I love a polished cocktail bar as much as the next person, but after a long day, I’m usually in the mood for something a bit more low-key—somewhere I can play a round of darts but still sip a well-made drink. In the East Crossroads, Chartreuse Saloon (1627 Oak St., KCMO) strikes that balance perfectly.
A permanent fixture on the menu, the Chandelier—a spicy, playful twist on a classic gimlet—is a stand-out. Sharp, botanical and a little sweet, this cocktail is made with Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin, a spirit that leans less on piney juniper and more on refreshing notes like cucumber and Meyer lemon. Although the cocktail is traditionally served up and in a coupe glass, Chartreuse Saloon serves the gin beverage on the rocks and in a mason jar.
What sets the drink apart is its electric dust rim, a vibrant blue garnish made of szechuan peppercorn. “If you let it sit in your mouth for 15 seconds or so, it makes your tongue tingle and has a slight Pop Rocks feel,” owner Jill Cockson says.
Cockson is also the force behind popular speakeasy Swordfish Tom’s and has consulted for a number of other upscale establishments across the region. “[Chartreuse Saloon] is the outlier, but my roots are more in dive bars,” she says.
Although Chartreuse Saloon is surely a step above a true dive, Cockson had long envisioned opening a more casual gathering space. Five years ago, she brought that dream to life.
Alongside craft cocktails and beers, the bar serves a concise food menu of customizable hot dogs and nachos. As the name suggests, the space is painted a vibrant green hue, and Western decor, like cow skulls and black-and-white photos depicting prairie life, line the walls. But what keeps many regulars coming back are the games. Darts, billiards, checkers and more are all free to play for customers—and Cockson claims the pool tables are some of the best in the city. chartreusesaloon.com.
