Welcome, {{secret_name | Curious Reader}}
It is 816 Day Weekend take-over! A Whole Lot of KC Love!
Kansas City’s unofficial holiday returns, celebrating the 816 area code and everything that makes this city hum. Expect street food, local music, brunch pop-ups, makers, and community gatherings — all free to attend. 816 Day isn’t confined to one spot — watch the city come alive with events and specials all weekend:
Proost!
-Jay, SecretKC editor
🕯️ The Whisper — Thursday Highlights
📍 VOO Lounge · Thu, Aug 14 | 7:30–10:30 PM
Bird Lives: A Charlie Parker Celebration
Free-entry live jazz honoring KC’s own bebop legend. A perfect way to toast Charlie Parker Month in a noir-lit lounge.
🔗 Event Info →
📍 Libations & Co. – The 1909 Club (Lee’s Summit) · Thu, Aug 14 | 7–10 PM
Soul Fundamentals w/ Julian Goff
Groove-heavy soul, funk, and R&B with unmatched energy and top-tier musicianship. Every other Thursday night at The 1909 Club.
🔗 Reserve Now
📍 Sherri’s Executive Lounge · Thu, Aug 14 | 7–10 PM
Ladies Night R&B w/ Lauren Ashley
Smooth, soulful vocals and laid-back groove in one of KC’s most intimate lounges. No cover + 15% off ladies’ tabs all night.
🔗 Event Info → sherrislounge.com
🥃 House Favorites
Solid. Familiar. Never Fails. Just the kind of place you want folks to know your name — and maybe don’t tell everyone about it?!
The Monarch
📍 Country Club Plaza
📸 @themonarchbar • 🔗 themonarchbar.com
A bar with massive five-star hotel lobby energy. Stay late and I might see ya!
VOO Lounge
📍 Downtown KC
📸 @voo.lounge 🔗 VOO Kansas City
KC’s OG lounge. Noir-lit lounge with moody décor, soulful jazz, and top-tier cocktails.
Noir
📍 Downtown KC
📸 @noirkc • 🔗 noirkc.com
This is KC’s speakeasy soul. Moody lit, effortlessly cool, and always sophisticated.
🦋 First Flight Giveaway — We Have a Winner!
Big news: our Monarch Bar Night winner has been selected!
They’ll enjoy:
$100 bar tab
Reserved seating for 2–4 in The Parlour
A signed copy of The Monarch Cocktail Book
A mini photo moment when we hand off the prize
We’ll share the handoff and a few classy snaps in a future edition.
Huge thanks to @themonarchbar for the partnership—and to every one of you who helped us hit our first 100.
Onward. 🥂
🌆 Can’t-Miss Weekend Plans
📍 Swope Park · Aug 15–17
Ethnic Enrichment Festival
Global cuisine, music, dance, and crafts from 60+ cultures. $5 entry; kids free. A KC summer tradition.
🔗 Event Info
📍 Kansas City’s 816 Day · Sat, Aug 16 | 11 AM–9 PM
A Whole Lot of KC Love @ Power & Light
Celebrate the city on its own day—8/16—named after the area code. Expect street food, local music, brunch pop-ups, makers, and community love. 816 Day events also pop up citywide:
Zona Rosa Block Party · Details
816 Day at J. Rieger & Co. · Details
Keep an eye out for specials, pop-ups, and music from local businesses all weekend long.
🔗 Event Info
📍 KC Zoo · Aug 14–17
Keebler “Find the Stripes” Scavenger Hunt
Family-friendly search through the zoo with sweet surprises.
🔗 Event Info
📍 The Savoy · Aug 15–17
Weekend Brunch & “Rum Revelations” Cocktail Class
Classic brunch service meets a deep dive into rum cocktails.
🔗 Brunch Info · Class Info
📍 Nighthawk · Fri, Aug 15 | 7–10 PM
VAMPkc Presents: Slow Burn Burlesque
A sultry night of classic burlesque, live jazz, and KC history.
🔗 Event Info →
📍 Boulevard Brewing Co. · Sun, Aug 17 | Afternoon
Sunday Bingo
Beer, cards, and a chance to yell “Bingo!” at one of KC’s favorite breweries.
🔗 Event Info
🎶 Spotted Live
Wilco @Midland
📍 The Midland Theatre · Thu, Aug 14 | 7 PM
An August Evening with Wilco
Indie-rock brilliance from one of America’s most enduring bands.
🔗 Event Info
📸 Spotted! @The Basil Leaf Cafe, Lawrence
It was a very nice afternoon outing at @thebasilleaf in Lawrence. The Gunsmoke was my favorite, with The Godfather running a tight second! You can’t go wrong with their meatballs either!!
The Two Godfathers
Gunsmoke!
Stay sharp.
— Secret KC ☾