Big changes coming to Kansas City nightlife. Here’s what’s soon to arrive in Westport
For about eight years, Brett Allred has been gradually expanding his nightlife empire in Westport.
He owns the Latin-centric club Lotus and the games-oriented Bar + Rec, and he announced last month that he is partnering on a queer-friendly club, Q Kansas City, which will replace his former hip-hop club, Bridger’s.
But Allred also owns several other Westport properties, some of which have been vacant for a while. On Thursday he unveiled big plans for them.
Over the next year, he plans to open multiple new bars or restaurants on the southwest side of Westport — all of them connected.
“I see it as kind of a district within a district,” Allred said. “You can walk into any one of the places, pay a cover — probably $5 — and then walk freely between them.”
Here’s what’s coming, and when:
Westport Landing, 4115 Mill St. This was most recently Johnny Kaw’s Yard Bar, which Allred also owned. As of its grand opening on July 19, it will be a dance club with DJs and a 450-person occupancy.
The Patio, 4125 Mill St. This space was formerly the patio at Californos, which closed in 2019 after 31 years. Also opening July 19, it sits beneath a tree canopy and will have fire pits, DJs and a cocktail menu.
Jungalow, 4117 Mill St. This is below Westport Landing — several years ago the space was home to a Panera. Allred described Jungalow as a tiki lounge with indoor and outdoor seating. “We’re trying to make it very vibey and Instagram-worthy,” he said. He expects to open Jungalow sometime in August.
Uncle Jim’s Pool Hall, 4127 Mill St. This is the former basement of Californos. Allred said the bar is named after his uncle Jim, an avid pool player. He likened the concept to the ping-pong bar chain Spin, which has locations in New York, Chicago, Toronto and a handful of other big cities. “It’s sort of taking that Spin concept to a pool hall,” he said. There will be eight pool tables, eight dart boards, dozens of TVs and a full-service food menu. Allred’s thinking late 2024 or early 2025 for an opening.
The Horseshoe, 4124 Pennsylvania Ave. This 900-capacity space was formerly the main level of Californos. It will soon be a music venue booking country acts and DJs. “We’re hoping we can attract the same level of talent as Power and Light does for its shows,” Allred said. Tentative opening: January 2025.
These bars will be joined to Bar + Rec, which opened in October, and an as-yet-unnamed food truck that will be parked in the lot south of Bar + Rec. (Allred owns that horseshoe-shaped lot.)
Though not adjacent to the above projects, Lotus and Q Kansas City are part of Westport Bars KC Group, which Allred recently founded as a way to create “a cohesive brand for all our bars.”
“We’re hoping to have everything open and rolling by St. Patrick’s Day next year,” Allred said.
