Nightlife in Kansas City

Originally opening in Westport in 1975, Stanford’s Comedy Club gave an early outlet to comedy giants from Jerry Seinfeld and Roseanne to Sinbad and Larry The Cable Guy. Now located in the Legends at Village West shopping center, the two-level upscale club packs in up to 300 audience members for sets from a long list of up-and-coming and seasoned comedians such as Lewis Black and Tommy Chong. The pros fish for chuckles during shows held Wednesday–Sunday; Tuesdays are reserved for novices to try their hand at the club's open mic. Drinks flow freely from two sizable bars, and snacks including chicken tenders, fries, and funnel cake are available at each show.

When brothers Derek Boone and Dustin Craighead made the leap to restaurant ownership from backgrounds in the electronics industry and tattoo-parlor business, they probably didn't guess that they'd be serving some of their signature dishes to Guy Fieri. Their rustic, roadhouse-like gastropub, Swagger Fine Spirits & Food, was featured in an episode of the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Fieri looked on as Chef Jerry Forness prepared the tempura-battered suribachi burger, which sizzles the taste buds with hot asian mustard and sriracha chili sauce. After he took a bite, Fieri noted the crunchiness of the tempura and the piquancy of the wasabi coleslaw, saying, "That is a lot of flavor, man." Of the chili made with Flying Monkey Amber Ale, the gregarious foodie murmured, "Mmm. That's a meal right there, dude."

The episode also showcased dishes such as the hot wings and a pulled-pork sandwich made with smoked pork shoulder and handcrafted barbecue sauce. Patrons balance out the spicy, savory flavors with close to 50 draft beers and more than 50 types of whiskey—about the same variety you'd expect in Hemingway's liquor cabinet.

The kitchen crew at Hickok's Bar & Grill embraces the idea of the American melting pot, inviting red-chili chicken tacos, enchiladas, and goat-cheese-and-chorizo fondito to mingle with north-of-the-border favorites including 8-ounce burgers, BLTs, and steak-and-blue-cheese wraps. The bountiful mix of cultures pairs well with a list of domestic and imported beers served alongside housemade margaritas and sangria. Guests munch their meals amid rustically elegant décor, complete with a western-style bar, brick walls and diamond-studded barstools.

Like the musical acts on its stage, The Phoenix Jazz Club's oyster-belly sandwich is an eclectic and flavorful mix of American traditions. The hoagie packs fried and marinated oysters in with grilled pork belly, fried green tomatoes, and Cajun rémoulade, creating a crispy flavor profile that typifies the menu's country-style cooking. Guests can bite into a similar sub or an entree of seafood-stuffed salmon as they await the night's show—a performance that could range from classic jazz to soul or R&B.

Between its exposed brick walls, the historic club boasts a floor-level stage where bands such as Tim Whitmer and the KC Express strut their stuff. Lonnie McFadden showcases his tap-dancing chops every Friday alongside instrumental accompaniment, and the Everette DeVan Trio encourages patrons to improvise with them on open-jam Tuesdays. These artists play by the glow of lamppost-like lights every night except for Sunday, when they allow their saxophones to take a well-deserved nap.