Neighborhood or Dive Bars

The Pink Carter was always fun and interesting

I forgot about Harlings...I used to go to that place every Fri. night. I had a little "adventure" on the roof there once. In the snow. Brrrr.

I had all but forgotten about the Pink Carter. That reminds me of the Harmony Inn on 38th & Main, and Miltons, a great place for a discrete meeting.....and what a record collection!

I used to go to the Quaff....many years ago, before the remodeling. I always got a kick out of talking with some of the old guys. Many of them had lived in KC their entire life and like sharing their knowledge and experience!

I remember a couple of guys in particular. One guys was an ace in WWII. He had the paperwork to prove it! The other guy wasn't that old but anytime the song Elvira came on he would drape himself over the jukebox and sing along!

Joe and Newt are great guys. It has been a long time since I have been there. The last time was right after they remodeled.

Does anybody remember One Block West? I used to go there when I was 18!! There was another popular "18" bar or two on the Kansas side but I don't remember the name!

Ahhh.......the memories!!

Ya'll need to get up north. Moxie Bar is hands down the best neighborhood bar up here. I don't think you can find cheaper drinks anywhere else in this city. I like it so much that it deserved to be my first eecie post!

Hey Bubba...remember a place called Pogo's on the Kansas side?

Was Pogo's that place over by Shawnee Mission Medical Center? I've heard stories. Early - mid eighties stuff.

My favorite dive bar was hands down Rando's in Topeka back in the day. Biker heaven. Of course, my sneaking in underage and winning five wet t-shirt contests there may had a lot to do with it. I will never forget the looks on the faces of EVERYONE the day I came in celebrating my 21st birthday after drinking there for four years. Oh well, I was a lush. And easy. The cherries soaked in Everclear (Cherry Bombs) for 25 cents may have had a lot to do with the easy part . . .

Kisses,

- Jackie

Bubba, you're right, there were a lot of interesting folks at the Quaff. It really got interesting when the workers at local restaurants finished their shifts and came in. Many were generous with their tips and if you were lucky, they would start buying rounds for all.
I remember Pogos. I think it was in the Georgetown shops area. I only went there once. Too many 15-16 year olds with fake id's. Didn't want to wear a striped suit for several years. The Merry Go Round on SW Blvd was an interesting place. They used to have local legend Jackie Foster playing regularly.

Rumor has it Mike's is set to reopen in April under new ownership. I don't particularly remember it turning into a "lesbian" bar at any point. More the type of place where all kinds were welcome, from street thugs to debutantes and everything in between. And The Peanut is one of my favorites as well. Originally Posted by HardyBoy

Mikes has never been the same since the Renner brothers owned it. They sold it in the mid-eighties. Rich Renner then became a partner in the Twin Cities Tavern. Shortly after leaving TC, sadly, Rich passed away.

I never really considered Mike's a dive-bar, more of a neighborhood bar, where all types hung out.

Anyone remember The Ship that was downtown - off of 10th I think. Now, that was a dive. You'd always find one old wino in there asking someone to buy him a drink. You'd also find the old barflys - old, chain smoking, too tight of clothes looking for a man. Whenever I see Marge's sister on The Simpsons, I think of them.

Has anyone been to the Newsroom on Broadway? It's a great little place if you want privacy. It's never packed and they have a jukebox. Or The Roxy on Metcalf and 75th? They have some hottie female bar staff.

Yea Pogo's was the place to go in High School...espc when ya had a fake ID.
It was in the Georgetown Center off 75th. I remember after one of our High School dances it was the Pre-Party gathering place...and of course most of us were "borderline" legal age, lol. Typical Catholic boys )

I used to go to the Quaff....many years ago, before the remodeling. I always got a kick out of talking with some of the old guys. Many of them had lived in KC their entire life and like sharing their knowledge and experience!

I remember a couple of guys in particular. One guys was an ace in WWII. He had the paperwork to prove it! The other guy wasn't that old but anytime the song Elvira came on he would drape himself over the jukebox and sing along!

Joe and Newt are great guys. It has been a long time since I have been there. The last time was right after they remodeled.

Does anybody remember One Block West? I used to go there when I was 18!! There was another popular "18" bar or two on the Kansas side but I don't remember the name!

Ahhh.......the memories!! Originally Posted by Bubba

great, now you're scaring me.
i was at the quaff ALL the time before the remodel
...and after the remodel...

speaking of bars on Admiral Blvd. there was one close to where I got my first job. was talking to someone about stopping there after work and they warned against it. seems the Spano brothers had recently got shot up by Civilli and Deluna there. Can't remember the name, but last time I drove by, it was no longer there.

KC Joe, I know which one you are talking about, but I can't remember. I'm old enough to remember it was there but too old to remember the name. Or is it I forgot what I forgot?
I do remember one thing, I think it was Spero Bros not Spano. Wouldn't that be a nightmare a forgetful hitman!!

The Virginian Tavern in the River Quay.

Go to http://www.americanmafia.com/cities/kansas_city.html and search for "Spero".