20 Best Places for the Twenty Somethings in Kansas City
Kansas City is a hub for arts and entertainment. There’s so much to do and so many things to try the options can be overwhelming. This comprehensive Twenty-Somethings Guide to Kansas City highlights everything you need to survive your 20s in Kansas City. From local farmers markets to your next Friday night plans we’ve covered everything. So for all you twenty-somethings, here are twenty things to do in Kansas City!
Char Bar
4050 Pennsylvania Ave #150, Kansas City, MO 64111|website
At Char Bar you can enjoy BBQ and Southern eats, mason jar filled cocktails, and backyard amusements. Play a game of corn hole, croquet, ping pong, or bocce while munching on smoked meats (or meatless options if that’s your thing.) Enjoy a beautiful day in their massive garden over good food, good drinks, and good times.
Up-Down KC
101 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108|website
UpDown–where the drinks are strong and the arcade games are still just 25 cents. This unique venue offers retro games, 80s and 90s inspired drinks, and an extensive craft beer list to keep twenty somethings entertained and refreshed.
Nelson Atkin’s Third Thursdays
4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111|website
Nelson Atkin’s Third Thursdays is your not so quiet night at the museum. With the intent of drawing in college students and young adults the museum hosts this monthly event featuring performers, live music, free programs, art activities, and more that showcase local talent.
KC Live!
1100 Walnut St #3000, Kansas City, MO 64106|website
KC’s Power and Light is Kansas City’s entertainment epicenter and KC Live! is at the center of it all. The midwest’s liveliest venue is one whole city block with two levels of premier restaurants and night life entertainment. The vibrant ceiling-less space offers outdoor concerts, clubs, and bars for everyone’s individual tastes. The diversity offers limitless options. Bar hop from the Irish pub to the whisky bar or any of the other unique spaces inside of KC Live!
Adult Night at Legoland
2475 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108|website
Have you been itching to experience Legoland Discovery Center but don’t have any little ones or do you just need a night away from the kids? Once a month, Legoland hosts a “No Kids Allowed” Adult Night. Enjoy a themed night at the park where you can The Master Model Builder and compete in build competitions for prizes!
Pinot’s Palette
5235 W. 116 Pl, Leawood, KS 66211|website
Have a nice relaxing night where you can sip and paint. If you choose to BYOB (wine, beer, and liquor are all approved) Pinot’s Palette will provide you with an ice bucket to chill you beverages or you can buy a drink their from their on-site bar. With several classes to choose from and locations set up all around Kansas City, there’s something for everyone. Make this your next Girl’s Night Out destination or enjoy solo for a leisurely night to yourself
Ca Va
4149 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111|website
Enjoy bubble and exclusively French nibbles at this rustic chic champagne bar located in Kansas City’s historic Westport neighborhood. Attend a Summer Patio Party or start your Sunday Funday with a unique take on brunch here at Ca Va!
Oddly Correct
3940 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111|website
As a twenty-something, I know just how important that morning (and midday) cup of joe is. Oddly Correct is a rustic-chic coffee house with it’s own line of beans in addition to tea and espresso drinks. Serious coffee lovers can enjoy a warm cup of coffee before heading out to work or class. You can also buy a bag of beans to enjoy at home. (You know…for finals week.)
City Market
20 E. 5th St #201, Kansas City, MO 64106 |website
Yes, we twenty-somethings may enjoy our beer and wine on occasion, but our diets shouldn’t strictly be Doritos, pizza, and booze. It’s important we get fresh fruit and veggies into our diet and there’s no better way than visiting a local farmers market. Enjoy City Market’s array of local vendors, Farm to Table Kitchen Classes, vintage sales, and much more!
Union Station
30 W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108|website
Union Station provides countless learning opportunities through it’s rotating exhibitions that showcase artifacts, preserves history, and encourages continuing scientific exploration. The station attracts many of the top traveling exhibitions also offers superb dining experiences!
Kauffman Center for Performing Arts
1601 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64108|website
Kansas City is a hub for arts and culture and it’s important to experience and support this industry. That’s what makes the Kauffman Center so exceptional, it brings gorgeous and outstanding performances to Kansas City. Experience a ballet performance, attend the opera, or enjoy one of their superb concerts for an experience you can’t get anywhere else in Kansas City.
Taste of Kansas City Food Tour
1800 Main St, Overland Park, KS 64108|website
Think barbecue is all Kansas City has to offer in terms of food? Taste of Kansas City Food Tour shares the Best Kansas City foods during a 3 hour long culinary and cultural adventure. You can experience Kansas City’s original and top rated food tour or opt for a different type of foodie adventure. The organization now hosts a Sunday Brunch and Tasty Bites Tour, a Prohibition and Craft Cocktail Tour, and a Crossroads Cultural and Culinary Walking Tour to excite foodies everywhere!
The Starlight Theatre
4600 Starlight Rd, Kansas City, MO 64132|website
This outdoor concert venue seats over 7,000 and brings Broadway to Kansas City. Enjoy a Broadway tour, concerts, and other unique theatrical events under the stars!
Boulevard Brewing Company
2501 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108|website
Boulevard Brewing Company is easily one of my favorite breweries in Kansas City. With a gorgeous patio, tons of fun events (Sunday Funday Bingo, Tours & Rec Hop Quizzes are personal faves), and a free 60 minute walking tour this brewery is a great experience for twenty somethings and beer lovers of all ages!
Breakout KC
114 W 3rd St #102, Kansas City, MO 64105|website
Gather your friends and test your wit by cracking codes and solving riddles in the 60-minute experience. Breakout KC was voted one of the top 5 Escape Games by both Trip Advisor and USA Today (the only escape game in the US to earn this bragging right) and is a great team building exercise!
Ernie Biggs Dueling Piano Bar
4115 Mill St, Kansas City, MO 64111|website
Dueling Piano Bar features live pianists, daily drink specials, and a buzzy atmosphere for twenty somethings looking for a fun and unique night on the town. Ladies are free on Fridays and you can enjoy lively concerts on Saturdays.
First Fridays
19th St. and Baltimore Ave.|website
If you haven’t yet gone to a First Friday in the Crossroads, mark your calendars and head to the art district! On the first Friday of every month, residents and visitors fill the streets enjoying the liveliest and easily most popular event in Kansas City. Art organization, galleries, studios, and a wide variety of local businesses feature regional and local artists as well as live entertainment starting at 5pm. Make an evening of it with drinks and dinner from one of the many colorful venues in the area!
Snow & Co.
1815 Wyandotte St, Kansas City, MO 64108|website
Not only is Snow & Co. one of the most popular bars in Kansas City, but it was also named the #1 frozen cocktail bar in America by Paste Magazine. The award winning venue specializes in craft, made from scratch frozen cocktails, with real juice, premium spirits, and handmade syrup. Beer, wine, hot and traditional cocktails are also on the menu so there’s always something for everyone!
No Other Pub by Sporting KC
1370 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106|website
This one of a kind sports bar, gaming parlor, and social lounge should be your next destination. Featuring a ten foot by fifteen foot video wall, local craft beer, bowling lanes, golf simulators, table tennis, a shuffle board, billiards, foosball, darts, arcade games, charging stations, and free wifi makes this bar every millennials’ dream bar! There’s really no other pub that can compare.
SoT
1521 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108|website
SoT may just be Kansas City’s best kept secret. Tucked away in the Crossroads Art District this secret garden party offers locals an upscale cocktail bar for after hours relaxation. The eclectic vibe, elevated cocktails, and savory plates are all just elements that give this bar it’s cool and stylish reputation.
Take advantage of this magnificent city and all it has to offer. Enjoy the sites and the food. Continue learning and exploring. Absorb all of our city’s culture. Perhaps most importantly, have fun while doing it!