Sequestered inside Hotel Phillips, in what used to be a basement mail sorting room, is now a somewhat hidden basement bar known as P.S. Speakeasy (106 W. 12th St., KCMO). When the bar first opened in 2017, a hotel employee had to guide you there using a hidden door in true prohibition speakeasy fashion. Now it’s a little easier.
Slip down a marked side entrance behind the hotel’s front desk, get in an elevator and you’re almost there. When you see cozy booths, well-dressed patrons and hear something akin to a jazzified version of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” you know you’re in the right place.
It’s not a bad spot to spend an autumn evening, especially when sipping one of the establishment’s signature cocktails: Dream Fall.
Despite its name, Dream Fall—a legacy recipe from ex-bartender Spencer Randall—is available year-round. The rum-based drink features apple cider and lime juice and is topped with soft whipped cream and a pinch of chai spice.
The first sip is a slightly tart, eggnog-adjacent blend rounded out by a sweet and citrusy flavor, making for a rich drink that is somehow still very refreshing.
The bar has a celebratory atmosphere where people watching becomes a fun sport. I found myself seated next to co-workers celebrating a promotion, newlyweds popping champagne with their wedding party and a couple on a romantic date, definitely making for a dreamy fall night out.
