Marquee Lounge

I’m not from KC, and have literally never been to any other bar downtown so I can’t compare, but I really enjoyed this place!
I went on a Saturday night, when the incomparable Dave Stephens Band (
) was playing, so that gives it huge bonus points. The area is large with space for a dance floor, tables, and a loung-​y seating area. if you want to dance, then this is the place because I understand they have swing night every Saturday! If you enjoy live music then there are tables all around the dance floor and you can just watch the band (and the dancers). If you like the music but would prefer it in the background, then there are couches and tables set apart from the main area but still close enough to the action.
They serve food too, but I didn’t try any because we came right from dinner elsewhere and were stuffed. I’m not sure how the other nights go, but if they are anything like the night we went – you should absolutely try it!

My husband and I went here for a friend’s birthday during their free Saturday night swing dancing lessons. It was PACKED the night we went, not a free space on the dance floor! Also, the band played more of a slow jazz set, which did not suit the lively crowd at all. I was hoping they would adapt and play more «Jump, Jive, and Wail» type stuff, but alas, they didn’t. Don’t get me wrong, they were incredibly talented but just didn’t fit the crowd’s energy. (I’ve been told the music is usually more upbeat.)
I did try one drink, an old fashioned if memory serves, which was ok but not that memorable for $ 9. The bar tenders were nice and a waitress was coming around to collect drinks and take orders, which was also really helpful on a such a busy night when the bar was so crowded.
Overall, we will probably give it another try. Maybe for drinks, dancing, and a movie next time! The place was very beautiful in an old world meets new world sort of way.
P. S. They validate for 3 hours of parking in the Cosentino’s lot on Saturday nights. Yay for free parking!

Over the years this place has been tweaked and modified enough times that it really doesn’t resemble the place it was when I first reviewed it three years ago. And in the words of Martha Stewart, it’s a good thing.
The place is much more comfortable now, with lots of plush living room areas. Also, it’s been mostly sectioned off either by huge curtains or tchotchke-​filled shelving units. This is a major improvement, as while the earlier look was nice, it did still somewhat feel like you were drinking in a movie theater lobby.
The drinks are fine. The food is fine. Neither blow you away, but with the exception of The Bristol, it’s really the only place in the Power and Light to have a real adult cocktail (i.e. something that doesn’t include the word «bomb» in the name) and that’s worth some consideration for that fact alone. With this comes either no crowd, or a slightly more sophisticated one. It’s less a destination than a refuge.
Also, any service issues have been dealt with. The shoddy management team from my first review has been replaced three times over.

Love the Marquee lounge, it’s quickly becoming my go to place for Salsa dancing. The free class on Fridays is super helpful for beginners like myself and if you don’t bring a partner, I’ve been twice and there are always a surplus of people looking for a dance partner. Even my dance partner who is a good salsa dancer loved the class because it was funny as well as informative and entertaining. Love the atmosphere, very classy with a good mix of people.

To be perfectly succinct in articulating my opinion of the Power and Light District, it sucks. P&L panders to a tourist and yuppie demographic. I haven’t been many places where I can watch grown men strut around in their bedazzled-​butt jeans wearing popped collar pink polo shirts and grown women walk the streets without their shoes on, or their pants (so greasy!!!), but golly gee willickers that’s how P&L rolls.
Which brings me to the Marquee Lounge. On Saturday nights the Marquee turns its patrons into the swingenest hepkats and kittens to be found in Kansas City. Here’s a big, heartfelt thank you to Lauren, Jake, and Alan for teaching the rest of us how to dance! The three aforementioned rug-​cutters extraordinare will talk you through the basic swing steps and after the lessons are over, they would very kindly oblige to dance with you. The music and the bands are a much welcomed ecclectic assortment of sounds and styles.
The bar is impressively stocked; don’t bother looking for the bottom shelf booze or cheap beer. If you find yourself drinking at the Marquee, congratulations doll, you’re moving up the drink chain. My only complaint is that the bartenders are rather conservative when they pour your first drink. I don’t know if they’re trying to guage one’s tolerance level or what, but it is a wee bit irksome. However, if you take care of these bartenders right away they will do right by you. I was very pleased about their attentiveness to my drink levels in spite of a high volume of other thirsty dancers and patrons. Really, they were just dolls about getting what I wanted to me in a hurry. Big, heartfelt thank you to you fine fellas.
As is typical of bars in a more pretentious neighborhood, striking up a conversation with a stranger is a bit more challenging. Luckily, the staff and dance instructors have the gift of social grace and don’t seem to mind making small talk. Yay.
I cannot critique the menu yet, but I will soon enough. I had a great time at the Marquee and am looking forward to coming back next Saturday.
UPDATE 20 120 108: The dance instructors are still aces, the booze is still good and some of the bartenders know the score. Ask for Morgan, the man knows what to do with whiskey/​Scotch/​Bourbon which is to say he pours your libation of choice into a glass and then hands it to you. What a shame it is to report that some of the other major bartenders should just stick to the sugary mixed drinks, but I won’t play softball when one of my only vices is the topic of conversation. What specifically am I griping about, you ask? Never, but never ever serve me fine Scotch/​whiskey/​bourbon on the rocks ever! The sweet potato fries are delicious, to end this update on a positive note =-)

I have been to AMC Main Street to see several movies in the suites, but for some reason I have never stopped in at The Marquee. Last night I did. I feel like I have discovered one of KC’s best-​kept secrets. After nodding off during Apollo 18, we stopped here for drinks, music, and dancing. A swing band was playing. I don’t know who they were, but the lady singing was incredible! I could stay there all evening just to listen to her. What I loved the most was watching the swing dancers. One lady was dressed like Rosie the Riveter and was tearing up the dance floor. Made me want to sign up for lessons so I can start dancing for my cardio and drop the gym membership. Sadly, I will never be so coordinated. That’s OK; I will be content just to watch. Anyway, several people who know each other danced away. I was awed by the talent.
The venue is gorgeous. Intimate, dim, marble, infinite ceilings…I almost felt transported back to the 40s.
We didn’t eat, so I can’t rate the food. Service was polite, but the one Stella I ordered was completely funky. Yuck. That’s why we are short one star here. That will in NO way keep me away from The Marquee, though!
I can’t believe AMC doesn’t market this place better. It would be packed by people who want to avoid the Power and Light crowd. Classy, interesting crowd. I cannot wait to return!

To be fair I only drank scotch and watched/​listened to a little jazz group. The band was definitely great. And the scotch went down easy… and it was easy to get refills. Tab was expensive but the place was really nice. I’d rather have seen the band in a smokey dive though…

Ever gone to a movie theater to hear great local jazz, have a great drink, and eat some potato pancakes? Yeah, you can do that here.
Great décor, really decent food (don’t let the movie theater exterior fool you!), good music most weekend nights, and nearby the Drum Room so you can keep walking if you want to bar-​hop.

I was very pleasantly surprised that the tapas they serve here were restaurant-​quality. I was sceptical at first, because it’s part of the large, AMC complex on Main Street, but this is a lounge done right! Cozy, cosmopolitan, decent prices and very friendly staff. Kudos to AMC for turning this multiplex into a palace of entertainment before and after the movie!

Unbeatable happy hour, pristine décor, plus, what other bar has a world-​class movie theater attached to it?

Fun atmosphere inside a movie theater lobby. Delish food (esp the Walnut sammie) and great drinks. The service leaves a little to be desired though.

I’ve been here twice for lunch. It’s nothing crazy gourmet by any means. It’s pretty standard bar food with a giant pickle on the side (yes, i’m serious). It’s also open till 4am on the weekends which is incredibly nice and the service is very attentive. They will be sure to take care of you. Best day to go would probably be wednesday or as they call it «hump day.» The special is half price burgers and beer all day. a very good deal, especially downtown where there’s no fast food burgers really.

Service was great. Everyone seemed really eager to make sure we were happy and having a good time. Hopefully that continues.
Interior was impressive with the super high ceilings and sleek fixtures. The bar/​lounge area has a warmer feel then the restaurant, which can feel a little too cold and open.
I didn’t expect a lot from the food and was pleasantly surprised. I had heard that the spicy fried shrimp appetizer was great, so we ordered that. It was OK, but when something is described as spicy, I want it SPICY. I ordered the chicken caesar. The dressing was perfect and really flavorful. There was a lot of chicken and the salad could really be split between two people. An interesting note is that they serve breakfast anytime. What I really wanted to try were the desserts, but I restrained myself. I am still wondering if I made a mistake by skipping the homemade donut holes