Don't Overlook Kansas City's Excellent Nightlife

More than anything, Kansas City is known for its barbecue, but the "City of Fountains" offers so much more than just good ribs and burnt ends.

Sure, the BBQ alone is well worth the visit, but for those who enjoy "going out on the town" and are looking for a vacation or travel destination that provides the lights, cameras, and action of nightlife, Kansas City does have some great options.

Las Vegas it is not, but KC has a little bit of something for everybody once the sun goes down.

Power and Light District

Power and Light is tough to describe, and it's something that has to be experienced in order to be believed. Simply put, it's a collection of indoor/outdoor bars and restaurants all interconnected and placed onto a city block. Picture an indoor/outdoor mall, but instead of shopping, replace the storefronts with nightlife.

Located right in the heart of downtown Kansas City, "P&L" boasts bars, restaurants, dancing and (oftentimes) live music and even free concerts.

The bar scene is vast and has a little taste of anything you could want.

For instance, Angels Rock Bar features loud, rowdy rock-n-roll music, top-shelf drinks, plus stage and platform dancers (the Angels) to boot. PBR Big Sky is a boot-scootin' country bar complete with cold beer and bull riding while The Shark Bar gives off more retro feel with its glow-stick--meets-beach-cabana atmosphere.

If you're into live music, Howl at the Moon is a dueling piano bar that's always busy.

"I have been to this location several times. It can only be described as "a wuzzle of greatness served with buckets of cocktails," Yelp user Mellisa M wrote of Howl at the Moon. "[It was a] fun and upbeat atmosphere. This is not a typical dance club and also not a true traditional piano bar either. We had a large group of 14 friends, all of them had an awesome time. Some had never been and are anxious to return!"

For food at P&L, you can find anything from a pizza bar to the 801 Chophouse, which is on the higher end. Either way, there's plenty to do, see, eat and drink at this hopping nightlife location.

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Westport

Not to be confused with HBO's Westworld, Westport has all the fun of Kansas City's Power and Light, but with a slightly different vibe.

Yes, downtown Westport has the thumping club scene of P&L- Harpo's, for instance, is a great place for dancing and there's also a dueling piano bar-but there's a bit more culture here, and it's mixed in perfectly with the interesting nightlife.

If you're a fan of good food and drink, Westport is the place to be. The variety is palpable.

There's theBeer Kitchen, a craft beer lover's dream with a ton of beer on tap and tremendous food options to pair them with. McCoy's Public House and Brewery is a similar location, and if you want to stick to the beer theme, Green Room Burgers and Beeris a family-owned brewpub with in-house beers and fresh ground meat burgers.

If you're seeking that famous KC BBQ, Char Bar is a southern-inspired smokehouse that stands out because of its 10,000 square-foot outdoor beer garden. It's basically an outdoor recreation center, with croquet, ping pong and bocce ball all available.

"The patio area is beautiful with a fire pit & a nice green area for put-put golf & other lawn games. Great spot to hang out on a weekend night," Jeremy B of Atlanta, Georgia said of Char Bar on Yelp.

He also lauded Char Bar's BBQ, saying, "Wow is all I can say regarding the best barbecue I've ever had, and I'm from the south."

For a more "cultured" experience, Westport offers several selections.

The Doughnut Lounge is a favorite for obvious reasons while The Westport Cafe and Bar is a great place to lounge around and relax for a bit. Westport Flea Marketoffers tasty, local, made-to-order food that's heavy on history and nostalgia.

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Country Club Plaza

Country Club Plaza is a daytime haven for high-end shoppers, whether they be of the window browsing or "charge it on the plastic" variety.

The Plaza features 15 blocks worth of shopping, eating and drinking, all easily accessible if you can maneuver your way through the crowd.

If shopping is all you're looking for, the Plaza will satisfy, but it's also a great place to visit if you're looking to grab a nice dinner or a few drinks afterward. Of course, brunch on the Plaza is second to none, but if you stick around for happy hour, you'll find plenty of fun locations and especially outdoor dining.

The Plaza boasts staples like Brio Tuscan Grill, Cheesecake Factory or Fogo de Chão, but there are also a handful of more local experiences.

Tomfooleries has a great happy hour (daily from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm and then from 9:00 pm to close), and it also has daily drink specials, including specials on well liquors wine and Cuervo margaritas. The Granfalloon Restaurant & Bar is another great place to eat and drink down on The Plaza, with a Monday-through-Friday Happy Hour that runs from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The main attraction is arguably Jack Stack Barbecue, however. Featuring some of the best BBQ in the world, let alone Kansas City, Jack Stack is a full-service dining experience. From drinks at the bar beforehand (Boulevard Wheat on tap is highly recommended) to the famous carrot cake afterward, Jack Stack is a must-visit location if you're looking to get the true Kansas City experience.

Knuckleheads Saloon

Fine arts and music are two undervalued aspects of life in Kansas City, and Knuckleheads Saloon delivers on both with a quirky twist.

"Knuckleheads is the BEST live venue in Kansas City," Becky S wrote on Trip Advisor. "Food is ok -- just regular bar food. Drinks are cheap and [the] staff is friendly. No waitresses, so plan on getting your own. [The] sound system is great & you can pretty much see the band from wherever you're sitting/standing. A must for any music lover!"

It's a roadhouse type music bar featuring three stages, two of which are indoor. The outdoor platform is big and rocking, standing tall in front of a pavilion with tables and chairs for the consumption of both beer and music. Of course, there's a dance floor, and there is perhaps no better place to enjoy live, loud music in Kansas City at any time of day or night.

It has the look of a biker bar, and the music packs the punch you'd expect from one as well.

Manifesto

If you're looking for a unique, VIP-esque experience, Manifesto is your best bet in downtown Kansas City.

This is a dimly-lit speakeasy, specializing in cocktails and atmosphere. It's a bit on the pricey side, but you pay for the experience more than anything else.

"The best part about Manifesto is the location," Keegan D wrote on Trip Advisor. "A sort-of secret entrance down a back alley behind the Reiger Hotel that requires advanced reservations via text, it's underground and mostly obscure from the outside. Once you get in, it's dimly lit with candles almost exclusively to give it a more intimate vibe."

Manifesto is meant to feel underground, almost as if you're breaking the law by being there-and that makes it the perfect modern-day speakeasy. If you're looking for specialized drinks and a specialized atmosphere, no place does it better than here.

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