Recently spent a weekend in KC and while I won't say visiting The Belfry was the only reason we decided on KC, I will say that it was one of the top reasons...with that, The Belfry is a collective of spaces including a pool hall, bar/restaurant and event space that is located on Grand Boulevard in Downtown KC. It is a peculiar place, and not the setting or vibe that you expect when you realize the Chef is an award-winning culinary titan in Celina Tio! I sought this spot out explicitly due to my fandom of all things culinary, including Celina, so I was in either way, but was a tad surprised that it was essentially a bar, but a bar that was slinging creating and tasty cocktails, prepared by another award winning member of the team in the bartender, and alongside those cocktails was some of the best food we had while visiting KC. To start, we grabbed a few house cocktails including The Strawberry Bees Knees and the highly recommended Carajillo Arturo, which was offered up after I inquired into an espresso martini. He was right to steer me away from the martini, the carajillo was phenomenal! Following up our drinks, we tossed in a few appetizers. I went with the Masala Fries plus Chicken and my partner got the Ahi Tuna Poke Cups. The Masala Fries were legit the best bite of food I had while in KC, and the tuna cups were a close second. I was shocked at how fresh the tuna was, and the fries were just...wow. Service was excellent as well. The server and bartender came by to check on us throughout the visit, each time striking up conversation beyond our orders. The space is small, features a bar, several high-tops and even a lounge area with a couch...again, it is a peculiar space, but somehow works. It is definitely one of those places that is a classic "don't judge a book by its cover". If I had to offer one thing, I would up the lighting a bit, not anything glaring, but a bit more brightness on the tables would be solid. Overall, I am glad I sought this spot out, and glad we made it part of our KC trip! read more

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Omg Justin and April really made our night special!!! We wanted a nightcap... ordered the old fashioned! They were spectacular!!! I know the chef has her special concoctions but my 2nd one of the night was old Elk and no smoke... it was amazing!!!! Thank you for being A great end to our epic weekend in Kansas City!!! read more

stopped at the bar before playing pool and asked the bartender what their most unique cocktail was. he made me the bella ora and woah--matcha infused patron, amaretto, fernet, milk punch. it was crazy good! The pool area is pretty spacious with quite a few tables for playing around and they have TVs showing sports games. I know the food here is supposed to be amazing as well, so I can't wait to come back and try it. read more

The Belfry - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Great chill atmosphere. There's a pool hall next to the bar. The food is eclectic and very well prepared by a James Beard winner. The cauliflower and rock shrimp arincini are great picks. In the past we also had the bierocks...yum. Service is attentive and friendly. Again, this is a chill place for a good beer or cocktail and some expertly prepared food. read more

I recently visited The Belfry for the first time with some coworkers and it was great. If you have reservations at the restaurant, walk up the stairs and a take a direct left into the bar area. We had friendly service and were served our drinks and food quickly. Our water was always topped off. I loved the fried chicken and biscuit with an egg on top! read more

The Belfry - Chicken biscuit - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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The Belfry is a collective of several spaces for dinner/drinks/meetings and even a place to shoot pool. The Belfry is upstairs and is the restaurant started by James Beard award winning chef, Celina Tio. On this occasion, we already had dinner reservations at a nearby restaurant, but had decided to go downtown early to have drinks and an appetizer beforehand. We chose to go the speakeasy in the lower level of the Belfry building called Ground Control. The room that houses Ground Control is small and intimate. There were a few two top high tops and a long table with about 8 tall chairs and bar seating. Since we arrived early, we were the only table and there were 4 of us so we sat at the long table. I dubbed it a speakeasy since it has that speakeasy vibe, but the official designation for Ground Control is "A tasting room and cocktail lounge." They make their own spirits called ANNX Spirits. John, the expert mixologist guided us through an interesting cocktail menu, and we all chose different drinks to sample. We all enjoyed our choices, and would definitely return. The cocktail menu changes with the seasons, so if you want to try the summer offerings you should do so soon. Give Ground Control a try because you won't be disappointed. read more

The Belfry - A sampling of the drink offerings - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Had a few drinks and food at the Belfry with friends before going to see a show. I did not love my drinks, but the food was so good! Service was quick and kind. We ordered a bunch of things and shared them. Everything was good, but the nachos were a standout. I typically like nachos, but the addition of manchego cheese was genius! Definitely try it out if in the area! read more

Stopped in after more than 10 years away from KC. I was looking for an old favorite, Julian. Chef Tio moved on from that project so I had to find another place where she leads. The Belfry is just what I needed. Quaint atmosphere for fabulous drinks and food. I was a bit early so not much of a crowd so I had no trouble finding a seat at the bar. The confit wings, scallops, and chocolate ganache flourless cake were perfect. Couldn't help myself and had to get a second dessert, the bread pudding. Drinks were awesome, too. The Midnight in Montenegro was flavorful and carried a punch. The Lavender Haze is so good they have it on draft! I'm coming back later to give Ground Control (a gem within this gem) a try. It's menu looks equally great! read more

I personally did not like the environment as it is divided into two areas one is the bar and one is the pool and nobody guides you to the bar and the bar is pretty much just that, a bar... we ordered some nachos and they came with these cherry onions that smelled absolutely horrible to me, but that's just my taste. I could eat anything but did order a water and that water was one of the freshest and flavorless I have ever had. Service was actually pretty nice but I just couldn't take the smell of the food any longer so I asked for my check and left. read more

I had a great first experience at The Belfry. Firstly, they had INCREDIBLE service. Before our butts even touched the barstools, the bartender served us up glasses of water. Both bartenders were delightful throughout the visit. The vibes were great too - a very casual, yet still elevated feel. There were bear nature videos playing on the TVs lol. I love that this connects to an upscale pool hall, will full service from the Belfry. The menu featured sophisticated dishes that didn't feel inaccessible to the average diner. Prices were just right, and it was fun to try something new and unique. I only wish the portion size would've been a bit bigger. I'll definitely be returning - this is a great go-to spot. read more

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My date brung me here to celebrate my birthday and I really enjoyed myself. My server was amazing and the bar tender Justin was the best. I am a rum drinker and it's rare to find a mixologist that can create a rum master piece sweet and spicy is what I asked for. This was a cool chill intimate environment and we played pool after the drinks on the other side. read more

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Big fan of The Belfry... a lot to like here. Vegan? No problem, try one of the many vegan starters - the Fried Cauliflower w/ Walnut Miso Dressing for $9, the French Fries with house ketchup for $5, or the House Prezel Sticks for $7. As far as a main dish there's the Rice Noodle Salad which you can even add crispy tofu to. I've tried everything (vegan) and you can't go wrong. Thirsty? Well, the cocktails are awesome too. No bad choices but I'll say Cy whips up the best spicy margarita around. There are also NA offerings if that's the preference. Bored? Good news, there's pool, darts, and arcade games a few feet away. The one bummer? Other people like this place too and it's on the smaller side - so if you're going during the evening on a weekend, consider a reservation. read more

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Our 1st time!! We went for our sons 25tg birthday. It was busy on. Monday evening at 6ish. Many pools tables on one side and the bar side has high top tabkes. Quick, attentive service! Loved the daily flatbread that we shared... salami, basil and other yummy stuff. The drinks were original & tasty- can try gekueve how close to concert color that drink is! We will be back! read more

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Hidden, sneaky food and cocktail gem ... @thebelfrylounge I'm not sure why we have not been, we walk by it all the time but finally went and it was great. The theme for me is randomly perfect. The drink menu is huge and has a variety of options. They don't seem to go together but again randomly perfect. We all got something we wanted and they were all good. The night we went a lot were Taylor Swift inspired so the names will be different. Food ranges from sushi grade tuna to curry style poutine fries. And why not!!! We got tacos, pasta, and a beirock all in one place and all really good. I got the beirock. It was excellent. The cabbage was cooked down just enough that it was like a sauce for the ground beef and the dough was yeasty and at the correct ratio to the filling. Portions are right in the smaller range, along with the prices. So if you need two things the amount of food and price will be good. This is going to be come a staple in our rotation of places to eat and drink because we can all get what we want in the same place. read more

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The food was very good (we both had the scallops) but very small portions for the price. Service was excellent.

Very cool little bar. Great drink selection and yummy bar food. Great service as well.

Stopped in to meet up with friends because we have heard great things about their bourbon and chef. The service was great, environment was cozy, and pool hall amazing. The food was wonderful, I am not the biggest fan of small plates so maybe that's where I would have biases. The charcuterie board was what you expect from meat and cheese, however I will praise the fruit jam. The flavors were not overpowering of being too sweet or fruity, but complimented the meat variety and cheeses perfectly. We had the tacos of the day which were pork belly tacos, and those were amazing. Had great flavor and even filling for small plates. They were on the small tortillas but once again, cooked to perfection. The plates may be small, but the flavors of everything have huge impacts. You can taste the attention to detail in the sauces and food pairings. read more

The Belfry - two cocktails on a table - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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The Belfry is ranked as one of the top whiskey bars in Kansas City, and I understand why! They have a fantastic bourbon selection! They also have a great food menu. It's a small and quaint place located near the heart of Kansas City, MO. Be sure to check out their merch and snag up one of their logo whiskey tasting glasses. read more

The Belfry - I was shocked to have run in to this guy! I was like a kid waking up on Christmas morning! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Stopped in here before a concert at the Record Bar for a few drinks and food. The Grand Fashioned was amazing!! The in house syrup makes this cocktail and if i lived here, It would be a regular weekend stop! The pretzels with cheese sauce and spicy mustard were a perfect small appetizer. Sy was our bartender and was great, had great suggestions and chitchat. read more

The Belfry - Margarita and the Grand Fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

The Belfry is a fantastic place to stop for drinks. I haven't tried their food yet, but I've heard nothing but great things. It's a dimly lit, cozy little place with wonderful specialty cocktails and a great assortment of liquors. My friend and I had the Rye of the Tiger and Xanadu cocktails and they were incredible. I've never had a bad drink here. read more

The Belfry - Rye of the Tiger and Xanadu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

The Belfry is a gastropub located in the Crossroads Arts District. Chef Celina Tio, who won a James Beard Chef Award, is the owner and she warmly greets guest. For some reason, we keep coming back to drink bourbons, which they have an amazing selection. On a previous visit Celina introduced us to 1792 Bourbon, produced by the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown KY. Unfortunately, tonight, they were out of 1792, so Celina suggested we try Eagle's Rare, which is carefully aged for 10 years. It has a glowing amber appearance, with a mild oak and char smell and a woody, subtly sweet taste. It was a magical substitute for 1792. We also tried one of our favorites, Angel's Envy Rye. What makes this bourbon stand out is its finished in Caribbean XO Rum Casks. Those casks deliver a super sweet, Gingerbread and molasses play off maple sugar as the dominate flavor. It's a premium priced bourbon, but oh so worth it. On our next visit, we'll start the evening with food at the Belfry so we can review it as well. It's a hidden gem, worthy of your visit. read more

The Belfry - You're here! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Chef Maneet Chauhan recommended that I go here and meet Chef Selena. The meal was incredible. The Grand Fashioned (better than a standard old fashioned) is great. I recommend that. Chef Selena is such a good chef. I will be visiting again when I'm back in KC. read more

The Belfry - Grilled Polenta - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Crispy polenta topped with a tomato-mushroom Raghu, sunny side up egg, and Gorgonzola cheese. One of the weirdest (and also best) things I've eaten recently. And as a person who purposely seeks our weird (unique) flavor combinations that's saying something. Probably ripped this review for me from a 4 to 5-star honestly. Chocolate ganache to finish was pretty perfect. Insanely chocolately. I was slightly disappointed with the whiskey wall... but that it existed of course because it had pretty much anything and everything you could want. But I was disappointed with the pricing, even though 3x or more retail is pretty standard markup for bars and restaurants, as my own basement whiskey wall has grown it's just harder to pay for it at that price. Everything else though was pretty spot on. Clientele was a weird mix of parents with baby, date night, guy falling asleep at the bar, Friday night friend groups and everything in between. Service was casual and awesome. Drinks on tap were amazing. This is my kind of place and I can't wait to go back next time I'm in town. read more

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We loved it here! First of all, the atmosphere is perfect, a low key, ultra friendly, yet upscale, spot that feels like a neighborhood hang. The bartenders are knowledgeable and genial, and the rest of the staff the same. Do yourself a favor and sit at the bar, and enjoy a conversation with the bartender like you're supposed to. The already great drinks will taste even better. The food menu is really good as well; but, if you happen to get there after hours, ask about their caramel corn. Not usually my thing, the caramel corn is almost reason enough to be there! Really enjoyed our time here, and looking forward to seeing their expansion! read more

The Belfry - a bowl of food and a glass of wine - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Fantastic service with super friendly server who was helpful and also fun to talk to. Small plates of elevated bar food with mostly unhealthy options like fries and wings but also some ahi tuna and salad alongside beer and a nice list of unique cocktails. The beach type cocktail with coconut sorbet and allspice dram was both deliciously sweet and nutty and the mezcal cocktail with a flowery ice cube was also creative and tasty. Kitchen open til 9, place otherwise open til 10. read more

I learned about The Belfry recently after listening to a podcast with the chef and couldn't wait to check it out! When you enter the main entrance, there are a bunch of plants and inside, lights are dimmed, creating a cozy environment. I ordered the polenta - I wasn't sure what polenta was but our server recommended it. I'm so glad I ordered it! It was so delicious! My husband got the rosemary beef and thought it was really good! The menu is a bit limited but our other friends who ordered different dishes than us, were also happy with their meal. Coming soon next door is a pool hall that will be an awesome addition! read more

The Belfry - Rosemary basted beef - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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We went for the 2nd time fri night and had a great time. They have A LOT of bourbons and pretty good prices overall. Staff is super friendly. Smaller place but they are expanding. My buddy had 10 yr pappy and Buffalo trace experimental and my fiance got the Santori 12 yr. They were out of the first few things I ordered including michters 10 yr and eht single barrel. I'll definitely be going back. read more

Belfry is like a hidden gem. A friend took me there for a few drinks later in the night. Crowd was small and the place felt intimate. I was already looking forward to returning. My recent visit over the weekend was just as I expected. The bartender, Ali, was simply amazing. She was friendly, knowledgeable and talked us into getting food. I am so glad she did. Again already looking forward to my next visit to try their highly recommended burger. Drinks were well made, food was phenomenal and service was excellent. Please check this place out. You won't be disappointed. read more

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Amazing food with lots of vegetarian options. I had the polenta- awesome ragu. Guests had the mac and cheese and the chicken biscuit both to raves. The service was attentive but not over the top- very casual. We will be checking this place out to explore the rest of the menu in the future. Thanks very much for a wonderful dinner. read more

Fantastic customer service! The bar and wait staff are outstanding. Food and drinks are well thought out and wonderfully presented. The Mon-Tues burger & beer special is a nice option as are the tacos with rice. All are flavorful and very tasty. Cocktails are perfect. Highly recommended! read more

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We visited this cozy spot on Saturday afternoon for drinks and appetizers. Overall it was a positive experience, and I'd recommend a visit should you find yourself in the area. The bartender/server was prompt and efficient. They weren't overly friendly, maybe even a bit distant, but given COVID we kind of shrugged that off. The nachos were the real star for us! With Manchego queso, house made Chorizo, and sherry onions, these are not your ordinary 'chos (as they've named them). There's no doubt a future craving for these will prompt our return. For drinks, we ordered the Thick as Thieves cocktail and another whiskey based drink (the name has escaped me!). The drinks were tasty - though we've already decided a whiskey flight is on our list for the next visit. read more

The Belfry - Thick as Thieves (right) and a whiskey cocktail for which I can't remember the name (left) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Good cocktail bar. It can get crowded on weekends. On a weekday it is quieter. They have large selection of bourbons. Not very large, but small tables. They serve food. read more

I stopped in to use my passport for a couple of drinks. Let's start off with the decor. The place is small but nice to hang out with friends for a drink. I wouldn't recommend this spot to anyone, especially if they are not regulars as it seems that was who the bartender and waiter catered to. Several times I had to get up and walk to the bar to order a drink. They were nice and respectful but it shouldn't take 3 hours to get a couple of drinks, had to ask for napkins and the check. That's just unacceptable. The location is on the side street so make sure you don't try the front door, on Grand. The parking is behind (or next to) the building. If you drive a large vehicle, don't try parking in it as there are piles that only allow smaller cars to enter. I've tried it and will not be back. read more

The Belfry - Welcome to the Belfry - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I need to update this because The Belfry does have dozens of whiskeys but the number is actually dozens of dozens. I think Celina last said there are about 300 whiskeys. About 200 of them are Bourbons. There is still a rotation of beers and ciders on a 20-tap draught system and a deep cellar of cans and bottles. It's still not just a place to drink though. James Beard Award winning chef Celina Tio continues to offer great bites with your drinks. read more

Just tried this place for the first time. Amazing service and the food and cocktails are beautiful. Highly recommend. read more

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I happened to search for poutine in Google maps and this popped up, knew immediately I had to try the chicken Tikka masala fries! Not at all a poutine by even drunk standards as the Indian spices hit strong and fast but it was fantastic and exactly what I didn't know I needed! Alongside the mind-blowing 2nd Shift Black Noise stout, I found myself winning dinner too easy in a cozy corner surprisingly well made in a downtown bar. Bar is too shabby sounding, this is more a classic British pub feel filtered through the generous and friendly prairie spirit. The staff was very accommodating even though I almost backed out dropping in 40 minutes to kitchen closing. My buddy had the reuben dog on my hunch but that turned out the weak part - difficult to eat, not quite the well mixed flavors or straight up prize money of my masala. The dog was very tasty but sauerkraut sparse and little offered to play for. We made up with the bread pudding which again was oddly not pudding but mostly bread, no matter, very tasty! This would easily be the hotspot had I a KC downtown hut. There's that special menu a bit odd and proud, fabulous beer selection, and decent prices with wonderful staff to see it all make good. read more

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Unbelievably rude bartender--not just not great, not just indifferent, but aggressively awful. I hate saying this about local places, but it was so bad I actually want an apology. read more

I'm excited for my next trip to The Belfry! The ambiance in this place is my favorite thing about it. It's literally on a side street in Downtown KC (a little further north than the Crossroads) and we decided to stop in here upon seeing the lights from the window. This place has fun and interesting beers and other drink selections as well as yummy appetizers and dishes. We only ordered the warm pretzels and cheese and they were great! I'll definitely need to go there for a meal and enjoy the dimly lit, yet super nice atmosphere again! read more

We had an excellent meal for dinner and drinks. The staff was amazing with providing info about the single barrel options they had to offer. Will definitely be back. read more

The Belfry - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I came here with a couple friends last weekend for a stop with our KC passport winter editions. Great perk that it was happy hour when we were there and they had awesome $5 portions of all their starters! We had their duck confit chicken wings, bacon Mac n cheese, and mega dope'chos. The chicken wings were awesome and being from buffalo my husband says I can get picky about my chicken wings . The cheese sauce on both the Mac n cheese and nachos was amazing! Overall for $5 each and split between 3 people these were some great snacks. I also had a glass of their Sauvignon Blanc which was good! read more

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