One of KC’s newest cocktail lounges, The Brass Monkey, isn’t exactly a speakeasy, but it sure feels like one. There’s a trail of playing cards scattered on the sidewalk outside that leads to a red door on Admiral Boulevard. Head down a stairwell, flip a hidden switch and wait for a staff member to grant you entry into the lounge. The dimly lit space is small, with fringed lamps, masks hanging on the walls and some excellent Prohibition-style cocktails. There’s a sense of drama to it all, and the interactive drink menu only helps immerse you further into the basement bar.
Sure, you can order the bar’s namesake cocktail, a citrusy vodka and rum concoction, or the Gremlin B Gone, consisting of black cardamon-infused bourdon swimming around a suspended jello mold and served with a spoon so you can slurp the garnish afterwards. But I encourage you to take a chance on The Alchemist Experience. It’s not a specific cocktail, per se. It’s like a boozy version of “dealer’s choice.”
When you ask for The Alchemist Experience, a server will present you with a deck of shuffled playing cards and ask you to select two. Each of the 52 cards corresponds to a certain spirit, syrup or mixer. Depending on your draw, Kelsey Kennedy, the bar program creator, mixes a one-of-a-kind cocktail based on your unique combo. Upon my visit, the two cards I drew created a libation made with cassis syrup and a blueberry liqueur. It took a little longer to make, but it was well worth the surprise.
Although co-owner Dan Scott says it’s not a guarantee, a magician was doing card tricks at each table on my visit. Normally, I’m not one to be bothered with gimmicks, but magician Andy Massey was a delight and added literal magic to the space.
GO: 307 Admiral Blvd., KCMO, brassmonkeylounge.com. Open Wednesday, 4–11 pm, and Thursday–Saturday, 4 pm–1:30 am.
