Kansas City's Underground Speakeasy

The Kansas City drinking scene just became that much better/cooler/hipper, whatever, if you can imagine. Kansas Citians enjoy a fun night out drinking, as evidenced by the recent development of the Power and Light District, a drinkers paradise of two plus square blocks of various themed bars. The drawback to this for some of the locals is that the P & L has a slick polished feel to it, something that "looks good for tourists, but not for me," as one local put it.

There is, of course, the standard Westport bar scene with a plethora of drinkeries and one micro-brewery. The thing about Westport that most locals like over the high gloss feel of P & L is that it is Kansas City. It wasn't a project some corporation decided to work on, it is a collection of local and some national bars and restaurants. 

There has been a recent addition to the scene however. Manifesto, Kanas City's first "speakeasy" since prohibition makes it exciting to drink in K.C. again. Remember that first time getting drunk with friends, the unknown, the unaccustomed feeling? Well, go to Manifesto and you will feel that once again. The bar is located in the basement of 1924 Main, and it is very dark down there. And although this is located just a barbecue-ribs-throw-away from the P&L, it is otherworldly. They concoct a unique selection of specialty drinks; drinks that cannot be found anywhere else. With each drink costing around ten dollars be sure to share with everyone at your table, unless you are a germaphobe, and in that case don't let those germy people share your drink. Adding to the down-home feel, it only seats about twenty-five people, so make reservations.