Scooter's Bar Journal » Kansas

Force of Nature Brewing

scooterj — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 17:11:00 +0000

(Downtown, De Soto, KS)

Scooter’s 1849th bar, first visited in 2025.

The second brewery for my little brother’s belated birthday. Many of their beers are floral, which isn’t exactly my wheelhouse, but I enjoyed them all.

My flight contained Dean’s Model A (light lager), Bee’s Knees (golden ale), Evergreen (imperial IPA), and Nor’easter (NE IPA).

33015 W 83rd St
De Soto, KS 66018
US
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+19135865022
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Discourse Brewing

scooterj — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 17:10:00 +0000

(Windmill Square, Overland Park, KS)

Scooter’s 1848th bar, first visited in 2025.

Brought my youngest brother here for some belated birthday beer.

I had the Java Abyss (Kenyan Mito coffee stout) and the World of Shadows (BA imperial coffee stout). Both were so good I bought additional bottles and cans to take home.

7211 W 97th St
Overland Park, KS 66212
US
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+19132585240
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Strawberry Hill Brewing

scooterj — Sun, 25 May 2025 17:11:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1838th bar, first visited in 2025.

After a few years of delays, this finally opened in the Fall of 2024. But since it’s only open 3 days a week, it took my 9 months after opening to finally get a chance to stop by.

I had the Red Headed German (Irish ale made with German hops & yeast), the Bramber (brown ale), the WyIPA (American IPA), and the Long Road Ahead (nitro oatmeal stout). There are also national-brand ciders, seltzers, and wine — as well as mixed drinks — for those who prefer something other than beer.

601 Central Ave
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
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+19134049654
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Willcott Brewing Company

scooterj — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 17:13:00 +0000

(Downtown, Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 1810th bar, first visited in 2024.

As we walked in the door we were stopped by a lady who said “Here’s even more people I don’t recognize! I don’t remember you two at all!”

It turned out we had inadvertently crashed a reunion — I think possibly a 40-year high school reunion. (That’s just a guess.) Looking around, there were very few people in there who were not wearing name tags.

Thy were not doing flights — unsure if that is normal policy or temporary due to the reunion — so I had a Bourbon Barrel Texakan Willcott stout. There was disagreement and confusion about what the actual ABV was, so since it was barrel-aged and I was poured 12oz I decided to err on the side of caution and take it easy after this one.

600 Cherokee St.
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
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+1 (314) 740-6457
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VFW Post # 56

scooterj — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 17:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 1809th bar, first visited in 2024.

We were walking from Fluffy’s to Willcott Brewing when we found ourselves in front of an open VFW that we didn’t even know was there, so we decided to head on in.

After talking a seat we were asked for our memberships. Whoops! So many VFW bars have become open to the public to help with their fundraising that I forgot private clubs still exist.

Fortunately for us a very nice vet sitting at the bar, who from later conversation context I believe works at or manages the place, sponsored us for our visit.

I had a Sam Adams Boston Lager and a double-chocolate cookie from a tray being passed around.

519 Cherokee St.
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
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+1 (913) 682-9200
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Fluffy’s Swedish Pub

scooterj — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 17:11:00 +0000

(Downtown, Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 1808th bar, first visited in 2024.

I was hoping to find some sport of crazy Swedish beer here, but it turns out the owner spent quite a bit of time living in Sweden and loved it so he gave his dive bar a Swedish theme. This bar is extremely dog-friendly, as can be seen by the photos on the walls.

Since there was no Swedish beer to be found, I had a Guinness.

507 Cherokee St.
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
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+1 (913) 364-6010
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11Worth Station Brew House

scooterj — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 17:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 1807th bar, first visited in 2024.

Came here as the first stop on a belated birthday bar crawl for my youngest brother. They do brew their own beer, but they were completely cleaned out by an event at Ft. Leavenworth so only had guest beers available today. I had a Bulldog Stout by Three Rings Brewery and a an Eagle 5, the Oktoberfest beer from Pathlight Brewing.

305 Cherokee St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
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District Pour House + Kitchen

scooterj — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 17:13:00 +0000

(Downtown, Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 1690th bar, first visited in 2023.

Since my brother wasn’t into the food truck BBQ at the last place, we came over here for burgers instead. I had a couple of bottles of Three Blind Mice (brown ale) from Mother’s Brewing.

11101 Johnson Dr
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
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+19132838585
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Friction Beer Company

scooterj — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 17:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 1689th bar, first visited in 2023.

A fairly new brewery in downtown Shawnee, originally supposed to be in the Crossroads in downtown KC but that location fell through.

We had planned to stay longer, but we were getting pretty hungry and while there was a food truck out front selling BBQ, it wasn’t what my brother (the birthday boy) was into. So we just had one round then went to a restaurant across the street.

I had the My Aim Is True (milk stout)

11018 Johnson Dr
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
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The Other Place – Shawnee

scooterj — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 18:14:00 +0000

(Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 1582nd bar, first visited in 2022.

This is a massive sports bar/restaurant, a relatively newer location for the Iowa chain.

It was extremely crowded and noisy, so I just had a Guinness and we didn’t stay long. We probably would have sat outside if it hadn’t been so cold that day.

22730 Midland Dr
Shawnee, KS 66226
United States
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+19134410094
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Knub’s Pub

scooterj — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 18:12:00 +0000

(Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 1581st bar, first visited in 2022.

Given that this was a suburban strip mall bar I wasn’t expecting anything noteworthy, but this turned out to be a genuine-feeling sports dive with a lot of character.

Food is served, there’s lots of nostalgia, and there’s a row of pinball machines along one wall. There’s a small patio outside the south door.

I had Elvis Juice (American IPA) by BrewDog Deutschland.

5386 Roberts St
Shawnee, KS 66226
United States
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+19134415682
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Tall Trellis Brew Co

scooterj — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 18:11:00 +0000

(Olathe, KS)

Scooter’s 1580th bar, first visited in 2022.

The newest brewery in the KC area, took me while to get to it due to being so far out. Also has guest taps (all local brews) and a coffee shop in addition to their own beer.

I had the Snap Chaps Western IPA and the Thou Trellis coffee stout.

25600 W Valley Pkwy
Olathe, KS 66061
United States
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+19132495077
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Manor Records

scooterj — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 17:10:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1578th bar, first visited in 2022.

Not-for-profit record label & record store that recently opened a bar/performance venue as an addition to its fundraising efforts. The bar features domestic and craft beer, cocktails, and pastries. There is a room in the back with several video games.

401 N 6th St
Kansas City, KS 66101
United States
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Hillsiders

scooterj — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 17:10:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1577th bar, first visited in 2022.

Cute dive bar with quirky decor and its own original cocktails that opened in October 2022 after an 11-month renovation of a previous venue that had been vacant for a decade. Has a really nice patio in the back.

403 N 5th St
Kansas City, KS 66101
United States
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+19134130059
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Fly Boy Brewery & Eats

scooterj — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 17:10:00 +0000

(Sylvan Grove, KS)

Scooter’s 1576th bar, first visited in 2022.

I’d been wanting to come to this brewery ever since it opened, but the hours and location caused me to miss it every time I’ve been nearby along I-70. But this weekend we happened to be camping nearby and had an opportunity to come here for dinner.

My wife had a brisket burger, while I had a steak. Both were excellent. Beer-wise, I had their Santa Fe Grains (wheat beer made from several local grains), First Light (Pilsner), Hotel Oscar Whiskey (golden ale), and Barnstormer (brown ale).

105 N Main St
Sylvan Grove, KS 67481
United States
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+17855267800
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Bamboo Penny’s

scooterj — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 17:11:00 +0000

(Leawood Town Center, Leawood, KS)

Scooter’s 1517th bar, first visited in 2022.

Under normal circumstances an upscale place in Leawood is about the last place I’d be on a Saturday night. (Or any other night. Or day.) But a friend was having a birthday party here so we made the half-hour trek out that way.

We actually ended up really liking this place, and plan to come back.

I was going to get a cocktail because a few looked interesting, but many of them were served with flowers in them and I was unsure what to make of that so I decided to stick with Guinness.

5720 W. 116th Place
Leawood, KS 66211
United States
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+19132327695
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The Doctor’s Office

scooterj — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 17:13:00 +0000

(Dodge City, KS)

Scooter’s 1516th bar, first visited in 2022.

After visiting the brewery and the distillery, I realized I need a Guinness to make St. Patrick’s Day official. This looked like my best chance at a Guinness out of the places that were still open. But no luck, no Guinness.

I had a giant-ass mug of Budweiser, followed by a mixed drink using Bailey’s Irish Creme so I could have at least something Irish.

113 Gunsmoke St.
Dodge City, KS 67801
United States
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+16208015001
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Boot Hill Distillery

scooterj — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 17:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Dodge City, KS)

Scooter’s 1515th bar, first visited in 2022.

I don’t normally drink distilled spirits. They’ve never interested me and never tasted good to me. But this place just looked too interesting to pass up.

The building has a fascinating history. It is on the grounds of the original Boot Hill Cemetery, and was built on the footprint of a school that as built here in the 1870s after the bodies were moved. The current building served as City Hall and also housed the police station, the fire station, and served other roles that I can’t remember.

I had their Standard Flight, and against my expectations each shot was tastier than the previous as I progressed from left to right. Surprisingly to me, I learned that I might actually like gin.

501 W Spruce
Dodge City, KS 67801
United States
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620-371-6309
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Dodge City Brewing

scooterj — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 17:11:00 +0000

(Downtown, Dodge City, KS)

Scooter’s 1514th bar, first visited in 2022.

I was spending an evening in Dodge City and decided to check out their local brewery.

There’s quite a bit of merchandise available, and pizza is served.

I had a flight with their Uncle Johnny’s Cream Ale, 1872 Lager, Big Nose Kate IPA, Where’s Bob (Belgian Strong Dark Ale), Squirrel Tooth Alice DIPA, and Black Blizzard Porter.

701 3rd Ave
Dodge City, KS 67801
United States
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+16203713999
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Range 23 Brewing

scooterj — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 17:13:00 +0000

(Piper, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1508th bar, first visited in 2021.

This is a bit of a unique find that had only been open for a few weeks. This is technically a production-only brewery and does not have a license for on-side consumption. However it is on the grounds of an equine therapy ranch that has event space, and that ranch does have a license for on-site consumption. So, if you want to drink your beer here, you can do so on the patio on Saturday afternoons. The trick is they have to pour it into a can, seal the can, then once you take thge can you can drink it on the patio or at the picnic tables around the corner. Otherwise their beer is to-go only.

I had the porter.

13400 Donahoo Rd, Bldg. B
Kansas City, KS 66109
United States
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+19132290992
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Ten & Two Coffee Bar

scooterj — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 17:12:00 +0000

(Bonner Springs, KS)

Scooter’s 1507th bar, first visited in 2021.

We came here to the Olde Mill Building (which my GPS had no idea how to get to) expecting to visit Own Agenda Brewing, but the tap room was still under construction. Luckily the coffee bar had beer taps and was serving Own Agenda Brewing’s beer!

I had the St. Anky (brown ale) — and it took me far too long to catch the joke in that name –, and the IPA, which was the best beer of the day to that point. Both by Own Agenda Brewing.

UPDATE (Jan 5, 2022): Starting January 14, Outfield Beer Company is relocating here to join Own Agenda in the new tap room.

611 W 2nd St
Bonner Springs, KS 66012
United States
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+19133082266
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Outfield Beer Company

scooterj — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 17:11:00 +0000

(Edwardsville, KS)

Scooter’s 1506th bar, first visited in 2021.

This was supposed to be our last stop on a brewery crawl back in August, but full stomachs forced us to cut that day short.

This is a baseball themed brewery in a light industrial warehouse area on the western edge of Edwardsville.

I had the Shortstop Hop IPA, At ‘Em Amber, Bullet Rogan Rye, and The Monarch (dark lager).

UPDATE (Jan 5, 2022): I have learned that they are closing at this location and as of January 14, 2022 will be joining Own Agenda Brewing in the Olde Mill Building in Bonner Springs.

10953 Kaw Dr.
Edwardsville, KS 66111
United States
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+19132760142
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ExBEERiment Brewing

scooterj — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 17:14:00 +0000

(Gardner, KS)

Scooter’s 1499th bar, first visited in 2021.

This wasn’t intended to be the last stop of the day, but the pizza and cookies at the previous place filled my stomach and it was a struggle to find room for the beer I tried here.

I had the Hypothesis (NEIPA), Validation (cream ale), Equilibrium (American IPA), and Magnetism (oatmeal stout).

925 E Lincoln Ln
Gardner, KS 66030
United States
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+19139384175
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Apogee Coffee & Draft

scooterj — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 17:13:00 +0000

(Olathe, KS)

Scooter’s 1498th bar, first visited in 2021.

Yoga studio, rock climbing gym, coffee shop, and craft beer bar all under one roof! Of course I was here for only one of those things, but my brother made me order pizza and then he ordered a platter of cookies as well.

One cool aspect, the green wall in the photos is real miss that gets all the moisture it needs to stay alive from the air.

Beer-wise, I had the Mornin’ Latte Nitro by Toppling Goliath Brewing Company.

670 N Central St
Olathe, KS 66061
United States
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+19134904455
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St. John’s Catholic Club

scooterj — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 17:10:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1495th bar, first visited in 2021.

This bar is located in the basement of the St. John’s Catholic Club, attached to the six-lane bowling alley. The club is located behind the big red church that dominates the Strawberry Hill skyline.

414 Barnett
Kansas City, KS 66101
United States
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+19133719690
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Sarah’s On The Hill

scooterj — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 17:10:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1487th bar, first visited in 2021.

We were taking some out of town friends around for drinks when my wife noticed this on the map and wondered if it was the place an older friend of hers had opened. We decided to stop in, and it turned out it was!

We had just eaten so didn’t get to try the food, we just got a round of drinks. I had the Boulevard Berry Noir.

612 N 5th St
Kansas City, KS 66101
United States
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+19136085801
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23rd Street Brewery

scooterj — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 18:14:00 +0000

(Lawrence, KS)

Scooter’s 1451st bar, first visited in 2020.

By the time we got here I was getting pretty full, so I just bad a Bartertown Brown.

3512 Clinton Parkway
Lawrence, KS 66047
United States
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+17858562337
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Black Stag Brewery

scooterj — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 18:13:00 +0000

(Downtown, Lawrence, KS)

Scooter’s 1450th bar, first visited in 2020.

This was a bit frustrating, because their online menu was out of date and they were out of absolutely every beer that both my brother and I pre-picked. And the printed menus we were handed weren’t quite up to date either.

What I finally wound up with was a flight of Thing 3 (chile beer), Uncle Paul’s Nitro Stout, Bamburgh Castle Ale (brown ale), and The Mad King Oktoberfest.

623 Massachusetts St
Lawrence, KS 66044
United States
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+17857661163
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Free State Brewing Company

scooterj — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 18:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Lawrence, KS)

Scooter’s 1449th bar, first visited in 2020.

I actually visited this place around 30 years ago, not long after it opened. But I was not quite 21 yet so couldn’t count it as I did not have any beer. Now I can finally count it.

My flight consisted of Hoptic Nerve (American IPA), Oatmeal Stout, Alley-oop Dunkel, and Deep Groove (imperial porter).

636 Massachusetts St
Lawrence, KS 66044
United States
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+17858434555
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Lawrence Beer Company

scooterj — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 18:10:00 +0000

(Lawrence, KS)

Scooter’s 1448th bar, first visited in 2020.

My brother and I had passport books that were about to expire so headed to Lawrence to visit (or re-visit) all the breweries there.

I had a flight with ‘Lectric (American IPA), River Rat Oatmeal Stout, and East Side (Pale Ale). I also had a full pour of Eastern Bloc Party (Baltic porter).

826 Pennsylvania St
Lawrence, KS 66044
United States
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+17858560453
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Lost Evenings Brewing Company

scooterj — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 17:15:00 +0000

(Lenexa, KS)

Scooter’s 1441st bar, first visited in 2020.

Another brewery that opened during COVID-19. It does not have a patio, but it makes up for it with a spacious interior of three different seating areas, with few tables spaced quite far apart.

Rather than get a flight, I got a full pour their version of Black Is Beautiful. God to try two different brewery’s takes on this in the same day!

Incidentally, this brewery has since become my brother’s go-to hangout, as he lives nearby.

8625 Hauser Ct
Lenexa, KS 66215
United States
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+19137660333
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Rockcreek Brewing Company

scooterj — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 17:14:00 +0000

(Downtown, Mission, KS)

Scooter’s 1440th bar, first visited in 2020.

This brewery is a little tricky to find, it’s hard to see from Johnson Drive. Parking is pretty tight due to the patio so it’s probably easiest to just park along Johnson Drive and walk up the little hill on Beverly Ave.

As another brewery that opened during COVID-19, this one features a garage door front wall and a good-sized patio in what would otherwise be the parking lot.

I had the Round After Sundown (Brown Ale) and the Highly Paid Professionals (DIPA).

5880 Beverly Ave
Mission, KS 66202
United States
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+19132180017
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Pathlight Brewing

scooterj — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 17:13:00 +0000

(Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 1439th bar, first visited in 2020.

This is another brewery that opened during COVID-19. It has a spacious interior and a patio off to the side. There’s was a BBQ truck parked out beside the patio.

I had the Banker’s Hours (Amber Lager) and the MOO-LA (Milk Stout).

11200 W 75th St.
Shawnee, KS 66214
United States
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+19134002615
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Fields & Ivy Brewery

scooterj — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 18:10:00 +0000

(Lawrence, KS)

Scooter’s 1433rd bar, first visited in 2020.

As I was driving to this brewery, I got a breaking news alert on my phone about the first COVID-19 case in the Kansas City area. A week later, they started shutting it all down. Making this the last new brewery or bar I would get to visit for several months.

I had the Prairie Star (porter), Paean (barleywine), Schmoo Whale (Imperial stout), and Kaw River Roller (Imperial IPA).

706 E 23rd St
Lawrence, KS 66046
United States
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(785) 274-8429
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Limitless Brewing

scooterj — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 18:14:00 +0000

(Lenexa, KS)

Scooter’s 1432nd bar, first visited in 2020.

I’ve known of this place a little while, never was quire sure where it was located. From the outside, you’d never guess there was a brewery here.

The front/main room was extremely packed, with barely enough toom to get to the register and order. Luckily there is additional seating back in the warehouse where the beer is made. It was craawling with kids, but there were at least a few open tables.

Despite the crowd, noise, and children, this was the highlight of today’s trip and I think I can safely say it’s among the very best breweries in the KC area.

There is food, though I think it’s provided by third parties. It was tacos and cookies during our visit, unsure if that’s the normal menu or if it rotates.

I had Rum Cake Russian Imperial Stout, Strong & Sweet (sweet stout), Issues (stout), and Barleywine w/Judeâ€™s Rum Cake — which was the best thing I imbibed all day.

9765 Widmer Rd
Lenexa, KS 66215
United States
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(913) 526-3258
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Red Crow Brewing Company

scooterj — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 18:13:00 +0000

(Olathe, KS)

Scooter’s 1431st bar, first visited in 2020.

I never got a chance to visit them when they were in Spring Hill, and then had to wait forever for them to re-open in Olathe followed by then waiting for me to have to motivation to drive all the way to Olathe.

The tap room is spacious/cavernous, and when it’s crowded like tonight it’s rather loud. There’s a BBQ food truck in the back.

I had Elaine Rye Porter, Pretty Potion (witbier) — which looked a little scary but ended up being my favorite of the three, and Melissa (oatmeal stout).

1062 W. Santa Fe
Olathe, KS 66061
United States
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(913) 440-9852
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Brew Lab

scooterj — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 18:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Overland Park, KS)

Scooter’s 1430th bar, first visited in 2020.

A restaurant & brewery, in the heart of downtown Overland Park, that also allows home brewers to come in and make their own beer on-site.

I had lunch here and a flight of six beers, including: Science 104 (lager), Mad Science Barrel Project (BA brown ale), Peer Reviewed Caramel Latte Stout (milk stout), Freakin’ Festive AF (spiced milk stout), Across The Pond Dry Stout, and Electric Park Barrel Aged Stout.

7925 Marty
Overland Park, KS 66204
United States
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(913) 400-2343
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Transport Brewery

scooterj — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 17:14:00 +0000

(Downtown, Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 1369th bar, first visited in 2019.

This is another spot that was packed when we arrived, but we lucked into seats at the bar. Quite a few people after us had to stand.

Taste of Brazil had a food truck parked out front.

I had the Record Breakin’ (red IPA), Backseat Driver (Belgian Strong), and Broken Rail (brown ale).

11113 Johnson Dr
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
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(913) 766-6673
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Servaes Brewing Company

scooterj — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 17:13:00 +0000

(Downtown, Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 1368th bar, first visited in 2019.

While we were in here I noticed some people I had seen at Sandhills, so we weren’t the only people doing Johnson Drive breweries today.

I had the Rise Up – Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie (stout).

They also had a pretty good selection of beers to-go in 4-packs.

10921 Johnson Dr
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
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(913) 608-5220
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Sandhills Brewing

scooterj — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 17:12:00 +0000

(Mission, KS)

Scooter’s 1367th bar, first visited in 2019.

This placed was PACKED, but it thinned out around the time we got our drinks.

I had their Raven (Imperial Stout), their Barred Owl (Scottish Export Ale), and their Barred Owl on cask.

Interesting note: They don’t accept tips. If you do leave a tip, it’s donated to charity.

5612 Johnson Dr
Mission, KS 66202
US
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(785) 424-4663
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Sully’s Pub

scooterj — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 17:10:00 +0000

(Mission, KS)

Scooter’s 1366th bar, first visited in 2019.

In all my years of trying to visit every dive bar in the KC area, I do’t know how I’ve managed to overlook this one until now. We picked this as a good spot for people coming from different directions to meet up for a mini brewery crawl down Johnson Drive. Though, to be fair, it’s iffy whether or not this can be considered a dive. Sports bar, though? Definitely.

I didn’t go to the back room to check out what all was here, but apart from tons of TVs there are also quite a few bar games (sports bar games).

Pretty decent beer selection, too. I had a Left Hand Milk Stout.

I liked how most of the TVs had wood frames, like they were paintings.

5436 Johnson Dr
Mission, KS 66205
US
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(913) 999-8014
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Firelight Lounge

scooterj — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:17:00 +0000

(Quindaro, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1310th bar, first visited in 2018.

We tried to visit this place in 2007, but it was closed.

We tried to visit again today and again it was closed.

But this time we circled around back to turn our car around, and discovered the entrance is actually in the rear!

This dive bar pours very strong drinks! There are pool tables, nice bathrooms, and a friendly bartender. Since the lights were off except at the bar we didn’t get a very good look around, though.

It’s technically a private club, but there is a sign-in book for non-members in the entryway. Be advised you also pass through a metal detector when entering, a first for me at any bar that wasn’t at an arena or airport.

2046 N. 18th
Kansas City, KS 66104
US
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(913) 371-8473
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Coach Lite Club

scooterj — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:16:00 +0000

(Argentine, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1309th bar, first visited in 2018.

Happily, this is very much a dive in every sense of the word. I didn’t notice a pool table but there is darts and a very, very worn shuffleboard. There was another room in the back with video poker machines. There’s also a small patio in the back.

2103 S 34th St
Kansas City, KS 66106
US
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(913) 722-1647
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Big D’s On The Hill

scooterj — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:15:00 +0000

(Argentine, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1308th bar, first visited in 2018.

Despite the outward appearance, this is a genuine sports dive. There’s pool and a patio. I didn’t notice if they had food, but if they do no one was eating at the time we visited. It’s a little smokey but not too bad.

2139 S 34th St
Kansas City, KS 66106
US
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(913) 671-7542
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The Dotte Spot

scooterj — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:14:00 +0000

(Victory Hills, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1307th bar, first visited in 2018.

Nice strip-mall dive-ish bar with great staff. Serves food and has a separate party room that can be reserved at no charge. We got too caught up talking to the bartender to notice if there was a pool table or any other games besides video poker, but there is a small patio off the east side.

8123 Parallel Parkway
Kansas City, KS 66112
US
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(913) 299-0022
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Elevate Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:13:00 +0000

(Victory Hills, Kansas City, KS)
Formerly a thrift store

Scooter’s 1306th bar, first visited in 2018.

This is a brand new upscale bar & grill focusing on cocktails and southern cuisine. A very nice spot with friendly staff, though $5 for a Bud Light bottle was a bit of a surprise.

7543 State Ave
Kansas City, KS 66112
US
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(913) 205-6916
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Colonial Club

scooterj — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:11:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1305th bar, first visited in 2018.

This cute neighborhood pub re-opened in 2018 after having been closed for at least a few years. There’s a pool table, darts, a hunting game, and other activities. There’s also a grassy “patio” in back, and a pizza kitchen in the basement that delivers food to the bar via dumb waiter.

322 N. 6th St
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
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(913) 371-1103
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7th Street Casino

scooterj — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1304th bar, first visited in 2018.

Operated by the Wyandotte Nation, this casino features three floors of slots and video poker, a snack bar, and two bars. We choose the bar on thge third level.

777 N.7th Street Tffy
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
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913-371-3500
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Tallgrass Taphouse

scooterj — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Manhattan, KS)

Scooter’s 1294th bar, first visited in 2018.

For some reason I always pictured this as a small place with a rustic unfinished wood interior. It’s the exact opposite.

In addition to dinner, I had their Horror Lake (Strong Ale), and also a Time Portal (Brown Ale) by Kansas Territory Brewing Company.

320 Poyntz Ave
Manhattan, KS 66502
US
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(785) 320-2933
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Little Apple Brewing Company

scooterj — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:11:00 +0000

(Manhattan, KS)

Scooter’s 1293rd bar, first visited in 2018.

Manhattan’s other craft brewery that most people don’t seem to know about. Located in a strip mall pretty far outside the core of Manhattan.

I had their Riley’s Red Ale, Bison Brown Ale, and XX Black Angus Stout

1110 Westloop Pl
Manhattan, KS 66502
US
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(785) 539-5500
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The B-Hive

scooterj — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 17:17:00 +0000

(Downtown, Colby, KS)

Scooter’s 1271st bar, first visited in 2018.

This dive bar was intended to be a dinner stop (I’d seen great things about their burgers and they were frying up a crap-ton of them when we came in), but there were too many people in here and we were getting anxious to get to Denver. So I had a Guinness and we hit the road.

The room back past the main bar area contained pool tables, and to the side of that in an attached building was a larger dining area and a shuffleboard.

It was obvious from the discussions among the guys playing pool that Colby is right at about the dividing line between Chiefs fans and Broncos fans.

170 W 4th St
Colby, KS 67701
US
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(785) 460-8813
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Defiance Brewing Company

scooterj — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 17:16:00 +0000

(Hays, KS)

Scooter’s 1270th bar, first visited in 2018.

When we arrived and found ourselves at a warehouse in an industrial area, we were sure we’d accidentally gone to a distribution facility rather than the tap room. But we soon figured out this was the right place.

I didn’t post any photos to prevent spoilders, but look for the stuffed animals if you visit.

I had their Union (English Mild Ale) and their Fuzzy Knuckles (10%) (Stout)

2050 Old Hwy 40
Hays, KS 67601
US
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(785) 301-2337
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Gellas Diner & Lb. Brewing Co.

scooterj — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 17:15:00 +0000

(Downtown, Hays, KS)

Scooter’s 1269th bar, first visited in 2018.

I’ve had beer from here at the Parkville Brew Fest. This was a much larger and much more upscale place than I’d ever imagined it!

I had the No. 06 Oatmeal Stout and the No. 43 Flying Bison Rye

117 E 11th St
Hays, KS 67601
US
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(785) 621-2739
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Beaver Brewery at Mo’s Place

scooterj — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 17:14:00 +0000

(Beaver, KS)

Scooter’s 1268th bar, first visited in 2018.

When you have a chance to visit a brewery that’s located in a town with a population of 34 in the middle of nowhere that you have to take dirt roads to get to, you do it! Only open 3 days a week, this is the best of both worlds: a remote small town dive bar that has added the element of a very small microbrewery. And the beer was worth the drive!

I had their Elm Street Porter, Lights Out Stout, Ol’ Farmstead IPA, and Beaver Creek Brown

Note the coaster wall and the prominently-displayed gun.

1908 Elm St
Beaver, KS 67525
US
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(620) 587-2350
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Maggie Mae’s

scooterj — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 17:13:00 +0000

(Salina, KS)

Scooter’s 1267th bar, first visited in 2018.

I’m not sure how I missed this place in 2007, considering it’s along the route I would have taken to The Blind Pig, but missing it then gave us the chance to catch it today on our way out Salina’s western side.

We both had Bud Lights that were far larger than either of us needed, and I don’t think either of us finished them.

409 S Broadway Blvd
Salina, KS 67401
US
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(785) 825-9829
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Blue Skye Brewery & Eats

scooterj — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 17:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Salina, KS)

Scooter’s 1266th bar, first visited in 2018.

Back on my Cinco de Mayo pub crawl of 2007, this place was called Groove and Salina was suffering an insane flood (about 5 inches of rain fell in the space of about 2 hours). We were stuck outside without umbrellas and tried to come in here, but but it was so packed we decided to skip it we hauled our rain-soaked asses up the street to another bar.

But today it’s a brewery, and I was finally able to make a visit.

In addition to a rather good pizza (I’m now 2 for 2 on finding good pizza in Salina), I had Blue Skye’s Crank Case (AIPA), Jalapeno Cream Ale, Brown-Eyed Girl, and Dirty ‘ol Stout.

One element of bar decor I forgot to get a picture of is the confusing lineup of fake doorways all along the hallway leading to the restrooms.

116 N Santa Fe Ave
Salina, KS 67401
US
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(785) 404-2159
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Chuck’s Bar

scooterj — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 17:10:00 +0000

(Salina, KS)

Scooter’s 1265th bar, first visited in 2018.

We popped in here for a bit because we arrived in Salina a little too early for the brewery we planned to visit, and this was the first open-early place on the way into down. I had a Fresh Squeezed IPA by Deschutes Brewery.

600 N Santa Fe Ave
Salina, KS 67401
US
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(785) 404-3225
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La Hacienda

scooterj — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 17:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Osawatomie, KS)

Scooter’s 1232nd bar, first visited in 2018.

Dropped in and had a Negra Modelo by Grupo Modelo to kill time while waiting for a wedding nearby to start up.

546 Main St
Osawatomie, KS 66064
US
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(913) 256-4570
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Strawberry South

scooterj — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 18:10:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1222nd bar, first visited in 2018.

Private club that I’d tried twice to get into, and after 11 years I finally found a member who I knew who got me in.

48 S. 7th St
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
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(913) 371-4141
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403 Club

scooterj — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 17:13:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1179th bar, first visited in 2016.

In terms of the building, I have technically been here before when it was the Six-Ten Club. But the transformation to a smokey private dive bar to a pinball bar focusing on craft beer makes it just enough of a change to consider this a whole new bar.

614 Reynolds
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
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(913) 499-8392
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Breit’s Stein & Deli

scooterj — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 17:12:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1178th bar, first visited in 2016.

Dive bar with fantastic sandwiches and a large outdoor patio. First visited as part of a birthday pub crawl. I love the antique back wall of the bar.

412 N. 5th
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
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(913) 342-5311
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Fat Matt’s Vortex

scooterj — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 17:11:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 1177th bar, first visited in 2016.

Visited this dive bar for the first time on a birthday pub crawl. Very friendly bartenders! The building had originally been a funeral home and the bartender mentioned it seems pretty haunted. Had briefly been sold and renamed Fat Cat’s Vortex, but the original family bought it back a couple years ago.

As first-time visitors we were given free shots of their house drink, called Grog, made from an old family recipe.

411 N. 6th
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
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(913) 291-0317
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Whiplash

scooterj — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 17:20:00 +0000

(East Topeka, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1118th bar, first visited in 2015.

This biker bar was rather tricky to get to due to road construction, but was worth the effort to figure it out.

Both the staff and the patrons were welcoming and friendly. We chatted with a few of the locals and admired the wicker bike.

The back room has two pool tables, video games, and what looked like a small stage area. We didn’t notice it during our visit, but my research later revealed a covered patio in the back that we somehow missed.

You have to love any bar with a wicker motorcycle.

2107 SE California Ave
Topeka, KS 66605
US
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785-215-6676
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Oscar’s Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 17:19:00 +0000

(College Hill, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1117th bar, first visited in 2015.

Oscar’s is located in a rather nondescript building, a building shared with a hair salon, in what appears to be a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.

The bar counter is a tiny, angled bar in the front corner. We were lucky to find a table nearby large enough for our group, as it was rather crowded in here tonight. I saw one pool table for sure, I couldn’t tell if there were more due to too many people standing about. Meanwhile, darts were whizzing past the back of my head.

1424 SW Lane St
Topeka, KS 66604
US
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785-234-9294
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Hot Pockets

scooterj — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 17:18:00 +0000

(Oakland, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1116th bar, first visited in 2015.

This had originally been edited from our route today due to time, but when we realized how close we were to it, we went ahead and added it back on.

Hot Pockets is a pretty good sized pool hall, tucked between a pizza joint and a grocery store. The L-shaped bar is in the far back.

Being from KC we aren’t used to bars that allow smoking, and this was the smokiest of the bunch today. Because of that we tried to drink quickly and move on, until one of our group members noticed the pinball machine in the corner.

1909 NE Seward Ave
Topeka, KS 66616
US
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785-354-8128
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Brass Rail

scooterj — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 17:17:00 +0000

(Oakland, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1115th bar, first visited in 2015.

Ever since I first discovered the genre, I have been in love with neighborhood bars located in old houses. So I was excited to find this specimen on our day trip.

Everything in here, including the floor and ceiling, is well-aged wood.

Granted, we were here during the late afternoon, but this seems to be a pretty laid back place. I wouldn’t quite call this a sports bar, though they are big into watching sports here. They do appear to have a small amount of food service, including tacos, chili dogs, etc. They host karaoke and bands from time to time.

Outside the west door (the main entrance if entering from the parking lot) is a great little half-covered patio with outdoor heat.

Sometimes you just have to get creative as to where you’re going to be able to mount the toilet paper.

401 NE Emmett St,
Topeka, KS 66616
US
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785-232-3332
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Joletta’s

scooterj — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 17:16:00 +0000

(North Topeka, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1114th bar, first visited in 2015.

This bar represented unfinished business from May 5, 2007.

Back on that date, we were at a bar called Stingers (now called “The Flamingo”), and the bartender had written directions to a couple of nearby bars on post-it notes for us. One of them was Joletta’s, but were unable to find it and eventually gave up when we stumbled across Twilighter Country Club (now “Rumba Club”) — where our experience made up for getting lost.

Joletta’s is known for karaoke and also hosts life bands regularly. The L-shaped bar anchors the center of big floorspace, with a large open area at one end for bands and (presumably) dancing. There are two dart boards, we did not see any pool tables. A covered patio is nestled at the front of the building.

We enjoyed our visit quite a bit, mostly due to the really nice bartender.

600 NW Paramore St
Topeka, KS 66608
US
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(785) 232-5511
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Kick Start Saloon

scooterj — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 17:15:00 +0000

(North Topeka, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1113th bar, first visited in 2015.

This bar is so far over the top that I’ll let the plethora of photos do most of the talking. But here’s a quick rundown.

This is a biker bar, and it’s big. Lots of places to tuck away to with your drinks. Bras hang from everything. There’s an exhibit, behind glass, of various biker related items and oddball items.

Outside there’s a complex system of patios, a stage, some bikes fixed-in-place that I’m not sure if you’re supposed to sit on but some of us did, and a beat-up old bus that’s been converted into a drinking area.

On with the pictures!

2521 N Kansas Ave
Topeka, KS 66617
US
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758-230-7581
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6th Street Back Door

scooterj — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 17:14:00 +0000

(Central Topeka, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1112th bar, first visited in 2015.

What a unique and unexpected find.

This was tacked on as a last second replacement after another bar was found to be closed. Tucked away at the back end of a run-down strip mall (hence the name), this place is truly a dive in every sense of the word, except one…

This place also happens to have a really grate selection of craft beer.

Now, don’t get me wrong; none of them are on-tap, and there are only a few bottles/cans available of each. But they had probably about two dozen varieties of craft beer to choose from, several of which we’d never heard of.

The bartender was very friendly, showed us around the place, and told some of the funny stories of past happenings.

There’s a game area in the back with a pool table, and out the “side” door (the true back door, there’s a patio behind a tall fence.

Years ago, an errant “firework” on the 4th of July blew this hole in the sidewalk outside the back door.

610 SW Wayne Ave
Topeka, KS 66606
US
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(785) 296-9483
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The Dutch Goose

scooterj — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 17:13:00 +0000

(Randolph, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1111th bar, first visited in 2015.

We had a mini pseudo-toast in here to celebrate my 1111th bar.

There’s a long bar along one wall, and parallel rows of booths & bar tables along the other wall. A single pool table fills the space in the back.

3203 S.W. 10th
Topeka, KS 66604
US
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(785) 357-8474
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Victoria’s Bar

scooterj — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 17:12:00 +0000

(Terra Heights, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1110th bar, first visited in 2015.

A small dive bar on the south end of Topeka. This is a full bar (not 3.2).

There’s a pool table, a small L-shaped main bar, a handful of additional tables, and a separate smaller bar named “Bitches Island” that we particularly enjoyed. There’s also a patio out back.

5011 SW Topeka Blvd
Topeka, KS 66609
US
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(785) 862-0776
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The Shack

scooterj — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 17:10:00 +0000

(East Topeka, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1109th bar, first visited in 2015.

Our first stop on a birthday pub crawl for my youngest brother Kurt, we were going into this place completely blind. All we knew was there was a bar here, nothing else. Had we known they opened at 6am and served breakfast, we’d have arrived a lot sooner!

Food-wise, apart from breakfast, they seem to be mainly known for their burgers.

There’s pool tables, claw machines (where we won a purple hippo/dinosaur thing that is another story for another time), and pinball machines that we spent a lot of time at. There’s also a pretty good sized beer garden.

This is a 3.2 bar, so no hard alcohol and a midnight closing time.

2842 SE 29th St.
Topeka, KS 66605
US
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(785) 266-457
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Terry’s Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:20:00 +0000

(Downtown, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1100th bar, first visited in 2015.

We decided to add this one at the last minute at the end of our trip to get me to 1,100 bars.

There’s a large square bar in the front, lots of restaurant seating, and a side room full of pool tables. The food here is pretty good, too!

Not the most awkward men’s room I’ve used in a bar, but it’s up there!

522 SW 6th Street
Topeka, KS 66603
US
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(785) 233-0326
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The Celtic Fox Irish Pub

scooterj — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:19:00 +0000

(Downtown, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1099th bar, first visited in 2015.

The restaurant is on one side of the building, the pub is on the other. There’s outdoor seating in the front, and a pool table nook in the back. This is a pretty nice place.

118 SW 8th Street
Topeka, KS 66603
US
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(785) 235-2138
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Skivies Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:18:00 +0000

(Downtown, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1098th bar, first visited in 2015.

Officially this is a gay bar, but we visited shortly after opening time so it was just us and the bartender. As a result, we only got to experience the “bar” aspect.

There’s a pool table in front and a small open area in the back that I imagine serves as a dance floor during the busy part of the evening.

921 S Kansas Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612
US
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(785) 234-0482
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Ichabod Laundra Bar

scooterj — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:17:00 +0000

(Quinton Heights, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1097th bar, first visited in 2015.

This dive bar is accessed through a strip mall laundromat. It was a little intimidating in here at first, but the bartender a friendly, as was the gentleman whose table we had to share.

1501 SW 21st Street
Topeka, KS 66604
US
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(785) 235-3837
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The Spot

scooterj — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:16:00 +0000

(Quinton Heights, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1096th bar, first visited in 2015.

A nice little dive bar in a residential neighborhood. There’s a covered patio with picnic tables, free popcorn, and drinks available in gigantic schooners.

2202 SW Buchanan Street
Topeka, KS 66611
US
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(785) 232-4341
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Blind Tiger Brewery

scooterj — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:15:00 +0000

(Likins Foster, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1095th bar, first visited in 2015.

This is a well-known brewery across our general region. There are multiple rooms in this quirky stone-and-timber building, we sat at the large island bar near the center. I particular enjoyed the two coffee beers on their taps.

417 SW 37th Street
Topeka, KS 66611
US
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(785) 267-2739
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Abigail’s

scooterj — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:14:00 +0000

(Likins Foster, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1094th bar, first visited in 2015.

A nice neighborhood dive bar in the back corner of a strip mall next to Walmart. Serves burgers and other food. There’s partially-covered outdoor seating along the front and the side.

The picture I took of the inside did not turn out.

3701 SW Plaza Drive
Topeka, KS 66609
US
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(785) 246-6866
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Stevie Rae’s

scooterj — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:13:00 +0000

(Likins Foster, Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 1093rd bar, first visited in 2015.

This rather-hard-to-get-to bar just recently opened and was prepping for a birthday party. It’s more of a pool hall, but serves food and hosts live music. It appeared that a patio was under construction at the time of our visit.

555 SW 39th Street
Topeka, KS 66609
US
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(785) 783-2115
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Bruff’s

scooterj — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:12:00 +0000

(Emporia, KS)

Scooter’s 1092nd bar, first visited in 2015.

More of a restaurant, but there’s an island bar in the center and a back room with pool tables. We snacked on some popcorn shrimp with our beers.

2640 W. 18th Ave
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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(620) 342-1223
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Korner Pocket

scooterj — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:10:00 +0000

(Emporia, KS)

Scooter’s 1091st bar, first visited in 2015.

This would probably count as Emporia’s diviest dive bar. We had a great time chatting with the bartender and another patron longer than we expected to stay.

There’s a pool table and a covered patio, and grilled sandwiches are available.

728 E 6th Ave
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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(620) 342-4738
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The Trophy Room

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:22:00 +0000

(Downtown, Emporia, KS)

Scooter’s 1089th bar, first visited in 2015.

A laid-back lounge, located upstairs from the Casa Ramos Mexican restaurant. They feature rotating selections of craft beers and some of the coolest bar stools I’ve ever sat on.

We had been told by other people we met that this is a private club, though no one asked us about memberships when we were there.

705 Commercial
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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(620) 208-6099
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Mulready’s Pub

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:22:00 +0000

(Downtown, Emporia, KS)

Scooter’s 1090th bar, first visited in 2015.

We’d expected to see college students all night, but this was the only bar we encountered any at — and they were all here. We were barely able to squeeze in.

This bar prides itself on a large rotating selection of craft beer. There’s a patio in the back.

We ended up hanging out here until we were too buzzed and too tired and ready to get back to our hotel. As it turned out, we should have called for a cab the moment we arrived because it would take a full hour for our cab to arrive.

717 Commercial
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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620-208-2337
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Radius Brewing Company

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:21:00 +0000

(Downtown, Emporia, KS)

Scooter’s 1088th bar, first visited in 2015.

Radius Brewing Company opened just in the past year or two and appears to be very successful. We were starting to get pretty buzzed by the time we got here so I can’t remember if I had the Porter or the Jose, but I remember really enjoying whichever one I picked.

610 Merchant
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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620-208-4677
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The Scoreboard Sports Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:20:00 +0000

(Downtown, Emporia, KS)

Scooter’s 1087th bar, first visited in 2015.

We expected this to be the busiest bar of the night, instead it was the quietest at this particular time. No matter, we had good conversation with the bartender and deep-fried bacon-wrapped bratwurst. Score!

We didn’t check it out, but there’s a patio in the back.

23 E. 6th Ave
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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(620) 208-4444
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Town Royal

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:19:00 +0000

(Emporia, KS)

Scooter’s 1086th bar, first visited in 2015.

This place is apparently an Emporia institution, one of the town’s most beloved bars. While we were seated at the large rectangular bar, we ran into the bikers we met a couple of bars earlier and they bought us shots.

To me this bar straddles the line between dive and classy. I decided to give it dive status â€” just barely â€” only due to the giant hole in the wall in the men’s restroom.

405 Commercial
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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(620) 343-1232
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Brick Yard 20 Ale House

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:18:00 +0000

(Downtown, Emporia, KS)

Scooter’s 1085th bar, first visited in 2015.

This is an enormous new establishment that was still under construction at the time of our visit, but had been open for a few weeks.

The completed area included a bar area with recessed purple lighting and multiple selections of craft beer on tap and in bottles. Towards the front are pool tables and several bar tables. A stage flanks the front wall of this section.

Outdoor seating is available in a central courtyard that was still under construction but was open during construction. The courtyard included a future stage and a future outdoor bar.

We did wander through the under-construction area, finding another large under-construction space with another bar, this room looked like possibly a figure dance hall. Stars led up to what was possibly a future mezzanine area.

It almost seems like this place is going to be too big for the market to support, but it might work if they can book enough good acts. They’ve put a lot of work into restoring this building so I wish them the best of luck.

One note — though it’s a Merchant Street address, the entrance is actually on the 4th Street side.

402 Merchant
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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(855) 202-9949
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The Noose

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:17:00 +0000

(Downtown, Emporia, KS)
Formerly Lariat Lounge

Scooter’s 1084th bar, first visited in 2015.

Biker-friendly dive bar with a pool table in the front and a patio in the back. The rectangular bar was packed so we sat in the lounge seating along the walls and chatted with a biker couple that was in town for a bike show this weekend. The Noose hosts a weekly karaoke night

323 Commercial
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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(620) 343-8629
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Charlie’s Place

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:16:00 +0000

(Downtown, Emporia, KS)
Formerly Last Chance Cantina

Scooter’s 1083rd bar, first visited in 2015.

Though the bar counter itself is pretty small (though very nice and clean), this is a bigger place than it looks like from the outside. There’s two pool tables, darts, and a new patio in the back that just recently opened.

116 Commercial
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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(620) 208-8540
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Mary’s Place

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:15:00 +0000

(Emporia, KS)

Scooter’s 1082nd bar, first visited in 2015.

One of the ratings I sometimes give when visiting bars in new city is, “This is the Zoo Bar of ____.” Well, this is, this is the Zoo Bar of Emporia.

A dive bar that feels like home, feels like everyone there is family, and is a lot of fun to boot.

Be forewarned, if you order beer and don’t specify exactly how you want it served, you may get it in a mug the size of a human head!

Inside the expansive drinking area are three pool tables, shuffleboard, darts and a jukebox. The outdoor area includes a basketball hoop.

We were really confused as to the location of the restrooms and began to worry that this was a bar that was cruel enough to not have any. It turns out in order to get them you have to break taboo and go behind the bar. They are around the corner down a short corridor that is covered with hundreds of photos of patrons, many years (if not decades) of good times remembered.

902 East 6th Ave
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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(620) 342-9610
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Just One More

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:14:00 +0000

(Emporia, KS)
Formerly Purple Duck

Scooter’s 1081st bar, first visited in 2015.

This narrow dive bar features a long, boomerang-shaped bar with a pool table at one end. We watched a portion of The Masters alongside some of Emporia’s more silver drinkers.

1516 W. 6th
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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(620) 412-9593
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Coach’s

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:13:00 +0000

(Emporia, KS)

Scooter’s 1080th bar, first visited in 2015.

This place is quite a bit nicer than I expected. It’s really more of a restaurant than a bar, the bar is just one small corner.

2702 W 15th Avenue
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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(620) 343-6362
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Wagon Wheel

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:12:00 +0000

(Emporia, KS)

Scooter’s 1079th bar, first visited in 2015.

This was originally going to be our third Emporia stop, but after we learned of its quirky weekday hours we decided to move it to the front of the line rather than risk it. We had the chicken fingers special for lunch.

The double-sized bar takes up most of the main area, a secondary elevated room — which was closed at lunchtime — has a stage, pool table, and additional dining tables.

Old school condom machines in the men’s room…

I enjoyed the failed attempt to paint over the condom dispenser signage…

2909 W. 9th Ave
Emporia, KS 66801
US
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620) 343-2525
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Bishop’s Brew

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:10:00 +0000

(Ottawa, KS)

Scooter’s 1078th bar, first visited in 2015.

We started out our weekend road trip with a couple of bottles at this 3.2% beer bar. There’s pool tables, a covered patio, and an ATM.

120 E Dundee St
Ottawa, KS 66067
US
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(785) 242-8920
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5th Street Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 17:13:00 +0000

(Downtown, Pittsburg, KS)

Scooter’s 1045th bar, first visited in 2014.

The third stop in our 9-states-in-1-day pub crawl, representing Kansas. We hadn’t taken into account that some of these small towns would be having Labor Day weekend festivals so we were very lucky to find a place to park a few blocks away.

The bar was very busy as we arrived right at lunchtime, and the place was backed with festival-goers grabbing a bite to eat.

The lower level is pure dive bar. The upper level has a separate bar wish several taps featuring microbreweries from all over. Unfortunately we didn’t get to check this area out as it was closed during our visit.

111 W 5th St
Pittsburg, KS 66762
US
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(620) 232-2446
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VFW #5531

scooterj — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 17:23:00 +0000

(Wathena, KS)

Scooter’s 998th bar, first visited in 2013.

We really wanted to find one more Kansas bar. But here we were just a mile or so from the state line, and what the thought was our last option — a bar called Our Place was closed.

We saw the VFW, but no lights were on. Luckily we needed to make a stop at the Casey’s across the street and the cashier there assured us it was indeed open.

No frills — just cheap drinks and good times. Also the smokiest bar of the day. All the seats at the tiny bar counter were taken, so we sat at the only open table. One group played cars in the corner, while some lively twenty-somethings shot darts in the other corner.

107 N 4th St
Wathena, KS 66090
US
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(785) 989-3487

Dew Drop Inn

scooterj — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 17:22:00 +0000

(Downtown, Hiawatha, KS)

Scooter’s 997th bar, first visited in 2013.

Kansas’s “Beer Bars” (also known as “3.2 Bars” or “CMB Bars”) are almost always unexpected treats. Since they are licensed at the local level instead of by the state (they can only serve low-alcohol beer, nothing else) they can be hard to find out about if you aren’t a local — and often these end up being the places with the richest histories and the most character. Dew Drop Inn is no exception, this was by far the best find on this particular pub crawl.

In the front, a tiny bar with size tools and a few small booths. In the back, a small room just large enough for the pool table it contains. Behind the bar, a delightful 80-year-old woman named Alberta who has worked here for coming up on six decades and owned the place for nearly five of them.

Alberta shared with is the history of the place. It opened in 1869 (Edit, may have been 1879, trying to confirm) as a lunch counter — later becoming a hamburger/steak joint. The back room was added on sometime later, and it was early in the second half of the 20th century that it converted from restaurant to a CMB bar. She didn’t say exactly when she stopped serving food, but it sounds like that was more recent (maybe 10-20 years ago).

Menu from the 1940s. I could sure go for some 25Ã‚Â¢ steaks!

508 Oregon
Hiawatha, KS 66434
US
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(785) 742-2423

Rosey’s Cantina

scooterj — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 17:21:00 +0000

(Downtown, Hiawatha, KS)

Scooter’s 996th bar, first visited in 2013.

This was nothing at all like I expected. From the name, I was thinking Mexican restaurant. Instead I found a quirky pool hall dive with a very eclectic and unusual decor.

Four pool tables. Doorless restrooms with mismatched toilets/urinals. Suits of armor. Nude aliens, with pacifier penises, lounging in sexy poses on the bar in front of a pile of sombreros. American flags everywhere. Far more signs and pictures on the wall than I was able to take in.

This one came out so blurry because someone walked in and caught me in the act of taking it, embarrassing the crap out of me.

520 Oregon
Hiawatha, KS 66434
US
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(785) 742-2965
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Guy & Mae’s Tavern

scooterj — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 17:11:00 +0000

(Downtown, Williamsburg, KS)

Scooter’s 984th bar, first visited in 2013.

Guy & Mae’s is a little hole in the wall bar that, apart from the dollar bills hanging from the ceiling, would be pretty unassuming and overlooked if not for their one terribly-kept secret: their BBQ.

The incredibly tender smoked ribs are served wrapped in foil and newspaper, and draw people in from miles away. We lucked into finding an open table on arrival, but within minutes there was a line of people waiting for seating and I’ve learned this is common.

In addition to ribs there are “sandwiches” of thinly sliced beef, turkey, ham, or polish sausage — all smoked and all delicious. I use the term “sandwiches” loosely because they are more accurately described as plates of meat that just happen to have some bread on them.

Located halfway between Ottawa and the Beto Junction truck stop, this is well worth the 1 mile detour off I-35.

119 W William St
Williamsburg, KS 66095
US
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(785) 746-8830

Woody’s Watering Hole

scooterj — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:22:00 +0000

(Downtown, Leavenworth, KS)
Formerly Potter’s Pub

Scooter’s 978th bar, first visited in 2013.

Woody’s is owned by an Army officer who wanted to create a fun place to hang out.

The bartender told us that on the weekend Woody’s stays quiet until around 8pm, then quickly fills up to a couple hundred people until closing time.

There’s a stage, darts, and a single pool table in a separate room in the far back.

Sadly the Office who owns the bar is being transferred, so he is currently seeking a new owner.

507 Cherokee
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
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(913) 682-5709
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Ross’s 20th Street Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:21:00 +0000

(Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 977th bar, first visited in 2013.

Bar on one side, liquor store on the other. So, as a I quickly learned, if the bar doesn’t stock what you want to drink, they’ll have it in about a minute.

The bar area is very cramped, due to the crowd I did not attempt to work my way back to explore the place.

A band was setting up and the only available seating was right next to the speakers, so we drank as quickly as we could and got out of there.

202 N 20th St,
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
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(913) 651-7809 Ã¢â‚¬Å½
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Benny’s

scooterj — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:20:00 +0000

(Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 976th bar, first visited in 2013.

We almost didn’t stop here because it looked so much like someone’s house, but the small sign on the east side assured us it really was a bar. Benny’s appears to be converted from a former duplex and has been in business for about 3 decades.

There’s video poker, pool tables, a stage, and an impressive collection of shot glasses. They have karaoke here.

2001 Dakota
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
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(913) 682-2891
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Legends of Country Music

scooterj — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:19:00 +0000

(Downtown, Easton, KS)

Scooter’s 975th bar, first visited in 2013.

I guess they mustn’t get very many out-of-town visitors, because we were all carded despite being in our 30s and 40s, and all of our IDs were heaving scrutinized before we were served.

There’s a stage, a pool table, and a very old flip-style jukebox. Particularly noteworthy, though, is the huge collection of country record album covers adorning several of the walls.

107 North 3rd
Easton, KS 66020
US
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(913) 773-9583

Stinky’s Other Side

scooterj — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:19:00 +0000

(Downtown Square, Oskaloosa, KS)

Scooter’s 974th bar, first visited in 2013.

This was a place I had to make a side trip to just for the name alone. I mean come on, “Stinky’s Other Side,” that’s a great name!

A dive bar through and through, Stinky’s has video poker, a pool table, and a very nice bartender. Though I didn’t see the menu and no one else at the time was eating, they do serve food and apparently are known for their burgers.

About half the car was transfixed by some tow truck reality show on Tru-TV. That network seems to be a stable for dive bars.

305 Jefferson
Oskaloosa, KS 66066
US
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(785) 863-3048

Humm-Dingers

scooterj — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:17:00 +0000

(Valley Falls, KS)

Scooter’s 973rd bar, first visited in 2013.

We didn’t expect to be the only people here when we arrived, but I guess all the bikers were still out riding in the great weather we were having.

Indoors, Humm-Dingers features a small bar, a stage, a pool table, and a buffet. (No food was being served at the time of our visit.) Outdoors there is a huge covered deck.

It can be a little tricky to see this place from the main road. Look for a liquor store, then drive around to the back.

1414 K4 Hwy
Valley Falls, KS 66088
US
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(785) 945-3239
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Flamingo Too

scooterj — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:16:00 +0000

(Downtown, Valley Falls, KS)

Scooter’s 972nd bar, first visited in 2013.

An interesting place! Apparently it’s a one-man operation, one of the locals told me the owner has no employees and does everything himself. If true, that makes it all the more impressive that the owner is a really friendly guy with a good sense of humor.

Flamingo Too is located in a formal old-school Rexall drug store, complete with the soda fountains which are still intact. The decor is somewhat eclectic, note the photos of the “mannequins” below.

The menu is largely sandwiches and fried food. However, while in most bars fried food is the way to go if you want something quick, that’s not the case here. There is only one fryer, and it’s very small, so he can fry only one order at a time.

One of the locals advised me that the best bet here is to ignore the menu altogether and instead ask the owner what he has. Often the answer is delicious BBQ — smoked out front on his smoker — or tacos and gigantic burritos made from the leftover smoked meats. On Sunday an all-you-can-eat breakfast menu is served.

We almost didn’t notice that there was another room to the side. We went around the corner to find additional seating, pool tables, and a stage with a complete light and sound system. Quite a lot for a one-man operation!

324 Broadway
Valley Falls, KS 66088
US
[launch map]
(785) 945-3407

The Hop

scooterj — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:15:00 +0000

(Downtown, Nortonville, KS)

Scooter’s 971st bar, first visited in 2013.

This is the kind of place I love to find — a dive bar in a far-flung small town located in a charming historic building.

The Hop is lit by chandeliers handing from a beautifully details ceiling. There is a collection of child-sized cars and tractors, as well as a collection of classic album covers.

528 Main St
Nortonville, KS 66060
US
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(913) 886-2100

The Milk House

scooterj — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:14:00 +0000

(Atchison, KS)

Scooter’s 970th bar, first visited in 2013.

On the outskirts of town and a little tricky to find. You have to drive down a short gravel road, cross railroad tracks, and pass through a gate to access it.

The bar is rather spacious and quite clean, with lots of seating. There are pool tables darts, and several TVs.

The bar’s original owner drove a milk truck, which inspired the bar’s name. The bar has changed hands a couple of times but has always remained in the family.

11040 U.S. 59
Atchison, KS 66002
US
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913-367-1960
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Willie’s

scooterj — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:13:00 +0000

(Downtown, Atchison, KS)

Scooter’s 969th bar, first visited in 2013.

In a converted drug store, this place is more restaurant than bar. However the small bar in the back is very nice and has an excellent beer selection. In addition to our drinks we sampled a regional brew called Crazy Eye out of Hiawatha.

Though the main entrance is on Commercial, if you want to just sit at the bar the entrance on 7th Street is the better way in and out.

701 Commercial
Atchison, KS 66002
US
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(913) 367-2900
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Mueller’s Locker Room

scooterj — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Atchison, KS)

Scooter’s 968th bar, first visited in 2013.

We were the first customers of the day. They were training a new employee and trying really hard to get us to create more situations to help train her, but since all we ordered was one round of beer we weren’t of much use.

We spotted Pop-a-Shot in the back corner, but I didn’t notice any pool tables. There’s a big deck out back overlooking the Missouri River.

The menu consists of fried food, burgers, wings, and hot sandwiches.

Note: Most maps and GPS devices try to direct you to someone’s house on a dead end street a couple of miles away. It’s actually located on the edge of downtown, just 1 block north of the bridge over the Missouri River.

120 S 2nd St
Atchison, KS 66002
US
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(913) 367-2727
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Johnny’s Tavern

scooterj — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:10:00 +0000

(Corinth Square, Prairie Village, KS)

Scooter’s 966th bar, first visited in 2012.

Dropped in to the Prairie Village of this location for a quick bite and a couple of beers in a New Years Eve snowstorm. We were surrounded by a large group of middle-aged Oklahoma (I think) fans.

8262 Mission Road
Prairie Village, KS 66208
US
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913-901-0322
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Skeeter’s

scooterj — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 17:10:00 +0000

(Shawnee, KS)
Formerly Several different places

Scooter’s 890th bar, first visited in 2011.

This should have been bar #220, visited in Feb 2007. It was a football-themed bar at the time, I can’t remember the name. But I missed the turn, and we decided to just go ahead and skip it and save it for our next barhopping session in this area.

Unfortunately, the next time we came through here, we found that it had gone out of business.

About a year after that, I noticed it was back in operation again. Now it was a biker bar. Again, I can’t remember the name. I was unable to check it out at that moment but made plans to visit soon.

Finally, in October 2010, we got that chance. Three of us made plans to meet there. We arrived, to find the place dark and empty. Someone at a neighboring business said we had just missed it by a couple of weeks.

Recently I noticed it back open again, so I went out of my way to make sure I stopped in. Skeeter’s is music-oriented, with frequent live acts. There’s also a good menu of fried food and burgers, patio seating out front, and pool tables. Like its predecessor it remains biker-friendly.

6505 Nieman Road
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
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(913) 912-1191
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JJ’s Cool Change

scooterj — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:16:00 +0000

(Overland Park, KS)

Scooter’s 766th bar, first visited in 2010.

Wow, how did I not know about this place? A genuine, honest-to-God, real-deal dive bar right in the heart of Overland Park!

Small, dirty, and fun. The jukebox was under the control of a very intoxicated dancing couple, but they were playing good music from the ’70s and early 80s.

There’s pool tables and the bar hosts pool tournaments. There’s a few video games near the front.

The clientelle here seems to be more upper 30s-50s… so a good place to get away from the obnoxious young ones

About the name

9820 W. 87th
Overland Park, KS 66212
US
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(913) 341-7312
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Spivey’s Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:15:00 +0000

(Lenexa, KS)

Scooter’s 765th bar, first visited in 2010.

More of a dive bar than I’d have expected in this part of Lenexa.

There’s a standard L-shaped bar with a smaller L-shaped standalone bar set back from it. Out front is a small patio.

Entertainment includes widescreen Golden Tee Live and Silver Strike Live, pool tables, a jukebox. This bar also has pull tabs.

12227 W 87th Street Pkwy
Lenexa, KS 66215
US
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(913) 599-5011
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JT’s Grill & Sports Bar

scooterj — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:14:00 +0000

(De Soto, KS)

Scooter’s 764th bar, first visited in 2010.

Restaurant on one side, sports bar on the other side. Past the restaurant is a back room with pool tables and video games.

This appears to be a pretty new place, it’s very clean and doesn’t have a lot of character yet. But it’s quickly becoming a very popular De Soto hangout.

The bar hosts live music as well as karaoke nights.

33255 Lexington Ave
De Soto, KS 66018
US
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(913) 585-1116
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Silver Wheel Tavern

scooterj — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:13:00 +0000

(De Soto, KS)

Scooter’s 763rd bar, first visited in 2010.

Like Beert Thirty, this was also a private club. Unlike Beer Thirty they did not give us memberships, but did give us temporary guest access good for 1-2 drinks.

I didn’t see any kind of patio, but since it’s a private club smoking is allowed. There was a pool table, an older Golden Tee machine, a pinball machine, and several video slot/poker machines.

They serve breakfast on the weekends but I don’t know if there are food offerings at other times during the week.

8385 Penner Ave
De Soto, KS 66018
US
[launch map]
(913) 585-1001

Beer Thirty

scooterj — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:12:00 +0000

(De Soto, KS)

Scooter’s 762nd bar, first visited in 2010.

At first glance, this was a run down, dirty, almost scary place. But the longer I sat there, the more it grew on me. By the time I left I realized this is probably a pretty decent place to hang out.

Beer Thirty is a private club, so smoking is permitted. After quizzing us and deciding we were ok, the bartender gave us memberships. She was pretty friendly and had a sassy sense of humor.

The bar area isn’t very attractive, pretty barebones in a cinder-block room. The bar forms a long U-shape so offers lots of seating and lends itself to creating conversations. There’s a covered patio outside the east end.

To the west of the bar is a separate room (separated by a half-wall) with pool tables and additional seating. This room looks nicer than the bar area. The restrooms are back here too and were pretty clean.

The bar serves food a few days a week but apparently usually has a few things that can be quickly heated up on the other days.

Beer Thirty is biker friendly and participates in area poker runs. It also has karaoke nights as well as bands. I’m told it’s a popular hangout for off duty police as well.

9150 Lexington Ave
De Soto, KS 66018
US
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(913) 585-1416
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Wallaby’s Grill & Pub

scooterj — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:11:00 +0000

(Lenexa, KS)

Scooter’s 761st bar, first visited in 2010.

I had never noticed this sports bar before, but it had a pretty good sized and rowdy crowd on this Saturday afternoon.

The bar has several TVs including a big-screen, darts, a jukebox, and big-screen versions of Powerputt and Golden Tee Live. I tried the food here and it’s surprisingly good.

9562 Lackman Rd
Lenexa, KS 66219
US
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(913) 541-9255
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Llywelyn’s Pub

scooterj — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:10:00 +0000

(Old Stanley, Overland Park, KS)

Scooter’s 760th bar, first visited in 2010.

This is an amazingly beautiful Irish pub in a converted 19th-century church. The interior features all the original flooring and woodwork, and the bar itself is over a century old.

Irish food, live Irish music, and a great beer selection. This is a great bar.

6995 W 151st St
Overland Park, KS 66223
US
[launch map]
913-402-0333
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PJ’s Sports Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:10:00 +0000

(Shawnee, KS)

OUT OF BUSINESS
As of May 2011, PJ’s appears to have closed.

Scooter’s 759th bar, first visited in 2010.

This strip mall sports bar is really showing its age, but it’s not a bad place to stop in and have some cheap drinks. There’s a bit of a musty smell but that didn’t really bother me.

The bar is long and L-shaped. The venue is fairly large — much bigger than it looks from the outside. There’s a couple of pool tables, MegaTouch, several tables, and an area for live music and dancing. Karaoke was underway during my visit.

I’ve seen this place packed several times while driving by, but on the particular Friday night I visisted there were only a handful of people in the bar.

10923 Shawnee Mission Pkwy
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
[launch map]
(913) 962-7309

Cinzetti’s

scooterj — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:10:00 +0000

(Overland Park, KS)

Scooter’s 755th bar, first visited in 2010.

I’m hesitant to list this as a bar since it’s actually an awesome family Italian buffet restaurant, but I got there too early for a reservation I had and sat at the bar for a while having some drinks. So, under my own rules, I have to count it.

7201 W. 91st. Street
Overland Park, KS 66212
US
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(913) 642-0101
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Sandbar

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:26:00 +0000

(Ottawa, KS)

Scooter’s 733rd bar, first visited in 2010.

This a pretty cool tropical-themed bar. It’s a lot small inside than it looks, about half of its public space is actually out on the front patio.

There’s a fish tank, darts, video games, and the first digital jukebox we saw all day.

The bar’s most famous feature is its nightly Indoor Hurricane show. We had planned to get here to see it, but due to various delays that added up throughout the day we arrived more than two hours too late.

We stayed here until close and decided to call it a night.

1608 S. Main St.
Ottawa, KS 66067
US
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(785) 242-8888
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Brand’n Iron Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:25:00 +0000

(Princeton, KS)

Scooter’s 732nd bar, first visited in 2010.

I don’t mean this in an offensive way, but this is a total redneck bar. It was crowded, noisy, and rowdy. But rowdy in a friendly sort of way. We did see one customer kicked out and one near-fight, but nothing ended up coming of that.

The staff here were very friendly and attentive. I was surprised how quickly they took care of us given the crowd.

The interior space seems quite a bit smaller than it looks from the outside. There was only one pool table — there really wouldn’t be room for more.

There’s just one set of restrooms and they are one-person facilities. That really surprised me considering how busy this place gets, I’d think there’d be a constant line.

I loved the bidet guitar identifying the restrooms.

1457 U.S. 59
Princeton, KS 66078
US
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(785) 937-2225
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1 Moore Bar and Grill

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:24:00 +0000

(Richmond, KS)

Scooter’s 731st bar, first visited in 2010.

This bar was really crowded, in part because what looked like a girls softball team was here celebrating. All of the tables and most of the booths were taken, but we did find a few seats at the bar.

There’s a pool table and a big screen TV that was being used to show what song was current.

Our bartender was a very friendly and cool guy. The bar was otherwise just ok, but he made it a good bar.

My only real complaint is that it was way too brightly lit in there. In some parts of the bar it was a blindingly brilliant bluish-white light. Most of my photos in this bar did not turn out because the extreme brightness of the lights overpowered the image.

111 E Central St
Richmond, KS 66080
US
[launch map]
(785) 835-6556

The Five Spot

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:23:00 +0000

(Garnett, KS)

Scooter’s 730th bar, first visited in 2010.

You could almost call this a motel bar, and you’d probably be right. But it’s isolated enough from the motel that it doesn’t feel like it.

The Five Spot calls its;ef a “Mexican bar & grill”, which seemed odd to be because unless something just recently changed it’s attached to an Italian restaurant called Bellini’s and that’s where its food comes from.

The feel is like an informal sports bar. There’s pool tables, darts, and plasma TVs situated throughout the place.

Our beer came in frozen mugs, which is something I can’t stand. Ice chunks in the beer + a lake of ice melt all over the table.

604 N. Maple
Garnett, KS 66032
US
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(785) 448-3483
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Trade Winds Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:22:00 +0000

(Downtown, Garnett, KS)

Scooter’s 729th bar, first visited in 2010.

This looks like a good bar, unfortunately the conversations at a table behind us got so obnoxious that we couldn’t enjoy it and had to hurry ourselves so we could leave.

It’s a nice looking bar with interesting decor. In the front is a big rear-projection TV that doesn’t look like it’s used. In the far back is a back room with pool tables. There’s also a CD jukebox, an old Silver Strike machine, and a cool angular tabletop MegaTouch machine.

Even though it was getting late on this Saturday, the bar crowd skewed towards the silver set.

110 West 5th Avenue
Garnett, KS 66032
US
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(785) 448-5856
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Sidelines Sports Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:21:00 +0000

(Downtown, Iola, KS)

Scooter’s 728th bar, first visited in 2010.

This was another bonus bar. We had planned to go to a place called Beer Blvd but it was closed for remodeling. So we did a drive around the square and found this unexpected 3.2% bar at the opposite corner.

It felt more like a restaurant than a bar, probably because of all the families with kids all around us. As it got later they disappeared and it started feeling more like a bar.

No pool table, and I didn’t notice darts or any other bar games. But they do have karaoke on a regular basis.

112 S. Washington Ave.
Iola, KS 66749
US
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(620) 365-8311
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Monkey Butt Saloon

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:20:00 +0000

(Iola, KS)

Scooter’s 727th bar, first visited in 2010.

We were pretty excited about coming to this bar, primarily for the name but also because of its reputation as a rowdy place that stirs up a lot of fights and a lot of problems for the neighborhood.

Unfortunately we arrived a little too early in the evening for it to be very busy yet, so we missed out on the potential for excitement.

It’s a pretty run down place, and feels more like a roadside diner than a bar. It was bright on the inside. There’s a few pool tables. Our bartender was pretty nice.

215 W. Garfield St.
Iola, KS 66749
US
[launch map]
(620) 365-7689

Uncle Ben’s Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:19:00 +0000

(Bronson, KS)

Scooter’s 726th bar, first visited in 2010.

This was a bonus bar, in that it had not come up in my preparation research, but I had a hunch that there would be be a bar on this block regardless and we decided to give it a go.

This is a 3.2% bar, meaning it can’t serve liquor and can only serve so-called “non-intoxicating” beer. Which is a bit of a misnomer as you can still get intoxicated, it just takes a lot longer. 3.2% bars are more loosely regulated, which is probably why this place didn’t turn up when I checked the Kansas Department of Revenue database.

This is a very old bar, so old that it’s heated by a wood-burning stove. In addition to the standard CD jukebox, darts, and pool table, this bar had the only foosball table we saw all day.

It took a while for our eyes to adjust, and it was very difficult to find the men’s room until that adjustment happened. It’s a very tiny restroom, exactly as wide as the toilet itself and just barly enough room to get inside and close the door. The sink is located outside the bathrooms.

Incidentally I keep seeing the address listed as “518 Charles” on other web directories, but it’s actually “518 Clay”.

518 Clay Street
Bronson, KS 66716
US
[launch map]
(620) 939-4990

Holmtown Pub

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:18:00 +0000

(Downtown, Fort Scott, KS)

Scooter’s 725th bar, first visited in 2010.

Just 2 bars after our favorite bar of the trip came our least favorite bar of the trip. It looked very promising, but inside there was almost no personality at all. Very little decor except around the bar itself, and though we were the only customers the bartender didn’t talk to us at all.

We ordered food, and it was nothing to speak of. It was served overly-hot and couldn’t even be touched for several minutes. The giant, flat chicken strips were ok, the fries were basically Ore-Ida and badly in need of more salt. There were several flies in the bar and it was a constant battle to keep them off the food.

There are two pool tables. There is also a CD juke box and a deck out the south side.

The one piece of decor that caught my attention…

206 North National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
US
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(620) 223-1477
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Rusty’s Sports Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:17:00 +0000

(Downtown, Fort Scott, KS)

Scooter’s 724th bar, first visited in 2010.

This place looks really nice, but we were kind of bored. The bartender didn’t really interact with us, and the environment seemed too polished.

Table seating is mostly on the upper level, though there were a few booths and such downstairs. In the back, below the dining area, is a jukebox and a couple of pool tables.

The one thing that I remember most is that when we first stepped inside, the only person “working” behind the bar was a toddler.

16 North National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
US
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(620) 223-4777
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Fox Run

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:16:00 +0000

(Fulton, KS)

Scooter’s 723rd bar, first visited in 2010.

I was a bit nervous about this place at first, with its ramshackle appearance and with it being very much off the beaten path. But I’m glad we stopped in, because this was our favorite bar of the entire trip and easily among the best bars I’ve been to.

A poker run had just departed minutes before our arrival so it wasn’t very busy, which allowed us to talk with the bartender as well as one of the owners. These people were great, and they were excited that we found this place and even more excited when I mentioned that I had seen their Facebook page.

The bar was first built in 1946 and expanding to its current size (twice the original size) some time later. The current owners have had the place since about 1996.

The bar has 7′ ceilings, which gives it a very cozy feeling. (Borderline cramped if you’re tall like me.) The regulars are a vast cross section of people, a very eclectic mix of just about every walk of life. Cowboys, doctors, rednecks, lawyers,bikers, you name it. Because they are very strict and quick about dealing with troublemakers, there are almost never any kinds of problems at the bar and everyone has a great time.

The bar pulls in live entertainment, hosts poker tournaments, and even puts on turtle races for the kids. There’s two pool tables, a jukebox, and a semi-inaccessible MegaTouch machine.

One of my cohorts had just turned 21 recently so they gave him a free Fox Run hat. The hat looks great, and he loves it! (It’s the same hat worn by the mannequin below.

It’s a private club, $20 annual membership, but we were signed in as guests.

115 W. Spruce St.
Fulton, KS 66737
US
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(620) 857-9427
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Country Club

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:15:00 +0000

(Mound City, KS)

Scooter’s 722nd bar, first visited in 2010.

Technically a private club, though the fairly quiet group welcomed our presence. They were jokingly surprised that we’d pick this of all places to stop in. Our arrival filled out the remaining empty spaces on the boomerang spaced bar.

This is a very large bar, with pool tables in the front and booths and tables throughout. A visit to the restroom revealed another room parallel to the main room with further tables and games.

It took me several minutes to notice this dildo pointing at me from the bar mirror.

I know it sucks to run out of toilet paper, but come on, isn’t this overreacting a bit?

519 W Main St
Mound City, KS 66056
US
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Backdoor Saloon

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:14:00 +0000

(Pleasanton, KS)

Scooter’s 721st bar, first visited in 2010.

This bar is located around back of Northside BBQ, in a converted garage. While it wasn’t too busy when we visited due to our arrival between the lunch and evening crowds, the bartender told us that by nightfall the place would fill up to over a hundred people. Bands, bikini contests, and so forth help draw the crowds.

The bar has lots of table seating, two pool tables, a CD jukebox, and an outdoor area (though it was unclear to me whether drinks can be taken outside).

A separate room features the stage and dance floor, this room is also the junction between the bar and the restaurant that’s around front.

At $2 for a 16 ounce pour, this was one of the cheaper places we went to.

I loved the signs marking the restrooms. (The urinals were filled with ice, too.)

The outdoor area

Panorama of the bar. Please pardon the goofy facial expressions of my cohorts and their fragmented bodies. “Don’t move,” I told them, and this is what I wound up with. (Use the slider below the photo to view.)

11231 Tucker Rd
Pleasanton, KS 66075
US
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(913) 352-6185
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Outpost Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:13:00 +0000

(LaCygne, KS)

Scooter’s 720th bar, first visited in 2010.

This place is really popular. I know of several people from KC who hang out here quite a bit, mostly bikers but not all.

This is a pretty big place, and was rather busy. There were lots of people here getting lunch while a woman played acoustic guitar and sang in the center of the room. There’s also a main stage in the far back.

There’s TVs throughout the place, Keno, Silver Strike, and a driving game. The back of the main room has several pool tables. There’s a patio off to the side.

Though BBQ is just a tiny portion of their menu, it seems to be the main thing people come here for. We did get some appetizers (cheese sticks and GIANT baskets of fries that were really good but mostly went to waste due to there being too many) and people all around us were stunned that we weren’t eating BBQ.

Because the place was so busy, I didn’t feel comfortable taking photos. It was hard for me to get an opportunity to do so that wouldn’t have led people to believe I was taking their picture.

19394 KS Highway 152
LaCygne, KS 66040
US
[launch map]
(913) 757-2672

Timber Creek Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:10:00 +0000

(Louisburg, KS)

Scooter’s 717th bar, first visited in 2010.

This restaurant/bar appears to serve as Louisburg’s main gathering spot. It’s a huge space, divided into several rooms. The bar area occupies over half of the public area of the building.

The bar is a central U-shaped island in the middle of a large room filled with booths and tables. One side of the room has a stage for bands and karaoke. Outside the opposite side is an outdoor seating area, a deck well-shaded by umbrellas and the woods behind the building.

There are several TVs throughout the place, an older CD jukebox, and several video games. (Including Golden Tee, Pac Man, a hunting game, and a jet ski game.) A separate room near the entrance houses the pool tables.

With domestic bottles at $3, this was our most expensive bar of the day. Though it wouldn’t have been if we’d paid attention to the specials before ordering.

The bar…

Panorama of the seating area around the bar. (Use the slider below the photo to view.)

This last photo is for those who have whined about the smoke in nearly every online review I’ve read about this place. Granted, they’ll have no choice after July 2010, but they switched early. I noticed no trace of smoke smell inside.

14 E. Amity Street
Louisburg, KS 66053
US
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(913) 837-2600
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Little Bar

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:22:00 +0000

(Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 551st bar, first visited in 2009.

We weren’t sure if this was really open or not, the Google Maps Street View did not look promising. But, because of the lit porch light, we decided to assume that maybe the Street View images were taken on a Sunday. We’re glad we made that assumption and went out of our way, because this turned out to be a good find!

Little Bar appears to be a converted gas station from the 1930s or so. The actual bar has seating for about 5 and had no room for us, luckily some time in the past a couple of small additions were made so we were able to squeeze into 2 chairs around a tiny table holding a trivia machine. The people here were very friendly and welcomed us among them. This was probably our best find of the day.

UPDATE (April 6, 2013)

I revisited it again 4 years later. There were a couple less people so I was able to move around more, but I kept hitting my head against the ceiling. Same bartender as the last time, so I think he might be the owner. Nice guy. I really like this place.

1431 10th Ave
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
[launch map]
(913) 758-0036

Club Savage

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:21:00 +0000

(Leavenworth, KS)
Formerly Creamy’s Place, Firehouse Club

Scooter’s 550th bar, first visited in 2009.

Formerly the Firehouse Club, also formerly Creamy’s Place. We almost did not come here because our research had given us the impression that this place was very private and exclusive and would not likely let us in. Instead it turned out to be one of the best stops of the day. We quickly filled out membership and spent our entire visit in nonstop conversation with the bartender and one of the regulars.

813 Cherokee St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
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Tom’s Country Stampede

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:20:00 +0000

(Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 549th bar, first visited in 2009.

We walked in and immediately felt the “who are you and what are you doing here?” vibe from the regulars. The bar was completely full, but it wrapped around to a small room in the back so we walked around to that corner looking for an empty seat. I could feel all the eyes in the place following us as we did so. Finding no seats, we walked around to the front.

“Now that you’ve had the tour, you gonna order something?” gruffed the bartender. The entire place erupted in laughter at our expense. I timidly got the beers, and as I paid for them the bartender asked if we had membership cards.

“Not yet,” I said, “do we need to fill them out?”

“Naw, forget it,” he said. I think he figured we weren’t worth the trouble and not at all likely to become regulars.

745 Cherokee St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
[launch map]
(913) 682-7085

Cyclone

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:19:00 +0000

(Downtown, Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 548th bar, first visited in 2009.

This was a very nicely done biker bar, we were very impressive with the place. Our bartender was pretty cool. I couldn’t help but notice her heavily tattooed arms, but B quickly spotted what I didn’t for a long time — it was actually a tight, flesh-colored shirt with tattoo print on the sleeves.

We took in an episode of “Cash Cab” on the big screen before walking down to the next place.

610 Cherokee St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
[launch map]
(913) 651-0446

Fatheads Irish Pub

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:18:00 +0000

(Downtown, Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 547th bar, first visited in 2009.

This was the first place we went to to make us fill out membership cards. This was a split-level bar, the bar area was down a half flight of stairs from an initial seating area, then below that initial area was a third room.

I don’t understand the concept of places that call themselves Irish pubs but don’t have Guinness on tap. We grabbed our Bud Lights and went to the back corner to play some Silver Strike.

UPDATE (April 6, 2013)

This place has gotten a lot better since my previous visit! There was Guinness on tap, and the bartender served up great pours! Also it appears the private clubs are a thing of the past. Great visit!

The mirrored ceiling still messes with my head.

327 Delaware St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
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(913) 651-1006
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Sweetwoods Bar & Grille

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:17:00 +0000

(Downtown, Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 546th bar, first visited in 2009.

This was a clean, well-lit, open place. A band was setting up in front, and we grabbed some lunch while watching golf and baseball on the TVs. Off to the side is another room with pool tables.

UPDATE (April 6, 2013)

Now called Wildwoods Saloon. For the most bar it looks the same as before. But we had the friendliest bartender, the owner was terrific, and the cooks are heroes for re-opening the kitchen when we returned too late to get anything to eat. We had a great time here, and this is now my favorite bar in downtown Leavenworth!

325 Delaware St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
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(913) 680-1670
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Our Place

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:16:00 +0000

(Downtown, Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 545th bar, first visited in 2009.

By now the sky was clear and the sun was bright, so we were completely blinded upon entering this totally dark bar. We felt our way to some seats and as our eyes adjusted the bartender did an ID check. (In retrospect I’m surprised we didn’t have to fill out membership cards.)

Once we had finished our drinks our eyes had adjusted, so we were re-blinded by the sun and white sidewalk upon leaving.

313 Delaware St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
[launch map]
(913) 682-3523

High Noon Saloon & Brewery

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:15:00 +0000

(Downtown, Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 544th bar, first visited in 2009.

This place was unbelievably huge, quite possibly the biggest bar I’ve ever been in. We both had the stout. B thought it was a little too sweet, I didn’t agree at the time but after I finished I noticed the sweetness in the aftertaste. At $4 a pint the prices weren’t bad for this type of place.

The men’s room had a couple of eye charts: one of a stripper that gets smaller as she undresses and one telling you that if you can still read it you need more beer. There was also a flow chart for determining whether it is time to go home.

UPDATE (April 6, 2013)

The eye charts in the men’s room have been replaced with pin-up girls.

206 Choctaw St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
[launch map]
(913) 682-4876
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Marfield’s Pub

scooterj — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:14:00 +0000

(Leavenworth, KS)

Scooter’s 543rd bar, first visited in 2009.

As we pulled up we saw the “Esplanade Tavern” signs and the Mexican style architecture and decided this would be where we’d have lunch. “Mexican sounds great right about now!” said B as we got out of the car.

Then we rounded the car and saw the “Marfield’s Pub” sign in the front. Huh?

Once seating inside we asked the bartender about the confusion.

“Oh, this is Marfield’s, an Irish pub,” she said as she handed us menus that contained food neither of us were in the mood for, as we were expecting Mexican. “A few years ago we were sandblasting the building to repaint it and that old sign appeared under all the layers of paint, we decided to keep it, something historic.”

I was happy to at least be able to get a Guinness, but the taps were down (temporarily) so I had to settle for a bottle of Coors Light.

312 N 2nd St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
US
[launch map]
(913) 651-4401

Clarette Club

scooterj — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Mission, KS)

Scooter’s 538th bar, first visited in 2009.

Old school dive bar / lounge in the back of a shopping center in downtown Mission.

5400 Martway St
Mission, KS 66205
US
[launch map]
(913) 384-0986

Jalisco

scooterj — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:10:00 +0000

(Indian Springs, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 509th bar, first visited in 2008.

5000 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66102
US
[launch map]
(913) 287-6733

Blue Moose Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:10:00 +0000

(Prairie Village Shops, Prairie Village, KS)

Scooter’s 506th bar, first visited in 2008.

Suburban bar & grill. Good drink specials on Thursday nights.

4160 W 71st St
Prairie Village, KS 66208
US
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(913) 722-9463
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Frederick’s Tikki Bar

scooterj — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:10:00 +0000

(Turner, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 505th bar, first visited in 2008.

Tiny private club in the railyards. Serves pizza and canned beer. Karaoke on Friday nights.

4448 Speaker Rd
Kansas City, KS 66106
US
[launch map]
(913) 371-9211

Jaywalkers

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:30:00 +0000

(KU Med Center area, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 488th bar, first visited in 2008.

This wasn’t on our planned route but we decided to knock this one out since we were in the general area. It was probably the lamest of the places we visited, it was packed with the “see and be seen” crowd. Though there’s something kind of ironic about going to a converted fast-food restaurant to see and be seen.

3916 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City, KS 66103
US
[launch map]
(913) 671-7464

Hitching Post

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:29:00 +0000

(Merriam Lane, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 487th bar, first visited in 2008.

Across the street from Double T’s, and thankfully lacking in a cover charge. Getting here was a bit tricky though as the high humidity kept fogging up our windows.

B & D played darts, while I tried repeatedly to use the men’s room only to have someone beat me to it each time. (I know I should have stood and waited but I had other things I wanted to be doing.) When I finally did get to go inside, I found that the condom mechine also dispenses erotic photos. Once I discovered that I was careful not to touch anything in there.

1328 Merriam Ln
Kansas City, KS 66103
US
[launch map]
(913) 677-3949
Visit Web Site

Double T’s Roadhouse

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:28:00 +0000

(Merriam Lane, Kansas City, KS)
Formerly Miss Kitty’s

Scooter’s 486th bar, first visited in 2008.

After getting extremely lost (only Kansas would have a 47th Street curve around on itself and then intersect with a perpendicular 47th Avenue) we finally got back on track and found our way to a cluster of biker bars I had been excited for a long time about visiting.

So imagine my disappointment when we stepped inside and were hit with a $2 cover charge.

We left, but then B said “Hold on, let me talk to them.”

D and I waited outside for B to inevitably be thrown out. And waited. And waited. Then the door opened.

“We’re good, come on in,” B said. We were stunned.

It turned out the owners, Tony and “Taco” (the T’s of Double T’s were seated just inside and agreed to let us come in to buy a drink and see the place as long as we left before the band finished setting up.

Formerly a club called Ms. Kitty’s, Double T’s was quite nice on the inside and had a good stage area. Unfortunately for us the band set up pretty quickly so we were not able to stay for long.

Thank you, T & T!!

421 Merriam Ln
Kansas City, KS 66103
US
[launch map]
(913) 432-5555

KC’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:27:00 +0000

(Merriam, KS)

Scooter’s 485th bar, first visited in 2008.

We were about to give up on finding this place, because the neighborhood was just seeming way too residential and we figured we had to have bad information. We were stunned when suddenly, there it was, in a tiny strip mall anchored by a gas station.

This place too was a private club. We were asked repeatedly for club IDs but kept pretending not to hear. After a while it was forgotten about.

Just before we played some free games of Silver Strike and Bags, the bartender demonstrated with B’s PBR that the Guinness Surger actually works with any beer… except that it has the side effect of making non-Guinness beers go flat.

10201 W 47th St
Merriam, KS 66203
US
[launch map]
(913) 262-7211

Chief’s Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:26:00 +0000

(Shawnee, KS)

Closed, but a new bar has opened in the same location.
Now called Hurricane Alley’s

Scooter’s 484th bar, first visited in 2008.

As we stepped inside we were met by two women who were sitting just inside the front door, and one of them asked B if I was his dad. This irritated me to no end, since I am only a year older than B. Naturally, B hammed this up for the entire visit, calling me “pops” and putting his head on my shoulder to tell me how much he loves his dear old dad.

5541 Merriam Dr
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
[launch map]
(913) 831-3250

Bilski’s Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:25:00 +0000

(Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 483rd bar, first visited in 2008.

We entered a neighborhood where I fully expected to find bonus bars, and this was the first such find. This was another bar where the bartender insisted on selling us a pitcher, even though he would have made more money selling us draws and it would have been no more work for him.

Behind my head was a display of autographed baseballs that someone had draped a set of Mardis Gras beads on. B mistook this for some sort of game and tried to get D to remove and rearrange the balls.

Just as we told the bartender would be the case, we did not wish to finish our pitcher and gave the second half to two women sitting at the bar. Not only did the bar get a couple bucks less from us than they would have if they had sold us what we wanted, now these two women had extra drinks that no one was paying for. Oh well.

5831 Merriam Dr
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
[launch map]
(913) 831-2337

Jackson’s Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:24:00 +0000

(Shawnee, KS)

Closed, but a new bar has opened in the same location.
Now known as Pour House

Scooter’s 482nd bar, first visited in 2008.

This was an unexpected bonus find and turned out to be one of our more entertaining stops.

As D sipped his Bud Light and B & I sipped our Coors Lights, a news story was on the TV about the suicide of the alleged anthrax mailer.

I wondered aloud if we’d ever know the real reason behind the attacks, and B wondered if the government would even allow a suicide note to be published in the media. He used an analogy of “What if a scientist died and left a suicide note describing exactly what is really at Area 51?”

“Did I hear you correctly?” came a voice from the end of the bar. “Did you say you’ve been to Area 51?

“No, no,” B said, “I was just using that as an example. I was…”

“Oh that’s cool,” the stranger interrupted. “I love talking about Area 51, that’s one of my favorite topics.”

“Oh yeah?” B replied. “Then you need to talk to this guy,” B said, pointing to his brother, D. “He’s a scientist and knows all about that stuff.”

B then excused himself from the conversation while I pretended to receive a phone call.

The ensuing ponderings frum this dude were priceless:

“I have a theory. This can’t be the only planet in the solar system. This [pause] just can’t be the [pause], it can’t be the only planet God created in the entire Galaxy. I mean, he’s like a smart dude.”

“As for Area 51, if an alien didn’t really crash there, then why won’t the government let us all walk in and look around?”

“I’m just saying, this can’t be the only planet out there. I mean, I’m not a religious man, but God is smarter than that.”

7405 Nieman Rd
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
[launch map]
(913) 766-5225
Visit Web Site

Final Approach Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:23:00 +0000

(Overland Park, KS)
Formerly Mulvaney’s Beef & Brew

Closed, but a new bar has opened in the same location.
Now called Tailgator’s

Scooter’s 481st bar, first visited in 2008.

Formerly Mulvaney’s Beef and Brew, I thought Google Maps was wrong when it identified this place as Final Approach. Nope, it turns out the owner of the popular Tiffany Springs bar of the same name bought Mulvaney’s to open a second location. Our bartender was a transplant from the original location.

Incidentaly the original location has been sold, though it still operates as Final Approach as well.

The internet jukebox was continuously pausing to buffer. Don’t those things download the entire song first??

7955 Frontage Rd
Overland Park, KS 66204
US
[launch map]
(913) 648-6005

Pickering’s Restaurant & Pub

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:22:00 +0000

(Olathe, KS)

Scooter’s 480th bar, first visited in 2008.

A pretty generic strip mall bar & grill.

11922 S Strang Line Rd
Olathe, KS 66062
US
[launch map]
(913) 782-6464

Brickyard

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:21:00 +0000

(Olathe, KS)

Scooter’s 479th bar, first visited in 2008.

Another private club. After showing the bartender our out-of-state (Missouri) IDs, we were allowed to sign in as new registrations.

As we entered the bar we noticed a tough looking guy standing outside in hot pants. D asked the bartender about it and she was puzzled at first, then realized what he was talking about.

“Haha! That’s the owner!” she laughed. “We’re always kidding him about it, telling him Daisy Duke called asking for her shorts back.”

If you’re a guy and need to take a crap, you’re S.O.L. here. By the way, make sure no one is behind you when you are taking photos in a men’s room. Kinda embarrassing.

1001 S Weaver St
Olathe, KS 66061
US
[launch map]
(913) 780-0266
Visit Web Site

Mulligans Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:20:00 +0000

(Olathe, KS)

Scooter’s 478th bar, first visited in 2008.

This was also a private club, but we were allowed in as guests. The bartender insisted on selling us a pitcher of Bud Light.

We didn’t want to drink all that beer so after one each we gave the remainder of our pitcher to a group at a nearby table.

911 S Parker St # D
Olathe, KS 66061
US
[launch map]
(913) 764-3884

Jobsite

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:19:00 +0000

(Olathe, KS)

Scooter’s 477th bar, first visited in 2008.

I had a Bud Light while B & D both had Bud Select. We found a Silver Strike machine, where I proceeded to bowl my second worst game in nearly 2 years. At least I managed to use the correct restroom on the first try.

Note the stripper pole…

D found a bar game that dispenses porno DVDs as the prizes! We couldn’t decide between “Peter Girls” and “Heat Strokes” though.

Bad news… the machine ended up eating B’s quarter.

1318 E Park St
Olathe, KS 66061
US
[launch map]
(913) 782-2449
Visit Web Site

Double Nickel Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:18:00 +0000

(Olathe, KS)

Scooter’s 476th bar, first visited in 2008.

I nearly used the women’s restroom for the second time today! Luckily I was corrected by a passing server. In my defense, the doors of both restrooms were propped open, hiding the signs. Though B&D both insist there was exterior signage that I overlooked.

189 S Rogers Rd # 1614
Olathe, KS 66062
US
[launch map]
(913) 782-4140
Visit Web Site

Austins Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:17:00 +0000

(Gardner, KS)

Scooter’s 475th bar, first visited in 2008.

Like Wally’s, another small regional strip mall bar & grill chain. I had a Guinness, while B & D had Bud Select. B&D opted for 20oz draws since they were cheaper, so we played trivia in order to allow them time to finish.

245 N Moonlight Rd
Gardner, KS 66030
US
[launch map]
(913) 856-6965
Visit Web Site

Wally’s Neighborhood Bar-Grill

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:16:00 +0000

(Gardner, KS)

Scooter’s 474th bar, first visited in 2008.

Strip mall chain

808 E Main St
Gardner, KS 66030
US
[launch map]
(913) 856-3885

Tumbleweed Saloon Bar & Grill

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:15:00 +0000

(Gardner, KS)

Scooter’s 473rd bar, first visited in 2008.

Everyone keeps trying to sell us more beer than we want evern though we’re fine with paying a higher price for single draws. We ended up settling on a mini-pitcher of Bud Select.

615 E Main St
Gardner, KS 66030
US
[launch map]
(913) 884-9594

BJ’s Oasis

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:14:00 +0000

(Gardner, KS)

Scooter’s 472nd bar, first visited in 2008.

This was the darkest bar we went to by far. We were blind for a few moments upon entering, then re-blinded when we stepped back outside.

We all had Bud Light draws.

I took a break to use the restroom. The restroom area had an exterior sink and 2 unmarked doors for the toilets. While I was taking care of business I noticed that all of the graffiti was in women’s handwriting.

“I don’t know if it matters which door you choose,” I said upon returning, “but if it does, I choose poorly.”

B & D started snickering, both having chosen the correct door. I went back for another look and discovered that the men’s room was indeed labeled, in marker, but the text was visible only if standing directly in front of it.

We all dug the antique cigarette machine. It was currently empty but the owner said it does indeed still work.

132 E Main St
Gardner, KS 66030
US
[launch map]
(913) 884-2107

Tracy’s Tavern

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:13:00 +0000

(Edgerton, KS)

Scooter’s 471st bar, first visited in 2008.

This was almost our first stop for the day, as it was already open when we first passed through at 10:15, but we made a last-minute decision to press on to Baldwin City first.

We violated our 1-drink-per-bar rule by ordering a pitcher of Busch Light due to the price. This gave us a lot of time to discuss video games and game systems. Our bartender, who bore a vague resemblance to Ron Jeremy, gave us a wealth of tips about bars to visit in Gardner and Olathe.

100 E 2nd St
Edgerton, KS 66021
US
[launch map]
(913) 893-9949

Wooden Spoke Rest & Sports Sln

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:12:00 +0000

(Baldwin City, KS)

Scooter’s 470th bar, first visited in 2008.

We were hesitant to enter because it looked too much like a Cracker Barrel. But inside we found a legitimate bar.

203 1st St
Baldwin City, KS 66006
US
[launch map]
(785) 594-2222

Salt Mine

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:11:00 +0000

(Baldwin City, KS)

Scooter’s 469th bar, first visited in 2008.

It took us quite a while to find the Salt Mine earlier in the morning, which is funny because it was right next door to Puckett’s. Until the beer signs lit up we thought this was a house.

Like Puckett’s it used dollar bills as wallpaper, but to a much greater degree. Unlike Puckett’s, it seemed to be the college kid hangout as 7 students from nearby Baker University showed up in 7 different cars and sat together talking about their classes.

I had a Boulevard Stout, while B & D had Bud Light. The draws here were a little large, which is probably what draws the college kids, so we played some trivia while finishing our drinks.

301 Ames St
Baldwin City, KS 66006
US
[launch map]
(785) 594-2498

Puckett’s

scooterj — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:10:00 +0000

(Baldwin City, KS)

Scooter’s 468th bar, first visited in 2008.

Puckett’s is in a converted gas station, with the pump canopy still in place in the parking lot. From the color scheme on the canopy it was likely a Texaco or a Phillips 66.

B ordered a PBR, D a Bud Light, and I ordered a Coors Light. Our beer was served in mason jars.

This was a surprising find. Usually you see these machines at Chuck E. Cheese or Dave & Busters, where you gamble for tokens. In this case it was filled with quarters. I wonder if this is even legal in Kansas.

309 Ames
Baldwin City, KS 66006
US
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Dave & Busters

scooterj — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:10:00 +0000

(The Legends, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 466th bar, first visited in 2008.

Arcade bar & grill, but the rooftop bar is a nice escape since kids are banned.

1843 Village West Pkwy # 201
Kansas City, KS 66111
US
[launch map]
(913) 981-6815
Visit Web Site

Old Chicago

scooterj — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:10:00 +0000

(Shawnee Mission, KS)

Closed, but a new bar has opened in the same location.
Next became a Mickey’s Irish Pub. Now it’s called Saints.

Now it’s called Saints.

Scooter’s 434th bar, first visited in 2008.

Generic suburban chain bar

9720 Quivira Rd
Shawnee Mission, KS 66215
US
[launch map]
(913) 894-2739
Visit Web Site

Keyhole Tavern

scooterj — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Mission, KS)

Scooter’s 415th bar, first visited in 2008.

Neighborhood dive/sports bar tucked away on a side street in downtown Mission.

5902 Woodson Rd
Mission, KS 66202
US
[launch map]
(913) 262-9881

The View

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:26:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 367th bar, first visited in 2007.

We played several rounds of trivia here. This may have been a gay-friendly bar based upon the rainbow-colored Bud Light clock and the colorful beer tap. However neither of my friends thought it was a gay bar, one of whom is gay himself.

Update: I was right. Looks like my friend needs to take his GAYBAR-GAYDAR in for a tuneup.

204 Orchard St
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
[launch map]
(913) 281-0833

Six-Ten Club

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:25:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 366th bar, first visited in 2007.

Turned out my cohorts had been here before, too. A private club dive bar that let us visit as guests.

See also: 403 Club.

610 Reynolds Ave
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
[launch map]
(913) 342-6441

Sammy’s Tavern

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:24:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 365th bar, first visited in 2007.

We all thought this was a new bar for us, but once we were inside both of my companions recognized it. Oh well, it was still new for me. Private club.

Revisited on November 5, 2016. No longer a private club, so no smoking. The outside of the building belies the rustic beauty of the inside. Very nice bathrooms. Nice bartender. Full bar but beer is bottles & cans only — and only domestics.

222 N 6th St
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
[launch map]
(913) 281-0184
Visit Web Site

Chicago’s

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:23:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 364th bar, first visited in 2007.

Another busy place, the 3 of us crowded around the far end of the bar. Chicago’s is the building down on the corner, I forgot to get a picture until we were about to leave so had a lousy vantage point. Private club.

UPDATE

Revisited on November 5, 2016. The photos below are from that visit. No longer a private club, so no smoking. Good craft beer selection. It was our bartender’s first day.

534 Central Ave
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
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(913) 281-9744
Visit Web Site

Johnnie’s On Seventh

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:22:00 +0000

(Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS)
Formerly Johnnie’s Club, Johnnie’s Sports Bar

Scooter’s 363rd bar, first visited in 2007.

aka Johnnie’s On Seventh

We’d tried to come here 3 weekends ago but that was on a Sunday and they were closed. Behind the bar sits a really cool little brick street neighborhood. Private club.

UPDATE

Revisited on November 5, 2016. No longer a private club, so no smoking. The bartender was serving as DJ via YouTube, and free fried catfish was offered up. Good craft beer selection. Pictures below are from that visit.

55 S 7th St
Kansas City, KS 66101
US
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(913) 371-0300
Visit Web Site

Blue Rose

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:21:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 362nd bar, first visited in 2007.

We had first entered a private club called Dixie’s and immediately faced a grilling not only from the bartender but also from a customer at the end of the bar. “Check their membership cards! They don’t belong here! Throw them out!” he kept shouting as the bartender nagged a Mexican family who also were not members. This wasn’t necessary at all, we had respected the rules everywhere we have been, but this customer was being way too much of an asshole about it. So, noticing that he was reading the new Harry Potter book, B leaned in and told him how it ended as we were heading towards the door.

We stepped outside into the blistering heat and saw The Blue Rose across the street. D and I were tired of being tossed out of places (Dixie’s had made about 5 today) so B went to go check it out. After a few minutes of standing in the heat without a peep from B, we decided to go see what was happening only to find B sitting comfortably in the A/C halfway through his frosty cold beer.

The bartender gave us membership applications, the only private club we found that actually offered a way to become a member, and poured our beers.

1013 Central Ave
Kansas City, KS 66102
US
[launch map]
(913) 321-7673

Hideout Club

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:20:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 361st bar, first visited in 2007.

I believe this was the bar where “The Perfect Storm” was playing on TV, and we discussed the futility of watching a 2-hour drama that’s based on a true story where everyone dies at the end anyway.

1410 Central Ave
Kansas City, KS 66102
US
[launch map]
(913) 281-4115

Dot Landers

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:19:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 360th bar, first visited in 2007.

All I remember really is that it was packed, but we did find an empty table.

RE-VISITED ON DEC 28, 2018

The bar was recently renovated. The front entrance was rebuild to move the door into an alcove protected from the rain, the original brick walls were exposed, and some new paint. After seeing it in 2018 I know have very faint, vague memories of it from 2007.

1705 Central Ave
Kansas City, KS 66102
US
[launch map]
(913) 233-1872
Visit Web Site

Gossip Inn

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:18:00 +0000

(Park Drive, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 359th bar, first visited in 2007.

Had we realized how close this was to Pam’s, we could have gotten here faster by walking. The pool table was free of charge today (quarters provided at the bar) so we played a couple of games.

2418 Park Dr
Kansas City, KS 66102
US
[launch map]
(913) 281-3322

Pam’s Pizza & Pub

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:17:00 +0000

(Park Drive, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 358th bar, first visited in 2007.

We were hoping this would be more pub than pizza place, and we were in luck. The bartender gave D a birthday shot.

2519 Park Dr
Kansas City, KS 66102
US
[launch map]
(913) 371-4969

Club Sparks

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:16:00 +0000

(Armourdale, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 357th bar, first visited in 2007.

This was a bonus bar, we were actually heading next door to a place called Carol’s Place that for whatever reason was not open.

This place, open for only a few months now, was really nice and looking to be proving quite popular. It was very clean with a great smell (how often can you say that about a bar?) and they were serving up the Saturday taco special. Our bartender was the owner and was terrific. This may have been the most expensive bar of the day, as well as in this area, but it looks like it’s going to do very well.

1436 Kansas Ave
Kansas City, KS 66105
US
[launch map]
(913) 233-1099

Oasis: the Club

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:15:00 +0000

(Armourdale, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 356th bar, first visited in 2007.

This was another rough looking place but we were comfortable enough to sit and play several rounds at the trivia box. The restroom however was one of the nastiest I’ve seen. The sink was grimey enough that B wouldn’t use it, figuring it would make his hands dirtier. The toilet was clogged with cigarette butts, and the trash can had been put to use as a toilet.

1111 Kansas Ave
Kansas City, KS 66105
US
[launch map]
(913) 321-7248

Alibi’s

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:14:00 +0000

(Armourdale, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 355th bar, first visited in 2007.

This almost went on the list of places that refused to serve us, but a customer “remembered” B and vouched for us to get us in. We of course reciprocated with a beer. And, B and D had actually been here before and never had a problem until now.

975 Kansas Ave
Kansas City, KS 66105
US
[launch map]
(913) 233-1141

Casino Bar

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:13:00 +0000

(Armourdale, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 354th bar, first visited in 2007.

With an interior finish of the finest particle board, this place looked like it had the potential to get pretty rough. There were several interesting characters about, but most of the people were pretty pleasant. The bartender was particularly helpful as he tried to explain the concept of KCK’s private clubs and why some serve us and others don’t.

1100 Osage Ave
Kansas City, KS 66105
US
[launch map]
(913) 281-5800

Country Cabaret Club

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:12:00 +0000

(Armourdale, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 353rd bar, first visited in 2007.

This was like being in an entirely different world. The ultimate Mexican country-western bar experience. The bartender passing out free homemade tamales as the sounds of donkeys braying punctuate the music. The men’s room was unusual too, facing the bar with only a partial saloon door offering any semblance of privacy.

Inside the men’s room we noticed that evidently condom peddlers are patriotic and support right-wing conservative issues:

814 S 12th St
Kansas City, KS 66105
US
[launch map]
(913) 371-9501

Reich’s Club

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:11:00 +0000

(Argentine, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 352nd bar, first visited in 2007.

Despite the name this place had little to do with WW2 Germany. However it was a little bunker-like. After entering the front door you proceed down a long central corridor to another door towards the back where you are then buzzed in.

3405 Strong Ave
Kansas City, KS 66106
US
[launch map]
(913) 831-3405

Dad’s Hole In the Wall

scooterj — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:10:00 +0000

(State Ave, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 351st bar, first visited in 2007.

This was a nice, tiny little spot. Bar seating for 9, with a total capacity of 32. Almost completely invisible from the main road, you have to be looking for it to find it.

1111 N 50th St
Kansas City, KS 66102
US
[launch map]
(913) 328-2583

Coyote Blue Cantina

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:22:00 +0000

(Argentine, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 345th bar, first visited in 2007.

The photo is actually of the building we went in by mistake first. Coyote Blue is the next building to the left, the gray building.

We were invited to join in on a nacho bar and also to have some free tripe but we were too scared to try it.

As the only non-hispanics in the place, while I was in the restroom B was accused of being an undercover cop from the vice squad. B neither confirmed nor denied this allegation.

2710 Strong Ave
Kansas City, KS 66106
US
[launch map]
(913) 432-8005

Muddy Waters Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:21:00 +0000

(Muncie, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 344th bar, first visited in 2007.

No wonder we didn’t see it, this biker bar was in a strip mall, across from Wild Woody’s, but hidden from highway view by another building.

6720 Kaw Dr
Kansas City, KS 66111
US
[launch map]
(913) 788-2050

Jamie’s Place

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:20:00 +0000

(Turner, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 343rd bar, first visited in 2007.

The bartender here was a really cool guy and came over to chat with us a bit. He pointed out that we missed a bar back in Muncie so we had to head back and search for that next…

4901 Metropolitan Ave
Kansas City, KS 66106
US
[launch map]
(913) 287-1870

Frankie D’s

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:19:00 +0000

(Muncie, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 342nd bar, first visited in 2007.

Part bar, part Mexican restuarant.

6411 Kansas Ave
Kansas City, KS 66111
US
[launch map]
(913) 287-9134

Roadhouse Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:18:00 +0000

(Muncie, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 341st bar, first visited in 2007.

When we stepped inside here we found ourselves at a nearly-full bar shrouded in total silence. No music, no TV, no conversation. So B told the bar his “schnauzer” joke to break the ice.

6524 Kaw Dr
Kansas City, KS 66111
US
[launch map]
(913) 299-5599

Bill’s 32 West

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:17:00 +0000

(Muncie, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 340th bar, first visited in 2007.

This was our first stop at what we thought was a cluster of three bars (but would turn out to be more). We were invited to partake of free nachos but were too full from our earlier Arby’s stop.

6500 Kaw Dr
Kansas City, KS 66111
US
[launch map]
(913) 788-3843

Experience Sports Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:16:00 +0000

(Welborn, Kansas City, KS)
Formerly Rax

Scooter’s 339th bar, first visited in 2007.

This was a bit of a surprise. This was the only bar whose web site we had checked out in advance. There was a major incongruity between what that web site presents and the converted former Rax restaurant we found ourselves in as the only white customers. No one seemed bothered by our presence, perhaps they were too distracted watching “Village of the Damned” on the TV at the bar, but a few newcomers did do double-takes when they saw us sitting in there.

5934 Leavenworth Rd
Kansas City, KS 66104
US
[launch map]
(913) 788-2400
Visit Web Site

Sports Page Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:15:00 +0000

(State Ave, Kansas City, KS)
Formerly an arcade and water slide

Scooter’s 338th bar, first visited in 2007.

We had a hard time finding this place which was why we had to do some backtracking. We paused for lunch at an Arby’s and while we were there deduced that our next stop had to be located down the hill across the street.

The locals all touted this as the premier bar in the area and the best place to be. It was large and decent, but an older man to our left was being a little too pompous about this place and describing everything else as a shithole.

941 N 74th Dr
Kansas City, KS 66112
US
[launch map]
(913) 788-5139

61st St Pit Stop

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:14:00 +0000

(State Ave, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 337th bar, first visited in 2007.

Your basic dive bar. I can’t remember for sure but this might be the place where our 10oz draws were 75 cents. We had to chug, though, because several guys were about to try to squeeze a massive beer cooler through that small front door and we didn’t want to get stuck waiting.

6102 State Ave
Kansas City, KS 66102
US
[launch map]
(913) 334-6700

To the Hoop Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:13:00 +0000

(State Ave, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 336th bar, first visited in 2007.

A pretty small sports bar in a commercial area. I had a Bud Select and quickly remembered why I don’t get Bud Select. A patron to our right filled us in on a couple of nearby places to try, includuding The Sports Page plus a place further down the road that he had never worked up the courage to try. So naturally that’s where we went next.

7912 State Ave
Kansas City, KS 66112
US
[launch map]
(913) 334-1700

American Legion Post 199

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:12:00 +0000

(Bethel, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 335th bar, first visited in 2007.

We entered through the patio out back to find a fairly full house. There was a fish fry going on that we were invited to join, but we weren’t hungry yet so politely declined.

7942 Leavenworth Rd
Kansas City, KS 66109
US
[launch map]
(913) 299-0281
Visit Web Site

Jerry’s Neighborhood Sports Bar

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:11:00 +0000

(Bethel, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 334th bar, first visited in 2007.

Because of the lack of neon we had driven right past this place without noticing it. The main bar was full, with everyone watching one of the Die Hard movies on TV, so we had to sit at the side bar.

8048 Leavenworth Rd
Kansas City, KS 66109
US
[launch map]
(913) 788-3596

Office Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:10:00 +0000

(Bethel, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 333rd bar, first visited in 2007.

Our first stop was actually a bonus bar. We weren’t expecting to find one here and were just flying by when B spotted it. Our bartender, who was watching women’s softball on TV, was a wealth of information and filled us in on the concept of private clubs in KCK. She also told us about several others that would be open on a Sunday. This included two right next door on either side that we had completely failed to notice.

8016 Leavenworth Rd
Kansas City, KS 66109
US
[launch map]
(913) 788-5108

Rendezvous Bar

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:32:00 +0000

(Salina, KS)

Scooter’s 270th bar, first visited in 2007.

We both had Old Style. 12 oz. draws for $1.25 each.

Before long we once again began lamenting the loss of of our pizza. “At least it will be a good meal for a bum,” I said. B’s face lit up and he started chuckling.

“I have a phrase that just popped into my head,” he said. “Check this….. ‘Bum Feast’. That’s exactly what that pizza is.”

I started cracking up.

“I’d make a good name for a band,” he added.

“I can see the debut album now,” I said. “Bum Feast: Pizza On The Sidewalk.”

And the cover art could have been the photo I should have taken of us moping over spilled sidewalk pizza.

Believe it or not, we began to get a second wind here and decided to keep going. So we stepped outside to head down to the next bar. We were stunned to find that what had been rain when we arrived at Rendezvous had since turned into a sky-wide waterfall. A river was running down the street with the water level already up to the chassis of the cars parked in front. We decided to call a cab instead. We dialed the number for Sunflower Taxi and got Lee again.

“It’s going to be at least half an hour because the streets are all flooded,” he said.

We went back inside and played Golden Tee until he arrived. B heckled me for using my thumbs instead of my palm when putting.

Lee arrived, and the two of us plus a third guy who had also called ran out in the pouring rain with him. We were surprised to find an already-full cab waiting for us. Somehow the three of us + Lee managed to squeeze in. We asked him to take us to any bar that was still open, but the places he named we had already been to. Not wanting to delay anyone else, we asked to just go back to the Budget King motel so that we could figure out a new strategy from there.

By now all of the streets were under 1 to 1-1/2 feet of water (I later learned that Salina got 5.3 inches of rain in 90 minutes that night!) and Lee looked nervous as all hell trying to get us to our destinations. He did a great job though so our hats definitely go off to him.

It was a little after 1:00am when we returned to our room. With nature behaving the way it was and less than an hour before Kansas law mandated that the bars closed, we decided thet prudent thing to do would be to call it a night.

249 N Santa Fe Ave
Salina, KS 67401
US
[launch map]
(785) 827-3830

The Blue Goat

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:31:00 +0000

(Salina, KS)
Formerly The Spot

Scooter’s 269th bar, first visited in 2007.

A wedding party was in its death throes as we entered this place. Soaking wet, we decided not to cross the dance floor where some bridesmaids were dancing and instead cut through a narrow area where the groomsmen were hanging out. One of them was yapping on his cell phone and wouldn’t step out of the way, and B accidentally knocked him down. B helped him right himself and apologized and he walked back to the bar.

We found ourselves against a barrier that was new to us but we would eventually experience many more times in our barhopping careers — the sheer limit of stomach volume. There simply wasn’t room in there to squeeze in any more beer.

Luckily they had $1 shot specials. Problem solved! We went for Kamikaze shots.

When we left B cut across the dance floor to avoid tipping over any more groomsmen.

232 N Santa Fe Ave
Salina, KS 67401
US
[launch map]
(785) 827-1800
Visit Web Site

Paramount Bar

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:30:00 +0000

(Salina, KS)

Scooter’s 268th bar, first visited in 2007.

This place was crowded and did have a band, but there was no cover charge and the music was not too loud. We were able to get a table with ease.

We both had Bud 10 oz. draws were $2.00.

After finishing our beer we stepped out under the awning to scope out our situation. It was raining heavily (turned out to be one of the worst floods Salina had seen in years, over 5 inches of rain fell n just a few hours) and the next bar was up the street. As we made our plan, B felt something shift and heard a heartbreaking “sploosh” sound.

Weakened by several exposures to the rain, the side of the pizza box we had been carrying since The Scheme had popped open and our entire 1/2 large pepperoni pizza had just dropped face-down onto the wet sidewalk.

In what must have looked like a well-choreographed scene, we looked in horror at the mess on the sidewalk, then at each other, then at the pizza, then at each other, and at the pizza again, and bck at each other.

B was at a loss for words. He knelt down and somberly started putting the slices of wet pizza back in the box. “Well maybe it might still be salvageable,” I offered.

He looked at it, frowned, and set it behind a bench. “There’s no point,” he said, before cursing himself repeatedly.

Devastated by our loss, we ran up-and-across the street to the next place we saw.

219 N Santa Fe Ave
Salina, KS 67401
US
[launch map]
(785) 827-0992

Big Nose Kate’s

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:29:00 +0000

(Salina, KS)

Scooter’s 267th bar, first visited in 2007.

We were in downtown Salina, but we did not have our bearings and did not know where to go. We spotted a couple approaching from a parking lot and decided to follow them. They went in the back door of a building across the alley and up some stairs to the third floor. Which led us here.

We both had Bud Light. 16 oz. draws were $2.00.

This was a large area with 2 main rooms and an outdoor concrete deck overlooking the street. However, sorry, but this is one Big Nose that blows. It just wasn’t the type of bar we like to go to. Pretentious and filled with an assortment of hipsters, fratties, and trendy people.

We drank 3/4 of our 16 oz beers, decided that 12 ounces was good enough to count, and got the hell out.

When we got back downstairs we found it raining and stood under the awning trying to figure out where to go next. We asked a guy with several piercings where all the bars were. “There’s only three,” he insisted. We knew he was wrong but pretty much everyone around here insisted that Big Nose Kate’s, Martini’s (the bar downstairs from Kate’s), and Groove (a bar across the street) were the only bars around. He gave us tickets to Groove (it had a cover charge otherwise) and showed us how to cut through Martini’s to get out the front door (since we had entered via the alley).

Martini’s looked much the same as Big Nose Kate’s so we didn’t bother to stop. We ran across the street in the rain to Groove, peered in the windows, and reached the same conclusion. We decided to ditch this block.

We knew we were on the main drag but didn’t know where on it we were. We started walking south as lightning began to strike with increasing closeness. After a few blocks and no sign of a bar, Brandon approached a car sitting at a Sonic and asked for directions.

It turned out we were at the sound end of the strip and neeeded to go back and walk the other way. As i lightly rained we headedd back north, our beloved pizza still in tow.

Well, what do you know? Only 1 block past the area we had just come from, we found a cluster of good dive bars! (Damn trendy people and their not-knowin’ of things that exist outside their trendy little world.)

121 N Santa Fe Ave # 201
Salina, KS 67401
US
[launch map]
(785) 820-8872

The Scheme

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:28:00 +0000

(Salina, KS)

Scooter’s 266th bar, first visited in 2007.

B had a Bud Light, I had a Miller Lite. Bottles, I believe they were $2 each. B’s was an insulated aluminum bottle.

We arrived just as they were about to close but they were kind enough to let us put an order in. Rushed, we blurted out “large peppperoni” then nursed our beers while waiting for our pizza.

Before long, the deliciousness arrived. Flavorful, hot, and very cheesy.

We were only able to eat half of it so decided to take the rest of it with us since we usually end up getting the munchies after a full day of drinking. We got a box and thanked the cook (who turned out to be the owner) for making such a good pizza. I got my camera back out to take a few more pictures and that’s when the mystery of the beeping sound was solved. It was my camera warning me that my batteries were about to die.

The owner of Scheme was nice enough to give a new pair of batteries. Thank you!!! So I took a picture of him and our bartender…

They then gave us the grand tour of the place, showing us all of the art and memorabilia hanging on the walls and telling us the story behind them. Much of the art contained hidden images or was an optical illusion.

Some of the other pieces told the story of Salina’s history and of the history of the owner’s family. Such as the little girl who wrote to Abe Lincoln and told him more people might vote for him if he grew a beard. Or of an old family friend named Wild Bill Hickok. Other pieces were simply art for art’s sake.

We thanked them for their hospitality, grabbed our precious cargo of pizza, and headed back outside.

123 N 7th St
Salina, KS 67401
US
[launch map]
(785) 823-5125

Blind Pig

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:27:00 +0000

(Salina, KS)

Scooter’s 265th bar, first visited in 2007.

We both had Bud Light. 10 oz draws were $1.25.

We asked the bartender here about non-chain eating options and after running through a few ideas she hit upon a place called Scheme that makes a good local pizza. We got directions from her before we headed out the door.

By now we had managed to get enough beers close enough together that I was starting to get a buzz for the first time today, so it was time to ditch the car. We called Sam, the manager at Budget King (our motel), and asked him to get us a cab while we returned to the motel to park the car. About halfway back we heard that strange beeping sound again.

We got back to the motel in short order and still needed to wait several minutes for the cab, so we chatted with Sam for a bit. Turned out he had previously managed motels in Kansas City and Atlanta. He seemed like a pretty good guy who cared a lot about his family.

Our cab finally arrived and we climbed into a van driven by Lee of Sunflower Taxi who took us out to get something to eat.

2501 Market Pl
Salina, KS 67401
US
[launch map]
(785) 827-7449

Sharkey’s

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:26:00 +0000

(Salina, KS)

Scooter’s 264th bar, first visited in 2007.

We drank our beers quickly while watching a guy do some pretty impressive pool playing.

The bartender here told us about some of the places we wanted to check out in town. We mentioned that one place in particular we wanted to see was The Blind Pig, solely because of its name. We got directions and walked back to my car. Except we started to enter a nearly-identical car parked 3 spaces down. Only the discovery of a cooler in the back seat kept us from getting all the way in.

925 W Lincoln Ave
Salina, KS 67401
US
[launch map]
(785) 827-7769

Bootlegger’s Saloon

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:25:00 +0000

(Salina, KS)

Scooter’s 263rd bar, first visited in 2007.

We both had Bud Light. $1.25 for a 10oz. draw.

B got carded, as he often does due to his youthful appearance. A nearby patron in his 50s estimated B’s age as young 20s. At 36 years of age he was pleased with that assessment.

We noticed jugs of corn squeezins behind the bar and asked the bartender about them. She told us that the guy who mis-estimated B’s age was drinking some.

“By the way, be careful tonight,” she said. “Salina is the DUI capital of the world. And I don’t mean per capita either, I mean literally more arrests than anywhere else, period.”

“Why is that?” we asked.

“Well,” she said, “some years back the police chief lost a child to a drunk driver so he made it a personal campaign. It was so successful that now it’s something the city takes pride in so please do watch yourselves tonight.”

As we were leaving, that same customer that had earlier questioned B’s age grabbed B by the arm and yanked him over, demanding to see his ID. He studied it carefully by the glow of his lighter before letting him go.

“I was getting close to decking that guy,” B told me later.

616 N Broadway Blvd
Salina, KS 67401
US
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Knucklehead’s Tavern

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:24:00 +0000

(Salina, KS)

Scooter’s 262nd bar, first visited in 2007.

We both had Bud Light. $1.00 for a 10oz. draw.

This place was pretty small and pretty brightly lit on the inside. We chatted with the guy next to us about Westport. It seems that any time you tell someone in a bar you’re from KC, Westport is the part of town they know.

“Be careful, fellas, Salina is the DUI capital of the world,” the bartender warned us.

311 E Pacific Ave
Salina, KS 67401
US
[launch map]
(785) 826-4909

Brownie’s

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:23:00 +0000

(Abilene, KS)

Scooter’s 261st bar, first visited in 2007.

B had Bud Light, I had Coors Light. $1.50 for a 12 oz. draw.

This place had a pretty impressive stock of canned and bottled beers. The bartender gave us a detailed overview of how Kansas’s liquour laws worked and all the different types of establishments you could be. She also reminded us that we were drinking 3.2 beer, which almost made it feel like we were cheating.

It was about an hour from the start of karaoke but we didn’t have time to stick around. We were going to have to skip any remaining towns if we were ever going to make it to Salina.

209 W 1st St
Abilene, KS 67410
US
[launch map]
(785) 263-3264

Downsouth Tavern

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:22:00 +0000

(Abilene, KS)

Scooter’s 260th bar, first visited in 2007.

We both had Bud. $1.50 for a 12 oz. draw.

We were seated next to a guy who told us about the four bars in town, about a place that he sometimes described as a liquor store and then other times described as a bar, and which streets we needed to avoid so that we didn’t get pulled over and arrested for DUI. He also wanted to talk a lot about Westport.

210 W 1st St
Abilene, KS 67410
US
[launch map]
(785) 263-0359

Lumber Yard Restaurant & Bar

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:21:00 +0000

(Chapman, KS)

Chapman was hit by a devastating tornado in early 2008, but the downtown area only had minor damage. I have attempted to contact the owner without success to check the status of the bar, but am presuming it is still open.

Scooter’s 259th bar, first visited in 2007.

B had a 12 oz. Coors Light for $1.50, I had a 12 oz. Killian’s for $2.00

Needing to make a pit stop I proceeded to the logical part of the bar area but was quickly stopped by a handful of regulars and was told I was going the wrong way. It turned out the men’s room was by the front door. While I was inside a young guy sat down at the bar and the owner (or manager), seated nearby, told the bartender to check his ID.

“Do I need to card those their IDs too?” she asked, referring to us.

“No need,” said the manager, “I’ve served them before, they’ve been in here a few times.”

Hmm, if that’s true, then I guess I can’t count this as a new bar.

114 W 4th St
Chapman, KS 67431
US
[launch map]
(785) 922-6140

Uptown Lounge

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:20:00 +0000

(Junction City, KS)

Scooter’s 258th bar, first visited in 2007.

We both had Bud Light. 12 oz draws were $2.00 each.

This was one of the more run-down places we went to. Damage near the front seemed to speak of a recent fight ending with a good body slam to the wall.

The Kentucky Derby seemed to be the main thing people wanted to watch at the bars in Junction City, and the bartender had a brief but friendly argument with a customer who wanted to see it. (The bartender was insisting it was over, but it wasn’t.)

908 N Washington St
Junction City, KS 66441
US
[launch map]
(785) 762-4044

JC Bar

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:19:00 +0000

(Junction City, KS)

Scooter’s 257th bar, first visited in 2007.

As we sat inside the woman sitting to B’s left would not stop talking to us about tornados. Meanwhile a delivery truck brought in a shipment of snacks just in time to allow B to enjoy some 75-cent Chex Mix.

On the wall behind the bar, just above a “Happy Birthday” banner, at least 9 guns were displayed.

B had a Bud, I had a Bud Light. 12 oz draws were $1.50 each.

912 N Washington St
Junction City, KS 66441
US
[launch map]
(785) 238-7445

Corner Club

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:18:00 +0000

(Junction City, KS)
Formerly Corner Club (Private)

Scooter’s 256th bar, first visited in 2007.

This place was formerly a private club… the word “private” had since been scratched out on its sign. Inside free hot dogs and sausages simmered in a crock-pot in a small room packed with Coors memorabilia… but we both had Bud Light. 10 oz draws were $1.50 each.

1202 N Washington St
Junction City, KS 66441
US
[launch map]
(785) 238-5510

Cock & Bull

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:17:00 +0000

(Manhattan, KS)
Formerly My Place Tavern

Scooter’s 255th bar, first visited in 2007.

Based on its name I was certain would be a pretty rough and tumble gay bar, though B disagreed. The fact that was on Stag Road bolstered my theory even more.

I was wrong.

We both had Bud Light. 10 oz draws were $1.50 each.

2413 Stagg Hill Rd
Manhattan, KS 66502
US
[launch map]
(785) 776-6699

Rambler’s Steakhouse & Saloon

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:16:00 +0000

(Wamego, KS)

Scooter’s 254th bar, first visited in 2007.

We both had Bud Light. 12 oz draws were $2.00 each. As we sipped our beer the bartender called around to bars that were ahead on our list to find out if they were going to be open.

404 Elm St
Wamego, KS 66547
US
[launch map]
(785) 456-7402
Visit Web Site

Twilighter Country Club

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:15:00 +0000

(Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 253rd bar, first visited in 2007.

We had been searching for a bar recommended by a bartender at an earlier stop, following a set of scrawled instructions on a series of post-it notes. Instead of reaching our destination, we found ourselves completely lost in a seedy looking neighborhood.

Luckily for us, this neighborhood included a strip dotted with several little watering holes-in-the-wall. Having time for only one, we picked the first place we spotted. It turned out to be the diviest dive of the day.

We parked in front of the Twilighter Country Club and were actually a little skittish about walking in. We worked up the nerve and heading on inside.

We took our seats at the double-L shaped bar. To our right, an older gentleman on oxygen was chain smoking while nursing his whiskey. Catty-corner to us, two leathered older women gossiped over bottled beer. (Except that the ladies were not older after all, we later learned from context that they were in fact in their mid 20s.)

Our bartender was a heavily pierced young woman who was watching daytime television and munching on onion rings. She glared at us for a moment when we sat down before sighing, setting down her onion ring, and coming over to see what we wanted.

After pouring us each a 12 oz draw of Bud Light ($1.25 each) she huffed, grabbed her onion rings, and sat back down to watch TV.

Now when you’ve had a few beers it’s inevitable that nature will come calling, and in our profession that means you grow accustomed to relieving yourself under a wide variety of conditions. Which is fortunate, because the men’s room here was swarming with flying insects and even featured urinal millipedes — a first for us!

As we reached about the mid-way point in our beers, the front door opened. The bartender, previously focused only on her television and onion rings, jumped to her feet.

“NO! You cannot come in here!” she barked.

“Why not?!?,” growled a gravely voice from behind us. “I have money, I want a drink!”

Slowly we turned around in our barstools to see a dirty, haggard man wearing absolutely nothing except a pair of tattered jeans. No shirt, no shoes, no socks.

“No, you have to have a shirt to be in here!” the bartender yelled. “It’s the law!”

“I come in here shirtless all the time! The owner lets me!” he insisted.

“Well number 1 I don’t believe you, and number 2 he’s not here so I’m the law. Now get out!”

“Well I’ll just go to any of these other bars down the street since you don’t want my money,” he threatened.

“Fine! Go right ahead! They’ll all tell you the same thing!” Our bartender was now shouting at the top of her lungs.

“Well I don’t give a fat f*ck!” he screamed.

“Fine! Now get the f*ck out of here!” she yelled back.

“I will! F*ck this place, you f*cking bitch!”. And with that, he surrendered and stormed out.

The bartender took a deep breath, looked at us, and said “I’m so sorry about that, guys.”

“Oh no, don’t worry about it,” we said, “that was the highlight of our day!”

We all laughed and from that point on she warmed up to us.

* * * * * *
When we left the bar we discovered that shirtlessness is apparently common attire in this particular part of town. Next to our car a beer-bellied shirtless dude was sitting in the bed of a pickup truck oggling women walking past.

816 N Kansas Ave
Topeka, KS 66608
US
[launch map]
(785) 357-7598

Stingers

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:14:00 +0000

(Topeka, KS)

Scooter’s 252nd bar, first visited in 2007.

We both had Bud Light. 14 oz draws were $1.75 each. Our bartender, Norma, was very helpful and wrote down directions to several nearby bars on post-it notes for us. Unfortunately we still managed to get lost trying to follow them.

2335 NW Clay St
Topeka, KS 66618
US
[launch map]
(785) 234-4900

Perry Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:13:00 +0000

(Perry, KS)

Scooter’s 251st bar, first visited in 2007.

We both had Bud Light. 12 oz draws were $1.25 each. There was a fish fry in progress while we were there, but we weren’t hungry yet so skipped that.

215 E Front St
Perry, KS 66073
US
[launch map]
(785) 597-5295

Slow Ride Roadhouse

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:12:00 +0000

(Lawrence, KS)

Scooter’s 250th bar, first visited in 2007.

We both had Bud. 16 oz draws were $2.25 each. The ceiling fans were designed to look like engines.

Check out the cool ceiling fans they had throughout the place…

1350 N 3rd St
Lawrence, KS 66044
US
[launch map]
(785) 749-2727

Helen’s Hilltop

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:11:00 +0000

(Tonganoxie, KS)

Scooter’s 249th bar, first visited in 2007.

Kick-ass biker bar, though we were too early to have any company there. B had a Bud Light, I had a Miller Lite. 16 oz draws were $2.25 each.

19611 Mclouth Rd
Tonganoxie, KS 66086
US
[launch map]
(913) 369-3772

Dodie’s Roadhouse

scooterj — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:10:00 +0000

(Basehor, KS)

Scooter’s 248th bar, first visited in 2007.

We both had Bud Light. 16 oz draws were $2.50 each.

The interior was decorated with marlins and had t-shirts stretched over several of the ceiling tiles.

15302 Briar Rd
Basehor, KS 66007
US
[launch map]
(913) 724-2808

Blue

scooterj — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 17:11:00 +0000

(Old Town, Lenexa, KS)

Scooter’s 240th bar, first visited in 2007.

Upscale lounge in downtown Lenexa.

13424 Santa Fe Trail Dr
Lenexa, KS 66215
US
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Jerry’s Bait Shop

scooterj — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 17:10:00 +0000

(Old Town, Lenexa, KS)

Scooter’s 239th bar, first visited in 2007.

Great little sports dive in downtown Lenexa, with live music on the weekends. I like this location better than the Lee’s Summit location, it feels more “real”.

13412 Santa Fe Trail Dr
Lenexa, KS 66215
US
[launch map]
(913) 894-9676
Visit Web Site

Court Of aPpealS Pub and Grub

scooterj — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 18:17:00 +0000

(Downtown, Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 222nd bar, first visited in 2007.

AKA “C-O-P-S Pub”.

Great little dive in downtown Shawnee. Clean and well maintained with nice bar decor. Jukebox, MegaTouch, and a small “room” in the back houses a pool table. The bar hosts poker and I believe there’s also occasional karaoke or live music.

I thought this ceiling-light beer ad was pretty cool. (Looks much nicer in person.)

11121 Johnson Dr
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
[launch map]
(913) 962-0555
Visit Web Site

Danally’s Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 18:16:00 +0000

(Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 221st bar, first visited in 2007.

This is one of B’s favorite places.

A tiny little standalone dive, but it doesn’t feel cramped. A faint musty smell permeates the air, partially remnants from when this was one of the smokiest bars in town. (It’s nonsmoking now by law.)

The bar only seats a few people, back from that is a secondary curved bar that seats a few more. The front area is more open, with a vaulted ceiling, a few bar tables, and a pool table. The decor is pretty interesting, including a stuffed crow hanging upside-down over my head.

A karaoke station was being set up when I re-visited in 2010. They also host poker.

There’s a jukebox, several TVs for such a small place, and a couple of video slots/poker machines.

Outside the south side door is a small outdoor seating area, if you can call it that. Basically a standalone canopy with a patio table and a couple of folding chairs.

6022 Nieman Rd
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
[launch map]
(913) 248-1757

Jake’s Place

scooterj — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 18:15:00 +0000

(Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 220th bar, first visited in 2007.

12001 Johnson Dr
Shawnee, KS 66203
US
[launch map]
(913) 962-5253
Visit Web Site

Arizonas Sports Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 18:14:00 +0000

(Overland Park, KS)

Scooter’s 219th bar, first visited in 2007.

9617 W 87th St
Overland Park, KS 66212
US
[launch map]
(913) 341-2000

J Barleycorn’s Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 18:13:00 +0000

(Overland Park, KS)

Closed, but a new bar has opened in the same location.
Now Jimmy’s Pub & Grill

Scooter’s 218th bar, first visited in 2007.

One of several former Pizza Huts converted into a bar that you can find around town.

9148 Santa Fe Dr
Overland Park, KS 66212
US
[launch map]
(913) 381-9511

Peanut On 76

scooterj — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 18:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Overland Park, KS)

Closed, but a new bar has opened in the same location.
Now the 76th Street Pub.

Scooter’s 217th bar, first visited in 2007.

People still call it “The Peanut”, but as of 2010 it hasn’t officially been a Peanut for a while.

7042 W 76th St
Overland Park, KS 66204
US
[launch map]
(913) 648-4242
Visit Web Site

Maloney’s Bar and Grill

scooterj — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 18:11:00 +0000

(Downtown, Overland Park, KS)

Scooter’s 216th bar, first visited in 2007.

7201 W 79th St
Overland Park, KS 66204
US
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(913) 385-9595
Visit Web Site

Other Place

scooterj — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 18:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Overland Park, KS)

Scooter’s 215th bar, first visited in 2007.

One of the two JoCo locations for the popular chain from Iowa.

7324 W 80th St
Overland Park, KS 66204
US
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(913) 652-9494
Visit Web Site

Stardust Club

scooterj — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 18:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, KS)

Scooter’s 211th bar, first visited in 2006.

I’ve been here several times over the past few years after some friends from another bar told me about it. (As many times as I have been here, I can’t believe I’ve never taken any interior pictures.)

This is one of those places you have to be buzzed into, so you need to either be a member or look like you know what you’re doing and not a troublemaker.

The owner is nice and will treat you well, as long as you respect her and the place. But if you aren’t drinking, or if you start bothering other customers, you’ll be shown the door in a heartbeat.

I’ve never managed to sit at the bar here, it’s just about always full. There’s a few small bar tables and a decent sized stage that’s mostly used for karaoke. In the far back is a pool table and an area where a buffet is occasionally set up. There’s also a small dance floor in the corner by the stage.

There’s a kitchen too, but I never seem to get here before it closes so I can’t say anything about the food.

The clientele is very blue collar, a working class bar populated by an interesting assortment of well-weathered characters.

I haven’t been in as much lately as the regulars I knew here have moved on, but I try to drop in every once in a while.

1809 Minnesota Ave
Kansas City, KS 66102
US
[launch map]
(913) 281-4410

Roxy

scooterj — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 18:15:00 +0000

(Overland Park, KS)

Scooter’s 205th bar, first visited in 2006.

Stopping here was really more of an afterhought as we weren’t originally planning to. This was one of those deals where we had to make an extra stop in order to relieve our bladders.

7230 W 75th St
Overland Park, KS 66204
US
[launch map]
(913) 236-6211

Birdies Pub & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 18:14:00 +0000

(Overland Park, KS)

Scooter’s 204th bar, first visited in 2006.

I used to live just a few blocks away, but since that was back when “bars are for the dregs of society” I had never been.

8889 W 75th St
Overland Park, KS 66204
US
[launch map]
(913) 648-4011

Red Balloon

scooterj — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 18:13:00 +0000

(Shawnee, KS)

Scooter’s 203rd bar, first visited in 2006.

The infamous karaoke bar

10325 W 75th St
Shawnee, KS 66214
US
[launch map]
(913) 962-2330

Rusty’s Last Chance Saloon

scooterj — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 18:12:00 +0000

(Lenexa, KS)

Closed, but a new bar has opened in the same location.
Now “Kites”

Scooter’s 202nd bar, first visited in 2006.

The beers here were enormous, so we played bar trivia for a while to pace ourselves.

10901 W. 75th St
Lenexa, KS 66214
US
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(913) 268-9000

VFW Post 846

scooterj — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 18:11:00 +0000

(Overland Park, KS)

Scooter’s 201st bar, first visited in 2006.

Since it was Veteran’s Day we wanted to stop in and have a drink with some vets. We bought a round for all the guys in there, but not before one of them had already bought us a round too.

8804 Grant St
Overland Park, KS 66212
US
[launch map]
(913) 648-4991
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Bar

scooterj — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 18:10:00 +0000

(Old Town, Lenexa, KS)

Closed, but a new bar has opened in the same location.
Now “Woody’s Pub & Grub”

Scooter’s 200th bar, first visited in 2006.

Yep, Just “Bar”

12804 Santa Fe Trail Dr
Lenexa, KS 66215
US
[launch map]
(913) 888-1227
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Bogey’s Bar & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 17:13:00 +0000

(Leawood, KS)

Scooter’s 180th bar, first visited in 2006.

12924 State Line Rd
Leawood, KS 66209
US
[launch map]
(913) 491-4664

Paddy O’Quigley’s

scooterj — Sat, 08 Nov 2003 18:10:00 +0000

(Leawood, KS)

Scooter’s 15th bar, first visited in 2003.

Generic suburban chain sports bar

11851 Roe Avenue
Leawood, KS 66211
US
[launch map]
(913) 345-1119
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