These Kansas City bars and restaurants are offering heated patio seating this winter
It's getting colder in Kansas City, which is putting even more pressure on bars and restaurants as coronavirus numbers continue to rise. Many of our favorite spots are working to give guests a little bit of warmth while keeping them safer outside. Check out these spots around the area that have firepits, heaters, partially enclosed tents and other options for outdoor comfort. Check back often, as we'll be adding to this list as more options crop up, and you may want to check in with your destination before you bundle up to go somewhere – things are constantly changing!
Does your café, bar or restaurant have a heated patio? Send us a picture at editor@feastmagazine.com.
Aixois
This lovely little bistro has a pretty ample outdoor space and some heating options to help stave off the elements. They've got plenty of classic French dishes and a few twists on your favorites; it's a perfect place to return to and try new things. (Photo courtesy of Aixois)
Aixois, 251 E 55th St, Kansas City, Missouri, aixois.com
Bar K
It's been a rough year for a lot of people, but pretty much everyone can agree that a big space with food, drink and tons of dogs running around will lift anyone's spirits. Bar K has heaters and a tented beer garden area, plus all those furry friends running around are like living space heaters. (Photo courtesy of Bar K)
Bar K Dog Bar, 501 Berkley Pkwy., Kansas City, Missouri, barkdogbar.com
Barrio
Both the Brookside and Red Bridge Barrio locations have fire tables and heating options on their patios, though the Red Bridge location has a lot more outdoor space. The Brookside spot is always hopping, so calling ahead for reservations by the fire is a good idea. Their food goes from standard Mexican fare to fairly experimental, so there are a lot of options here for any palate. (Photo by Anna Petrow)
Brookside Barrio, 6227 Brookside Plaza, Brookside, Kansas City, Missouri, 816.293.9587, brooksidebarrio.com
Red Bridge Barrio, 11118 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri, barriokc.com
Border Brewing Co.
Down in the Brewer's Alley section of the Crossroads Arts District, Border Brewing always keeps around 10 beers on tap and has a few partially covered sections of its patio so you can people-watch while you imbibe. The prime location in the Crossroads opens it up to plenty of good food options within shouting distance, so you can make a whole day of it. (Photo courtesy of Border Brewing Co.)
Border Brewing Co., 406 E 18th St., Crossroads Arts District, Kansas City, Missouri, borderbrewco.com
Brewery Emperial
Brewery Emperial has a bigger outdoor space than indoor space, and tons of options to keep you warm through the winter. The covered patio has a heater attached and wind screens to help block those nasty breezes, and there are several firepits spread out through the outdoor seating area. Come hungry: Brewery Emperial's food options are delicious and pair extremely well with its beers. (Photo courtesy of Brewery Emperial)
Brewery Emperial, 1829 Oak St., Crossroads Arts District, Kansas City, Missouri, 816.945.9625, breweryemperial.com
BRGR Kitchen + Bar Burger
Both locations of BRGR have plenty of patio space and heaters to warm you up while you enjoy your burger and fries. The Corinth Square spot in Prairie Village will probably be a bit easier to find parking than the Power & Light District spot, but they both have the same food options for an elevated take on bar and grill classics. (Photo courtesy of BRGR Kitchen + Bar)
BRGR Kitchen + Bar, 4038 W. 83rd St., Prairie Village, Kansas
BRGR Kitchen + Bar, 11 E. 14th St., Power & Light District, Kansas City, Missouri, brgrkitchen.com
Cafe Trio
If you like your meal with a view, it's tough to beat Cafe Trio. The large outdoor seating area overlooks the Country Club Plaza, and there's plenty of room to spread out while still keeping cozy under the covering. Grab a Martini and something indulgent here: we recommend the crab cakes or the mac 'n' cheese. (Photo courtesy of Cafe Trio)
Cafe Trio, 4558 Main St, Kansas City, Missouri, 816.756.3227, cafetriokc.com
The Campground
Located in the West Bottoms, The Campground has been operating as an outdoor-only spot for some time, and plans on continuing to do so for several months. The patio has plenty of heaters and wind-resistant tarps, and they've actually transformed into a European-style holiday market featuring local vendors through Dec. 20. This "Christkindlmarkt" will still feature some food and drink options, but not the full menu and traditional service. After that, they'll be returning to their regular, outdoor service. Don't skip out on the delicious food and creative cocktails. Make sure to call ahead; the restaurant is on winter break until mid-January. (Photo courtesy of The Campground)
The Campground, 1531 Genessee St., Kansas City, Missouri, 816.612.3434, thecampgroundkc.com
Chicken N Pickle
So much of the space at Chicken N Pickle is outdoors, it would be silly if they didn't have some heat elements to utilize it year round. You'll find several firepits and heaters all over the space, including on the rooftop pop up called Snowbound. Chicken N Pickle also has a large, indoor fireplace near retractable doors, and playing a round of pickleball will surely get your temperature rising. (Photo courtesy of Chicken N Pickle)
Chicken N Pickle, 104 Armour Road, North Kansas City, Missouri, 816.537.1400, ChickenNPickle.com
Fox and Pearl
You might not know it, but Fox and Pearl has a nice little enclosed courtyard to make for a cozy dinner date night. It isn't covered, but being enclosed helps block the wind, and Fox and Pearl's delicious, fire-kissed food will help warm you up on even the coldest evenings. (Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-Op)
Fox and Pearl, 2143 Summit St., Westside, Kansas City, Missouri, 816.437.7001, foxandpearlkc.com
Gram & Dun
If you've spent any time on the Plaza, you know Gram & Dun has some impressive outdoor heating elements. The restaurant has a massive fireplace to help keep you warm, and plenty of personal heaters they can move around to configure for different table setups. Grab some happy hour snacks and stay cozy at this Plaza mainstay. (Photo by Landon Vonderschmidt)
Gram & Dun, 600 Ward Pkwy., Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, Missouri, 816.389.2900, gramanddun.com
La Bodega
Warm up with some tapas at La Bodega this winter. This Southwest Boulevard mainstay still has one of the best happy hours around, and the restaurant has added on to its outdoor seating space with plenty of fire tables and propane heaters. Make sure to order some sangria or a Caipirinha to get some warmth in your belly. (Photo courtesy of La Bodega)
La Bodega, 703 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri, 816.472.8272, labodegakc.com
Mildred's
Mildred's is definitely known best as a coffeehouse, but don't sleep on the food. They've got some excellent salad and sandwich options, and even some brunch cocktails to light a fire in you. Both locations have patio space, but the Crossroads spot has a firepit – perfect! (Photo courtesy of Mildred's)
Mildred's, 1901 Wyandotte, Crossroads Arts District, Kansas City, Missouri, 816.471.1155, mildredskc.com
The Restaurant at 1900
The Restaurant at 1900 has some amazing, unique food options and one of the best bar and wine programs in the area. The Mission Woods restaurant also has plenty of outdoor seating, complete with wind screens, heaters and blankets to keep you cozy as the weather cools down. The menu shifts with seasonal and fresh ingredients, but order the octopus if you can. (Photo courtesy of The Restaurant at 1900)
The Restaurant at 1900, 1900 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Mission Woods, Kansas, 913.730.1900, therestaurantat1900.com
Rockcreek Brewing Co.
There's plenty of outdoor space at this Mission brewery. Rockcreek Brewing Co. has been able to expand into its concrete lot, and encourages guests to bring blankets and lawn chairs in order to feel as comfortable as possible. There are quite a few tables and some heaters spread out as well, and you can often find food pop ups, like Taco Tank, to keep you fed as you enjoy a beer or two. (Photo courtesy of Rockcreek Brewing Co.)
Rockcreek Brewing Co., 5880 Beverly Ave., Mission, Kansas, facebook.com/rockcreekbrewingco
Rye Leawood
Rye's Mission Farms location has a gorgeous patio space with plenty of cover and tons of strategically placed heaters. There's a lot of space to spread out here, and the food and drink are top notch. Grab a Manhattan with your meal, and make sure to save room for pie! (Photo courtesy of Rye Leawood)
Rye, 10551 Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas, 913.642.5800, ryekc.com
Story
Located in the Prairie Village Shops, Story offers an upscale dining experience and has been able to extend its (already sizable) patio area to help keep diners safe. The restaurant has several heating elements, including propane heaters and fire tables. Check the website for specialty dinner offerings, and save room for dessert. (Photo courtesy of Story)
Story, 3931 W. 69th Terrace, Prairie Village, Kansas, storykc.com
Strang Hall
This food hall in Downtown OP has a good half dozen restaurants to choose from, making it perfect for a group with varying tastes. The outdoor space is massive, meaning there's plenty of room to socially distance. There are yard games, plenty of heaters and firepits and some excellent happy hour options. (Photo by Tessa Cooper)
Strang Hall, 7313 W. 80th St., Overland Park, Kansas, stranghall.com
Taco Republic
The huge outdoor space at Taco Republic has a lot of ways to help keep winter at bay. A portion of the patio is enclosed, and there are firepits and heaters alike for anyone who wants to sit under the winter sky. Grab a Margarita and some street tacos and you'll warm up in no time. (Photo courtesy of Taco Republic)
Taco Republic, 500 County Line Road, Kansas City, Kansas, eattacorepublic.com
Torn Label Brewing Co.
As of right now, Torn Label is only open for outdoor seating and curbside pick up. However, the Crossroads brewery has set up windscreens and plenty of outdoor heaters so guests can enjoy some good brews while still staying as safe as possible. Torn Label has plenty of unique, but still accessible options, like the sweetened Belgian Ale Monk & Honey and House Brew, made in collaboration with Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters. (Photo courtesy of Torn Label Brewing Co.)
Torn Label Brewing Co., 1708 Campbell St., Kansas City, Missouri, 816.656.5459, tornlabelbrewingco.square.site
Tribe Street Kitchen
Tribe has a great spot in the middle of the River Market district, with a patio perfectly suited for sitting back and watching crowds of people (and their dogs) move by. The restaurant also boasts a tented area with a few heaters, and is looking into options to expand things further. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket to keep things cozy while sampling the internationally-inspired menu. (Photo courtesy of Tribe Street Kitchen)
Tribe Street Kitchen, 316 Delaware St., River Market, Kansas City, Missouri, 816.214.6058, tribekc.com
The Well
The Well has long been prepared to withstand the KC winter, and there are two different ways you can enjoy food and drink outside. The ground-level patio is partially covered with a tent and has plenty of heaters, and the rooftop has been transformed into a "Winter Waldoland," including a heated igloo, tables with firepits and plenty of other holiday cheer. (Photo courtesy of The Well)
The Well, 7421 Broadway, Waldo, Kansas City, Missouri, 816.361.1700, waldowell.com
Zocalo
Zocalo, located just off of Ward Parkway on the Plaza, offers plenty of options to quell your craving for Mexican cooking. The restaurant boasts a great happy hour, tons of tequila options (including a delicious house blend) and a patio stocked with plenty of heaters and a large firepit to warm you up. It's got a fun atmosphere and is great for people-watching. (Photo courtesy of Zocalo)
Zocalo, 620 W. 48th St., Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, Missouri, 816.756.5555, zocalokc.com
Jordan Baranowski
Jordan Baranowski is a writer based out of Prairie Village. His social media is generally just food and animals.
