Bartender friendly, but didn't know how to make an Old Fashioned. Not a bad dive bar.

I came here for the holiday ambiance as always. It's not busy.Walking in smells like wet mop and it's humid- which makes it feel like I walked into an old indoor pool. My watery lemon drop martini sucks. I took a drink then noticed I had to spend $15 in order to use my card , so I guess I have to have another drink unless I use the ATM the bartender pointed out. The country music with commercials adds nothing. Good sports on the tvs except one which has the icon page. read more

Bobby Bakers is a classic neighborhood bar. Essentially, it's one long bar with a couple four tops at the end towards the restrooms and then a series of very small tight for tops on the backside of the bar seating. This bar is been open for a long time and I could see why you might not notice it or pass it without consideration. However, this is the fifth time I've been in over the last several years and I'm always bringing somebody new to show this place off. Although I suggest it's like a classic neighborhood bar, it doesn't have the neighborhood feel. Meaning when you walk in and everybody doesn't stop and look at you. It's an inclusive and welcoming environment that I would suggest you could add to your night out as a stop along the way or a fun place to meet some friends to laugh and have a beer. The walls are adorned with photos of those who came before you and it has had a "recent" refresh. The bartenders are engaging, friendly, and efficient. If I lived in Waldo, I would probably visit this location weekly. read more

I liked the prime Waldo location, the reasonable prices ($3.75 standard price for strong well drinks including tax), and the friendly, fast, attentive bar staff. They also had daily specials, a jukebox, free wi-fi, a bowling game, several TVs tuned to sports events, and classic rock background music (not too loud). The interior was not especially spacious, or new, but it was nicely done, and clean. BTW, there is no kitchen. Overall, very nice. read more

See all

As fate would have it, I met a few girls at Bier Co nearby that wanted to show me a night out on Kansas City... since it was my first time here. I did everything a good mother would tell her child NOT to, starting with getting into a car of strangers. We arrived to "BBL" and I was elated by the sight of so many people and the sound of country music. These were my people. I ordered some whiskey at the bar, glad that alcohol was way cheaper than at home in San Francisco. Got a few drinks bought for me later on. It looks like a few people were requesting songs on some jukebox app, which was cool. I had such a blast, and maybe it had something to do with being a 26 year old in a bar of people in their 40s. I felt safe, and people were polite. That's probably just Kansas City too. Seems like there are all regulars here, which I love. I don't think I'd come back on my own, but it'll always hold a special place in my heart... And liver. What a truly YOLO moment when I totally could have been murdered by had the time of my life. Thank you, Kansas City! read more

To me, bars are basically about escape. In the past, Bobby Baker's was a corner to disappear into, and find characters . There were some recalcitrant fucks there amidst the bar flys and average alcoholics. With the addition of TV and (I don't know WHO Can excuse this) loud "ambient" radio that plays loud "ambient" advertisements, I wonder who is running this place and if they have any knowledge of the miserable toll of advertising on ambience. DO ANYTHING to reduce the full-volume ads you have now. 3 people on a Wednesday night says something. I love you and want to hang, but radio adverts are 100% ridiculous. read more

The retro sign and unassuming exterior gave me great hope for the inside. We slowly opened the door to a pretty down scene. Way too bright lights hung over our heads at the bar, a static clock radio pumped out painful sounds and most of the crowd spoke in whispers. A depressing vibe hung in the air. I put $2 in the jukebox for 4 songs. I was hoping to take the crowd off suicide watch, but to no avail. My songs ended and the bartender cranked back up the static tunes. I caught my reflection in the mirror behind the bar. I was starting to look sad too. Not because of the mopey faced crowd, but because this place has so much history, so much potential. It's charm has been neglected, but I bet it could be brought back to life under the right management. read more

Bobby Baker's Lounge - Entrance - Lounges Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Really want to love this place but after 7 pm it turns into an obnoxious group of drunks that stand in the two foot path to the rest room and then get mad at you for needing to get through. Bartender is pretty efficient but overall best to go during the day or right after work. read more

Bobby Baker's Lounge - Is it a sandwich? Is it an upside down slice of ? - Lounges Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Bobby Baker's Lounge has long been the winter gathering spot for my group of friends when they're home for the holidays. There's something nostalgic, divey and hilarious about this little spot that makes it feel like home on a late weekend night. We've always felt like it's a time-capsule, like somewhere our parents would've gone. It definitely feeliks like an airport bar in the late 1970's. The selling points: 1.) They serve their domestic beer out of dinner glasses 2.) It's as cozy as it gets 3.) The price is right 4.) In the heart of Waldo 5.) You can, and should, hi-jack the jukebox when you're in there The drawbacks: 1.) The homemade, $.50 Chex Mix behind the counter. 2.) The occasionally over-served regulars that can make their presence known at your table 3.) The bathrooms 4.) The can't-shake-the-fact that you're in a real life "Moe's Tavern" No matter what, my friends and I will always love this little place in the winter time, and you should definitely check it out if you're looking for the anti-club atmosphere to grab a drink. read more

I've been to Bobby Bakers a few times now and I think I have a jist of the place. The prices are right, the atmosphere is very .... cozy. The place is small, its tiny so no matter how little people are in there you'll end up having to squeeze by somehow. Its just how the place is. This makes getting a drink difficult if its real busy, but I've been to other places that take much longer with less of a crowd so props to BB's for that. They did get rid of the booths and replaced them with high top tables which was a huge benefit I think. There isn't any food but you're right across the street from a pizza joint and other bars/eats. There is definately a regular crowd here, you can tell because you'll see that weird light in peoples eyes when they see someone they were not expecting to see, this happens often, but you don't really get the feeling you're an outsider. The size makes bathroom trips a little difficult, no matter were you're at in the place, if you need to hit the head you'll have to wade through a few people first, try to hold it while doing so. read more

I can't speak much for the drinks, but the ambience of this place is top drawer, authentic nostalgia speaking to a sense of 1970s Kansas City in a way that few other places can. The lighting is right and the crowd is usually a diverse range of ages. Conversations going on around you are sometimes captivating to borderline interesting. Located in the Waldo section of KCMO (a streetcar suburb) also helps create synergy between this establishment and other bars and restaurants. It is a neighborhood spot that skirts the line between contemporary nightlife (and the whole dive bar culture) and authentic neighborhood tap rooms of the past. read more

I have been a Bobby Baker's regular for 11 years now. It used to be my spot every Friday night after dinner till whenever I decided to either go home, or go to a bar that served till 2:30. Those days though, have passed. I used to love the crowd there on a Friday night. Even when I was young, I'd recognize people that were friends of my family, or even complete strangers that I'd have endless conversations with. For years you could put in a few good songs in the jukebox and see the bar sing along and even dance. The bartenders are awesome: Ben, Becky and Sierra. Bobby is there as well, and couldn't be a nicer guy. Great dive bar, but ever since The Well opened, the regulars have began to get pushed out for the douche crew. Tons of freshly legal drinkers that want to pound shots and drink cheap tap beer. Even more guys with entirely too much gel in their hair and tight designer t shirts. If I was blind and deaf, then I might be able to enjoy it now, it's definitely lost a lot of luster. If you want to see the real Bobby Baker's, go between 9 and 10:30 on a Friday night. read more

Alright, I shouldn't be hanging out at bars while pregnant...but sometimes a girl needs a shirley temple with grown ups making asses of themselves to brighten her day. Well, Bobby the bartender made me something a bit more sophisticated than Shirley--cran, sprite, twist of lime and splash of pineapple in a cosmo glass. Made me feel like the luckiest girl there :) When I think of lounges, I think dirty Vegas. I mean, old town Vegas strip with sketchy high booths, stale cigarette stench, old men with greasy hair in trouser pants, and Sinatra on the jukebox. Well, Bobby Bakers is this place-sans all the bad stuff. Sinatra was on the jukebox, it did have old men in trouser pants (not greasy!), well sat in swivel chairs, and a dimly lit atmosphere. Definitely a date place, with fancy drinks and places to hide. Noticed a good crowd of regulars and younger folks looking for a hipper place to grab a drink. Far from a brew pub (which Baker's has plenty for neighbors), this place sets itself apart by offering a classy alternative. read more

Bobby Baker's Lounge - a sign for bobby baker's lounge - Lounges Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

See all

This is the bar that was built into a million 1970s suburban homes, but grown up into an actual bar. Booths, over-sized and overstuffed swivel bar stools, and a selection of domestic beers on tap. This is the bar / lounge that exists in 70s television (see Three's Company), but in real life. This is a lounge in the purest sense of the word -- a place to hang out and a get a drink and have a conversation with friends. Because of the layout of the bar, this is a place that doesn't lend itself to being too crowded or having too many people in your way. Prior to the KCMO smoking ban, this is the type of tiny bar that would have had a cloud of perma-smoke at 4' outpacing the SmokEater, but with a clientele to match. Now it's a clean and dim space where you can chat, read, or watch television. If I lived nearby, this could be a place that I stopped in to have a drink after work or for a short evening outing, but since I'm far far away, I only get to stop here a couple of times a year. read more

I want to love Bobby Baker's, I really do. I like the look of the place, so outdated and yet so unapologetic; I like the weird security camera surveillance monitors that, after a few drinks, can be quite amusing to watch as stumbling patrons make their way down the street; and I like, for the most part, the drink prices which are not the cheapest in the city, but certainly won't put you in hock either. There are so many things I like about Bobby Baker's that I can honestly say I do like this little dive bar in Waldo ... but alas, I do not love it. If you like your bars with a little character, try Bobby Baker's ... maybe you'll love it ... I know I want to. read more

Bobby Baker's is an ok bar. It is a nice neighborhood bar to stop and get a drink, enjoy a game, and just have a good time with friends. The bartender could be more attentive and welcoming. Having to flag down the bartender while sitting at the bar shouldn't be necessary. I also don't care at all what people do in their spare time, but passing things very obviously across the bar doesn't make me want to return and risk getting caught up in something for no reason other than the bar stool I chose. Bar atmosphere-4 Bartender-1 read more

Old skoool. This place hasn't been redecorated in ages, and I hope it stays that way- it's dark and has huge comfy barstools. Generally, Bobby Baker's is reminiscent of the bar that my Grandpa frequented on the north side of Chicago when I was a kiddo, except with Boulevard in place of Old Style and the Royals in place of the Cubs. They even have a jukebox. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable, willing to chat if you want or leave you to your friends if that's your preference. Really, this is the type of neighborhood bar that used to grace so many parts of the US, and has a great community feel to it. read more

This bar depresses me. Dark inside, can't see the outside in most of the bar. Narrow and the clientele seems to be mostly alcoholics that sit there all day. My husband loves dumpy bars like this so we always end up stopping in here anyway and saying hi to the same exact people we saw a month ago when we stopped in there. I'd be thrilled if it closed so I didn't have to go back. 3 stars because the service is good and hubs loves it for whatever reason I do not know. read more

This is a great spot to follow up dinner with a drink on a weeknight. I usually end up here after some pizza across the street, and hit up the nightly special. Monday's dollar beer night definitely leaves me enough to bogart the jukebox to all my favorite country songs. With a chill atmosphere and a game on the televisions, it's a good place to talk or meet your neighbors. It certainly feels like nobody arrives or leaves fully sober from this place. read more

Bobby Baker's is a breath of fresh air for the typical douchey bars in Waldo. It is very small and full of regulars typically. And by regulars I mean the possible borderline alcoholic middle aged people who are awesome. Every time I go I tend to be on the "younger" end of the age spectrum which can sometimes get my funny looks (no, old lady starting at me from the corner stool, I did not get lost on my way to Tanners). Bobby Bakers is a great place for when you just want to relax with a few friends and enjoy good priced drinks. While one of its charms is that it is so small, it can also be a drawback. When it is very busy it gets very stuffy and cramped in there, but thankfully that doesn't happen a lot. read more

Great little dive bar in Waldo. If you're looking for a low key evening, in a small comfortable space give this place a chance. Great spot to find the locals. Stop I'm after stuffing your face full of pizza across the street. read more

Bobby Baker's is my local watering hole. It's where I've celebrated birthdays, job changes, breakups, major accomplishments, and its where I go to just hang with friends. I love what Becky has done with the place since she took over! She's cleaned it up without ruining the authenticity of it. I like the mix of the crowd. Yes there are the people who have forgotten that they've graduated from college and still have their frat parties, but there are also the regulars who've been coming for years. There's usually one entertaining weirdo, and sometimes people who bring a book and read. I've had profound conversations with strangers andIt's a place where I feel completely comfortable going it alone or bringing the crowd. read more

After I receive my bill I signed off for the amount $75 I did not think it was right by sill sign for $75 next day I'll look at my bank statement it was charge $90 the waitress decided to take more out of my account then what my bill was Talk to the owner she was Nice on the phone she had me come up to pay back $15 plus $10 for gas and then she said I was not allowed up there anymore Goodway run the business first your employee steals from people then you tell them they can come back up read more

I go back and forth on this place. It is very small and tight on the inside but also has a cool lounge atmosphere. Drinks are pretty cheap and the staff is really helpful. On busy nights it is a nightmare to move around in the place though. I prefer to go up there and grab a couple of drinks when they are having a slow night and just relax. read more

Avoid this place. $20 for 4 beers, bathrooms reek and lame atmosphere. Spend your money elsewhere.

I've only been here twice, but I will definitely go back. Part of the appeal is its location. That part of Waldo is just kind of cool, and it's close enough to a number of restaurants that you don't care whether they offer food. It can be *part* of a good evening, and that's a plus on a night when you feel like moving around a bit. It's a small place with customers who are semi-lively and seemingly local. I like that it's somewhat dim, but I wish the lighting was a bit "warmer". read more