Warm weather inspires the urge to spend time outside, soak up the sunshine, breathe fresh air and socialize in a safe, socially distant manner. ☀️ The season is right for exploring the city's landscape, but all that adventuring can work up a thirst. 🥂
And as the seasons change, so do our cravings. Lighter styles of craft beer like pils, lager and gose soothe parched throats after walking, jogging or biking. 🍻 Fresh seasonal drinks appear on spring cocktail menus like colorful blooms of tulips and irises. 🌷 Wine selections may shift from bold intense reds 🍷 to delicate rosé and softer, fruit-forward white wines and sangrias that pair well with springtime dishes.
These destinations offer ample outdoor space and options to imbibe local beer, wine or spirits this spring. ⛱️🍾
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Brewery Emperial offers an expansive beer garden in the heart of the Crossroads. 💙 Biscuit is an easy-drinking session beer that’s part English Extra Special Bitter (it’s not actually bitter) and American Pale Ale. 🍺 Inspired by a pre-Prohibition recipe, the Pilsener is made with Pils malt and corn to yield a subtle corn sweetness and crisp finish. Brewmaster Keith Thompson’s Ginger Shandy balances sweet and tart flavor with the zing of fresh ginger juiced by hand. The full bar also offers a wide range of cocktails, wines 🍷 and other sippable drinks. 🍸
The kitchen prepares many dishes by roasting food in an open hearth. 🔥 Try starters such as chorizo and black bean meatballs or char-roasted Brussels sprouts. The Emperial burger, falafel burger and house-smoked half-chicken will appease hearty appetites. 🍔 😋
The beer garden has fire pits for cool evenings, yard games and plenty of people-watching opportunities. Reservations may be made online to secure a table.
And, if you’re in the mood for a taproom crawl, check out nearby Double Shift Brewing, Border Brewing, Casual Animal Brewing, Nimble Brewing, City Barrel Brewing and the newly expanded Torn Label Public House with a kitchen and larger space.
📍 Brewery Emperial: 1829 Oak St., Kansas City, MO
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| The Well Bar Grill and Rooftop
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The Well offers a commanding vista of the Waldo neighborhood from the rooftop bar. The upper level provides space to spread out and sip on your preferred beverage. Signature cocktails include the cucumber mojito, white peach sangria and a classic Horsefeather 🥃 prepared with Pendergast Royal Gold Bourbon from local Tom’s Town Distilling Co., ginger beer and angostura bitters.
The Well’s expansive menu ranges from a street taco platter 🌮 with spicy escabeche to salad bowls served with a quinoa brown rice blend. Behold the mighty Mahomes sandwich: loaded with fried mac ‘n’ cheese, grilled ribeye, Swiss cheese, jumbo tater tots, crispy onion rings and cheese curds on a ciabatta bun, topped with sriracha ketchup. 😋
📍 The Well Bar Grill and Rooftop: 7421 Broadway, Kansas City, MO
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This quaint “shack” located minutes away from Lake Lotawana on Highway 7 serves up far more than martinis. 🍸 The building houses three separate yet connected indoor spaces — a chic martini lounge reminiscent of a speakeasy, a wine bar and a classic bar and grill serving beer on tap and cocktails. 🍺
The eclectic decor is worth the trip alone. You’ll find Old World antiques to bric-a-brac to memorabilia tied to wine, cocktail, fishing and more. 🎣 It’s a visual feast that feels like a cozy man cave inspired by "Antiques Roadshow."
Big C’s Martini Shack also has an outdoor patio area and an indoor stage for live music. 🎸 Whether you’re traveling with a small group or looking for a fun date spot, head here for strong drinks, good food and live music. 🎵
📍 Big C's Martini Shack: 9316 South, MO-7, Lee's Summit, MO
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Explore a bounty of flavor and tradition in the middle of the Crossroads mere steps away from the KC Streetcar. Affäre is a modern German restaurant with a sleek lounge and dining room, wine bar and contemporary art on display. 🖼️ Guests may drink, dine and brunch indoors on seasonal dishes. Affäre’s hidden gem is its courtyard accessible from the dining room and surrounded by buildings on three sides.
Co-owner and sommelier Katrin Heuser oversees guest service and the restaurant’s selection of small-production wines, craft cocktails, beers from Germany 🇩🇪 🍺 and throughout Europe, ciders as well as non-alcoholic options.
During May, partake in Spargelzeit, a month-long highlight of Weisser Spargel (white asparagus) flown in from Holland. Talented executive chef Martin Heuser prepares a range of dishes that celebrate this seasonal ingredient. Diners will also find seafood, steak and tried-and-true wiener schnitzel. Affäre offers a four-course tasting menu and a small plates menu 🍽️ that easily pair with drinks for a cultural and gastronomic tour.
📍 Affäre: 1911 Main St., Kansas City, MO
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| Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery
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Excelsior Springs, Missouri, was once known for its vaunted springs, where wellness practitioners of yesteryear touted unfounded health benefits of the mineral waters. ⚕️🌊
Today, the town, located 40 minutes north of Kansas City, is home to The Historic Elms Hotel and Spa, Dubious Claims Brewing (a nod to the town’s water-based fame) and local wineries including Four Horses and a Dog and Van Till Family Farm Winery.
Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery features 10 acres of vineyards on its scenic 65-acre estate. Vineyards surround a spacious tasting room, cellar garden, gazebo and flagstone patio. ⛱️ Views of the vineyards, a pond with a water fountain, fire pit Fridays, live music on Saturdays and wine tasting 🍷 are some of its amenities.
The winery produces red, white and rosé wine from its vineyard grapes, and serves seasonal sangria and wine cocktails. 🍹 Guests can learn more about winemaking on a 90-minute winery and wine cave tour. Yes, Fence Stile is home to a wine cave where bottles and barrels of wine are stored underground.
Fence Stile is family-friendly and dog-friendly. 👩👩👦 🐶 Parents and pet owners may bring kids and dogs to relax and roam or plan a picnic. Food is available onsite as well.
Pro Tip: Plan a brief wine getaway with an overnight or weekend stay at The Elms, Inn on Crescent Lake or Payne Jailhouse Bed and Breakfast.
📍 Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery: 31010 W. 124th St., Excelsior Springs, MO
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Today's Creative Adventure email was written by Pete Dulin, who also works for Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery. KCUR does not receive financial support from Fence Stile.
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| More Adventures in Kansas City
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|  | Symphony Concert at the Museum
Enjoy a free chamber music concert on the southeast lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial Wednesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. 🎻 The Kansas City Symphony will be performing a selection of songs, from familiar classics to uplifting modern works, perfect for the whole family.
| |  | The Underachiever's Run
If a 5K sounds too daunting to you, how about something a little less ambitious? The 0.5K Underachiever's Run is coming to the Crossroads Saturday, May 15 at 12-5 p.m, starting with a pizza party at Parlor and ending at Grinders. 🏃♀️ Find more information and tickets online.
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