Discover the Charm of the West Bottoms: Kansas City’s Best Kept Secret

Hey everyone, welcome back to the blog! Today, I’m thrilled to be exploring the vibrant and historically rich district of West Bottoms right here in Kansas City. It’s a place where the echoes of the past mingle seamlessly with the energy of modern culture, and I can’t wait to show you around. If you’re a fan of local shops, microbreweries, wineries, delicious food, and captivating art scenes, then you’re in for a treat. So, let’s dive in and discover the magic of West Bottoms together!

First thing things first, if you’re gonna spend the day exploring here, you’ve got to know where you’re gonna eat. Voltaire here serves dishes inspired from all over the world (along with their craft cocktails). There’s tsukune if you’re craving some Japanese chicken meatballs, braised pork shoulder with gnocchi if you’re in the mood for Italian, or berbere chicken if you’re looking for something North African inspired – and that’s just to scratch the surface.

Golden Ox is the West Bottoms own classic Kansas City steakhouse. This is one of my favorite steak restaurants int he entire KC metro. Back when the West Bottoms was the stockyards district, the Golden Ox opened its doors in 1949. This year, it’s celebrating its Seventy-fifth anniversary, and has seen the West Bottoms go from livestock exchange to industrial district, to an eclectic mix of urban shops and diners. The steakhouse is actually here in the old livestock exchange building! It’s seen a lot of renovations since the days this district was used as a hub to transport cattle across the nation.

A few other places you have to try: Lucky Boys, if you like a good hangout atmosphere with even better bar food; Chef J BBQ, which is popular enough around here to often sell out of their lunch menu; and if you just need a hit of caffeine, Blip makes the interesting connection between KC’s motorcycle enthusiasts and delicious coffee.

Back in the 1870s, after the crossroads were introduced, the stockyards were established down here and the Union Depot opened its doors. Back then, it was the largest building west of New York. In just two years, KC had established one of the largest horse and mule markets in the US. Today, you can explore the area to find a different kind of market – local boutiques and antique shops like Fetch, a great home goods gift shop for those with a biting sense of humor. 

If you’re itching to furnish or decorate your home, Stuffology carries vintage chandeliers and furniture. Nook and Cranny is the palace to go for unique knick knacks, and The Robin’s Nest is home to eclectic home furnishings.  Good JuJu houses two floors of antique goods, mid-century modern and farmhouse style furniture. They’ve been voted Kansas City’s Best Antique and Vintage Store three times and awarded a Best Antique Stores Coast to Coast by Flea Market Style Magazine.

Of course, if you want to take the grand tour of the West Bottoms, you’ll have to plan your trip for the first weekend of the month. First Weekends is the monthly event where local artists and vendors all come together in the district to make browsing a special occasion. Maybe start off with a tour of KC’s Amigoni Urban Winery and learn the history of Missouri Wines? Or for something a little more lively, Fountain City Winery offers live music. If you’re into something a little more retro, The Ship is a cocktail bar that hosts live jazz and soul performances. One of the biggest draws come fall, is the three major haunted houses in KC – Edge of Hell, which is known for its five-story spiral slide; The Beast, an always-changing open format haunt; and The Macabre Cinema, four stories of horror scenes through a haunted 1930’s movie theater.

But the main draw of First Weekends is that for two nights only each month, KC’s best vendors and artists offer limited-time sales all in the same district. The Twelfth Street Post holds six different businesses under the same roof – Jewelry, Handmade decor, candles and incense, plants for those of you with a green thumb, a salon, and even a visual media studio! You can play a round of ping pong with friends at Ninth and State (in a one hundred ten-year-old building that used to be home the Antler’s Club, a casino where Charlie Parker and Buster Smith were known to play) before buying a KC original painting from a local artist and then catch a live show at Lemonade Park. There’s nothing else quite like it in Kansas City. Where the West Bottoms was once a hub for livestock exchange, now it’s a mixture of vintage call-backs and modern culture that you really just have to be here to understand.

In conclusion, West Bottoms is a place where history and modernity collide to create a truly unique experience. From its culinary delights to its rich cultural heritage, this district has something to offer everyone. So, if you’re ever in Kansas City, be sure to pay a visit to West Bottoms and experience the magic for yourself. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

And there you have it, folks – a glimpse into the wonders of West Bottoms. If you enjoyed this tour, be sure to give this video a thumbs up and subscribe to our channel for more Kansas City lifestyle and real estate content. And if you’re considering making a move to Kansas City, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d be honored to be your real estate experts in the heart of the Midwest. See you next time!