When Bridger’s Westport closed in late January, the hip-hop club owner and landlord promised to soon reopen under a new name and concept.
Now Q Kansas City, a “community-driven gay nightclub,” is fulfilling that promise with a planned October opening. Q, which stands for queer, is for the LGBTQ+ community and allies, says co-owner and creator Lance Pierce, who founded Queer Bar Takeover eight years ago.
Q Kansas City will have several different areas.
- The main room at the entrance will be for dancing, comedy shows, community forums for non-profits in the gay community, theme nights and special events with local LGBTQ+ organizations.
- A bar leads into a back patio which will offer a variety of seating areas and host events such as drag shows, live music and DJs. “You could have a water balloon fight back there if you wanted,” Pierce says.
It also will have a small front patio.
- Upstairs, in the former comedy club, will be an “elevated speakeasy.” It will seat only 49 people and offer full-service and specialty cocktails and mocktails. The decor will feature vintage photos of Kansas City gay bars and trailblazers from GLAMA, The Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America at University of Missouri-Kansas City. .
Remodeling updates will be posted at QKansasCity.com. It also will host tours for the community over the next couple of weeks.
Pierce founded Queer Bar Takeover eight years ago, setting up gay dance party events at bars across the metro. Q will now be its permanent home.
“We really want this to be a third place: home, work and this is your third space,” he says. “A place where you find community, connection and belonging. It’s about queer joy.”
Frontier scout Jim Bridger had an outfitting store in the spot at 504 Westport Road in the late 1860s, according to the National Park Service. It is one of the oldest buildings still standing in Westport.
H&M Market operated in the space in the 1950s and part of the 1960s. Then Stanford & Sons restaurant and comedy club had a long stint there followed by Johnny Dare’s, The Gusto Lounge, Johnny Kaw’s and Bridger’s.
Westport also lost Fountain Haus – a multi-level entertainment venue and destination for the LGBTQ and ally community – in late January. Crossroads Real Estate Group has the 13,099-square-foot corner spot for lease.
For more information follow Q’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/queerbartakeoverkc/
