Nightlife in Merriam

The Blue Line celebrates all things sports with a menu of pub grub and a draft-beer lineup worthy of hoisting toward the eatery’s flat-screen televisions, which sit above its namesake—a bar emblazoned with a thick, blue line “that shines like new ice,” according to The Pitch. As build-your-own burgers and zesty wings sate hunger, bartenders pour drafts from craft brewers that include Schlafly, Boulevard, and New Belgium until 3 a.m. every night. The menu also contains—albeit barely—the Hat Trick, a burger composed of 1.5 pounds of Angus beef, a fried egg, three kinds of cheese, bacon, veggies, and an onion ring stacked irresponsibly near the top. Each day, the bar’s TVs stream footage of sports games, which are interrupted from time to time by live bands and anti-sports legislation.

At Cork & Brew, a dark wooden wine bar pops against the backdrop of white walls and heavy red drapes. It’s a fitting centerpiece for a restaurant that focuses on libations—bartenders pour more than 40 wines and recruit beers from local brewers such as Boulevard Brewing Company, Weston Brewing Company, and Doodle Brewing Company. They also add shots of house-infused vodka to martinis, which dining companions can sip on the restaurant’s private outdoor patio. Despite a focus on spirits, Cork & Brew doesn’t shirk cuisine. Chefs recruit local produce and meats from providers such as Bichelmeyer Meats, Fabulous Fish, and Farm to Market Bread Company and incorporate them into thick burgers, grilled fish, and still-life paintings.