Bridger’s Bottle Shop & Preservation Market

came back here twice in one day, and was surprised at how much had changed in such a short time (all good though!)
They added a deli case with an assortment of different meat options that I will definitely need to try at some point. most impressive to me was the many different varieties of bacon they had in the case… kinda some funky stuff too, like jalapeño bacon? I’m intrigued.
They got rid of walking up to the counter to order. more along the lines of a sit down restaraunt now.
Their food still rocks. This time i got the special, which was an italian sausage sandwich with mortadella, provolone, basil, caramelized onions, and some other goodness that i can’t remember. What i can remember it that it was MMM MMM good.
On our return later in the day, we got the meat and cheese platter before dinner at another place. Meat and cheese platter was top notch, and our group of 6 made quick work of it.
One annoying thing: pretty sure one of our group members had a skunky beer. He had ordered a hefeweizen that tasted sour and all around not hefeweizen-​ish. When he asked one of the dudes behind the bar about it, the guy kinda blew him off and claimed that this was how the beer was supposed to taste. we sincerely doubted it (this beer was seriously gross) and needless to say, that beer was not finished.
i would knock them half a star for that, but since i can’t, i’ll keep them at a 5… just because i really do love them so much!

the place is located in an area in KC called Westport. I heard many great things about this place, so my friends and I decided to check this place out.
Upon entering, the atmosphere for the restaurant is fantastic. Very casual, chill, and I can foresee this almost as a place where I can sip on coffee and bring my work laptop here on a Saturday afternoon. Except instead of coffee, I would do so with beer. Lots of it.
Food was ok, nothing exception. Typical bar/​American dining with really nothing that would stands out and makes me go «DAYUUUMMMM GET ME ANOTHER». The one thing that truly shines in this place is its beer selection. Not only do they have lots of beer on tap, but they also have an extensive selection of import beers. Yes, it can be be a little pricey, but for a little extra bucks in exchange to try out some rare imports, I am totally willing to make that trade. Would come back for the drinks, but not so much for the food.

Everything I’ve ever had here has been amazing! This time it was their special, a pulled pork sandwich with a brussels slaw with a side of barley with pickled veggies and smoked olive oil. So good because everything is local pig!

I’m eternally on a quest for the perfect sandwich place, and Preservation market sure as hell is in the running for that title. I mean, seriously, you know Local Pig isn’t going to put out anything less than an amazing product. This is excellent food in a cool atmosphere and great location for the right price.
My personal favorite item on the menu is the lamb meatball sandwich. It is an absolute flavor explosion. The more traditional meatball flavors marry lusciously with the bright citrus of the orange preserves and the sharp vinegar of the pickles. It sounds weird, and it is — wonderfully so. Given the opportunity, I would eat this sandwich until I was too fat to reach my mouth any more. The Italian beef is also outstanding and well worth a trip here, in its own right. It’s pretty tough to go wrong with Italian meats, peppers, and garlic, ya know.
Get your sandwich on, people!

A very dangerous place for me to visit. I love beer and I love pork, together this place is my nirvana. Although on the pricy side for the beer (I know, it is rare and large format bottles, so if I want to play, I have to pay). Arranged by type, the selection is great. I really want to take advantage of the Tuesday special where they waive the fee for consuming the beer on the premises (all beer has a to go price and drink in store price). I was able to sample several very rare and delicious beers, all while enjoying the large windows that overlook Westport. I was very impressed that they provided appropriate glassware for each beer section (giving my table a very beautiful goblets selection).
On my visit, i did not get to sample any of the sandwiches, charcuterie, or pickles, but have heard raves from friends and everything looked delicious. I will be back, with an empty stomach and a hunger (for beer and pork).

Bridger’ s has a fantastic selection of bottles and unique draft selections. There is definitely something for everyone, and a knowledgeable staff to help guide those looking for something new.
The atmosphere is very relaxed and causal, a nice change of pace for Westport.
Preservation Market inside Bridger’ s offers salads and sandwiches, as well as charcuterie and cheeses with an emphasis on preserved ingredients. They also source locally, including meat from Local Pig, as much as possible which is always a plus. The charcuterie and cheeses are amazing and the charcuterie is all made in house!
Overall, I’ve had nothing but great experiences here, including one beer dinner, and the service is great.

After reading the positive reviews and menu online, my wife and I were excited to try out the Preservation Market inside of Bridger’s Bottle Shop. We even made a date night out of it and headed there on a Saturday night.
We started by selecting our beer choices and then heading to the counter to order some food. I chose the jerk chicken sandwich (#7) and my wife ordered roasted carrots with lemon chicken salad (#3). The place was near capacity but we were able to snag a table pretty easily.
Our food arrived and this is where our experience turned south. My sandwich had cold flavorless-​jerkless chicken pieces, cheese (which was good), NO pickles, the tiniest amount of habanero crème and NO fig spread. I can understand if the sandwich is intended to have cold chicken, but when there isn’t a hint of jerk seasoning and when the description reads «habanero» I expect some heat. But instead my sandwich was reminiscent of a Thanksgiving day leftover sandwich with cheese. My wife’s salad was equally as disappointing. The chicken was similar to the kind on my sandwich the roasted carrot were just that and lacking seasoning. The greens and vinaigrette dressing were good. There were NO pecans but instead pickled beets (confusing change). She ate about half of it (mostly the greens) and gave up.
As we ventured home we really wanted to make excuses why Preservation Market did not excite us like the other reviewers. Maybe we misunderstood the concept? (Who would make a concept around cold leftover chicken?) Maybe we misunderstood the menu? (We had been eyeing the menu for three days online because we were excited to try this place.) Finally we came to the conclusion that it wasn’t us, it was them.

I’ve been here twice and I had a nice time and plan on returning.
First visit we came in for drinks and to check the place out. They’ve definitely taken the nasty vibe out of the former America’s Pub! The beer selection is pretty awesome. There variety is so vast that I’m sure someone who isn’t a beer connoisseur can find something to quench their thirst. It would be nice to have the option for a mixed drink, but that would defeat the premise of this bar; however, the soon-​to be open karaōke bar next door will have a full bar and I imagine you can bring drinks bath and forth?
This place gets specialty beers as well and I was happy to find an Angry Orchard specialty brew that I hadn’t been able to find at any of my local liquor stores!
They serve food from the Local Pig (never heard of it until I came here). I tried it out on my second visit. I got the lamb meatball with cornbread. I LOVED the cornbread, but the sandwich was a little salty for my pallet. My friend got the jerk chicken– good flavor, but SUPER spicy and I can usually handle some spice. I will definitely give it a second chance to see if I find something on the menu that appeases me. For the money and the quality the portions are just right.
In another review someone commented about seeing a «plumber». During my meal I witnessed a man fondling his date. She appeared to be droning on about something and didn’t skip a beat as he continued to fondle her… all kinds of kinds.
Service here is fantastic! Everyone is very friendly! If you have questions about the menu or trying to choose a brew, they are more than happy to help you out! (5 stars for service)
There was plenty of seating and it was fairly open as well. My friends and I hung out by the beer cooler chatting it up. At some point in the evening we were invited back to a private party for the new karaōke bar– Off Key. It looks like it will be pretty cool as when officially opened. Nice bar space/​seating as well as private rooms for parties.

I will start with my only gripe which just comes with the territory. The markup is just RIDICULOUS! haha
But the atmosphere and staff are a joy. The selection of beer is fantastic. The food… if you enjoy local pig (only a few people do not and its usually based on the hyperhype not the quality of their product)… Then the food is right up your alley. I actually can’t give a play by play on food yet due to the drunk status of the evening, but I will be going back to partake in a less inebriated state.

The best way to describe this place is simple, yet complex… all in a good way! We absolutely loved our first visit, and look forward to going back. The place is beer only, but you’d be hard pressed to not find something that suits your taste buds, with the large and diverse selection they offer. You are greeted by a host who explains the self serve bar and food service and offers up any advice needed on selections of food and drink. The beer cases are meticulously organized and displayed by type of beer (wheat, pilsner, pale ale, Belgium style etc.). The selection behind each door is mind boggling! The staff has an astonishing level of expertise in guiding you to a selection — both beers I tried tasted exactly as they were described. I’m thinking the staff must do a whole lot of beer tasting in their jobs.
We chose a seat at a high top table in the busy restaurant area, the décor is simple but inviting. We settled in with a cold beer and the menu — a few sandwiches, a few salads, and a charcuterie option. Although simple, the offerings were complex as far as flavors and options — not just your typical sandwiches and salads. The staff at the counter was great in giving suggestions on the food and then he assisted us with our next beer choices.
The food presentation and taste were both top notch. I ordered a simple salad with apples and it was excellent. My hubby ordered a sandwich and the barley salad as his side (served in a small glass canning jar — clever presentation). The staff does deliver your food to your table along with water etc, so it’s not completely self serve. I personally enjoyed that I could get up and get my beer when I wanted it and order my food when I wanted it; and the staff was extremely knowledgable and available as you needed them. Great concept, great beer, excellent food and excellent service — five stars all around!

Wow, the Kansas City beer scene has exploded into greatness over the past couple of years! With each new place that opens, I think, «Probably a repeat of something already done.» I thought this with Bridger’s in that I figured it would be much like Bier Station; I was wrong. First of all, at Bridger’s, you have prime people-​watching location on one of the most active corners in Westport! Grab a table by the window and you can be entertained for hours on a Friday or Saturday night. So, here’s how it works. When you go in, either grab a bottle out of the cooler, or order something from one of the yummy rotating taps at the counter. Either selection, you pay for it at the counter then take your glass of beer to wherever you want to sit. You can either take your unopened bottles with you, or you can pay a little more to drink them there. Servers are super friendly and helpful here. You can order meat/​cheese appetizer plates at night. During the day, you have some sandwich options from Preservation Market.
I think the only complaint I have is the noise level. The ceilings are high, bottles and glasses are clanking, and lots of people are talking. It’s a little hard to hear your own conversation at times. I will go a few more times and possibly update to five. Bridger’s is definitely worth a stop if you love beer!

Preservation Market or Bridger’s or whatever you wanna be called you win. You have stolen my stomach, and potential to support other local restaurants:) However, I am 100% happy with this establishment in every category of dining. Keep it up guys– you are gonna make some serious breakthroughs in KC food. Maybe just maybe, KC will not be just a BBQ town? Not that I am disappointed by our local BBQ restaurants (well, to be honest, I am a little bit), KC food is so much more than just BBQ! As evidenced by Preservation Market/Bridger’s-I’m drunk:)

My plumber dines here, or someone’s plumber. See my photos :).
Local Pig meats are *always* in my refrigerator at home, and I love Pigwich. But there was something about hearing Bridger’s (part of the same family of businesses) described that made it sound pretentious as hell so it took me awhile to get here. My mistake. It’s anything but that. Almost feels like an upscale convenience store where you come in and grab your own drinks and order a sandwich. And that’s exactly what I did today with a friend.
We had both of their pork sandwiches and they were mouth watering, delicious, really spectacular (particularly the aoili). Filled with pickles and good smokey meat and a baguette that was expertly baked. There’s nothing missing from the sandwiches here. He had the chips, I had the barley salad served in a small glass container with a lid. Pretty cool.
Beer selection: hardly anything missing here. I found a new favorite in the Sofie light Belgian style ale from Goose Island out of Chicago, one of my favorite companies. My friend had the French beer La Fin Du Monde, his favorite.
Service was quick, easy, and someone spotted us early and could tell we didn’t know how to order and guided us through the process.
My only regret? The charcuterie isn’t available until 3:00 p.m. and the purpose of that is to move the lunch crowd through quickly. We were there at 12:30 and discussed sitting around and drinking another 2.5 hours but wisely opted instead to drive home. If I worked in the area it’d be a regular carry-​out for sandwiches and they’re crafted so that they’d transport well.
So, bottom line, if you’re like me and you love everything associated with Local Pig – arguably one of the hottest food names in KCMO at the moment – you won’t be disappointed with a visit to this lovely little casual spot. Can’t wait to return, after 3:00 p.m. next time.

This is a pretty solid place and if you like beer you will LOVE it here.
I had a morning appointment and some time to kill before an afternoon appointment and as I drove around to see what caught my eye Bridger’s was an immediate option as I drove by.
I was the first customer of the day. After finding out that my day drinking would be limited to beer as they do not offer any other alcoholic drinks I was a little disappointed. Don’t get me wrong I love a good beer. I am just banned from carbonated beverages. I asked if there were any options that might fit my restrictions and was really happy with the beer knowledge displayed. The gentleman helping me was able to guide me to a choice that would fit my needs. I wasn’t quite sold on the option and he asked another employee what else might fit my needs. The beer knowledge oozed forth and I was quite happy with the service. I was directed to give one of the ciders a try and after a recommendation on brand I went for a pear cider. It was fantastic and refreshing. A nice change of pace from the typical apple ciders that you find.
I also tried the lamb meatball sandwich with a side of barley salad from Preservation Market and it was delicious! The combination of flavors on the sandwich just pop in your mouth. Salty creamy feta. Savory lamb. Vinegary pickles. And a hint of sweet from the orange preserves. A touch too salty but pretty darn close to perfect. The barley salad was a nice option from the norms of most places and I enjoyed it so much I am on the hunt for a good recipe to make at home.
As i sat and enjoyed my lunch I noticed that there is a specific ordering system. With further research I was a little disappointed that this wasn’t explained as I probably would have went for a meat and cheese plate or some small plates. I wasn’t disappointed at all and knowing of the other options gives me even more reason to return.
I realize this is a beer place. It would be nice though to have a few other alcohol choices for those who can not partake in the yummy and many beer selections.
Lunch was almost $ 20 with the drink sandwich and tip. A little pricey for lunch.
The music selection was a nice mix and well suited for the place.

I went here and I don’t drink beer. GASP! However, there have a huge selection of ciders and gluten free beers which can be difficult to find at places. They even had ciders and fruit ales I had never tried before. The drinks were all super reasonably priced too.
When you walk in it is like a liquor store where you go to the fridge and pick out what you want to drink. You take it to the counter where you pay and can order some delicious food. You can also put together a 6 pack to take home at a cheaper.
The meats and cheeses are from the Local Pig so you know they are going to be good. We had a cheese platter that we let them pick out the cheeses for. It was great. I was not a fan of the pickled squash or pickled grapes that came with it though. We also go the special, chorizo tarts. These were incredible bite sized euphoria. I heard all the food here is incredible and the portions looked very generous.
The place fills up quick so snag a table as soon as you see one open. It won’t last long.
Bridger’s is a very welcome new addition to Westport, which seems to be growing up!

It was a solid lunch! I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was great. The cheese was the perfect complement to the Local Pig meat. I tried a beer from the staff picks — I’m not sure how you could choose otherwise!
I like to be a bit more adventuresome than just drinking my regular, so it’s nice to have a little direction.
The house made chips were a great side, but I’m excited to change it up a bit next time.

Bridger’s may be brand new, but after just one visit, I can tell that it’s definitely a Kansas City gem…
The casual atmosphere is right up my alley. The attentive service, fresh local ingredients, and expansive beverage list seal the deal. While I can only speak to what I ordered, I will say that the entire menu sounds appealing; I have a feeling you can’t make a wrong decision.
I went with Salad No 4 (roasted carrots, lemon chicken, st Andre Harissa pecans, coriander vinaigrette) with a corn muffin on the side. The muffin was a tad on the dry side — I’d suggest serving it warm and/​or with butter — but that didn’t stop me from cleaning my plate. The salad was filling and the ingredients went well together.
Matt E hasn’t steered me wrong yet. Whether lunch, happy hour, dinner, or a late night bite, Bridger’s is worth a visit. If I lived in KC or was there more often, it would be a regular stop in my rotation for sure!

Bridgers has wormed their way into my skull! I ate here early last week, and almost every day since I’ve preached to anybody who will listen the glory that is their Preservation Market. This is some seriously good food, and you need to go there and put it in your food hole. End of story.
I opted for the lamb meatball sandwich with feta and orange preserves. It was just ridiculously good, and I gluttonously ate every bite, well past the point of full. The MVP was certainly the orange, as it gave the sandwich an unexpected sweetness but didn’t overpower any of the other ingredients. I would eat this again and again and again. For a side, I had the barley salad. Again, a 5 star winner. Served in a little mason jar, it was tender and had the texture of pearled couscous. I wish that I could remember more specifics of the side, but I do know that I loved it.
The coworker had a salad. I was too busy paying attention to my own food to look over at hers, but it’s cool that their salads don’t have lettuce as a #1 ingredient. You’re getting a much heartier meal than a typical restaurant salad, so that’s cool.
I was there for lunch so I didn’t pay much attention to their beer selection, but I did peek around enough to determine that it’s massive. All bottles can be drank there or taken to-​go, and there is a small section of tap beers. There’s a small section of for staff picks, which is a nice personal touch. I don’t think this place will ever really be a «bar», but it’s a nice alternative to heading to a liquor or grocery store. I am very curious to see what the weekend crowds think of this place, but I definitely see it as more of a food destination than a place to hang out and drink.
Compared to the last tenant, what a vast improvement for the neighborhood. Bridger’s is the real deal, and most people should be very happy with their visit.

With more than 600 bottles of craft beer, eight rotating taps and 25 delicious menu items to choose from, Westport’s new Bridger’s Bottle Shop will satisfy food and beer lovers alike. Once inside, you’ll notice coolers of craft beer to the right where Bridger’s organizes bottles by categories — seasonals, stouts, fruit ales, staff picks, etc. There’s also a rotating selection of eight beers on tap near the register. A few of last week’s selections included Boulevard Brewing Company’s Rye-​on-​Rye, Left Hand Brewing’s Good Juju and Stone Brewing Co. Enjoy By 4.20.14 IPA. Guests can drink inside the shop or take beer home with them. If you need helping choosing your booze, just ask Bridger’s certified cicerone Erica Pyles. She helped me pick a bottle of Mother’s Brewing Company Towhead ($ 4.50), an easy-​drinking American blonde ale that went perfectly with my lunch.
Inside Bridger’s Bottle Shop is Preservation Market, the food side of the whole operation. Chef Alex Pope of The Local Pig developed the menu which includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, small plates and boards. The No. 10 Jerk Chicken sandwich ($ 8) is one of my favorites. It’s packed with succulent seasoned chicken, Manchego cheese, habanero crème fraîche, butternut squash pickles and a cashew and fig spread. The overall taste was slightly spicy, with earthy and sweet undertones. Who knew a pickled butternut would be so dang good? I couldn’t get enough of it. Another favorite is the No. 9 Italian Beef sandwich ($ 8) with pepperoni, Fontina cheese, fresh basil, red pepper spread and fried garlic.
Every sandwich comes with your choice of barley salad, chips or cornbread as a side. Get the salad. You’ll want to scoop every last bit of barley from the Mason jar it’s served in.

This is going to sound negative for just one visit and maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t just get this place… yet.
For a couple of months now, I’ve been hearing about how Bridgers would have an amazing selection of beers in one place. Over 600 bottles to either crack open there and enjoy or take home and drink later. The take home prices (depending on the bottle) seemed to be about half of what the stay and drink prices were. Now, here’s one of my problems — the beer selection, while great, isn’t anything I would have much trouble finding elsewhere in KC. If you want to entice me with a reason to stay and drink at your place, give me something that is hard to find.
Bridgers also serves food in the whole farm to table motif, but I didn’t have the opportunity to try any. We had two menus at our table — a small plates/​shared plates menu and a menu with salads and sandwiches. Both all had things that sounded good, but I was more in the mood for the latter. When I filled it out and took it to the counter, I was told that menu was only valid from 11 to 3 (their lunch menu). Issue one: Put those times on the menu. Issue two: I don’t understand why that menu would only be a lunch option. People that drink like to eat. Give me something more filling than appetizers at night. But, maybe it’s just part of the concept I’m missing.
At the end of the day, I don’t know how I feel about Bridgers. Having something like this in Westport is a positive, but I don’t see the immediate appeal. It’s not a place I would pick for lunch on a weekend and it’s not a place I would immediately go to for some beers.
Again, it was their first day and I’m probably judging too harshly. It’s also possible I just had it built up to be a much bigger thing in my mind. At the moment, I just see it turning into a spot I’ll grab some beers at the cheaper to-​go price and take them over to Fidel’s to drink with some cigars. Which isn’t a horrible thing.