Advice for stay /entertainment

Question

Hi there!

I'm coming to Kansas City for a concert and will be there for two nights. I'll have a rental car, but I'd rather not drive around too much, just the concert and Joe's and anything else necessary and I hear there's a free streetcar. Does anyone have suggestions for the best place to stay near the streetcar? Would be nice to be able to pop in somewhere for a drink to meet some locals. Any suggestions for that? The concert is on Sunday, so the entertainment is needed for a Monday.

Advice appreciated!

Answer

Kansas City has a compact downtown area, and the free KC Streetcar is a great way to get around without driving. For a two-night stay focused on convenience, nightlife, and easy access to the streetcar, downtown is your best bet.

Where to Stay:

Crossroads Hotel: Located in the Crossroads Arts District, a short walk from the streetcar. This area is trendy with galleries, bars, and restaurants.
21c Museum Hotel: Downtown, near the streetcar, with unique art exhibits and a rooftop bar for drinks.
The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center: Adjacent to the streetcar line, comfortable, and near dining options.
Hotel Kansas City: A historic downtown hotel within walking distance to the streetcar and nightlife.

Drinks and Meeting Locals:

The Crossroads Arts District and downtown areas have numerous bars and breweries. Some popular spots include:

Manifesto: A speakeasy-style cocktail bar with craft drinks, hidden behind a coffee shop.
Up-Down KC: Barcade with classic arcade games and casual drinks—great for mingling.
Martin City Brewing Company: A local brewery with a relaxed vibe, perfect for meeting locals.
The Ship: A laid-back bar downtown with great cocktails and a friendly crowd.

Entertainment for Monday:

Take a stroll through the Crossroads Arts District for galleries and public art installations.
Check out Power & Light District for lively nightlife and bars.
If you like music, see if any smaller live music venues or breweries have Monday night shows—they often do.
For something cultural, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is free and downtown-accessible via the streetcar.

Overall, staying downtown near the streetcar gives you flexibility to enjoy drinks, explore neighborhoods, and get to your concert without having to rely heavily on your rental car.