Top Happy Hours in Kansas City

This has been such a fun category to cover. KC is filled with lively patios, incredible cocktails and delicious shareable plates. We’re excited to share our favorites with you! LET’S GO, KC!

For the food…

Jax

Visit Date: Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Happy Hour: Monday All Night

Tuesday – Saturday 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Price Point: $$$

If you love seafood, look no further than Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar for the ultimate Happy Hour destination located right off the Country Club Plaza! The options are endless from the finger-licking food, to the perfectly crafted cocktails – you will forget that you are in the midwest when you dine at their beautifully designed and decorated restaurant.

Top Drink Options:

Bangkok Fizz: An absolute must-try! Thai chile infused vodka, pineapple syrup, lime, and ginger beer that is made in-house. Jax takes a weekly trip to the Kansas City River Market to purchase the chiles fresh used in this drink. Therefore, depending on the batch of chile’s – depends on the heat of the drink! Our experience happened to fall on a day when the chiles were extra hot… and we weren’t complaining!
Affirmed: Blueberry infused bourbon, ginger syrup, lemon, and soda. You don’t have to love bourbon to love this delicious concoction!
Rosé on Tap: Need we say more???

Top Food Options:

Fried Calamari: Nowadays you can find calamari on most menus, whether it is a seafood restaurant or not. But what you can’t always find is quality calamari with exceptional flavor and preparation. Jax absolutely nails the calamari dish with baked bread crumbles and served with both a mango-chile and lime aioli sauce.
Salmon Three Ways: The cheese and meat tray of seafood – Salmon served as house cured lox, hot smoked, and rillette. Our favorite out of the three was the hot smoked salmon, served as a traditional piece of salmon with a sweet smoked flavor you can’t get enough of. Next was the house cured lox – smooth flavor, incredible texture, and pairs perfectly with the dill cucumber served with the trio.
Shrimp Pierogi: A classic pierogi (filled dumpling) with a seafood twist – filled with shrimp, flavored with tarragon, lemon zest, and a dehydrated brown butter, finished with edible flowers. This dish is absolutely phenomenal and a considerable amount of food, perfect for sharing. The flavor in addition to the presentation will certainly keep us coming back for more!

*This item will be apart of the new happy hour menu launching on September 26th, 2017*

Honorable Mentions: Seafood Potstickers, East Coast Oysters, and Peel N’ Eat Shrimp.

Environment: Almost as good as the food and drinks, the atmosphere at Jax is nothing short of amazing. The patio is filled with beautiful wooden table and chairs, complimented by copper planters with greenery and flowers – you’ll feel the coastal vibes immediately. The inside is no exception to the coastal feel. With unique fixtures and sea-inspired decor, you’ll feel as if you were at the beach. There is a variety of formal seating as well as a large bar with a raw-bar included, displaying the fresh finds you will pick from off the menu! Let’s not forget, the paper tablecloths to simulate the seafood boil feel with a jar of crayons waiting for you to play a game of tic-tac-toe.

Staff: The staff at Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar make sure that you not only enjoy your food and drinks, but your experience as well. Every interaction from the moment you walk through the door to your last goodbye is intentional. We had the pleasure of dining with Ryan, the assistant wine director. Ryan has been apart of the original Kansas City Jax crew since they opened in 2014. He is beyond knowledgeable not only of the menu at Jax, but the values of the restaurant as a whole.

For the drinks…

Brown & Loe

Visit Date:Tuesday, 5:15 p.m.

Happy Hour/Get Happy: Monday – Friday 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Price Point: $$

Whether you’re coming from downtown, the crossroads or even union station – This Happy Hour is only a short ride on the street car away! Located right on the south end of the River Market, it’s the perfect location for a glimpse of the city as well as the hustle and bustle of the market. Their cocktail options are endless and their American comfort cuisines will perfectly compliment your choice of drink.

Top Drink Options:

Purple Mist: Vodka, Lavender, Ginger and Lime. Imagine lavender soda with a splash of vodka.This refreshing drink is just what you’ll need on Brown & Loe’s patio.
Caipirinha: Cachaca, Lime and Sugar. We were told this drink is commonly seen on Brazilian beaches. It has a strong dose of tequila that will make you want to dance, yet the finish is clean and easy.
English Garden: St. Germaine, Gin and Prosecco – This is the perfect drink to sip on this Fall! It tastes like spiked bubbly cider, and it comes in a champagne glass which makes it all the more fun to drink. This is a slow-sipper, as the flavor is meant to savor!

Top Food Options:

Farmers Cheese Arancini: This is a savory dish – If you’ve been needing an Italian zing to your taste palette this is a must-order! This was our favorite dish of the night!
Calamari: This lightly fried dish is complimented with a flavorful malt vinaigrette. Dip and enjoy!
Pretzel: With fresh, easy-to-tear bread, this pretzel is much better than your ballpark norm! It’s sprinkled with sea salt, and comes with a side of smoked gouda cheese sauce – This shareable plate is a pleasant surprise.

Environment: The bar and booths in Brown & Loe give off a big-city feel, while the open-floor plan is inviting and comforting. Staying true to the architectural details of their building – a former merchant’s bank constructed in 1920 – the floors are marble as well as the walls. The patio overlooks the heart of the River Market, so if you’re here over the weekend this would be a perfect spot to end your day!

Staff: We were spoiled by our waiter, Erick. He was incredibly accommodating and could answer all of our questions with ease. If you want a guaranteed solid experience, definitely request him! We’re told he works Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Cheers!

For the patio…

The Jacobson

Visit Date: Monday, 5:30 p.m.

Happy Hour / Mingle Hour: Monday All Night

Tuesday – Friday 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Price Point: $$

With an urban-core, relatively quiet patio, and a view of the Kansas City skyline – The Jacobson takes it for us as the best Happy Hour patio! The Jacobson approach to food is communal. The word “mingle” is used throughout the menu to encourage the guest to get out of their comfort zone and try something new by creating dishes that are shareable.

Top Drink Options:

Hemingway: Bourbon whiskey, lemon cordial, muddled orange & housemade rye-soaked cherries – A heavy mimosa with whiskey as your base… In other words, a feminine look with an old-fashioned taste!
Pocket Square: Our favorite of the evening! Deep Eddy grapefruit vodka, grapefruit, lime, lemon & simple syrup with elderflower liqueur & rhubarb bitters. If there’s grapefruit in it, we’ll be drinking it! With a fresh, fruity flavor this is a go-to patio cocktail for us!
Crossroads Fizz: Gin, mint, fresh cucumber, simple syrup & lime juice with a splash of seltzer – served in a mason jar, you won’t be able to just have one! The clean cucumber and mint taste will instantly leave you feeling extra relaxed and refreshed!

Top Food Options:

Boneless Pig Wings: A generous amount of food for just $5.95! The super tender, full-of-flavor wings will not disappoint and exceeds your expectations for a happy hour item!
Jac’s Hot Chicken: A high-quality plate of fried chicken, served with a honey jalapeno cilantro sauce – you won’t look at fried chicken the same! The chicken is full of flavor and the right amount of heat, anyone will be able to enjoy this dish!
Fig Crostini: Ancho-fig, jam, goat cheese, and herbs – the ideal finger food to pair with a glass of wine (or Rosé) on the patio! A smooth, subtle flavor that will leave you wanting more.

Honorable Mentions: Truffle Fries, Stuffed meatballs, and Crispy sesame-crusted oyster mushrooms

Environment: The Jacobson offers a large variety of outdoor seating: tables, high-tops, booths, and benches… truly accommodating for the people who work and play in the Crossroads! With large umbrellas, string lights, and a fountain in the middle, the atmosphere is set for a great experience. Not only is the patio incredible, the inside is large and great for the cooler months.

Staff: A well-rounded staff from the customer service to the knowledge and passion for the menu, our experience was completed by the employees. Our server for the evening, Jed was extremely accommodating and took the time to not only share the must-haves of the menu, but listen to our personal preferences and recommend based upon that.

For the experience…

Port Fonda

Visit Date:Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

Happy Hours: Monday – Friday 3:00 – 6:00 pm

Thursday – Saturday 10pm – 1am

Price Point: $$

We consider this a must-visit restaurant for newcomers to Kansas City. The atmosphere is laid back and hip, while their food is served in a traditional Mexican fashion. The moment you enter you’ll feel the vibrant culture at Port Fonda. With their bar and table options, you can come with a group and get seated quickly! A Westport staple, this is the obvious choice if you love true mexican food and a great experience.

Top Drink Options:

Classic Margarita
Mexican Draws

Top Food Options:

Carnitas Tacos
Chicken Taquitos

Honorable Dinner Mentions

Dinner Drink Options:

Frozen Strawberry Rhubarb Margarita: This will make you dream of the beach! Altos blanco tequila, rhubarb simple syrup, strawberry puree, and fresh squeezed lime juice finished with a lime and decorated with a umbrella!
Margarita Flight: Pineapple Serrano, Classica, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Roselle. This order will spice up your evening with four different marg choices. You won’t go wrong with any of the four, as they’re all signature Port Fonda drinks!

Dinner Food Options:

Esquite Asado:This is one of our favorite dishes. The grilled sweet corn combined with cheese and spices makes this chip-dip one of a kind! If you’ve ever had an Elote, it’s almost the same thing – just off the cob!
Chilaquiles: With a fried egg on top of chips, salsa and pork, this dish naturally has a unique and savory bite! It may sound intimidating, yet you have to try it!
Shredded Chicken Chimichanga: Unlike mainstream chimichangas, the heart of this dish is the LARGE amount of tender chicken versus the fried tortilla of most chimichangas. This plate is SO delicious, full of flavor with a creamy, spicy kick.

Environment: The atmosphere at Port Fonda is unmatched. Relaxed, eclectic, rustic, and lively – You’ll never want to leave! Visitors often come in groups – large and small – so the energy is happy and engaging. Their decorations are easy to remember as well – The wood-top tables, industrial chairs, and colorful hang-lights invite you to stay a while.

Staff: The staff at Port Fonda has an easy going spirit. Their laid back attitude has you feeling comfortable the minute you enter the door. Emily was our waitress and she’s worked at Port Fonda for 5 years – If that doesn’t say something about this restaurant we don’t know what does. And if you’re lucky, you might get to meet the head chef Julio who can give you a full description of your meal and how it was made… all with the biggest smile!

For the games…

Char Bar

Visit Date: Wednesday, 5:00 p.m.

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Price Point: $

Char Bar is more than a restaurant – It’s an experience. With ping pong, croquet, corn hole and scattered patio chairs, this is the perfect spot to unwind and let loose. It gets really busy at night, so you’re sure to leave with new friends. In the heart of Westport, it’s the perfect spot to begin your night on the town. With endless entertainment and classic cocktail options, it’s the perfect spot for everyone.

Top Drink Options:

Well Cocktails:
- Tequila Sunrise
- Sex on the Beach
- Rum and Coke
- Vodka Cranberry
Throwback beers:
- Miller Lite

Top Food Options:

Cheesy Hushpuppies: These bite-sized pups have a unique taste that will keep you coming back for more! A fun twist to a southern staple, this is a great, quick bite in between some ping pong games.
Fried Green Tomatoes: To all the tomato-haters out there, you might actually like this choice. The green tomatoes are super sweet, fried and topped with peppers. They’re also complimented with spicy mustard which makes the meal complete!
Pimento Cheese Dip: This dip will take you back to the Mac’ and Cheese days. Thick, rich and oh-so cheesy. It’s the perfect pairing to charred bread, some pickled veggies and charred grapes.

Environment: Picture a tailgate with full-service bars and great bite options – Welcome to Char Bar! Come to play some yard games, or to sit at a picnic table outside with twinkling lights above. Big groups crowd this patio, which creates a great opportunity to mingle while eating! Char Bar also hosts formal croquet tournaments, so you might get to witness a show!

Staff: Similar to the environment, the Char Bar staff is very laid back yet extremely attentive. Whether you’re playing corn hole or ping pong, they’ll meet you where you are. We were lucky to get Church, a waiter who has served there for 2 years. With an awesome attitude and a conversational manner, definitely request him the next time you’re here!