Westport is the oldest established community in Kansas City, predating the downtown core by nearly two decades. Founded in 1833 by John Calvin McCoy, it served as the final “jumping-off point” for pioneers outfitting their wagons before heading west on the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails. Today, that frontier spirit survives in a district that never sleeps. Westport is Kansas City’s premier entertainment destination, a dense, walkable neighborhood where historic brick buildings now house the city’s most vibrant collection of bars, restaurants, and local boutiques.
Westport Things to Do
Westport holds a unique position in Kansas City’s neighborhood ecosystem—the city’s oldest commercial district, its densest nightlife concentration, and a residential neighborhood all compressed into a few walkable blocks. The district centers on Westport Road and Pennsylvania Avenue, where historic buildings that once outfitted pioneers heading west on the Santa Fe Trail now house bars, restaurants, and live music venues that draw crowds every weekend. Unlike single-purpose entertainment districts, Westport layers nightlife over genuine neighborhood infrastructure: residents walk to coffee shops in the morning and step over bar-hoppers on weekend nights. For a complete breakdown of attractions, restaurants, venues, and events in Westport, explore the categorized tabs below—each section unpacks what makes this historic district Kansas City’s most energetic and enduring nightlife destination.
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Midtown Westport Kansas City
Westport functions as the nightlife anchor of Midtown, occupying the northwest corner of Kansas City’s central residential band. The neighborhood’s position within Midtown means it shares infrastructure, transit access, and demographic overlap with surrounding historic neighborhoods—Hyde Park to the east, Valentine to the north, and the Plaza area to the south.
This Midtown context matters for understanding Westport’s dual identity. By day, the district operates as a neighborhood commercial strip serving Midtown residents with coffee shops, lunch spots, and local retail. By night, it transforms into a regional entertainment destination drawing visitors from across the metro.
Residents of West 39th St a few blocks north often treat Westport as an extension of their nightlife options, walking south when the quieter 39th Street corridor closes for the evening. The two neighborhoods share Midtown’s walkable bones but serve different purposes in the evening hours.
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Where is Westport?
Westport sits at the intersection of Westport Road and Pennsylvania Avenue, roughly three miles south of downtown Kansas City and immediately north of The Country Club Plaza. The commercial district occupies just a few square blocks, making it one of Kansas City’s most concentrated entertainment zones.
The district’s southern boundary blurs into the Plaza’s northern edge, with the two neighborhoods sharing some restaurant and retail overlap along Broadway. Westport’s northern boundary is less defined, gradually transitioning into residential Midtown streets as you move away from the main commercial strip.
Visitors arriving from the Crossroads District to the north reach Westport via Main Street or Broadway—a 10-minute drive or rideshare through Midtown’s tree-lined residential corridors.
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Westport Area
The Westport area extends beyond the dense commercial core to include surrounding residential blocks that give the neighborhood its lived-in character. Historic homes, apartment buildings, and converted duplexes surround the entertainment district, housing residents who chose proximity to nightlife over the quiet of more distant neighborhoods.
The neighborhood’s western edge approaches Southwest Boulevard, where Westport’s bar scene gives way to the Latino commercial corridor’s taqueria-and-bakery culture. The transition happens quickly—within a few blocks, the vibe shifts entirely.
Westport’s accessibility from Downtown KC makes it a natural second stop for visitors exploring Kansas City’s urban core. The 15-minute drive south from the downtown loop delivers visitors to an entirely different atmosphere—historic rather than corporate, neighborhood-scaled rather than convention-center-adjacent.
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Westport Kansas City Hotels
Westport’s hotel options center on the AC Hotel by Marriott, a modern property located within walking distance of the district’s bars and restaurants. The hotel serves visitors who want to drink without driving—a practical consideration given Westport’s nightlife concentration.
Visitors seeking more lodging options within walking distance of entertainment often compare Westport to Crown Center, which offers full-service hotels connected to family attractions and Union Station. The trade-off is clear: Crown Center delivers convenience and polish; Westport delivers proximity to Kansas City’s most energetic bar scene.
Those preferring boutique accommodations might also consider properties in the River Market to the north, accepting a longer rideshare to Westport in exchange for the River Market’s weekend farmers market access and riverfront proximity.
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Westport Kansas City Apartments
Westport’s apartment inventory serves renters who prioritize walkable nightlife and urban energy over space and quiet. The housing stock includes historic conversions, mid-rise apartment buildings, and scattered duplexes—options that trade square footage for location within one of Kansas City’s most active neighborhoods.
Renters comparing Westport to nearby Brookside face a lifestyle choice rather than a price comparison. Brookside offers family-oriented retail, quieter evenings, and more residential character; Westport offers bars, live music, and weekend crowds outside your window.
Young professionals relocating from the Kansas City Suburbs often land in Westport as their first urban address, drawn by the walkability and social infrastructure that suburban apartments lack. The adjustment includes accepting smaller spaces, street parking, and noise levels that peak on weekend nights.
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Westport Kansas City Nightlife
Westport’s nightlife concentration exceeds any other Kansas City neighborhood, with dozens of bars, clubs, and live music venues packed into a few walkable blocks. The district draws crowds Thursday through Saturday, with Westport Road transformed into an open-air social scene during peak hours.
The nightlife here differs fundamentally from Power & Light to the north. Power & Light operates as a designed entertainment district with corporate-backed venues and arena-adjacent programming; Westport grew organically over decades, with independently owned bars occupying historic buildings that predate Kansas City’s modern entertainment infrastructure.
This organic development gives Westport its character—each bar has its own identity, regulars, and history. The district rewards exploration rather than defaulting visitors to a single anchor venue.
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Westport Bars Kansas City
Westport’s bar scene spans the full spectrum from craft cocktail lounges to unreconstructed dive bars, with most options clustered within a two-block radius. The variety means visitors can calibrate their evening to their mood—upscale speakeasy one night, cheap beer and pool tables the next.
The dive-bar tradition in Westport connects to Kansas City’s broader working-class bar culture, which thrives in neighborhoods like The West Bottoms and the industrial corridors east of downtown. Westport’s dives have survived decades of development pressure, maintaining their character even as upscale concepts opened next door.
Visitors from Northeast KC will recognize the unpretentious vibe of Westport’s older establishments—places where the décor hasn’t changed in decades and regulars occupy the same stools nightly. The difference is density: Northeast’s bars scatter across a large residential area while Westport’s concentrate within shouting distance of each other.
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Westport Clubs
Westport’s club scene caters primarily to the college and post-college demographic, with dance floors and DJ nights occupying several venues along the main strip. The energy peaks after midnight on weekends, when the under-30 crowd dominates the sidewalks and bar-hopping becomes a contact sport.
This late-night intensity distinguishes Westport from emerging entertainment areas like The Riverfront, where the bar and club scene remains nascent and closes earlier. Westport has decades of institutional knowledge about managing crowds, last call, and the post-bar exodus—infrastructure that newer districts are still developing.
Visitors seeking a less chaotic club experience sometimes compare Westport to venue-specific options in other districts, though no Kansas City neighborhood matches Westport’s concentration of dance-oriented nightlife in a walkable footprint.
Westport’s attractions are a blend of living history and modern culture.
- Kelly’s Westport Inn: Housed in the oldest building in Kansas City (built 1850), this former trading post is now a legendary Irish pub. It is a National Historic Landmark where you can drink a Guinness in the same room where Daniel Boone’s grandson once traded goods.
- Pryde’s Old Westport: Known as the “hardware store for cooks,” this 10,000-square-foot shop is located in a historic 3-story brick building. It is a kitchenware paradise packed floor-to-ceiling with gadgets, pottery, and tools.
- Pioneer Park: A triangular plaza featuring bronze statues of the district’s founders—Jim Bridger, John Calvin McCoy, and Alexander Majors—commemorating Westport’s role as the Gateway to the West.
- Mills Record Company: A destination for music lovers, this expansive record store hosts in-store performances and offers a massive selection of new and used vinyl.
- Harris-Kearney House: The oldest surviving residence in Kansas City (built 1855), now a museum offering tours that reveal the domestic life of the 19th-century frontier.
- Breakout KC: A top-rated escape room complex located in the heart of the district.
What draws people to Westport?
Westport’s heritage mixes with lively urban vibes, historic buildings stand beside neon signs where you’ll find a blend of old-town charm and modern nightlife, making Westport a place where past and present meet seamlessly. Many who explore KC as outsiders treat Westport as a go-to for curated Tours through neighborhoods that show the city’s layered history and evolving culture.
Westport has the highest density of diverse dining options in the city.
- Char Bar: A Southern-inspired smokehouse with a massive outdoor “beer garden” featuring croquet, bocce, and ping pong. It is famous for its burnt end benedicts and cheesy hushpuppies.
- Westport Café: A quaint, Parisian-style bistro offering steak frites, mussels, and craft cocktails. It is a hidden gem for late-night dining and intimate brunch.
- Beer Kitchen: An American gastropub known for its extensive craft beer list and indulgent “gluttonous” burgers and truffle fries.
- PotPie: A cozy, unpretentious storefront serving comfort food staples like roasted chicken and, of course, their signature pot pies.
- Jerusalem Café: A long-standing late-night staple (open until 3 AM or later on weekends) serving authentic hummus, falafel, and shawarma.
- Chewology: A modern Taiwanese street food spot famous for its handmade dumplings and beef noodle soup.
- Denver Biscuit Co. / Fat Sully’s: A dual-concept spot serving massive biscuit sandwiches for brunch and giant New York-style pizza slices by night.
What kinds of dining experiences does Westport offer?
Westport’s dining scene is richly varied: everything from laid-back burger joints and casual pubs to upscale restaurants, global-cuisine spots, and cozy cafés.
Because there’s such variety, it’s easy to turn a night out into a mini food crawl — hopping from tacos or comfort food to something more refined, or grabbing drinks and late night bites. That flexibility makes Westport ideal for locals or visitors planning KC Deals (experience offers, gifts, discounts and bundles) — great for groups, first timers, or anyone trying to explore more on a budget.
The district is the epicenter of Kansas City’s live music and nightlife scene.
- Tin Roof: A Nashville-based live music joint featuring two stages (indoor and patio) with musicians playing nightly, from cover bands to original acts.
- Harry’s Bar & Tables: A classic cocktail bar with a beautiful vintage interior and a popular patio, known for its extensive whiskey selection and mature vibe.
- Westport Ale House: A sports bar with a sprawling rooftop deck that overlooks the district, popular for game days and DJ sets.
- The Firefly Lounge: A retro-inspired cocktail lounge with a “future-mod” aesthetic, known for its approachable drink menu and intimate atmosphere.
- Kelly’s Westport Inn: On weekends, the back room and patio turn into a bustling social hall, often featuring live acoustic music.
Where can you go in Westport for an evening out?
Westport has a well-earned reputation for nightlife: bars, music venues, cocktail lounges, and clubs line its streets, offering everything from dive-bar energy to live-music shows and DJ-driven nights.
For those organizing a social outing — whether close friends or larger groups — the neighborhood’s mix of easygoing pubs and vibrant venues makes Westport an ideal hub for a planned Bachelor Party (or night out) with minimal travel between stops.
Westport throws the biggest street parties in the region.
- St. Patrick’s Day: Westport is the traditional end-point of the city’s massive parade. The district is fenced off for a ticketed block party that draws tens of thousands of revelers.
- Art Westport: Held in September, this is Kansas City’s only art fair exclusively for local artists. The streets are closed to traffic and lined with booths showcasing jewelry, painting, and sculpture.
- Westport Christmas Market: A December tradition featuring local makers, roasted nuts, and holiday drinks, transforming the district into a winter village.
- Strong Ale Fest: An annual beer festival (often held at Char Bar or McCoy’s spaces) celebrating high-gravity brews.
Are there public events in Westport?
Yes. Westport hosts cultural and community-oriented events that draw residents and visitors alike. The neighborhood’s role as a longstanding hub for live entertainment, bars, and restaurants means there are often events, performances, and gatherings spread across the district.
If you’re searching for something spontaneous or planning a fun outing, checking Westport’s schedule can be a good move — it’s often a hotspot when you’re looking for this weekend things to do in Kansas City.
Westport Kansas City Map
Westport’s commercial core occupies a compact footprint bounded roughly by 40th Street to the north, 44th Street to the south, Pennsylvania Avenue to the east, and Broadway to the west. The highest concentration of bars and restaurants clusters along Westport Road between Mill Street and Pennsylvania—a stretch walkable in five minutes.
- Boundaries: North: 39th St | South: 43rd St | East: Main St | West: Southwest Trafficway.
- The Hub: The intersection of Westport Road & Pennsylvania Ave is the heart of the action.
- Safety Zone: On Friday and Saturday nights (and major holidays), the core streets are closed to vehicles, and pedestrian entry points often utilize security screenings (metal detectors/ID checks) to ensure a safe nightlife environment.
Where is Westport located within Kansas City?
Westport sits just south of downtown Kansas City — roughly 3 miles from downtown core — making it a short ride or quick drive/bike ride away.
Its compact layout — narrow streets, walkable blocks, a mix of residential and commercial buildings — makes the area easy to navigate on foot once you’re there, which adds convenience for people visiting for an evening out or a casual day trip.
Westport FAQ
What is Westport?
Westport is a historic district and entertainment hub in Midtown Kansas City. Originally an independent town founded in 1833, it was the outfitters’ post for the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails. Today, it is famous for its concentration of bars, restaurants, and nightlife, set within historic 19th-century buildings.
What is near Westport?
Popular places near Westport, include:
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: Located a few minutes east.
- The Country Club Plaza: Located just south (a short walk or 1 streetcar stop away).
- Midtown/39th Street: Located immediately to the north.
- St. Luke’s Hospital: A major medical complex bordering the west side.
What defines Westport’s identity?
Westport began in the early 19th century as a trading post and outfitting stop for travelers headed west on historic trails.
Through the years, as Kansas City grew, Westport transformed — merging old-town heritage with evolving nightlife, diverse dining, and modern urban energy. Today, it retains its historic roots while standing as one of KC’s primary entertainment districts — making it a place where heritage and contemporary urban life intersect.
What kind of experiences does Westport offer?
Popular experiences in Westport, include:
- Shopping: A mix of quirky, local boutiques and specialized hobby shops (records, kitchenware).
- Nightlife: It is the city’s “party central,” with everything from dive bars to rooftops.
- History: Walking tours of the Santa Fe Trail sites and the 1855 Harris-Kearney House.
What’s a good way to plan a visit to Westport?
For a great night out: start with dinner at one of the diverse restaurants, then hop between a few bars or live music venues, and wrap up late — all within walking distance, so no need for a car once you arrive. Because Westport’s compact and lively, it’s ideal for spontaneous plans with friends or an easy-to-execute evening.
If you’re visiting from out of town or staying nearby, Westport’s mix of historic charm and nightlife makes it a smart pick for a quick urban getaway — something that plays well with stay plans combining food, entertainment, and culture in one walkable district.
Where to stay in Westport?
Popular places to stay in Westport, include:
- Embassy Suites by Hilton: Located just south on the Plaza border.
- AC Hotel Kansas City Plaza: Located directly on the border of Westport and the Plaza, this is the primary modern hotel serving the district.
- Hotel Westport Kansas City (Tapestry Collection by Hilton): A boutique-style hotel located in the heart of the district, offering easy walking access to all venues.
What kind of accommodations are available in Westport?
Options range from lifestyle hotels (AC, Tapestry) to budget-friendly motels on the periphery. Because it is a loud entertainment district, most accommodations are situated on the edges rather than directly next to the bars.
What kind of transportation options are available near Westport?
Popular transportation options around Westport, include:
- KC Streetcar: As of late 2025, the Westport Stop (at Main St & Westport Rd) connects the district to Downtown, the River Market, and UMKC.
- RideKC Bus: The Main MAX and other local routes serve the area.
- Rideshare: There are designated pickup/drop-off zones on the perimeter of the pedestrian-only zone on weekends.
What is the history of Westport?
Westport was founded in 1833 by John Calvin McCoy. Because it was located on higher ground than the riverfront “Town of Kansas,” and was the last place to buy supplies before entering the “Indian Territory” (Kansas), it boomed as a trading post. It was the site of the Battle of Westport in 1864, the largest Civil War battle west of the Mississippi, which ended Confederate aspirations in the region. It was annexed by Kansas City in 1897.
What is the historical significance of Westport in the broader story of Kansas City?
Westport was first settled around 1831, and in the mid-1800s it served as a key outfitting stop on several major westward expansion trails, making it one of the earliest hubs of trade and migration in the region.
After its incorporation and eventual merger into Kansas City by 1897, the neighborhood’s frontier-town roots slowly gave way to urbanization. Over decades, Westport adapted — surviving economic shifts and changing tastes — evolving into the entertainment, dining, and nightlife district it is today, a testament to resilience and reinvention.
Where to shop in Westport?
- The Bunker: A massive local boutique selling KC-branded apparel, streetwear, and gifts.
- Mills Record Company: One of the best vinyl shops in the Midwest.
- Pryde’s Old Westport: A legendary kitchen and home goods store.
- World Market: A large furniture and import store located on the edge of the district.
- Fidel’s Cigar Shop: A premium tobacconist and lounge.
Is shopping a key part of Westport ?
While Westport isn’t known for large-scale retail malls, it does offer a selection of independent boutiques, specialty shops, and eclectic retail ripe for browsing — nestled between bars, restaurants, and historic buildings.
For someone looking for unique finds — local art, vintage items, or small-batch gifts — Westport’s shops add another layer to its appeal, complementing the food and nightlife with a bit of retail charm.
Westport has survived longer than any commercial district in Kansas City—outlasting the Santa Fe Trail outfitters who founded it, the Prohibition enforcers who targeted it, and the suburban migration that hollowed out similar urban neighborhoods. What remains is a district defined by its contradictions: historic buildings housing modern bars, residential streets adjacent to weekend chaos, daytime neighborhood commerce giving way to nighttime regional entertainment. For visitors, Westport delivers Kansas City’s most energetic night out. For residents, it offers urban living with a built-in social infrastructure. For the city, it stands as proof that organic neighborhood development—messy, loud, and unplanned—can outlast the designed entertainment districts that try to replicate its energy.