Top Nightlife & Wedding Picks in Kansas City | Best of KC 2025

by Kansas City Magazine Team

It’s that time of year again where we ask you, our readers, everything from who mows the best lawn to the best place for a girls’ night out on the town. We also picked a few bests of our own. Did you know there’s a place in Waldo to fill your own bottles with luxury soap and an after-hours club frequented by local musicians that doesn’t open until 1:30 am and closes at 5:30 am? Well, there is, and we’ll tell you all about it.

Our annual readers’ poll is administered through a third-party company. It begins first with a round of reader nominations. The top five nominees are then voted on, with only one vote per category per day allowed for 20 days. Votes are tallied and presented here.

Cheers

Check out our readers’ favorite spots to enjoy KC’s vibrant city and nightlife and celebrate wedded bliss.

Late-Night Jam

Mutual Musicians Foundation

If you find yourself out late, I recommend keeping the party going and paying a visit to one of KC’s most storied institutions: The Mutual Musicians Foundation. The historic club only operates on Friday and Saturday nights from 1:30 to 5:30 am, technically the wee hours of Saturday and Sunday.

Often referred to as The Foundation, the venue was once home to the Local 627, KC’s Black musicians’ union. Although the union was founded in 1917, when the organization purchased their headquarters at 1823 Highland in 1930, the space functioned as a social club, and the legendary jams soon followed. It’s where union members—including legends Charlie Parker and Count Basie—could hang out, let loose and push the musical envelope after their gigs.

Although the union merged with Local 34 after the Civil Rights Movement, the National Historic Landmark still swings on. Every weekend, domestic beers and liberally poured well drinks are served in plastic cups under buzzing, fluorescent lights. For a $10 cover (cash only), watch a revolving door of musicians take turns—backed by the house band—until nearly sunrise. For more information, visit themutualmusiciansfoundation.com.

-Nina Cherry

Readers’ Choice: City Life

Best Tour Company
Barley Bus

Best Radio Station
102.1 BOB FM

Best Radio Personality
Jen Johnson

Best Place to Work
Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care

Best Place of Worship
Church of the Resurrection

Best Philanthropist
Shirley Helzberg

Best Personal Injury Attorney
Grover Law Firm

Best Neighborhood
Brookside

Best Missouri Suburb
Lee’s Summit

Best Local TV Sports Anchor
Len Jennings

Best Local TV News Station
FOX4

Best Local TV Commercial
Jungle Law

Best Local TV Anchor
Abby Eden

Best Local Radio Show
Pete Mundo KCMO

Best Local Politician
Mayor Quinton Lucas

Best Local Podcast
The Lawnarchy

Best Local Morning Talk Show

FOX4 KC Live

Best Local Meteorologist
Bryan Busby

Best Local Mascot
K.C. Wolf

Best Local Landmark
Union Station

Best Local Coach
Andy Reid

Best Local Blog
KC Daily

Best Local Band
Soul Servers

Best Local Athlete
Patrick Mahomes

Best Law Firm/Lawyer
Grover Law Firm

Best Johnson County City, Village or Town
Overland Park

Best Insurance Agency
Farm Bureau

Best Health Nonprofit
Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care

Best Green Business
Urbavore Urban Farm

Best Fundraising Event
Big Slick

Best Fountain
Fountain in Mill Creek Park (J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain)

Best Financial Planning
Creative Planning

Best Financial Institution
Country Club Bank

Best Festival

Plaza Art Fair

Best Family Law Attorney

Jill Marie Worstell-Benjamin

Best Education Nonprofit
Operation Breakthrough

Best DUI Attorney
Kim Benjamin (Benjamin Law Firm)

Best Disabilities Nonprofit
Variety KC

Best Country Club
Oakwood Country Club

Best Community Activist
Brooke Bowenschulte (KC Moms Club)

Best Civil & Human Rights Nonprofit
ACLU

Best Car Dealership
Rob Sight Ford

Best Auto Repair Shop
Nicole’s Auto Care Center

Best Arcade
Up-Down

Readers’ Choice Nightlife

Best Northland Bar
Big Shots Bar and Grill

Best Drag Show
Gaels Public House

Best Hotel Bar
Le Lounge

Best Bar with Live Music
Green Lady Lounge

Best LGBTQ+ Bar
Gaels Public House

Best Mixologist
Manny Gomez, Le Lounge

Best Bar Pop-Up
Jade Jaguar

Best Girls’ Night Out Bar
Le Lounge

Best Speakeasy
Swordfish Toms

Best Dance Party
Hot Mics Entertainment

Best Trivia Night
Hot Mics Entertainment

Best Karaoke
Hot Mics Entertainment

Best Casino
Argosy

Best Limo/Party Bus Company
Showtime Limo

Best Bottle Shop
Gomer’s

Best Wine Shop
Mike’s Wine and Spirits

Best Cigar Lounge
The Shop Cigar Lounge

Best Wine Expert
Manny Gomez

Best Happy Hour
Le Lounge

Best Liquor Store
Mike’s Wine and Spirits

Best Cocktail
Le Lounge

Best Margarita
Ponak’s

Best Martini
Le Lounge

Best Bloody Mary
The Farmhouse

Best Date Bar
Le Lounge

Best Distillery
J. Rieger & Co.

Best Missouri Suburbs Bar
Osteria Bianchi

Best IPA
Boulevard Space Camper

Best Johnson County Bar
Drastic Measures

Best Special-Release Beer
Boulevard ’89 Lager

Best Westport/Midtown Bar
Harry’s Bar and Tables

Best Downtown KCMO Bar
Le Lounge

Best Sports Bar
Gaels Public House

Best Local Brewery
Alma Mader

Best Dive Bar
Lucky Boys

Best New Bar
Le Lounge

Best Cocktail Program
Le Lounge

Best Winery
Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery

Best Bar Staff
Le Lounge

Best Plaza/South KC Bar
The Peanut

Best Beer Collaboration
Boulevard Brewing Co. and Café Ollama

Best KCK/Wyandotte County Bar
Hillsiders

Best Christmas Attraction
Luminary Walk at Overland Park Arboretum
& Botanical Gardens

Readers’ Choice: Wedding

Best Wedding Videographer
Davinshi Visuals

Best Wedding Venue
The Century Club

Best Wedding Planner
Dana Ashley Events

Best Wedding Photographer
Bailey Pianalto Photography

Best Wedding Officiant/Celebrant
Katie Gilchrist

Best Wedding Florist
Lily Floral Collective

Best Wedding DJ
DJ Cruse (Hot Mics Entertainment)

Best Wedding Caterer
PB&J Catering

Best Wedding Cake Maker
Sugar Whipped Bakery

Best Wedding Band
Twice on Sunday

Best Tuxedo Shop
Dan Dan The Tailor Man

Best Alterations
Kim’s Alterations

Best Place for Rehearsal Dinner
Wandering Vine at the Castle

Best Wedding Jeweler
Meierotto Jewelers

Best Hand Letterer
Pen Oak Calligraphy

Best Bridal Shop
Bridal by SHL