In the Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City, Missouri, is located the Green Lady Lounge. In a town like Kansas City, well-known for its jazz-steeped history, the Green Lady, a reference to female ghosts of lore?, carries that torch with pride. Past the unassuming door lies a low-lit, red adorned room that beckons with a long bar, two live jazz band areas on two levels. Gold framed mirrors and oil paintings as well as velvet-covered lamp shades embellish the place. We had to jockey for a table but after some cool negotiations, we found a cozy spot right up front where we could see the band as well as the swarms of people ordering drinks, rubbing shoulders and swaying to the music.
About every two hours, the bands switch out so for me, the chance to hear a variety of jazz sounds was the real treat. The later band was better. The people watching got better too, the later we stayed, until it came to that point where it didn’t. You know what I mean? It’s best to show up at the Green Lady after 11 p.m. but you can catch the live music beginning every day — yes, every day, beginning at 3 p.m. No cover and most of the mixed drinks are $10 or more.
We elected to have our cocktails before showing up at the Green Lady and we found, based on C2’s recent experience now living in the area, that Tom’s Town Distillery Co. is a great place to start your night. Tom’s Town Distilling Co. draws its name and inspiration from the country’s most polarizing and corrupt political boss, Tom Pendergast. Pendergast had roots in the liquor business as a saloon keeper and as the founder of a wholesale liquor company.
Several in our party tried The Angry Goat which uses Tom’s Bourbon, Lillet Rose, strawberry habanero syrup and lime. The bartender tops the drink with a slice of jalapeno which I would avoid based on the gasps and hiccups from those who imbibed. Be sure to select some small plates to go along with the strong drinks. We picked mixed nuts, fried sriracha pickled green beans, tempura style, and farm to market warm ciabatta served with olives, olive oil and balsamic. Luckily, we were seated in the back lounge of the speakeasy. It was a busy Saturday summer night and rocking loud up front near the entrance. It felt like we were back in the roaring 20’s.
We didn’t plan for a tour but if we did, it looks fun. Tours last approximately one hour and include an in-depth look at the distillation process of their spirits (gin, vodka and bourbon), a brief overview of Kansas City during Boss Tom’s rule, and a tasting of each of their award-winning spirits. Tours are $10 per person, and are offered Tuesday through Saturday.
So, cheers, to a jazzy Saturday night in the Paris on the Plains.
Red Dirt Girl 