at True Food Kitchen is to die for!”
“The Bourgeois Pig, fondly called, ‘The Pig,’ and Henry’s Upstairs are my favorite LFK bars. The Pig is a perfect date night spot (if you can get there when there’s still room!) and Henry’s is the best night life spot for time celebrating friends like at birthdays — or just making it to Friday after an especially tough week!”
@ BON BON!
“Bon Bon is THE BEST place in Lawrence for a night out celebrating a strong bond. The dishes are unique, yet pretty affordable considering how artful the food is.”
“The Espresso Martini is amazing at Wine Dive + Kitchen! The chats you have with friends will be just as sweet.”
“Culinaria and Merchants are my fave night outings spots to celebrate long-term relationships. Whether a destined to be lifelong friendship, a date with yourself and a good book, or a life partner/wedding anniversary (I’ll get back to you on that one in 5-8 years haha), Culinaria and Merchants bring upscale dining to the little college town! The Mezze Platter at Culinaria is a MUST. Gong for brunch instead? J. Wilson’s is the best brunch spot in Lawrence — undebatable!”
It’s more than food!
Compiling all of these outings made me smile. I remembered celebrating different love ties — some that have since faded and some that hold strong. No matter how a connection may come to a close, each served a purpose at its time and there is something to learn from. Any writer knows, setting is everything. It’s beautiful to relive some of these memories through photos and maybe one day revisit in-person.
On a surface-level view, these compiled outings may come across as unnecessary, perpetuating overconsumption. The goal of sharing this fun outings list isn’t about “keeping up with the Joneses,” but keeping up with those you care about. It’s important to remember that these outings, these memories, span 2 years. It’s important to remember that balance is everything in life. It’s important to remember to not police the lives of others you know nothing — or maybe only a snapshot-view — about. Social media and the internet can create a false sense of understanding, as well as a false sense of connection. This is the very reason I compiled these photos of cherished friendship outings. These connections and celebrations were some of the most memorable ties of my life. I capture them because I don’t want to forget them because, in each of their own respective ways, they are beautiful — even if fleeting, especially if enduring.
Lastly — sometimes nothing beats a simple picnic or night in! Comment if you’d like to see a blog post about that. Celebrations don’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful — but, again, nothing is wrong with enjoying the luxuries of life every now and then!
“On a surface-level view, these compiled outings may come across as unnecessary, perpetuating overconsumption. The goal of sharing this fun outings list isn’t about “keeping up with the Joneses,” but keeping up with who you care about. It’s important to remember that these outings, these memories, span 2 years. It’s important to remember that balance is everything in life. It’s important to remember to not police the lives of others you know nothing — or maybe only a snapshot-view — about. Social media and the internet can create a false sense of understanding, as well as a false sense of connection. This is the very reason I compiled these photos of cherished friendship outings. These connections and celebrations were some of the most memorable ties of my life. I capture them because I don’t want to forget them because, in each of their own respective ways, they are beautiful — even if fleeting, especially if enduring.”
P.S.: Peace out, LFK, Hello, “Windy City”
After 7 years in Lawrence, it was time to move out of the city I moved to for undergrad years. Two degrees — and what felt like many lives — later, it was time to fly on to a place I can truly build. It was time to fly on to the soil on which I can build the life the universe intends for me. It was time to fly on to a city fuuuuull of Black culture to finally connect with other people of color. In Chicago, there is diversity everywhere you turn. BIG THANKS to everyone who believed on me and helped me with “the big move.”
It’s going to be a joy learning Chicago more and more, seeing all it has to offer me and all I have to offer it. Love, love, love!
BONUS CHICAGO PICS: @ THE OWL /PHODEGA / Dorian’s Through the Record Shop — MORE CHI FAVES HERE
Okay, now that I got sappy on you, what do you think, LFK-ers and KCMO-ers? Did I miss a restaurant or bar that’s “the best of the best?” Comment below!