Slime green word salad. Viral TikTok dances. McLain’s brat-cha. Your Gen Z + Millennial relatives calling you “so brat.”
It’s been a “brat summer” whether you knew it or not, so we’re here to explain what it means and how to get in on the fun before flannels and pumpkin spice lattes take over in a few months.
Released on June 7, British singer Charli XCX’s album “brat” debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts. Its 15 tracks examine existential topics like womanhood, family, and insecurity — all with an electric veneer of dance pop partying. In essence, to be a “brat” is to be yourself, flaws and all, while still having fun.
Now that you’re caught up on the lingo, here are three spots to live out your very own “brat summer” in the city.
Westport Flea Market | 817 Westport Rd., KCMO | Self-described as “quirky, funky,” the nostalgic burger stand and arcade is all about embracing the chaos. Be the first to request “365" on Friday karaoke nights.
In the Lowest Ferns | 1105 Hickory St., KCMO | Enter your electronic + art pop era with a stint on this West Bottoms dance floor. The beautiful HiFi lounge features sitting areas and a bar stocked with mocktails, rotating beers + natural wine. Plus, it has the KCtoday City Editor stamp of approval.
Cider Hill Family Orchard | 3341 N. 139th St., KCK | Reinact the viral “Apple” TikTok dance while you’re picking actual fruit at this all-ages orchard — its first batch, the Pristine Apple, is ready for harvest already. Perfect for brats who prefer an earlier bedtime.
Need us to put another pop culture phenomenon in Kansas City-terms? Drop us a line and we’ll share our findings in a future newsletter. Bye, bye, brats.
