Flutter on over to the Monarch Bar if you want to feel fancy. | Photo courtesy of Monarch Bar KC
Whether you’re turning 29 (again) or proudly owning that 65th spin around the sun, we’ve rounded up the best local experiences that will have you blowing out the candles in style.
Where to eat birthday dinner
Monarch Bar | 4808 Roanoke Pkwy., KCMO | Go to the open bar or reserve the spot for a private party. This upscale lounge, which also features a terrace, has all the vibes to make you feel like royalty on your special day.
Noka | 334 E. 31st St., KCMO | Enjoy conversational seating at this Japanese-inspired local restaurant. Pro Tip: If your birthday falls on a weekend, RSVP for the Chef’s Counter where you can get an up close look at the cooking process + chat with the chefs.
Forget the cherry on top, we’ll stick to flambéed marshmallows.
Photo by KCtoday
Have your cake (and eat it too)
Ashleigh’s Bake Shop | 115 Westport Rd., KCMO | After you swish through the aisles at Pryde’s, pop by the tiny bakery tucked away in the corner. Every delight on the menu is truly a treat.
IceCream BAE | Multiple locations | This local ice cream shop features cones ready for the ‘gram that taste just as good as they look.
Royals Heart Paint Party | 6-8:30 p.m. | 25110 East Strode Rd., Blue Springs | $35 | If you bleed royal blue, take your baseball memorabilia wall up a notch with a little bit of glitter.
Wednesday, April 30
International Day of Jazz | 7-9 p.m. | Music Hall Kansas City | $53+ | To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Count Basie Orchestra, Creative City KC will bring the band back to perform in the very place where it got its start.
Thursday, May 1
“The Making of Our Planet” | Thursday, May 1-Friday, May 2 | Times vary | Polsky Theatre, Overland Park | $6+ | Featuring behind-the-scenes stories from the explorers, filmmakers, scientists, and adventurers that created this eye-catching Netflix nature documentary.
Midwest GameFest 2025 | Thursday, May 1-Sunday, May 4 | Times vary | Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Independence | $10+ | From card games and cosplay to gently-used sales and workshops, there’s something for everyone at this annual four-day tabletop hobby game convention.
Wine Tasting on the Terrace | 6-8 p.m. | Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens | $48 | Sip on expertly curated wines while overlooking the breathtaking garden scenery as the evening sun sets.
“All I Think About is Food,” Cookbook Chat | 6-9 p.m. | Tom’s Town Distilling Co. | $40 | Whether you’re a trend-setting host extraordinaire or just want another beautiful cookbook to display on the counter, stop in for a sip and yap sesh in the gorgeous Rickenbacker space.
Friday, May 2
Bra Couture KC | 6 a.m.-9 p.m. | Kansas City Convention Center | $125+ | It’s not about the bra — it’s about the bravado of a cancer survivor walking the 120-ft runway, fundraising for uninsured/underinsured cancer patients.
Alton Brown: LIVE | 7:30 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland | $40+ | The famed foodie reflects on his decades-long career, sharing favorite culinary mega-hacks and singing his funny food songs during this a culinary variety show.
The Chiefs picked Ohio State OT Josh Simmons in Round 1 of the NFL Draft, but KC roots showed up elsewhere too — Lee’s Summit North alum Armand Membou went seventh overall to the Jets. KC talent stays winning, even if sometimes it’s in someone else’s jersey. Browse all of the Chiefs’ 2025 draft picks. (FOX4 + USA Today)
Development
Once a downtown getaway for the rich and famous (i.e., Elvis + Babe Ruth), the half-vacant Hotel Muehlebach may soon feature chic, city apartments. A local developer is planning 152 units within the 110-year-old building’s top eight floors, as well as a possible pool deck and dog park on an adjacent rooftop. (KCBJ)
Opening
While Cafe Gratitude bids farewell, a new plant-based venture rises. Gigi’s Vegan + Wellness Cafe plans to rebrand as The Seed Kitchen on the Plaza. Meanwhile, Q39 spiced things up with new menu items like smoked brisket meatballs and a melty KC cheesesteak. Balance is key, right?(Kansas City Star + The Pitch)
Mansion Monday
Stacked-stone fireplaces, distressed wood beams, custom alder cabinetry — calling this 5-bedroom, 7-bathroom Aspen Lodge “home” doesn’t require hiking boots. Take a tour of the 8,126-sqft Olathe estate, which features a heated saltwater pool, $400K smart home system, and dedicated craft room.
Traffic
Good news, commuters — the KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension finished track work ahead of schedule. The Grand Boulevard/Berkley Parkway Bridge has officially reopened. Check the live project website for more updates, and enjoy those quicker downtown drives while they last. (KMBC)
Number
32. That’s how many kids in local hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, and elsewhere will receive handmade tie blankets thanks to Project Linus + Pegasus Landing of Overland Park. Residents in the latter’s Memory Care Unit and Independent Living Community dedicated their time this month to do something good for kids “in need of a big hug.”(Johnson County Post)
Concert
Celebrate the season’s finale with the Mid America Freedom Band’s Yellow Roses and Green Hills concert on Friday, May 2 at the Folly Theater. Enjoy a newly-commissioned timpani by composers Jennifer Jolley, Anthony R. Green, and Olivia Kieffer, plus symphonies by Nancy Galbraith and Julie Giroux. Grab tickets.*
Finance
They went from a 40-seat “blink-and-you’d-miss-it” bar to routinely topping “best of” awards lists across the country. Now Death & Co is expanding to Nashville, Seattle, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and even Australia. Don’t miss your chance to invest in Death & Co stock and lock in the current share price by May 15.†‡*
Hiring just got easier. Post unlimited job listings with us for free on the KCtoday Job Board + connect with the right candidates faster. We’ve got your back.
I’m not much for football outside of the playoffs, but chasing down a giant soft pretzel from Lew’s Grill and Bar with a blackberry cider while my friends tried (and failed) to explain NFL Draft lore might’ve been the highlight of my week. I may not understand much, but at least now I know what an edge rusher is. Sort of.
‡This is a paid advertisement for Death & Company Regulation A offering. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please read the offering circular at invest.deathandcompany.com.
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