Watch the marquee - The Bottleneck features an ample stage hosting bluegrass to heavy metal, bop,…read moreswing, country, rock, big band horns, Disney mashups, salsa, drag parades, Zydeco, and more. I've found that bigger names and highly gifted performers come through Lawrence on their way cross country, so pay attention and research the artists scheduled on Sunday through Tuesday nights. (This is true of most Lawrence music venues). Cactus Blossom was 5 brothers from Minneapolis melding family voices like the syrupy blend of Everly Brothers harmonies; Justin Payne was originally a classical violinist who jettisoned to Nashville, got a waterfall of all other music influences, and traveled the road for over twenty years honing his skills at music and reading crowds. Look at the wall of promotional 8x10 glossies of the bands that have played here and you'll get the picture. Lots of acts you want to see today were at the Bottleneck when they were building their cred - and you may be able to say, "I saw them @thebottleneck BAE." Oh, btw - The Bottleneck is small enough that you can generally interact with the performers - and the shows get better with the energy of the audience. It's big enough to take a group of friends and small enough that the audience makes an impressive impact. (Ever notice how people respond to praise and encouragement?) Often, the musicians stick around to autograph their merch, discuss where to eat and drink, and enjoy midwestern hospitality along their grueling path to play for nameless faces in faraway places. Support the artists and inhale their blooming talent.

I had no idea The Bottleneck had a couple of skylights…read more I guess I never really visited much during the daylight hours. Anyway - the venue has gone through a small renovation. They've updated the sound and lighting systems. They've also done some work around the stage, repainted and cleaned the interior and semi fixed up the restrooms. This is a fun little venue. Whoever you come to see will look and sound good and you should have a good time.

We had some friends, Cosmic Country Duo, who had a gig at Ryan's so we ventured out for a night in…read moreTongie. They were hosting a End-Of-No-Shave-November beard contest before the music so the place was packed. It's always so heart warming to find a bar where everyone knows everyone and new people are never a stranger. Staff was kind, beers were cold, sofas were comfy, table games were entertaining, loft seating was a bonus, local art and crafts were fun to peruse & we can't wait to come back to the Pub House for another evening of low key entertainment!

Really great place. We wanted to try something different and Ryan's Public House didn't…read moredisappoint. Super friendly staff and owners who went out of their way to make we 1st timers welcome. Very eclectic vibe, friendly dog to play with and possible the worst/best garage band to listen to.

This is a music venue and bar, large, inviting. Only had beer but service was great. Bands…read moreexcellent. Huge deck and outdoor stage for warmer months. Nice crowd

We had high hopes for this place. The cocktails looked delicious on their Instagram posts…read more We ordered two drinks. One was supposed to be pear. One was a cosmopolitan. The drink ingredients were premixed in unlabeled bottles so you didn't even know for sure what the bartender was pouring. Both drinks were watered down and you couldn't taste any alcohol. They tasted like watered down juice. We also couldn't identify any specific flavor such as pear or cranberry. They were flat and unfortunately not tasty. We loved the ambiance. It's a cute place, but we wouldn't order cocktails again.

All around five stars. Absolutely five stars. The staff is friendly, accommodating, and…read moreprofessional. The space is welcoming and cozy, though I hear they may be going under some renovations in the near future which I'm sure will only add to how wonderful this spot already is. The drinks are reasonably priced and it's near several yummy restaurants. The sound was fantastic -- I was actually impressed with how much oomph came out of the back room where they hold shows. Looking back over other reviews for this spot, well, they have ANOTHER new owner as of this week, so I have to imagine it only gets better from here. I can't wait to see what it's like moving forward!

Come see me do comedy here tonight. Please wear a mask. I'm funny. I'm cute and have tits to die…read morefor.

My first time at a true country line dancing bar…read more I was visiting Kansas for a work event and the local staff at the hotel I was staying in, highly recommended this place. What more can you ask for? Good affordable drinks, music, and good dancing! I wish I came earlier to learn some of the moves. But now I know what to expect when I come back here and bring my dancing boots.

This is my first time in Kansas City and I was looking for a line dancing venue and was in between…read morethis place and Thirsty Bull Saloon, and I'm so glad I opted for this place. Line dancing lessons started at 7:00pm and went on for about an hour and we learned four different dances. The instructor was so fun and easy to follow. I stayed for a while after the lessons and the ambiance was fun, energetic and it did get a bit crowded but it was nice to experience the line dancing scene in KC! Highly recommend and I hope to be back on the dance floor whenever I return!

Lived in KC for 11yrs and went the first time for a concert a couple weeks ago. Fantastic layout,…read moregreat close parking (for free!) love that there are so many options of standing/sotting from the outdoor areas, stage side, upper deck, and inside! Has food and multiple bar windows, bathrooms are small but clean. Great open area and don't feel crowded at all. No matter where you're at you get to see the show either looking at the stage or a projector screen on it so you never miss a beat. Cash only!!!

This is a solid music venue in the area! Parking can be a little hit or miss, so be there early to…read moreavoid issues. We saw a cover band, but it looks like they have a lot of different artists coming through. We were there maybe ten minutes after doors opened and were able to get one of the last tables in the back. Concessions are limited, but very affordable. Definitely a fun spot for some live music!

We have fine for several years in a row. The artists being booked has regressed but we always have…read morea blast. Their security is nice. The food vendors are as well! The whole camping/clamping situation is very unorganized. But we will be back.

The Country Stampede has been a summer event in Kansas for almost 20 years now. They have 4 days of…read moretop country music artists come in to perform each afternoon and evening. In 2013, the headliners were Little Big Town, Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins and Miranda Lambert. Over 160,000 people show up for the event. And, It's hot. If it rains, it gets muddy and stinky. But still, people come in droves. They camp there and they stay in the hotels in Manhattan, and they drive in from all over the US. This is the "biggest party on the plains". This was my first year to attend the Stampede. The staff and vendors were all wonderful. The Performers were all top notch, and even the people attending were fun to talk to. Lots of bare skin - as the temps were in the 90's and no shade - although as the sun set, it became comfortable and a beautiful evening to be out. Oh yeah, and it's LOUD. No joke - wear ear protection! At first pass, the tickets seem a bit steep, but after attending the event, I get it. There are all kinds of various packages you can purchase, but a basic 1-day event ticket is about $80. That's to see 4 - 5 different artists perform! Concert tickets generally run $80 a piece! Definitely a bargain. Plus, the 94.5 Country radio station in Topeka was practically handing them out this year - for a month before the event they gave them away on air, at remotes, and with online contests. Sure, you had to win them, but there were SO many opportunities to get your hands on some free tickets. Lastly, there are a bunch of freebie-giveaways from the vendors. (Rockstar was giving away free, full size beverages, for example.) There was also a bunch of expensive stuff to purchase. Tickets to use at the vendors were $5 for 8 tickets. 0.63 cents each. Prices were typical of a festival and so were the offerings. Corn Dogs to Ice Cream, Funnel Cakes and BBQ. Nothing healthy whatsoever - so don't go looking for it. ;) So, if you go, WEAR SUNBLOCK, take earplugs, and eat before you go. ;)

My husband and I actually drove past this place at first--I was expecting green signage, not red,…read moreso it didn't immediately catch my eye. Even walking in, we weren't quite sure what to expect. The entrance is small, and you're greeted right away, which was a nice touch. Once inside, it's very dark with deep red lighting--almost like stepping into a cave. It took a moment for our eyes to adjust, but once they did, we immediately felt at ease. The space is cozy and perfectly aligned with its purpose: it's all about the jazz. The service was great--welcoming, attentive, and added to the overall experience without taking away from the music. And the music? Absolutely captivating. It pulls you in and transports you--you can't help but settle into the vibe and just enjoy the moment together. We went on a Monday, so there was plenty of seating, but I noticed there's also a lower level that likely accommodates larger weekend crowds. There's a solid drink menu and a small selection of food, but honestly, this isn't the place you come for a full meal. Come for the drinks, stay for the music, and soak in the atmosphere.

Date night - Stop #1…read more Trying something new! Jazz Bar The Green Lady Lounge is an exclusively Jazz lounge featuring Kansas City Jazz musicians A little hole-in-the-wall with a cool, throwback vibe. Think speakeasy! The jazz bands were great--lively but not too loud--and we'll definitely be back. It's a perfect spot to hang out before or after dinner since they don't serve food. Even with a full house, our server checked in on us often. This two-level jazz club near downtown Kansas City was a fun find for us. We did not make it to the downstairs bar. We will save that for next time! The signage can be a little tricky to spot if you're not familiar with the area. Hummus & crackers for a snack My drinks: Mocktail - ORANGE-CRANBERRY MARTINI - Orange juice, cranberry juice, lime juice, simple syrup, grenadine, orange bitters, orange peel then I had the ETHAN ORANGE - Cold brew coffee, cinnamon simple, cream or oat milk, black walnut bitters, orange peel. Jons drinks: MANHATTAN - Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, angostura bitters, cherry then he had a KANSAS CITY COFFEE - Rye whiskey, whiskey cream, cold brew coffee, simple syrup Total bill was only $70 We will be back! 1809 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO. #datenight #makingmemories #nightout #supportlocal #jazzmusic

The Green Guitar Folk House is a series of concerts presented 10 times a year inside of the Shawnee…read moreMission Unitarian Universalist Church. GGFH books touring acts from around the nation and usually pairs them with amazing talent from the region. It is a great listening room with a good sound system and acoustics, and seating is available for a couple hundred; soft drinks, beer and wine are available. Last night I witnessed longtime Kansas City artist Two Headed Cow open for an amazing duo out of Nashville - A Tale of Two (check them out if you like great storytelling, 5 star resonator guitar playing and a jazz vocalist doing overtime in the blues and folk world). I have also seen great artists in the past such as Victor and Penny, Rupert Wates, Chuck Brodsky, Danny Schmidt.... A perfect space to become intimate with a favorite artist or discover something new. The ability to meet and chat with the artists is always available at the intermissions and post show. Bring some cash to tip the opening act and take home some merchandise to further support the artists. The organizer Mike and his volunteer crew are providing KC a great service by bringing in the type of artist that usually has trouble booking these types of midsize gigs that are not in a noisy bar. We are lucky to have such a program here in town. Worthy of support from anyone that values live music.

Exceptional. A true farm-to-table experience delivered with a high level of service and culinary…read moreexpertise. The five-course meal, crafted by a remarkably talented chef using a variety of techniques from their farm, was beautifully executed in a surreal indoor-outdoor setting. Every dish was spectacular, and the beverage pairings were creative and perfectly curated. The owners' labor of love is evident from start to finish, making this a true gem in the Lawrence/Lecompton area. Our guests from Leawood, Kansas said they would gladly make the drive back anytime to experience another one of these magical culinary evenings.

We heard about Burning Barrel and Origin Restaurant from a friend and quickly booked tickets online…read morefor one of their first weekends of service. We were not disappointed. We arrived on the farm (after our Ford GPS took us a wonky route along a few miles of dirt road--so make sure you stay on paved roads and you won't have trouble--I was told by Kristin, our host and one of the owners, that Google Maps has no problem). I have to share our experience in detail because I feel we discovered a new must-visit experience in the KC area! We arrived at the 30-acre farm, parked in the field, and were greeted by our server who welcomed us warmly and offered us an arrival cocktail to sip while we explored the truly lovely grounds, pond, and nearby goats. After our leisurely stroll, we returned to the dining pavilion and found our seats at the gorgeous (and massive!) live-edge dining table along with a menu specifically for this weekend. Our gracious host Kristen and server brought out our first drink pairing, a minted lime seltzer that was refreshing and light. Our first course arrived--Blue Jade cornbread with arugula, sweet pea salad, and chicken liver paté. The cornbread was unlike any I had before and was absolutely delicious. The sweet pea salad was literally bursting with flavor the peas were so fresh and the chicken liver paté out of this world. Such an interesting flavor profile and combination. The next beverage pairing arrived a short time later as we enjoyed the perfect evening, a blackberry purple basil shrub. This drink was also delicious and refreshing (and save that blackberry for last--what a treat!). The Mangalista pig, we were told, is the "wagyu of pork" and the crisp, tasty, marbled pork chop was excellent. It was served with a beet "kimchi" with fennel root and a sheep cheese dumpling that was creamy and flavorful. Finally, our coffees were served and a dessert of yellow squash cake, lemon honey ice cream with mulberry compote was brought to us. Again, the dish was original, delicious, and a perfect ending to our meal. We can't wait to come back and have try a new menu in the future. Such a perfect evening and the chef has such an exciting vision for hyper-local farm-to-table flavors and dishes.