I absolutely love this is restaurant. I adore the location: in the West Bottoms across the street from the Livestock Exchange building. It's easy to walk around after, maybe grab a beer at Stockyards. The vibes are awesome. Think modern but still relaxed Western style. The food. Ugh. The smash burger is the best one I've had. And it's bigger than most. With a side of fries and their delicious sauce...it's a great meal. The drinks are awesome. You can tell the bartenders have experience and know what they are doing. I do wish they had draft beer but their selection focuses on smaller breweries (which I love). The service has always been quick, kind, and helpful when needed. I definitely recommend you check out this special spot! Side note- I would make reservations as it appears to fill up quickly. We were lucky enough to get a spot at the bar but they kindly put a time limit for us (as even the bar was reserved that night) read more

The Campground - Smash burger, fries, Faction beer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Fun patio in a spot that is just enough removed from the city. They have a small food menu, quite a few cocktails, and several mocktail options. The NA spritz was lovely. Their fries are crunchy and thick. Service was a little weird, but oh well. You might come home spelling a little bit like a campfire. read more

I stopped in because I heard about a fun little cocktail program the restaurant put together - only to find out the program was old and had been discontinued a while ago. Oops. That option was off the table, but I decided to stick around - mainly because I saw schnitzel on the menu. It's not every day you see that, and since the food menu is small and rotates, I didn't want to let it go to waste. It was great... and the after dinner Old Fashioned hit the spot. It's a little expensive, but that's okay. It's worth it. I liked the theme, layout and atmosphere. I absolutely loved the staff, who were awesome and happy to answer any questions. read more

The Campground - Schnitzel. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Everything! I have been here 4 times in the last 2 years ! Everyone always laughs at me when I say let's go to the campground because I'm known for never being a repeat customer to a place. I have never once had anything from here that I didn't like there are things on them and you that you are like questioning whether you should order them just order them they'll be delicious it's the mood there the cocktails and the food is always been perfect and that is High Praise coming from me! read more

We made a reservation for the bar and when the hostess went to seat us, we realized that our seats were at "the rail". Lucky for us, she was able to move us, but moving forward, we will be careful to request that not be our spot. You are seated facing out and looking directly into some potted plants. This might work for a single, but in my opinion, it's not conducive to conversation if you are with someone else. Once seated, our dinner went quickly. We each ordered a cocktail and we tried the sourdough and shrimp tostada. According to hubby, the bread was fantastic and I thought the tostada was good, but incredibly messy to eat (definitely not first date food ). We then ordered the double smash burger and green beans. Both were really good and I would certainly order them again. All in all, this is a fun place and worthy of a repeat visit once the patio and fire pits are open! read more

We had a long break at a volleyball tournament so we decided to go get a drink not far from Hy-Vee Arena. We stumbled across one of the only places open on a Sunday evening. Luckily, this place was open and very inviting. They made room at the bar for us to come in and have a few drinks. We ordered some truffle fries, which were amazing. Thankfully we ordered two orders. We ended up with a longer delay than expected. So I went ahead and ordered their Smashburger, which came highly recommended from the hostess and the bartender. That Smashburger was probably one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. The bun was perfectly toasted very light and fluffy. The meat and cheese mixture with the onions and pickles were so good. I had to order another one to let my daughter eat after she played. So glad we came across this place. Next time I'm in Kansas City I'm definitely gonna go get another Smashburger. read more

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They were so rude in communicating that there was a wait and then started helping people who came after us. Cute place but would never go back after that interaction read more

I wanted to love this place. The burger was 10/10 but the service was terrible. When we arrived the hostess was on her phone and we waited a solid 2 minutes of awkwardness for her to acknowledge us to give her our reservation name. After putting in drinks. we waiting 30 mins just to get our waiter's attention to order food. We got the shrimp appetizer and it was lukewarm - not sure if it was supposed to be hot or cold. We also tried the gnocchi, it was great. The cocktails were also delicious. It would have been a great place for a date night but we couldn't ever get our servers attention. Not sure if we will be back. read more

The Campground - Shrimp appetizer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Where do I start? The Campground is quaint, cozy, and very much my kind of aesthetic. I found The Campground through the Yelp Elite group, and after seeing what these guys were all about, I made reservations for my wife's birthday. We were not disappointed in any way. Josh was our waiter and he was knowledgable about the food and drinks. We brought friends to celebrate, and we all ordered the same thing--the smash burger and fries. Wow. Yes. That burger was excellent. Every bite was just as flavorful as the last, and the fries? Oh, they were perfect with the smoked truffle aioli. The cocktails were also amazing. I had an Old Fashioned, and my wife had the Gimlet; both were well mixed and served perfectly. We'll definitely be returning to The Campground! read more

The Campground - Old Fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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This is my new favorite restaurant and I can't believe it's taken me so long to try it. Everything was truly superb, from the ambiance and atmosphere to the delicious food and drinks, it was perfect. I love how welcoming and homey the dining room and bar were, as well as the spacious lot in front where you can also lounge in. The hostess was very friendly and sweet, but our waiter didn't say much to us. That's the only complaint - we didn't get much out of him at all but maybe he's just a quiet guy. The drinks were great and the food was to die for. The fries and burger were truly the best I've ever had. The catfish was also great, we just wish we had more of it. We got a cocktail outside after we wrapped up and I can't wait to come back and enjoy the fire pits during the fall! read more

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Had a relaxing time at The Campground tonight. We sat outside, not on the patio but first one on of the benches around a fire pit while we enjoyed our cocktails. I had the watermelon bay leaf margarita-delicious, and hubby had the old fashioned-very good. We then moved to a table when we ordered the smash burger and fries-both which were amazingly fantastic! Service was excellent, the weather was perfect and it was a great evening to sit outside and enjoy some great drinks and food. We will definitely be back! read more

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Great drinks, food and service. Perfect for a cozy date night or after work. Even better when it's patio season!

The service is spectacular and the atmosphere is perfect for a date night. I'd love to come check out with friends in the summer with the garage doors are up and there's outdoor seating. We tried out a smash burger and fries last night. The fries with the sauce is incredible and can't get enough. The burger...ok - it's good. However - for $16....ehhhh. It's got maybe 1/4 lb of meat on it, a pickle or two and a light coating of sauce. Glad we tried it - however probably won't get it again. read more

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

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The Campground somehow manages to be perfect for any occasion -- the perfect romantic date location, perfect place to drink with friends, and the perfect place to take your parents for dinner -- and perfect any time of year -- gorgeous covered patio for summer days and cozy fire pits and outdoor bar for the winter months. The inside of the restaurant and bar area is small and moody and cozy. The Campground has an extensive drink menu, including nonalcoholic options. I recommend making a reservation, but you will often catch people grabbing a drink at the bar and hanging out at the fire pits outside while they wait for a table. The food menu is very small but mighty and changes seasonally. If you have dietary restrictions, check the menu online to make sure there's an option for you. The small plate options are always fabulous. The smash burger is a mainstay on the menu, and many consider it to be the best burger in the city! Even the fries are special. Typically, there's plenty of street parking available around this area of the West Bottoms (unless there's a graduation happening at Hyvee Arena, and then you're screwed). There's a tiny lot behind the restaurant with a couple parking spots as well. read more

The Campground - Smash burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Visited for the holiday market - about 8 artisans with their amazing crafts on display & for purchase. Enjoyed the holiday apple cider and added rum and my husband partook in the mulled wine. Festive music and fire bits going all around and a festive atmosphere was enjoyed' read more

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

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7 o'clock on a Saturday night with mulled wine, and my favorite fries by the campfire is blissfully campy. An early December, but not too chilly night. Pierogies on the way cause I'm feeling peckish and they feed the soul. Seasonal drink options are always delicious. Spiked egg nog, which I know makes some feel a certain way, soooo good tho. Family owned and operated by the coolest humans. Surprisingly chill for being in the city but it is the west bottoms and it's a vibe all unto it self. Service is hopping. They do have a parking lot behind and a larger lot it looks like across the street. Familles are welcomed but opting in for a date night here would be stellar too. I think it's the fire, it makes crazy versatile. Don't miss the chance to visit any time of year. read more

The Campground - Mulled wine by fire - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

First time visit, and it didn't disappoint. Love the vibe, service was excellent, and the presentation and quality of the food was great! Definitely order the french fries We really did love it all! read more

The Campground - Pork chop, french fries, and burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Grabbed our Valentine's celebration dinner at the Campground. I definitely recommend a reservation at busy times, as the place is small. We were seated quickly and ordered drinks. I loved the martini, it comes with a little snack! My husband and I shared the smash burger, fries, and angliotti. The fries and angliotti were to die for, but the burger was a little overcooked and dry. Definitely worth a stop tho! read more

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It's giving elevated summer camp. Surrounded by black painted walls, vintage furnishings, taxidermy and houseplants - settle in for an evening at The Campground. Weekend reservations are a must as this cozy space sits 40 inside with another 25 on the outdoor patio. In 2024, Campground's very own Chef Jeff Workman, was a James Beard semifinalist for Emerging Chef - spending 4 years as executive sous chef at Corvino. The menu plays with the campground concept while being nature harvested and inspired Midwestern fare with lots of local ingredients. All of our drinks were delicious, although the porn star lemon drop was a bit too sweet for me personally. I love their wine list. Follow them on social media for special wine offerings. The trout appetizer was delicious. Their smashburger is always a must. The fries with the fried egg aoli is super good. Just wishing I had room for dessert! read more

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This place is such a cool vibe! Either for dinner with friends or a date night. The burger and fries were definitely my favorite. The menu does feel small/ limited but I think it rotates. We had a reservation but they did have outside seating available. read more

Had to make another post since I came back for the burger. Let me tell you something. This burger is everything you could want in a burger and has now made it to the top of my list in KC. Classic cheeseburger with double patties, ooey gooey American cheese, pickles, onions, aioli and classic bun. That's it, and that's all there needs to be. Period. You do have to order fries on the side but totally worth it. This place is just too cool. Vibe is on point and all the bartenders and staff are incredible. If you are looking for a cool bar with great food this is your place. read more

The Campground - Burger and fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Okay so it's been a hot minute since I've reviewed the Campground and well, it's definitely time because since my initial visit, I've been back two times and both times I've been blown away. First of all I highly encourage anyone wanting to come here to dine in to make a reservation. It's a small place and while I could see you getting table service walking in on maybe a Wednesday night, I've always had a reservation for a weekend evening. Let's start with the ambiance. I really think it can't be beat in KC. It is a blend of hipster decor mixed with romantic broodiness, and a dash of elegance. Oh, and a bit of rustic cabin fare. That might not make a lot of sense unless you've been, but trust me. It's a bit unique, but it's perfect for a date. Even more perfect if you visit on a dark and cold night. There is something warm and romantic about the space that I just think lends itself to a late evening dinner. Some things to keep in mind here though, while I love this place it isn't ideal for small children or large groups - so to fully enjoy it I highly recommend going in a group of four or less and keeping it 21+. Now, onto the cocktails and the meal. The cocktails are great. There isn't much else to say. I've had by now probably three or four different ones on their rotating menu and I always am happy and think they're worth the premium fee they charge. My husband I think would agree as he loved his drink as well. The food is also really amazing. Recently The Campground got some buzz regarding their cheeseburger and while I haven't had it, my husband did and he said it was amongst the best he's had. I treated myself to a smoked pork chop and holy cow was this thing good. I surprised myself and ate the whole thing because it really was just that amazing. I'd return just for this meal alone. They rotate their menu seasonally, so I won't expect to find the same things next time I return, but any place that knocks it out of the park on all fronts deserves five stars and this is it for me. I can't wait for my next visit! read more

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The smell of wood burning in fire pits makes me think of camping and creates the perfect outside atmosphere for this restaurant. An outdoor bar serves a few small plates to enjoy while waiting for a table or just for a bit of stop-by. If we lived here, we would be regulars around the campfires. Walking inside, the camping ambiance continues with dark colors and greenery. Whoever keeps their plants alive is talented, as they have a beautiful variety. Reservations are recommended. We wanted to try this place out last time we were in town, but there were no available spots, so we made reservations as soon as we knew we were coming back. It is a small dining room with a bar on the far wall. There is also a patio dining area. When you use the restroom, you can peek into the kitchen as the line is in the hallway. Our server was very attentive and helpful. The extensive cocktail menu made it different to pick what to start with, so he asked what we might be eating and told me to start with the Neon Cactus and then have the White Negroni with my meal. They were both delicious, and I was so glad he guided me on when to drink them. My husband began with the house Negroni and drank the Gimlet with his meal. We started our meal with the french fries. They are perfectly crispy and salty. There is a creamy dip that accompanies them that we thoroughly enjoyed. For our meals, we split the mushroom tagliatelle with mustard greens, spring onions, and almonds and the Alaskan halibut with radish, pine nut, caper, and turnips. Both entrees were delectable. We wished we had saved a fry or two to soak up the sauces in our bowls. We will definitely be back when we return to KC. read more

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This was a great find and I was happy I decided to take a chance on this spot that I've never been to before! the Campground was top notch and boasted a intimate atmosphere with an elevated but still approachable ambiance that I loved. Wait staff and overall service level was excellent and it was appreciated that they let us talk and try to stay out of our hair unless we had questions or we wanted to place an order. Alex was our waiter for the night and he was excellent and really fun to chat with when he was at our table, was knowledgeable of the menus and gave great recommendations. We had oysters, olives, and then shared their smash burger, fries, and their catfish. All of which were good, being my first time trying cat fish I did find it a bit too fishy for my taste but it was prepared perfectly and was fried to perfection and sat over a layer of a chimichurri they had prepared. The best thing on their menu had to be the burger and it might by up there with cosmo burger for my favorite burger in Kansas City. I could eat that every day, there was a delicious bun, perfectly cooked smash burger patty's and perfectly melted cheese. It comes with pickles and onions on it and maybe some Mayo but I'd love for a signature sauce to be an option! On the side we also had fries with an egg aioli and they were some of the best fries I've had in Kansas City. Overall this place has excellent food, service and atmosphere. This should be in everyone's radar in Kansas City. read more

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The Campground is the SPOT! It is SUCH a sweet spot in the West Bottoms. It is beautifully decorated on theme and feels like you are in a semi-remote lodge. It is extremely peaceful and relaxing, decorated with birds and outdoor imagery. Since we were the only people there, the service was quick and great. (We did go during a Chiefs game, though). We tried the Casual Animal beer and P* Lemon Drop, which was sweet and delicious. You MUST get the french fries with smoked fry sauce, I NEED the recipe for that sauce. The Smashburger is incredible, and the Fried Catfish is absolutely delicious. read more

I tried the campground the first time during the pandemic and never had the pleasure of sitting in the dining area. This weekend I finally was able to see the inside and enjoy the ambiance this west bottoms restaurant had to offer! The staff were kind and greeted me to a table and offered me a menu with drink options. The cocktails were strong and unique and offered different liquors than the standard restaurant. I started with the French fries and feel in love with their house made aioli. The burger was my main course which was a medium done smash burger with all the flavor and aoili packed together. Definitely a great spot for drinks and apps or an overall dining experience! read more

The Campground - Dinner and drinks in dining area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Ordered the pork chop with chimichurri over puréed sweet potato (excellent combo) and a paper plane in the cutest little glass! 10/10 read more

The Campground - Pork chop & a paper plane! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

We've heard of the campground and we are so glad we finally made it here to try some drinks and food! There's a really cute indoor area that is very intimate and dark, and a little outdoor area that seems to be consistent with its name - there's even a cozy fire-pit! Reservations are helpful on the weekends because they do get busy. Parking around here can be a little tricky - mostly street parking. The cocktails are my favorite part of this place - we sat behind the bar and it was so much fun watching our mixologist work his magic. We got quite a few drinks to try, and our favorites were the house gimlet (delicious, refreshing, with a hint of citrus), old fashioned (so carefully crafted and a great sipper), and the house Paloma. Be adventurous and I would recommend you talk to your mixologist about what might fit your palette! Food on the other hand is unfortunately where the Campground fell a little short. We ordered the truffle fries (which were actually delicious! freshly fried with a delicious aioli), mushroom tempura, ground lamb ravioli. Unfortunately the mushroom tempura had a lot of uncooked flour in the center of many of the pieces, which made it rather inedible - it tasted grainy and flour-y. The ground lamb ravioli was fine, but a little undercooked (probably 1-2 mins short of al-dente). I would definitely come back for some nice cocktails, good vibes, and truffle fries! read more

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Maybe the coolest bar in town. I love the decor and how it transports you to another place, another time. You're going to get carefully and thoughtful constructed cocktails of the highest sophistication here. The burger is daaaamn tasty, so don't you even think about not getting one of them too! Mic drop read more

Enjoyable environment with a large drink menu and some solid food offerings. --- My significant other and I came here on a Sunday night in November while visiting from out of town. We had originally planned to get a full dinner, but after a heavy lunch we decided to go lighter on the food and grab a couple cocktails. The establishment is in the midst of a revived warehouse district. The ambiance inside was dark and charming, with candles at each table and plants and outdoorsy art surrounding us. It wasn't super busy when we first arrived, but was quite packed by the end of the night. We were seated at a table by the window. The service was OK - a bit slow and waiter was a bit curt, but not concerning or outright rude. We each had two cocktails throughout the night, and then split 2 appetizers and an entree. For the cocktails, I had the Orange Negroni and the Desert Paloma, while my significant other went for the Old Fashioned and the Grief Motif. The Negroni and Old Fashioned were solid - as we expected and not especially extraordinary. I enjoyed my Desert Paloma - the tequila and mixes blended well together and were refreshing. The Grief Motif was interesting - I did not hate it, but the mix of ingredients was interesting and certainly didn't remind me of the perfect Fall/Winter drink that it was to be described. The appetizers we went with were the Brussel Sprouts and the Apple/Kohlrabi. The Sprouts were especially Brussel-y but well prepped, and the Apple Dish was simple yet pleasant and enjoyable. For the entree, we went with the Butternut Squash as neither of us were that hungry. While the Squash itself was good, the Kale was overwhelming for me and made the dish taste more 'earthy' than I was looking for. My significant other liked this more than I did, however. Overall this was a solid experience, even if I felt some of the food and drink offerings didn't always consistently excel. We left with a T-Shirt as well, so certainly are fans of our time here. I would definitely like to come back during warmer weather to sit outside and get the more true 'campground' experience, and also try the rave-reviewed burger when my appetite allows for it. read more

The Campground - A blurry picture of my Orange Negroni in the cute bird-themed glass - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

OK, so this was not one of the places that we thought that we would go and enjoy a food tonight however, it was a special night for me and my wife. This place is very aesthetic in look with amazing interiors. The moment you get in, you'll feel like you're in some small cave with a beautiful decoration, there is a personal touch with the host being a co-owner of this restaurant bar table and we met this amazing bartender name Jake. He was fantastic with suggestions of food and drinks. Very friendly squad amazing food perfect place for a nice date I must visit local eatery, and cocktail bar in Kansas City. read more

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Admittedly, I've only had cocktails here....but that, mixed with the charming ambiance, and incredible people, were enough to make me fall in love. And all the more reason for me to become a repeat customer. Easily in my top 5 KC Old Fashioneds. read more

The Campground - Old fashioned(s) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

The campground is a great place to meet friends for drinks. The location is in the stockyards, which is really cool to see that area be used for more options. The service here is wonderful and they have some light menu options if you are looking for food. A fun place for a date night or to meet friends. read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city, and is definitely one of if not the best burger in the city. The space is intimate, the service is amazing, and the food and cocktails are even better. Their constantly changing menu keeps things interesting and it definitely keeps us coming back. They also have a great outdoor patio area! read more

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Food was AMAZING. Chef is super talented! Cocktails wonderful. Super fresh. I was with 4 people and they all had 5/5 experience!

We came for dinner a couple weeks ago and I'm still drooling over this dinner! I made a patio reservation and both the patio and inside restaurant seem fairly small so I would recommend a res to be safe, especially on the weekend. The patio was really cute and comfy! We waited a few minutes for water and to order drinks but not too long. I asked for a drink recommendation and ended up with the gimlet. I'm slowly becoming a gin convert because it was delicious! If you like sweet drinks give it a try; it basically tasted like adult pink lemonade. Tp start we tried the green beans. They were incredible and something I would expect from a fine dining place. Super savory and flavorful broth with a coating of cheese on top of the mushrooms and beans. I am still thinking about them. We shared the smash burger and added fries and they were awesome. Definitely on par with some of my fave burgers in KC and the fries were perfect. To finish we got both the smores and bananas foster. Delicious, no notes. I cannot wait for my next visit! read more

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The tomato/goat cheese appetizer was the best thing ever! Great, interesting cocktails and super friendly service. Love this place! read more

The Campground - Tomato and goat cheese appetizer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Thought this place had a cool concept and wanted to check it out and the space and ambience did not disappoint. There's an area out front where you can order a drink and sit around a campfire in the middle of West Bottoms which is really neat. The patio and inside dining room also have very cool vibes and are really well done. The menu is limited so if you're a picky eater you should definitely check the menu and make sure there's something that sounds good. Another thing worth noting is that they do require proof of vaccination to eat inside so if you're planning to do that be sure to be prepared. The drinks were good and they had some unique options. The butternut bolognese was okay but nothing too special, while the pumpkin gnocchi- and this coming from someone who isn't a pumpkin fan- was extremely good! This is a very cool place thats great for an intimate date night! read more

The Campground - Pumpkin Goncchi - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Our first visit to The Campground was sparked by a referral from a local foodie. It did not disappoint. The restaurant, in the Stockyards area is small, with both indoor and outdoor seating. We got a last minute table outside and it was a warm night, over 90 degrees. Definitely a night to add ice to the water served to the tables. Like lots of restaurants, this one has had challenges with adequate staffing. Our server Stephanie was awesome and kept us informed what was up. Our drinks and starters took a long time to be delivered, but the entrees and dessert were quick. We both ordered a Handshake Drug cocktail, with Koval Barreled Gin and Pineapple Letherbee Beck and Giffard Caribbean Pineapple. Very refreshing. We started with the large Crudite Board and the beet hummus, cashew chili and green goddess dip were excellent. The green beans served on the platter were especially tasty. Some Truffle Fries were the perfect complement. For entrees, I went with the huge Fried Chicken Sandwich. It's a meal of its own. My wife loved the Steak Skewer and found the meat to perfectly grilled and very tender. For dessert, we went with the S'More Cake. We saw several other tables ordering this. It would have been great with ice cream, but then it was really warm this evening. As the sun started to set, the breeze in the neighborhood picked up and cooled us down a bit. I know when we come back that we'll book a reservation further ahead to get inside seating. I've heard that bar seating, which currently isn't available because of Covid, is the best way to admire their mixologists at work. read more

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I visited The Campground for the first time about a month ago to grab a drink with a friend. I ordered the Casual Hunter, a spirit-free mocktail, which was pretty good. There are different seating options available - bar seating, table seating, and outdoor seating. My friend and I sat at the bar - we didn't order food but there was a delicious smell coming from the kitchen. There are several vegan options on the menu that are labeled as "vegan" or "vegan option available" which we love to see. The folks next to me were munching on the Caesar Salad which looked awesome (according to the menu, there's a vegan option for this). Overall, a great first impression and I can't wait to visit again to try the food. read more

The Campground - Casual Hunter (spirit-free cocktail / mocktail) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri