Okay so hear me out, Kelly's may be divey and old school, but it's a good time, and worth five stars. So when I rolled in here about a month ago for a happy hour with the gals I hadn't been in probably a decade. My memories of Kelly's were clouded by early 20s nights out in Westport, and my impression of the place was that it was usually overly crowded, filled with bros, and a bit dirty. Essentially, the kind of place I feel like I would have found myself in during my college years. All of this being said, I have a friend that is a die hard Kelly's fan and I was genuinely excited to stop in, this time as a person in their mid 30s, and at a respectable time, to see what it's like on an average Thursday. You know what? It's damn delightful. First of all, the drinks are affordable, the bartenders are super nice and laid back, and while there were a good amount of folks in the bar, there was ample seating for our group. We never felt rushed, and it was nice to go to a bar that was unpretentious and just felt comfortable to hang out at. We stayed so long I ended up grabbing some pizza from Guys (that'll be the next review!) and honestly I just had a really nice, chill, evening catching up with friends. Is it the nicest, hippest, bar in town? No, but it's a KC institution for a reason, and I'm happy to be reintroduced it as an adult, and to find that an old friend like Kelly's still has a ton to offer even if you are no longer part of the 1am crowd.
Kael Katzman
Great old bar in the heart of
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Robert Dewar
Family owned for over 80 years. Historic building and great people.
Jai S.
Such a vibe on a Friday night! (ESPECIALLY if PK is dj'ing) It is really loud, so if you are looking for something intimate.. this is not it. But if you are looking to drink, party & vibe.. this is your spot! Only tip is to stick close to your party(friends) because this place can definitely get PACKED OUT! Its easy to get lost in the crowd. They have an upstairs with another bar that you can smoke ONLY tobacco products at. But its "outside" so you can feel a nice breeze. Drinks are inexpensive & service is typically fast. They also serve pizza which is super good & a nice size slice!!!! (The pizza place is connected to Kelly's) . You can access it from the inside & or the outside. Its Guy's Pizza. Will be back as that was my 1st experience!
George Blackmore
What a waste, 20$ to get in. Bar tenders were complete jerks. If I was a girl I could have gotten service. 20 years ago I went down here every weekend. What a waste of city.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Patricia Mullins
For a dive bar, it's among the best.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 4
Mike Moorehouse
Best bar in KC.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Carolyn Mosburg
I got terrible service. got kicked out for no reason. I used to love this place .
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
KansasCity Stroller
In my last review of this establishment I gave it 5 stars. I now regret that I am only able to give 4 stars.Don't get me wrong, the food is still good, some of the best you will find in Kansas City. However I have to change my rating because we ordered Pepsi's with our food. While the quality of the beverage is not the issue, Where I find the issue is that they charged for each refill, but did not disclose to us that every refill would be charged as another drink. And our drinks were being refilled before they got to the half full marker(Which is great service, I am not arguing with this).After not sitting right with me for a couple of days I contacted the oner, and was told that this is a policy they have always had (Mind you I have eaten here many times and never been charged for a refill on a soda beverage) and was short with me and hung up.I will still continue to be a patron here, as they do have great food, however buyer beware and ask about every refill , before the bring you one.There were just two of us eating and at the end of the day they charged us for 4 drinks each, even though it was only refill's on Pepsi.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Garrett Miller
A cornerstone of the community. A must visit for all locals!
Bouncer didn’t believe my ID was real and told me he would only give me my ID back if I admitted it was fake. Tried to tell me he was going to get me arrested. Bartender looked up my birthday on social media and found it to be correct so he made the bouncer give it back to me. The bouncer called me and my friends “dirty whores” since he was proved to be wrong. My friends and I have never gone back since. Some old, bald, quite unhappy bouncer.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Christine Monday
Always a good time at Kelly's.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Coleman E.
The little tiny man of a bartender was a real jerk. My car wouldn't unlock and he would not let me sit inside till the tow services came. I would not recommend going there while this piece is working.
Faith W.
Had a terrible experience with the bouncers. One hit us in the head with the door while opening it, claiming the Publix sidewalk couldn't be stood on and the other (tall, ginger guy with a terrible mustache) talked down to us. Wouldn't recommend!
Pete S.
We are in KC visiting my son for the Holidays and as always must visit Kelly's. We stopped before heading for dinner for a few drinks and watch a football game. This is one of my sons Go To Spots. We arrived and the Christmas decorations were fabulous. The bar was hopping for being so early in the evening although my son said wait till later. We ordered drinks and sat at 1 of the tables toward the front. We ventured to the rear where there was light snacks available and ordered the pizza sticks which were delivered to our table and looked and tasted great. After a while we went to the back of the bar where there was another bar not open yet but where there was a Pop a Shot Basket and had a few Family Games which came with many laughs.
Okay so hear me out, Kelly's may be divey and old school, but it's a good time, and worth five stars. So when I rolled in here about a month ago for a happy hour with the gals I hadn't been in probably a decade. My memories of Kelly's were clouded by early 20s nights out in Westport, and my impression of the place was that it was usually overly crowded, filled with bros, and a bit dirty. Essentially, the kind of place I feel like I would have found myself in during my college years. All of this being said, I have a friend that is a die hard Kelly's fan and I was genuinely excited to stop in, this time as a person in their mid 30s, and at a respectable time, to see what it's like on an average Thursday. You know what? It's damn delightful. First of all, the drinks are affordable, the bartenders are super nice and laid back, and while there were a good amount of folks in the bar, there was ample seating for our group. We never felt rushed, and it was nice to go to a bar that was unpretentious and just felt comfortable to hang out at. We stayed so long I ended up grabbing some pizza from Guys (that'll be the next review!) and honestly I just had a really nice, chill, evening catching up with friends. Is it the nicest, hippest, bar in town? No, but it's a KC institution for a reason, and I'm happy to be reintroduced it as an adult, and to find that an old friend like Kelly's still has a ton to offer even if you are no longer part of the 1am crowd.
Great old bar in the heart of
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Family owned for over 80 years. Historic building and great people.
Such a vibe on a Friday night! (ESPECIALLY if PK is dj'ing) It is really loud, so if you are looking for something intimate.. this is not it. But if you are looking to drink, party & vibe.. this is your spot! Only tip is to stick close to your party(friends) because this place can definitely get PACKED OUT! Its easy to get lost in the crowd. They have an upstairs with another bar that you can smoke ONLY tobacco products at. But its "outside" so you can feel a nice breeze. Drinks are inexpensive & service is typically fast. They also serve pizza which is super good & a nice size slice!!!! (The pizza place is connected to Kelly's) . You can access it from the inside & or the outside. Its Guy's Pizza. Will be back as that was my 1st experience!
What a waste, 20$ to get in. Bar tenders were complete jerks. If I was a girl I could have gotten service. 20 years ago I went down here every weekend. What a waste of city.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
For a dive bar, it's among the best.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 4
Best bar in KC.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I got terrible service. got kicked out for no reason. I used to love this place .
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
In my last review of this establishment I gave it 5 stars. I now regret that I am only able to give 4 stars.Don't get me wrong, the food is still good, some of the best you will find in Kansas City. However I have to change my rating because we ordered Pepsi's with our food. While the quality of the beverage is not the issue, Where I find the issue is that they charged for each refill, but did not disclose to us that every refill would be charged as another drink. And our drinks were being refilled before they got to the half full marker(Which is great service, I am not arguing with this).After not sitting right with me for a couple of days I contacted the oner, and was told that this is a policy they have always had (Mind you I have eaten here many times and never been charged for a refill on a soda beverage) and was short with me and hung up.I will still continue to be a patron here, as they do have great food, however buyer beware and ask about every refill , before the bring you one.There were just two of us eating and at the end of the day they charged us for 4 drinks each, even though it was only refill's on Pepsi.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A cornerstone of the community. A must visit for all locals!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Bouncer didn’t believe my ID was real and told me he would only give me my ID back if I admitted it was fake. Tried to tell me he was going to get me arrested. Bartender looked up my birthday on social media and found it to be correct so he made the bouncer give it back to me. The bouncer called me and my friends “dirty whores” since he was proved to be wrong. My friends and I have never gone back since. Some old, bald, quite unhappy bouncer.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Always a good time at Kelly's.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The little tiny man of a bartender was a real jerk. My car wouldn't unlock and he would not let me sit inside till the tow services came. I would not recommend going there while this piece is working.
Had a terrible experience with the bouncers. One hit us in the head with the door while opening it, claiming the Publix sidewalk couldn't be stood on and the other (tall, ginger guy with a terrible mustache) talked down to us. Wouldn't recommend!
We are in KC visiting my son for the Holidays and as always must visit Kelly's. We stopped before heading for dinner for a few drinks and watch a football game. This is one of my sons Go To Spots. We arrived and the Christmas decorations were fabulous. The bar was hopping for being so early in the evening although my son said wait till later. We ordered drinks and sat at 1 of the tables toward the front. We ventured to the rear where there was light snacks available and ordered the pizza sticks which were delivered to our table and looked and tasted great. After a while we went to the back of the bar where there was another bar not open yet but where there was a Pop a Shot Basket and had a few Family Games which came with many laughs.