Borubon & Whiskey
Welcome, {{secret_name | Secret Reader}}
Last weekend, KC showed out — Chappell Roan’s pink-and-neon fever dream took over Museum & Memorial Park, and Ziggy Marley’s set at Grinders had the whole crowd swaying. The energy felt like the moment right before fall officially tips over into its cozy, golden hour.
This week, we keep that rhythm going. There’s jazz everywhere — from VOO Lounge’s “Boo’s & Booze” cocktail class to Christian McBride and Brad Mehldau’s duet at the Kauffman Center — plus a little Halloween spirit creeping into the mix.
I’ve also been reading a great piece over on InsideHook about split-base cocktails — drinks that blend two spirits for depth and balance instead of relying on just one. Think rum + gin or bourbon + cognac, a pairing that builds harmony instead of dominance. KC’s best bars do this instinctively — The Monarch, VOO, even Libations & Co. know that the trick isn’t strength, it’s synergy.
So take that as the theme this weekend: balance between work and play, daylight and neon, bourbon and gin.
Photo by Pylyp Sukhenko on Unsplash
I’ll see you at the bar.
—Jay, SecretKC editor
🕯️ The Whisper — Thursday Highlights
📍 VOO Lounge · Thu, Oct 9 | 6–10 PM
Boo’s & Booze Cocktail Class + Jazz
Celebrate spooky season in noir style. Mixologists teach two themed cocktails — Unlucky Number 13 and Midnight Potion Punch — then stay for live jazz 7:30–10 PM.
🎟️ Tickets include recipe cards + parking.
🔗 Event Info
📍 City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen · Thu, Oct 9 | 3–9 PM
Thirsty Thursday – New Beer Releases & Industry Night
New beers every Thursday + 40 % off drinks for service-industry folks. A laid-back pre-weekend hang.
🔗 citybarrelbrewing.com
📍 Kauffman Center – Helzberg Hall · Thu, Oct 9 | 7:30 PM
Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau Duo
Jazz icons trade lines in a rare duo performance — bass + piano + pure chemistry.
🔗 tickets.kauffmancenter.org
📍 Blue Room (American Jazz Museum) · Thu, Oct 9 | 12–1 PM
Jazz at Noon: Free Midday Sessions
Slip away for a free hour of live jazz in historic 18th & Vine.
🔗 americanjazzmuseum.org
📍 recordBar · Thu, Oct 9 | 8 PM
Jade Bird & Bre Kennedy
The UK’s Jade Bird (“Lottery”) and Americana artist Bre Kennedy bring the Who Wants to Talk About Love? tour to KC. 18 +.
🔗 Ticketmaster
📍 Sherri’s Executive Lounge · 5–10 PM
Ladies Night · Cocktails, music, and cigars in an elegant lounge setting.
🔗 sherrislounge.com
“Big thanks to Digital Gnomes Software, a KC shop building bespoke software solutions for local businesses.”
🥃 House Favorites
Places that earn a spot in your rotation. A good pour, familiar faces, and that feeling you’ve arrived exactly where you should be.
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 🎯
📍 Lonnie’s Reno Club (Hotel Phillips) · Fri, Oct 10 | Dinner 6:15 PM · Show 7 PM
Lonnie McFadden & His Band Dinner & Jazz Show
Elegant 1930s dinner-and-swing experience with cocktails, champagne welcome, and three-course supper.
🔗 lonnies-reno-club.turntabletickets.com
📍 Blue Room · Fri, Oct 10 | 5:30–7:30 PM
Indigo Hour w/ J Love Band
Soulful Friday happy hour — smooth vocals, tight band, feel-good jazz. Donations benefit the American Jazz Museum.
🔗 americanjazzmuseum.org
📍 Citywide Jazz Round-Up · Fri, Oct 10 | Various Times
A choose-your-own bar-hop of KC jazz: Talya & Her Boyfriends (The Phoenix, 4:30 PM) · Chloe McFadden (The American Reserve, 7 PM) · KC Keys (VOO Lounge, 8 PM) · RSS Trio (Green Lady Lounge, 9 PM).
📍 Tin Roof KC · Fri, Oct 10 | Evening
DJ Pure — Broadway Stage Takeover
DJ Pure spins while the band keeps the Westport Stage live — two rooms, two vibes.
🔗 The Tin Roof
📍 Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium · Sat, Oct 11 | 6:30–11 PM
Brew at the Zoo & Wine Too
30 + breweries & wineries, food trucks, live music + access to the GloWild lantern festival. 21 +.
🔗 kansascityzoo.org
📍 Sherri’s Executive Lounge · Sat, Oct 11 | 8–11 PM
Saturday Night Live w/ Darron J & The Go Hard Band
High-energy R&B and soul with a local legend. Perfect nightcap spot.
🔗 sherrislounge.com
📍 The Hey! Hey! Club · All Season
Hell! Hell! Club pop-up returns — devilish cocktails, tarot Thursdays, live music Fridays, and costume contests Saturdays.
🔗 Event Info
The Last Call
@Zephyr Bourbon Bar, Overland Park, KS
“Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.” —Alex Levine
Stay sharp.
— Secret KC ☾