RecordBar

Saw a KC Star article today about this place — was glad to see this place is closing. Was sad to see they may open up again in another location. The service can be described as: reluctant, bordering on hostile at times, inaccurate, and inconsistent.
Played there a handful of times, during their 7 to 9 pm slot when the place would ordinarily be dead (seriously dead). Always brought a respectable if not good crowd, in terms of numbers. Management, sound guy (s), door guy, and service staff at *best* treated us (and our friends) like we were merely an inconvenience, despite (again) bringing a crowd during an ordinarily dead time.
I love a dive bar, but this one routinely walked right up to the «groady» line. They did bring in interesting bands at times, and the vibe could be good. But having had a chance to find out how this place operates, all I can say is «good riddance.»

RecordBar’s brunch is the perfect cure to your Westport hangover.
It may be a great little concert venue, but don’t miss out on RecordBar’s weekend brunch and Bloody Mary bar.
Their breakfast/​brunch selection is filled with hearty, greasy entrees like the Tater Tot Scramble (scrambled eggs + tater tots + your choice of meats & veggies) that are sure to help your hangover.
They also have an extensive and delicious Bloody Mary bar. Six bucks gets you a glass of ice with a generous shot of vodka and access to their make-​your-​own Bloody Mary bar. The ingredient/​mixer selection is huge, so you’ve got the freedom to create just about any Bloody Mary concoction (or abomination) you can think of!

Tried to go early and get drinks before our concert started, but they were charging $ 5 cover and the lady acted annoyed that she had to talk to me. We decided to walk around Westport and get drinks and then came back once the concert started. The lady seemed to be in a better mood seeing that we were on the «list». The waitress was very friendly and did a really good job checking in on us during the concert. We were able to sit at tables until the headliner started and everyone got up to stand as close as they could to the stage. Drinks were good and the sound was good. We weren’t really interested in ordering any food. The place looked kind of iffy on whether or not it would have been any good.
Overall good small concert venue.

Awesome venue to see live music. Great drinks, great staff, great ambiance

Great food. Best brunch in town. Great service from my hot ass server Liz. One of Kansas City’s best institutions.

Flew in from CA looking to just grab a beer and relax at 8pm. Everyone was real nice, and a friendly crowd was playing a jeopardy style team trivia game. Good beer and good people.

It’s been a while so I thought I’d update my review. RecordBar is still cranking out a solid schedule of the best local and national bands, still serves super tasty food and still employs a solid and knowledgeable staff.
The bar has however added a new and updated sound system. The bands you came to see sounded good before and now they sound even better, plus there’s a little more space on the floor.
Don’t take my word for it. Check out their schedule on the website and come in and see a show. I guarantee there’s something for everybody.

RecordBar is a super intimate and small concert venue awkwardly located in a strip mall in the Westport area. I recently attended a show here and have to admit at first I was a little bit confused, however once the show started I was overly impressed. The small size and unique seating provided a very intimate show allowing the performer to get up close and personal with the audience.
Beer here was reasonably priced, and the bartenders were friendly. It seems like when RecordBar isn’t hosting a show they are more of a traditional local bar catering to the locals. Overall I was pleased with the venue, and would return for a future show.

Ok… Alright…This place is awesome. You guys are convincing me that Kansas City really is amazing. I might just have to stay here.
So I moved here back in August (2014), and feel like I am still finding my way around. I came here last night for my first Kansas City concert. I heard a band called Other Lives on The Bridge radio station a few weeks ago, loved them, and discovered that they’d be at RecordBar on ⁵⁄₁₈. So I bought a ticket! They are not a hugely well-​known band, but are extremely talented and have a very unique sound. The ticket was about $ 23 online after fees.
The doors opened at 9:00, I arrived around 9:20, and they let us in probably around 9:30. There were probably about 20 people in line in front of me, and it only took a few minutes to get through. The staff I interacted with were efficient and friendly enough.
The opening band (Riothorse Royale) was two young women with instruments, and they were pretty good. They played from about 10 – 11. We stood for the majority of this performance, then a couple abandoned their chairs so me and my friend claimed them. Before this, a server taped two «Reserved» slips on the chairs. A few people tried to sit there (before the couple got there), and she was not having it, and it was a little awkward. But after the couple left, the waitress nicely asked us if we wanted the seats, so I’m not complaining!
Other Lives went on shortly after 11, and they were one of the most amazing bands I have ever seen live. The acoustics in RecordBar were very good. I have been to a lot of venues in different cities, and some places are just not meant for loud music performances. My friend got a few drinks and the service was very prompt.
The seating is somewhat limited, about 3 booths and 3 high top tables, but I consider this typical for this type of venue. I usually expect no seating at a show, so I consider it a bonus to have any seating. I didn’t mind the option though, as I sat for about half of the time we were there, since we had luck in snagging those chairs.
I thought RecordBar was a really awesome place, with very good acoustics, and a unique atmosphere. It seems they select their artists carefully here, and I will be sure to follow their schedule and return often!

RecordBar brings great music to town, but I can’t stand this place. Their shows start too late. I prefer to have more seating. The only thing I do like is they have a nice, big parking lot.

RecordBar, how you’ve changed for the better. Likely as a result of securing the concerts Riot Room lost, but I don’t care, you are now better equipped for all the shows coming your way.
Previously, RecordBar had the sound booth right in the middle of the floor. It was kind of awkward and, at times, you’d end up standing next to the sound dude. Additionally, the stage was cramped, there was equipment off to stage right taking up even more space and it was just not ideal. Well, the staff has taken notice and solved all of these problems which seemingly looks to add quite a bit more viewing area for concert goers.
Sure, RecordBar serves food, but I don’t go there to eat, I go there to dance. And to hang out on the patio with bands that need to cool off and/​or need a smoke break. Honestly, now that I think about it, there isn’t really anything for me to harp on the venue about right now. Guess I’ll just nudge this up a star to make it five. Kudos, RB.

I have been back for a few performances since my last review and each time RecordBar just creeps up my list of least favorite music venues/​bars.
Service is really going downhill. One time when there with a friend, she ordered the same drink twice and received two completely different sizes and amounts of alcohol in each one. When she pointed it out and the waitress went to question the difference with the bartender, he very rudely walked over with a different sized glass, poured her drink in it, and walked off. Last night my drinks varied in taste with the same bartender making them. A very drastic and noticeable difference. Consistency seems to be an issue.
Last night there was a horrific sewer smell. Nothing like sitting somewhere for a few hours trying to enjoy music with the smell sewer filling your nose. This was a huge issue that needed to be seriously addressed. Some bleach down some drains would have been a good, yet temporary fix.
I am sticking at three stars because they do have some good food and they get some great bands booked here. Unfortunately it will have to be a band that I feel I must see to get me to return with the service and smell issues. Sigh, and MOTM is coming. Get your act together RecordBar!

Beer is always good.
Hipster ratio, okay.*
Good music to boot.
Haiku review.
*The ratio of hipsters to non-​hipsters this Monday in January: 5-​to-​19.

4 of 5. Here’s why: I’ll title this Review REDEMPTION. The «Christmas Ain’t a Drag» show was presented to me via Unilocal at Recordbar. I read the posting which states «All Ages» and «Bring the family» it stated Bernadette would be making an appearance (outstanding), also stated a price of $ 7. I had never been to Recordbar. I called Sunday, just after noon. I asked if the show was actually for all ages, was it a bit racey? I’d be fine bringing my own child, but how about my neighbor’s sort of thing. The guy answering says… «I don’t know I’m the owner, I don’t do the booking… He proceeded to say… «The name of the show has the word «Drag» in it you might wanna have a talk with your kid» as if we were then going to discuss parenting. I said nvm. I then said the website says $ 7. When I go to purchase they charge $ 10. Which is it? He first said $ 10 then $ 7 then back to $ 10. Then he said look just what’s your name. I’ll set aside tickets for $ 7 I said. Look that’s not what I want. I want to know if I should buy tickets prior to the show and what they cost. He said «get them at the door we will stuff 250 people in here if we can.» IT GETS WORSE.
I felt uneasy. I called back later around 5:30. And said «website says all ages, what’s the minimum age?» The guy says «well it’s a bar, 18» so much for my plans. My roommate and I were disgusted with the «all ages» and «bring the family» so we called back to mess w the guy, he (my roommate), calls this time and says «is there a difference in price for 12 and under?» The guy says «well we wouldn’t charge for a baby but it’s all the same price. Bring the whole family.» HUH? We decided to see wth??? The Christmas show was excellent! Very ok for the whole family. Food was great. Staff friendly. Mostly… WHO WAS THAT GUY? The owner? Yikes. I spent $ 140 at your place tonight. You owe it to that show bro. I had a great time which = REDEMPTION. I’ll mark my calendar for the Christmas show next year.

Food review only; didn’t stay for music
A friend and I tried it out on a weekday around 6pm. Live music was setting up and only about 4 tables were occupied. We were greeted and since we weren’t sure what we wanted quite yet we said we would start with water. Water was brought around and then she was never to be seen again for about 20 minutes. So much for a drink. We ordered food, which was brought in adequate time. My friend’s wrap looked good and he seemed to enjoy it. I got basically a blt with cheese (they had some clever name for it) with tater tots. Nothing special there. Basic loaf bread slathered in butter/​oil. The bacon was crisp. The tater tots were definitely cooked in the same oil as a fish product. Yuck and huge no-​no!
As for the service; barely ok. As for the building and setup; not very comfortable or clean.
All in all… I enjoy a good food dive but this wasn’t anything special for me.

The ambiance here is what gives the RecordBar its unique feel. I recently went to visit the RecordBar because my friend is a sound engineer for Tech N9ne’s record label, Strange Music — which Tech N9ne came out for and I got to meet him and take a picture with him.
The music that plays here varies. But, most of the time, it’s talented bands who aren’t doing it for kicks and giggles — usually undiscovered professionals.
I didn’t have any food, but I hear the pizza here is outstanding. I did throw back quite a bit of alcoholic beverages and I will say the bartenders are very generous with their alcohol. And the drink prices are very reasonable, with an extensive menu.
I would recommend this place for anyone trying to have a fun night out or anyone who wants to listen to the immensely talented musicians that Missouri has to offer.

I went to RecordBar Saturday to see The Dodos and it was an enjoyable time. The band was great and the opening band (I want to say they were called «The Cavegirls, but I’m not positive) was decent.
I had a couple of issues with the place which were the following. first of all, the doors were about 15 minutes late opening to the public. When they did open, we found out that it was cash only at the door to get in and that their ATM was out of order. We had to run across the street and get back in line to get in (by that time the tables where you could actually watch the bands were taken). The bar took credit cards and so did the band’s merch table, so I was lost as to why it was cash only for the tickets to get in. The other issue was that the sound took a long time to get in check at the beginning of the main bands set. Even then, it wasn’t quite perfect, but it was okay.
That being said, drinks were cheap and strong and the bartender was very friendly. We ordered one of their specialty pizzas which was low-​priced and really delicious. The show was great. The Dodos were very entertaining and great live. I’d definitely return to RecordBar if another band I enjoy is playing.

Great vegetarian options and live music every single day? Yes please.
This place has perhaps the best bartenders in town with regard to attentiveness, friendliness, and making you feel like a «regular», remembering what you like to order and conversing across the bar when time allows the way bartenders ‘used to.“
A large percentage of the really great live music I have seen in Kansas City since the Record Bar’s opening has been on its own stage. In a town full of venues big and small, this is a pretty amazing feat and testament to the «local» and professional nature of the way the owners do business with customers and artists alike.
My favorite foods are the soup and vegetarian «specials» you can ask for sometimes and the «Appetite for Destruction» pizza without meat, sub mushrooms.
Brunch can be a little slow, but the food is generally worth the wait, and the Bloody Mary bar trumps any other you will find in town.
This place is home base for myself and many other midtowners, with good reason. Whether it be other patrons or staff, there is always a familiar face in the place.

A good place for Sunday brunch! I have been wanting to try RecordBar for their Sunday brunch for a long time. Voila — Groupon!
They have a huge Bloody Mary bar if you are itching for one. It didn’t look like there wasn’t any accoutrement they didn’t have. I wasn’t in the mood and ordered a beer. The service was on and definitely didn’t take long to get our food. The menu has plenty of offerings for choosier eaters.
I ordered the corned beef hash which came with an English muffin and a side of fruit. The hash had a lot of flavor, with a lot of onions, which I love. I have to mention though it was incredibly greasy. This may or may not work for someone hungover. The potatoes were cooked well too. The muffin on the side was perfect to mop up my egg. The side of fruit was fine. I love pineapple but it was too hard to chew through. Thankfully there wasn’t a piece of cantaloupe in site. I loathe cantaloupe.
I definitely recommend arriving early. The seating is somewhat limited and fills up fast. I am more than happy to add RecordBar to my brunch list!

Last Sunday morning I was invited to breakfast at The Record Bar. I was startled because I had no idea that the place served food like that. I had only known it to have lesser known bands play there. I thought live music and drinks at night was all it was.
I arrived right as they opened for breakfast and was seated immediately. It smelled like a dive bar of leftover spilled alcohol and mustiness. I had a cocktail while waiting for my friend to show up. By the time he arrived, 15 minutes later, so had many other people. So at that point the service was super S… L…O…W. To put it as succinctly as possible… we were there a total of two hours to be served, eat, and leave.
I had eggs benedict with eggs over hard. My friend had the tator tot mushroom scrambled eggs. There were no tator tots in with the eggs or as a side. Only fried eggs were on the side.
I would have had another drink had the waitress asked me at any point. But she almost avoided us. I don’t know if it was a result of being short staffed, a not so smart waitress, or food slow coming out of the kitchen.
The food itself wasn’t bad, but I would never go there again for a breakfast or lunch. I still might go for drinks and live music in an evening, though.