Welcome, {{secret_name | Secret Reader}}
It’s the last weekend of August, and Kansas City isn’t letting summer go without a proper sendoff.
Festival season is in full swing — Irish Fest takes over Crown Center, Santa-Cali-Gon Days brings old-school charm to Independence, and the Renaissance Festival returns with turkey legs and jousts. Whether you're hunting crafts, sipping mead, or dancing to bagpipes, the city has a vibe for you.
Oh—and in case you missed it: Linkin Park is playing Sunday night at The Midland. A huge, nostalgic close to a weekend already stacked with rooftop parties, jazz lounges, and late-summer cocktails.
🙏 Thanks for being here!
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Proost!
-Jay, SecretKC editor
🕯️ The Whisper — Thursday Highlights
📍 VOO Lounge · Thu, Aug 28 | 6 PM–Midnight
Mixology 101 + Jazz
Shake, stir, sip. Learn the basics of cocktail crafting, then slide into the velvet groove with the Eboni Fondren Trio.
🎟️ $40 cover includes class + show.
🔗 Event Info
📍 Sherri’s Executive Lounge · Thu, Aug 28 | 5–10 PM
Ladies Night
R&B and smooth cocktails in KC’s coziest lounge. Featuring KC’s local artists
🔗 Event Info
📍 Tower After Hours @ WWI Museum · Thu, Aug 28 | Evening
Culture + Cocktails Under the Stars
Global performances, food & drink in a landmark setting.
🔗 Event Info
Bespoke Software, for a bespoke world. Big Thanks to Digital Gnomes Software for sponsoring this edition. They are a Kansas City software shop providing software solutions to local folks.
🥃 House Favorites
The spots we’ll never stop talking about—whether you’re looking for a moody booth or that perfect “locals know” pour.
VOO Lounge
📍 Downtown KC
📸 @voo.lounge • 🔗 vookansascity.com
KC’s OG lounge. Noir-lit décor, soulful live acts, and cocktails to match.
The Monarch
📍 Country Club Plaza
📸 @themonarchbar • 🔗 themonarchbar.com
Cocktail artistry at its peak, tucked inside hotel-lobby luxury. I’ll see ya there!
Noir
📍 Downtown KC
📸 @noirkc • 🔗 noirkc.com
This is KC’s speakeasy soul—intimate, sophisticated, and always on point.
Can’t-Miss Weekend Plans
📍 J. Rieger & Co. — Hot Vinyl Nights · Fri, Aug 29 | 7–11 PM
Manor Records takes over the Electric Park Garden Bar with a vinyl vibe session.
🔗 Event Info
📍 Libations & Co/1909 Club – Grand Marquis Live · Sat, Aug 30 | 7–10 PM
Vintage swing, jump blues, and brass-fueled soul. Timeless and electric.
🔗 Event Info
📍 Paint & Sip KC · Sat, Aug 30 | Evening
A creative night out: brush in one hand, wine in the other.
🔗 Event Info
📍 Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival · Aug 29–31 | Independence Square
A KC classic: fried food, frontier cosplay, carnival rides, and live music.
🔗 Event Info
📍 Kansas City Irish Fest · Aug 29–31 | Crown Center
KC goes green: Celtic rock, step dancing, whiskey tastings, and Guinness by the barrel.
🔗 Event Info
📍 KC Renaissance Festival · Aug 30–31 | Bonner Springs
Turkey legs, mead, and jousting? Yes.
🔗 Event Info
📍 The Savoy – Weekend Brunch · Aug 30–31
French toast and French 75s in KC’s historic dining room.
🔗 Event Info
📍 Boulevard Brewing Co. – Sunday Bingo · Sun, Aug 31 | Afternoon
Because who doesn’t want beer and bingo in a giant beer hall?
🔗 Event Info
🎶 Spotted Live
📍 T-Mobile Center · Sun, Aug 31
Linkin Park
The legends return. One-night-only KC performance.
🔗 linkinpark.com
Last Call
Sometimes, the Last Call is for Tiramisu!
This week’s sweet send-off goes to Tiramisu — the Italian dessert whose name literally means “pick me up.” And it delivers. Made with espresso-soaked ladyfingers, I love, love, Tiramisu. I’ll try any establishment’s take on this classic dessert. They’re not all equal.
Stay sharp.
— Secret KC ☾