Kansas City considers itself one of the Cradles of Jazz, along with New Orleans and Chicago. The Kansas City jazz style developed in the 1920s and 1930s, inspired by big-band, bebop, and blues. Jazz enthusiasts and other music lovers can experience live music at intimate venues throughout Kansas City. Listen and dance to every rhythm from swing and blues to rock and country. Kansas City music festivals are held throughout the year in various locations, featuring all types of music.
Many of the clubs, restaurants, and other venues are located in the heart of the city, near the famous Crossroads Arts District. Others are near the river. All locations are easy to reach from any of our 12 KC Metro apartment communities located north and south of town.
Knuckleheads
This is where the “world’s greatest musicians play” on any of the four stages throughout the week.
Knuckleheads offers the Outdoor Stage and Courtyard Theater open from April to October. This was the site of the Electric Park, created in 1899 by the river, with the first outdoor stage and large bandstand in the Kansas City area. It is located in the East Bottoms area.
The Garage, located across the street, is Knuckleheads’ largest indoor venue, which is open all year. This theater seats 450 people for live performances. The venue was originally a repair garage for trucks, buses, and motorhomes. The Garage features a large dance floor.
Looking for a honky-tonk? Visit The Saloon, the second largest indoor venue, located next to the Garage. This is the place for a sound-and-light presentation, with photos of previous performers lining the walls. This is where Knuckleheads started in 2001 with Open Jam Sessions. Artists such as JJ Grey, Tower of Power, and Leon Russel performed here.
The Legendary Gospel Lounge is a more intimate venue with seating for 75 people. This theater offers a smaller stage where performing artists can interact with guests. It was established by pastors who wanted to offer “music for the soul.”
Knuckleheads offers sandwiches, nachos, tacos, and hot dogs, along with sodas, beer, and other alcoholic beverages. Check the website for listings of all performances during the year.
American Jazz Museum, Where Jazz Lives!
This is the area where the jazz greats, including Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie, to name a few, performed! Special exhibits include album covers, other memorabilia, and personal items from the jazz greats. The museum also has over 100 recordings of some of the greatest jazz musicians.
The American Jazz Museum is located in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District. The museum includes The Blue Room, a jazz club, along with the Gem Theater, a 500-seat performing arts center.
The Blue Room was named after the nightspot in the old Street Hotel at 18th and Vine, in the Crossroads area. It is a working club open four nights a week with live jazz performances by local and national artists. It is considered intimate and smoke-free.
The Gem Theater is a restored 1912 exterior with a modern performing arts center that offers a “jazz masters” concert series. The museum is located near the Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts.
The Ship, All Else the Sea
The Ship is land-based despite its name! It is the recreated bar, restaurant, and nightclub from the 1930’s that opened after the repeal of Prohibition. The historic Ship Lounge is an intimate bar and restaurant with live music throughout the week.
All Else the Sea is a larger room in the restaurant that hosts shows and events with a large stage and dance floor. The Ship is located in the West Bottoms area.
Tin Roof
Weekends at the Roof are legendary in the Westport neighborhood. This restaurant has two stages for entertainment with local bands and visitors from other areas. A DJ spins dance music on another stage. The Tin Roof has five bars, three patios, and an extensive food menu.
The Phoenix
The Phoenix is a hot jazz and blues club in the heart of downtown. This club offers live entertainment every evening except Mondays. Guests will find an extensive wine list, colorful cocktails, and great food. There’s a Jazz Brunch on Sundays and even Happy Hour specials from 4 pm to 6 pm every day but Sunday and Monday.
Green Lady Lounge
Catch live performances every evening at the Green Lady Lounge in the Crossroads Art District. Live jazz is offered throughout the week along with a menu of vintage-inspired and modern cocktails, snacks, and desserts. Guests must be 21 or older.
KC Metro Apartments
Monarch Investment and Management Group is a family-run multi-unit housing investment and management company based out of Denver, Colorado, but we love the Kansas City area. We have deep roots in KC and have been managing communities here for many years. Kansas City is a major Midwestern city with a lively music and arts scene and plenty of places to live, including the 12 local communities managed by Monarch.
If you’re looking for your next apartment in the Kansas City area, our 12 apartment communities provide comfort and convenient access to major areas of the city. If you prefer the area north of downtown at The Oaks of Prairie View, NoRi, Forest Park, The Hills, Retreat at Walnut Creek, or south at Ridge at Chestnut, The Arbors at Grandview, Prairie Walk, Ridge at Chestnut, or The Retreat at Woodlands could be your next home. Grant 79, The Retreat at Mill Creek, and the Retreat at Woodridge are in the Overland Park area.
We’re locals too and we hope you enjoyed our recommendations! If you’re ever looking for an apartment, our communities offer a variety of amenities, including swimming pools, fitness centers, playgrounds, and dog parks. Each community has one and two-bedroom apartments, while some offer three-bedroom homes. Contact us for more information and availability in your selected area.
