It’s Friday night and you want to dance—or at the very least bob your head to the music. We’ve got you covered. From slinky jazz halls and decades-old theaters to neighborhood listening rooms and East and West Bottoms hot spots, there’s something for everyone.
Spaces that defy labels
The Phoenix
302 W. Eighth St., KCMO. thephoenixkc.com.
Built in 1905, this brick-walled landmark might as well be woven into KC’s musical history identity, and it’s still a prime place to catch performances from some of the city’s best and most valuable players. From the ever-popular “Jazzy Brunch with Dan and Millie” (Sundays, 10 am–2 pm) and stylings from jazz and R&B songstress Piaget (Saturdays, 4:30–8:30 pm) to Wednesday nights with genre-spanning vocalist Shelby Winfrey (7–11 pm), you’re guaranteed to hear excellent live music, regardless of when you show up.
Grinders KC
1826 Locust St., KCMO. grinderskc.com.
If you live in KC, chances are you’ve caught a concert at Grinders, one of the city’s best open-air venues. It might seem unlikely that major acts visit what’s basically the Crossroads’ backyard, but bigger artists do come through here, making this tucked-in stage all the more iconic for it. Any acts—rock, punk, jam bands, reggae, country and hip-hop—could show up at Grinders. You just never know. Consider carpooling or using public transit on show days, take in the neighborhood sights, and, as is tradition, grab a slice at Grinders Pizza next door.
Knuckleheads
2715 Rochester Ave., KCMO. knuckleheadskc.com.
Sure, the name and exterior paint this East Bottoms institution as a rough-and-rowdy time, but that’s all part of the charm. Knuckleheads is quintessential KC through and through. From local acts to legendary ones, musicians of all genres continue to perform here. The indoor-outdoor area features both large and small stages, sometimes with multiple bands playing in a single night. Don’t forget cash for the bar.
The Brick
1727 McGee St., KCMO. thebrickkc.com.
Point-blank, The Brick is a good, divey and unpretentious time. Whether you’re here for the Wednesday night burger specials, Brickfast on Saturday mornings or just swinging through without a care in the world, the possibilities for live music are unquantifiable. An online calendar does exist, but you never know what you might get: old-timey Americana, folk-punk, honky-tonk and more.
The Ship
1221 Union Ave., KCMO. theshipkc.com.
It’d be a tall order to find a more diverse music lineup than at The Ship in the West Bottoms. On any given night, it’s possible to hear doom blues bands, DJs, folky singer-songwriters or your friend’s funk-metal two-piece. KC denizens seem drawn to The Ship, possibly for its historic, gritty warehouse beauty but also for the venue’s multiple stages and bars. Once inside, pick from the cozier, older side or the bigger renovated side. Music-wise, search online to find cover costs and performers.
Smaller stages, open mics and bars
Greenwood Social Hall
1750 Belleview Ave., KCMO. greenwoodsocialhall.com.
Matching the creative, innovative aura of the Westside, Greenwood Social Hall focuses on coming together to appreciate music, community and storytelling. And as a listening room within a historically Black Baptist church, it’s a venue unlike any other. The singer-songwriters, multi-instrumentalists, spoken word poets, folk artists and theater actors who fill the space are representative of KC’s vibrant and multi-faceted performing arts scene.
Hillsiders
403 N. Fifth St., KCK. hillsiderskck.com.
Aptly named for its Strawberry Hill locale, Hillsiders is a mecca for all kinds of music and musicians, from post-punk and funk to R&B and the occasional night of unruly outlaw country. The vibe and sound is hard to describe, which is part of what makes Hillsiders so fun in the first place. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, ever, and new, inventive genres and bands are part of the experience (and the norm).
recordBar
1520 Grand Blvd., KCMO. therecordbar.com.
Another classic spot, recordBar has never been afraid to welcome new artists into the fold. This works both ways: The up-and-comers get a chance to perform, and the audience is exposed to new music, with talent coming in from overseas and small regional towns alike. A handful of bands that credit the Crossroads venue as their launching pad have gained fame, such as Mumford & Sons, and other musical legends in the making have been known to make it a stop, like Billie Eilish, who performed there in 2018. The venue’s history stretches back to 2005, when it originally opened in Westport.
sk8bar
209 Westport Road, KCMO. sk8.bar.
The new kid on the block, Westport’s sk8bar debuted in 2024 and is a rare all-ages (for the most part) type of venue. It first opened in St. Joseph and has kept to its roots, mainly dealing in hardcore, hip-hop and dark, dubby industrial music. And it’s a good time. A real DIY grassroots affair that also moonlights as a skate shop and pinball room, sk8bar’s calendar can be found on its Instagram @sk8bar.
The Piano Room
332 W. 75th St., KCMO. pianoroomonline.com.
The Piano Room is a long-running Waldo centerpiece, and it’s easy to see why. Known as a space for newly on-the-scene musicians to test out their skills on the open mic night stage (Wednesdays from 8–11 pm), the beloved dive reopened in August after moving into new digs. The welcoming attitude here is sometimes hard to come by in the world of music, but whether it’s live piano or a young vocalist wowing the crowd, this positive energy lends itself to the neighborhood and beyond.
The Rino
314 Armour Road, North KCMO. therinokc.com.
Finally we come to The Rino in North Kansas City, a “loosely dinosaur-themed” favorite of music lovers all over town. Known for its nicely done sound design and for being attached to vegan ice cream shop Sweet EMOtion, The Rino is just the right size to be intimate yet lively, where you really feel close to the action and able to take in the show clearly. It’s also the place to be for comedy open mic night, happening for free on Wednesdays at 8 pm.
Upscale, grand and historic spaces
The Midland Theatre
1228 Main St., KCMO. midlandkc.com.
Driving up and down Main Street, you’ve likely noticed this historic theater with its gorgeous grand entrance, particularly when it’s all lit up at night. The Midland was built in 1927 and has been presenting live music and entertainment ever since. From three-piece pop bands and alt rock musicians to standup comedians, the offerings here are always top-notch. It doesn’t hurt that it’s well within walking distance of multiple restaurants, bars and the streetcar.
1900 Building
1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods. 1900bldg.com.
More than just a pretty face, the 1900 Building in Mission Woods oozes class and talent to the nth degree. Here, you can hear a chamber orchestra from the Park University International Center for Music, whose students and faculty regularly perform there, or a soulful horn, violin and piano performance. On top of the tunes, The Restaurant at 1900 has been nominated for two James Beard Awards, one in 2023 and the other in 2025. Who can turn down dinner and a show?
Chaz on the Plaza
325 Ward Parkway, KCMO. raphaelkc.com/chazontheplaza.
Speaking of luxe date ideas, here’s another one: Chaz on the Plaza. Situated inside the Raphael Hotel, the French-influenced eatery is known for its live jazz players, who take the stage each night from 6 to 10 pm and include names like The Mengel Brothers, Jackie Myers, Emily Dix and others. Chaz is also recognized as one of the city’s most romantic restaurants, so in theory, you could book a stay here, experience great food and music, and never have to leave. Now that’s luxury. (In any case, reservations are encouraged.)
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
1601 Broadway Blvd., KCMO. kauffmancenter.org.
Everyone should get to experience live music at the Kauffman Center at least once in their lives. The extremely dynamic setting and equally impressive acoustics are just two reasons for this. In addition to being home to the Kansas City Symphony, which performs in Helzberg Hall, Kauffman is home to the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Kansas City Ballet in Muriel Kauffman Theatre. Touring performing artists and ensembles also perform under the same iconic roof. Both the city and its skyline are incomplete without this rich cultural resource.
Starlight Theatre
4600 Starlight Road, KCMO. kcstarlight.com.
At 75 years old, this huge, castle-shaped outdoor theater is one of Kansas City’s crown jewels—and for good reason. Not only do big-time names come through for concerts, but guests can catch nationally touring Broadway musicals and family-friendly special events. And like the castle design would suggest, the Swope Park setting itself is quite magical. It’s perfect for pressing the reset button on your brain in the great outdoors.
Uptown Theater
3700 Broadway Blvd., KCMO. uptowntheater.com.
Ah, the Uptown Theater. Music lovers from KC and beyond most likely have memories tied to these storied Midtown walls. But if not, or if you’re keen on another round, peep the upcoming shows list; you might find that your favorite singer-songwriter is making a stop here. Might we suggest pre- or post-gaming at June’s Night Club across the street? It has a glittery disco or electronica DJ most nights—a complement to your evening out on the town.
