Kansas City offers lots of things to do, see, and experience during the day, be it a family visit to the Kansas City Zoo to see the interactive exhibits, pampering your artsy side with a visit to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, or getting your heart pumping with a day full of adrenaline at the Worlds Of Fun theme park. What some might not know is that the city is very much alive after the sun sets, too. It has a buzzing nightlife, from its lively music scene and performing arts to its variety of dining options and shopping.
There’s more to Kansas City than meets the eye and the city has something for everyone. Whether you’re into board games, dancing, or you’re looking to have a good laugh, here are the best things to do at night in Kansas City, Missouri.
1. Groove to the tunes at Madrigall
Madrigall is one of the nightclubs that sets the tone in the city. Get ready to join the party every week, from Wednesday to Saturday. Every Friday you can dance the night away to Latin rhythms, as the club will vibrate to the beats of salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata, and reggaeton.
Groove to the tunes at Madrigall
Address: 1627 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Website: Madrigall
Opening hours: Wed-Sat 08:00 p.m.-01:30 a.m.
2. Enjoy board games at Pawn and Pint
As the name suggests, Pawn and Pint has two of the fundamental ingredients for a fun night – board games and drinks. This board game bar is one of the best places to have fun in Kansas City. Every day there are different events and things going on here, whether it’s a brunch, an open-play evening, or Trivia night. Their drinks menu includes cocktails and beer, but clients can also order food from the Homesteader Cafe next door and it will be brought to the table through a secret passageway between the two. The list of games is quite long and includes anything from Seven Wonders and Carcassonne to the Walking Dead and the famous Dungeons and Dragons.
Enjoy board games at Pawn and Pint
Address: 613 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Website: Pawn and Pint
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 04:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; Fri 01:00 p.m.-01:30 a.m.; Sat 09:00 a.m.-01:30 a.m.; Sun 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
3. Go on a shopping spree at the Country Club Plaza
Shopping at the Country Club Plaza is a must-do when visiting Kansas City. It’s more than just shopping - it’s an experience. The center consists of 18 separate buildings with lots of stores and a diverse dining scene with patio dining, family-friendly restaurants, and quick eats. The Plaza is home to lots of events over the year, whether it’s the Cheese and Wine Food Market or the Kansas City Filmfest International.
Go on a shopping spree at Country Club Plaza
Address: 4706 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64112
Website: Country Club Plaza
Opening hours: Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat 10:00 a.m.-07:00 p.m.; Thu 10:00-09:00 p.m.; Sun 12:00 p.m.-05:00 p.m.
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4. Play some arcade games at Up-Down KC
You don’t have to be a kid to have fun at the Up-Down Arcade Bar in downtown Kansas City. The giant Jenga and Connect Four out on the patio are so much fun and will definitely wake up the competitive spirit in you. For those looking to reminisce about the 80s and 90s, there are lots of arcade games here, too, plus a great beer list.
Play arcade games at Up-Down KC
Address: 101 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Website: Up-Down KC
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 03:00 p.m.-01:00 a.m.; Sat 11:00 a.m.-01:00 a.m.; Sun 11:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m.
5. Pose to click on the Old Red Bridge - Love Locks
The Old Red Bridge in Minor Park is one of the top attractions in the city, a place where people come to celebrate their commitment to one another and “lock their love.” It’s a tradition for couples to come here and put a lock on the bridge, just like hopeless romantics do in Paris, France, only instead of tossing the key, they can put it into a special box on the bridge. All donated keys will be used to create a sculpture of a Monarch Butterfly.
Pose to click on the Old Red Bridge - Love Locks
Address: Red Bridge Rd &, Blue River Rd, Kansas City, MO 64131
Website: Old Red Bridge - Love Locks
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
6. Enjoy the amusement of Escape Room Kansas City
There’s been a lot of buzz around escape rooms in the past years, so it’s no surprise this is one of the top things to do for entertainment in Kansas City. Whether you’re a rookie or a pro, Escape Room Kansas City has seven rooms of various difficulties. From Prison Break and the Theory Of Everything to the Da Vinci Code and Judgement Day, check out the different types of experiences they offer and choose the one for you.
Enjoy the amusement center of Escape Room Kansas City
Address: 511 W 4th St, Kansas City, MO 64105
Website: Escape Room Kansas City
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
7. Plan a picnic at Jacob L. Loose Park
Jacob L. Loose Park, a 75-acre (30-hectare) green oasis, is one of the most popular outdoor areas in Kansas City. Both travelers and locals come here to admire the Rose Garden, the Jacob L. Loose Monument, and the Adam & Eve Fountain. Right next to the fountain, there’s a picnic area, perfect for enjoying a day outdoors.
Plan a picnic at Jacob L. Loose Park
Address: 5200 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64112
Website: Jacob L. Loose Park
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 05:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m.
8. Play slots and poker at Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City
If you’re feeling lucky, enjoy a fun night playing poker and slots at the Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City. The casino features over 3,000 slot and video poker machines and 90 table games. The hotel is also home to nine restaurants and 18 movie screens, so guests staying at the hotel will never experience a dull moment.
Play slots and poker at Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City
Address: 3200 North Ameristar Drive, Kansas City, MO 64161
Website: Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City
9. Laugh out loud at ComedyCity
Charlie Chaplin believed that “a day without laughter is a day wasted.” So, why let an evening in Kansas City pass without having a good laugh. ComedyCity features improv and stand-up comedy show and guests can also have a drink and a snack at the bar. Here, they serve ballpark and stadium classics and some all-time favorites.
Laugh out loud at ComedyCity
Address: 3600 Broadway Blvd #107, Kansas City, MO 64111
Website: ComedyCity
Opening hours: Fri-Sat 06:45 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
10. Get spooky at the Macabre Cinema Haunted House
You don’t have to wait for Halloween to get spooky in Kansas City. Come evening, head to the Macabre Cinema Haunted House, a haunted house attraction, to test your limits. Don’t forget it’s open only three nights a week, so it would be a pity to miss out on a scary experience like this one. Even the location is spooky – a 30s movie theater, full of horror-movie props and sets.
Get spooky at the Macabre Cinema Haunted House
Address: 1222 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64101
Website: Macabre Cinema Haunted House
Opening hours: Thu-Sat 08:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
The best ways to experience the nightlife in Kansas City
Days in Kansas City are about discovering its history and exploring its most iconic landmarks but, come evening, it’s time to see the fun, lively face of the city. Whether it’s a good laugh at a comedy club or a spooky experience in a haunted house, dancing the night away in a nightclub or playing slots in a casino, the list of things to do at night in Kansas City is endless.