Bar K has closed
The beloved establishment, which sits just north of the River Market and includes a bar, restaurant and dog park, was a hot spot for dog owners looking to let their pups run off-leash while enjoying food and drink (501 Berkley Parkway, KCMO). Bar K published a statement citing “a variety of challenges,” including economic hardship and constant construction at its riverfront location, as the reason for closing.
“Among many other factors, we faced the same severe economic challenges as the rest of the hospitality industry, including inflationary costs and expenses, an extremely difficult labor market and sharply reduced consumer spending,” states the announcement. “On top of this, each of our locations had its own challenges—particularly in Kansas City, which became extremely isolated by massive construction projects that made access difficult at best and consumed much of its parking.”
Bar K was voted the Best Dog Bar for USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2024.
KC Current Players Open Pitchside Coffee Shop in the Crossroads
After a year of operating their mobile coffee trailer, Pitchside, six KC Current players opened their first brick-and-mortar cafe on August 31 (1819 Grand Blvd., KCMO).
Pitchside co-owner and KC Current forward Kristen Hamilton says the new space is “spacious, comfortable and very inviting. It’s a nice open space with lots of windows and cool garage doors that we can open when the weather’s nice.”
The teammates had originally hoped to open closer to the River Market near the CPKC Stadium, but when the Crossroads location became available, it was an opportunity they couldn’t refuse. Alongside Hamilton, the owners include teammates Elizabeth Ball, Vanessa DiBernardo, Mallory Weber, Desiree Scott and Hailie Mace.
The cafe seats 60 to 75 customers, and while you don’t need to follow the KC Current to enjoy the new Crossroads site, fans will appreciate the TVs regularly streaming soccer matches—especially during the team’s fall afternoon games.
Although Pitchside’s mobile trailer model allowed Hamilton and her teammates to directly connect with the community while they worked there, she says the shop’s hours require the help of staff. Hamilton says they do plan to be behind the bar sometimes and “just hanging out in the coffee shop.”
Vietnam Cafe Is Opening a Second Location
A Kansas City restaurant staple is expanding.
Vietnam Cafe, a locally owned establishment considered one of Kansas City’s best Vietnamese restaurants, is opening a second location in Overland Park.
The new site, which joins the location in Columbus Park, will be located at 135th and Switzer Road (9500 W. 135th St., Overland Park) and will occupy the 4,075-square-foot former Beef-A-Roo space, which sits on just over an acre. The property, represented by Block & Co. Inc., Realtors during the transaction, will undergo construction.
An opening date has yet to be determined, but Micky Chun, who operates Vietnam Cafe alongside her family, says the restaurant is slated to open in 2026. The new location will feature the same menu Chun’s family has always served.
“We’re very fortunate,” Chun says. “Our customers from Olathe, Overland Park and Lenexa will drive 30 to 45 minutes to eat at our restaurant, so we want to give them an opportunity to eat closer to home. We’ll be offering a drive-thru as well for our customers that are always on the go because sometimes they just want a bahn mi sandwich and coffee to-go.”
Chun says her aunt and uncle, Ngoc Le and Ming Hoang, have owned Vietnam Cafe in Columbus park since 2015. Although many think her family’s restaurant in Columbus Park is associated with Vietnam Cafe 39 in KCK (3934 Rainbow Blvd., KCK), it is not.
Vietnam Cafe’s River Market restaurant (522 Campbell St., KCMO) features an array of delightful authentic Vietnamese dishes, but the bowls of brothy pho with vermicelli noodles are considered one of their best menu items.
