Found this one almost by accident and it's exactly the kind of place I live for. Drastic Measures is a speakeasy tucked into Shawnee, of all places, and walking in feels like stepping into a completely different city. Low light, hidden-away energy, the whole vibe from the second you're through the door. Bartender Kate asked if I wanted a specialty cocktail and I said absolutely. She built me something based on a mojito I first had in Dallas -- mint, cucumber, and a habanero syrup that sneaks up on you in the best way. Cool and sweet up front, then a slow burn on the finish. I could have sat there sipping those all afternoon, which is exactly why I made myself stop at one. This is a real find. Genuinely undiscovered gem territory, and I'll be back. read more

Drastic Measures - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

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We decided to stop by on a Friday night and were welcomed in. One of the unique features of this cocktail bar includes a green light / red light outside of the establishment to indicate whether they are at capacity / space is available. Upon entering the speakeasy-type of cocktail bar, we were seated. Our server answered questions about drinks and offered recommendations for what we might like! My favorite feature included an option for the bartender to create a drink based on what you like! I provided information about liquor preferences and taste (e.g. citrus, sweet, fruity, etc.). The drinks were absolutely delicious! This is a fabulous cocktail bar located in downtown Shawnee! I highly recommend visiting if you are looking for an intimate night out and wanting to sip on tasty cocktails! We will return. read more

Drastic Measures - Cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

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I have been in the area of this so many times and never had a chance to grab a drink. I also had no idea about the red light, green light and always just thought you had to have a reservation. Stopped in with a few friends and had a good time. I believe we all got two drinks while we were there. Price wise they were about what I expected and not way over priced like some other places. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks. The little trash can drink was fun and had great flavors. My only negative about the place is the seating. With almost 5 feet between the seats it was hard to have a conversation with others in my group, even worse with the pair of couples next to us yelling across to each other. I was more in their conversation then I was ours since I couldn't hear my friends. read more

Drastic Measures - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

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This was an epic bar experience! I came in early and the place was pretty quiet. Make sure to read the instructions on the door for entry! The interior is cozy and inviting, seating is limited, so plan accordingly. I got a seat at the bar and Zach did an awesome job of mixing me up some amazing drinks. I started with a Low Key Stunner. It's a great cocktail for a warm summer day, or just taking the edge off. I followed that up with a Kill Bill. It has some good zing and just a little edge to it. If you are feeling really adventurous, see if you can get a Nordic Haircut. Don't ask questions, just enjoy! Awesome location, great service, great drinks! read more

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DM is always in the top options of my coctail bar list when I'm wanting to celebrate the holidays, meet some friends, celebrate an occasion or have a classy date night. Seriously, love the vibes and the coctails. Park in the city lot across the street. If you haven't been to DM yet, you better! It's worth the wait! read more

Drastic Measures - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

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Two years later, I still LOVE Drastic. Maybe even more than I did at first! The Kill Bill is my favorite cocktail in the world - citrusy, with just the right amount of spice and booze. My husband loves the measured approach - similar to an old fashioned - he is never disappointed. We live north of the river and Drastic is 100% worth the drive! Check it out, if you haven't yet! read more

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My husband and I found this place randomly one evening and were surprised by how cool it was. Before entering, there is a wait area with a green or red light which indicates if there is a wait. After entering, the mood was perfect as the lifting was dim with soft music playing in the background. The bartender was super helpful on selecting the perfect cocktails as well! I would say this is a hidden gem in Shawnee for sure! read more

Following dinner at Hank's Garage and Grill we proceeded to Drastic Measures down the street and encountered a short line to enter the speakeasy, which allowed us an opportunity to rest. After a brief wait, the light turned green, indicating it was our turn to enter. we then made our way to our seats, looked over the drink menu and chose our drink selection, My husband chose an old-fashioned and I chose a Pretty Ugly baby, which proved to be quite tasty. The ambience was calming and quiet where you were able to sit and have a conversation with your group. The only thing I wished that it was a little darker. read more

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Another 5 star visit to Drastic Measures. They're currently set up as Drastic World and it is cute! We had a good time and the drinks were fabulous. The service was good too. I love when I go somewhere and pick my top 2-3 options and ask the server to pick which one I get. Especially when what they bring me is so delicious! Drastic World is way better than any of the other bars that have done themed pop-ups. It looks better and tastes better. read more

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I really do not know what took me so long to get here! This little place is fantastic. A quick pop-in with a friend just to try it and see... Now that I am hooked I will be back again and again to try all the cocktails, which keep changing season after season! The place is Quaint and a great little area for quiet conversations. The setting while not intimate mimics it perfectly and you are in a full bar with seemingly no one else. It is a very nice vibe! Oh and lots of NA drinks for Katie! Check their website as that is where their menu lives even at the shop! read more

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My husband and I decided to try out this lovely cocktail bar that is typically busy. We got there shortly after it opened. We were seated immediately and the host asked us what seating choice would be like. Using our phones, we scanned the drink menu and our server also asked us if we had any questions. I asked him to suggest a drink that was the least sour and on the sweeter side. He gave an excellent suggestion and I really enjoyed my cocktail that came in a fun dinosaur egg beverage glass. My husband made his selection and his was also excellent and came with a dinosaur coming up out of the drink. They had a perfect music noise level playlist and a comfortable relaxing upscale vibe. We would definitely recommend. read more

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This was such a cool surprise find! When looking for the establishment, it truly looks like just a small office space from the outside, but upon entrance, it's set up like a relaxed basement, filled with comfortable sofas and chairs with tables, and a cozy bar space in the back. The bartender was very, very good at explaining the taste of each drink, and was so enthused with his explanations, that I wanted to try every single one that we asked about. My favorite by far was the Culture Club, where you can actually taste the goat cheese, but it's so subtle and blends in with the rest of the ingredients. The visit was such a treat, can't wait to go back! read more

Drastic Measures - The Perrineal and Culture Club - both phenomenal, both strong - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

I love this area in Shawnee and drastic measures has always been on my list to try. I got to go this weekend and it was an awesome experience. Drastic measures gives me speakeasy vibes and one of my friends said it reminded them of manifesto. It has a knock and light entry (so you know capacity levels) and someone will let you in. It's a smaller space but it's comfy and cozy in a dimly lit space to give you that ambiance. I love the decor and it was great to come w a small group of friends. The cocktails all turned out great and unique. I really enjoyed the cocktails here and would definitely go again. The prices are fair as well for the quality. The service was excellent and had an upscale feel to it. read more

edited to say that the cherry bomba was brought back to wild child and all is good with the world now

While not the most hidden of speakeasies, Drastic Measures still offers a decent experience. The entrance has a light that will be either green or red to indicate if there is seating available. The staff was also super friendly and offered opinions on what cocktails to order. If you're looking for a cozy bar with nice people, Drastic Measures should totally be on your list. But if you're specifically looking for a great speakeasy experience around Kansas City, there are better options available. You can see more of our experience on our YouTube travel channel: https://youtu.be/A508y__Cka4 read more

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I had the Lil Easy and thought it was delicious. My husband got the Campfire, which neither of us loved... but the smoky taste is definitely a personal preference. Loved the simple, yet elegant delivery of the drinks. I really love Drastic Measures involvement and inclusivity of different communities within Kansas City. That said, I was disappointed in the service. It felt like customers were being churned. The servers were fine, they were moving people. That said, they were all a bit cold, and a bit of a cold atmosphere in turn. I'd try Drastic Measures again, for sure. But would hope for maybe some improved service and ambience. read more

Drastic Measures - Lil Easy and Campfire - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

Awesome little speakeasy cocktail bar located in the newly bustling downtown area of Shawnee. I'd been want to pop in to check it out for a while and was in the area with nothing to do so decided to stop in. You'll probably be waiting. I would honestly just expect it. They have instructions posted on the door but basically it's red light = wait, green light = knock and wait. But we didn't wait too long, maybe 20-30 minutes. They have a great selection of cocktails. Some smokey, some sweet, some more boozy than others. I feel like they have something for everyone. I tried the Thots N Prayers: curry infused mezcal, cacao, mango, and lime. It was smokey, smooth, and refreshingly fruity all at the same time. I'd definitely recommend it. I also tried a sip of the Campfire: bourbon, peated scotch, amaro averna, sfumato, and cane sugar. I don't know what half that stuff is but this was a boozy, smokey, and smooth cocktail that would be awesome with some bbq. The interior was small but they make good use of the space. You may share a spot with others but it's always fun meeting new people. The chairs are comfy and the decor is a bit dark and moody. The staff were all friendly and efficient. I will def be back because there's way more drinks that I want to try! read more

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One of the managers at the Monarch Bar on the Plaza highly recommended this place, so of course we decided to go. I've been here a few times recently this summer, and always have a great experience. The drinks are unique but still approachable, and I love that they mix it up each quarter. Not all of the drinks have been my favorite, but still happy I ordered them. It's not on the same level as the Monarch, Verdigris, or Mercury Room, but it's a nice local neighborhood speakeasy. Sometimes it gets busy, especially Thursday - Saturday night. Wednesdays are a bit more slow. Servers have always been welcome and accommodating. Haven't experienced the crankiness or rushed feeling that others described- maybe those people are gone now or they've been retrained. I don't think there's anything polarizing or offensive at this speakeasy bar. It's a cool place to get a drink and get away from it all. read more

Drastic Measures - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

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Was three stars until I saw the pretentious owner chimed in to be pretentious, so now it's one star. He's right though: A speakeasy in Shawnee, KS that is trying too hard to recreate the vibe of a million other similar concepts (*cough* Hop Sing Laundromat *cough*) isn't for me, especially when the drinks weren't good enough to put up with the gimmick. Congrats on the staying power, though. read more

This place is definitely hidden away. I can consider this the number one if you know if you know, place in Johnson county. The vibe is low and perfect for a date night. Service flight and shout out drastic measures KC . read more

Drastic Measures - Kill bill - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

My wife, who is our family's mixologist, had been wanting to go to Drastic Measures for some time. After learning last week they were a finalist for a James Beard Award in the Outstanding Bar category, we made a beeline to DM this past Saturday. I dropped my wife off at the curb right before 4pm when the doors open. She was lucky to snag two of the coveted bar seats that allows you to watch the magic right before your eyes. When you open the front door, you'll see a sign that references a light above the door to the bar. When it's green, there is room inside. Red means you wait until space is available. There are 13 drinks on the menu, each for $13. Other than serving water with your drinks, don't expect any bar snacks. Justin was mixing the drinks when we arrived and was super friendly and helpful in introducing us to the menu and explaining what makes their cocktails so amazing. Nate was serving the tables and was a man of constant motion during the entire two hours we spent savoring seven cocktails. My wife who is a bourbon fan, loved the Measured Approach and Little Easy, she was so-so on Manhattan Transfer. I ordered the Kill Bill, Substitute Teacher and the Deadeye Diaz. Kill Bill is the most popular cocktail, a true house signature. This tequila drink packs some heat. The Deadeye Diaz is a perfect complement, made with mezcal. The Substitute Teacher is described as tasting like a pb&j. We shared our last drink, the Duck & Cover, a Scandinavian-inspired drink with Aquavit for herbal notes and Aperol for its bittersweet flavor. A nice closer for the afternoon! We can't wait to return to taste the remaining six cocktails. Cheers! read more

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Over the past year or so that Drastic Measures has been open they have really mustered up a ton of buzz around KC. For a while it seemed as if everyone I knew was posting about this little speakeasy-esque bar in Shawnee. It had this air of elegance and mystique about it. For my birthday, I thought it would make a perfect spot for a before dinner drink so we headed that way around 5 for happy hour. When we arrived there was already a wait and I should note that my husband was pretty annoyed that while they said "just a few minutes" it ended up being closer to a 30 minute wait. I wasn't so peeved though, it was the holidays and folks wanted to check out their hannukah themed pop up bar. Once we got in it was only bar seating - again, my husband wishes we could have told them we'd prefer a table, but I thought it was okay and enjoyed my drinks. Out of the few drinks we sampled one was a homerun, one was okay and the other (the everything bagel old fashioned) we both agreed was a miss. Overall the bartenders were a bit cold, and when you have this much hype we just felt it should have been a more perfect experience. Will I go back? Absolutely! I'd like to try their regular menu and see how it is when it's not a pop up. I'm glad there is a spot like this in Johnson County though, and hope they continue to grow and improve with time. read more

Drastic Measures - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

They don't tell you on their website when they randomly will close. Very rude of them to do that after I check all over their social media to check them out. read more

I don't know why it took me so long to visit Drastic Measures, but I was absolutely blown away by the experience. Dropped in on a cool Friday evening and only had a short line waiting inside by the front door. Love the usage of the chandelier to help communicate capacity. Chatted quite a bit with our server once seated and shared that I'm a whiskey/bourbon fan. He strongly recommended the Campfire or the Maricopa...so I ended up ordering both. Word to the wise - both drinks pack a punch in totally different ways. The Campfire truly tasted like a camp fire in your mouth, with a subtle smoky aftertaste. The Maricopa had hints of corn and green chile with a touch of sweetness. The service provided throughout the evening was phenomenal and I cannot wait to come back! read more

It's Friday night and we stop here to check out the place. Parking across the street. Upon arrival there was a red light, meaning there is a wait to get in, no seating available. The wait wasn't too long, about 10-15 minutes to get in. Inside are multiple lounge seating. I say capacity of 50 people at most. The bar is in the back. One person taking the drink orders and one person doing the clearing of table. Cocktail drinks are amazing. Pricing a little higher than other places. Light music playing in the background. Nice place to sit and talk with your friends. read more

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Drastic Measures is a great bar. They have a rotating menu of unique concoctions that are always delicious. The best cocktail I've ever had was here! They also host some cool events and give back to great local causes. The ambiance is really cool and the service is always fast and kind. read more

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Visited this James Beard nominee for Outstanding Bar. Every bar has limited seating, but this bar keeps its door locked from walk-in traffic. Staff allows entry based on adherence to strict occupancy. The locked door and red light are a clue to wait patiently. The bar serves gin-based drinks. The menu was only 5-6 items and all cost $15 each. I had a delicious coconut macaroon martini and two other cocktails. Staff was friendly and even tried to make a cocktail for a vodka lover. I have no plans to return, but I appreciated the experience. A fellow customer recommended sister bar Swordfish Tom's, which operates similarly. Up next. read more

Drastic Measures - Cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

It was our first time coming here and we thoroughly enjoyed it! When you enter, there's instructions saying if the light is red then you have to wait and the host will let you in but if it's green you can knock. It was red the whole night but the host let us know when there was a table. We sat down in our seats and our waiter got our drinks. I had the all pinks drink and I thought it was going to be pink but it turned out more yellow lol. Not a big deal but I really liked it! It didn't taste much like alcohol which I loved and it was a little sweet. The ambiance is really cool and dark. I liked the environment and how chill it was. Staff was nice and I would coke back! read more

Drastic Measures - brambleback - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

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Drastic Measures will NOT disappoint if you are interested in fancy cocktails that come in combinations that you may not expect! I was so happy to finally get a chance to check out this place after a year of hearing about this from others. The cocktails were fabulous, and everyone there was friendly and super helpful! Ambiance was just what I needed after a long day at work! I stopped by on a Tuesday after work--around 4:30 pm, and it wasn't very busy, but I was told that this is unusual. When you get to the bar, you start in a sort of waiting area, and you are told to look at the chandelier above you --if it is green, you knock and wait to be let in, but if it is red, then the bar is full and you'll get let in when there is space! So I knocked and was let in, as the chandelier was green! After getting inside, I was welcomed warmly with conversation! I looked through the menu, which had a lot of different spirit options with a lot of interesting combinations of ingredients (goat cheese rinsed tequila? Yes, please!). I tried the Culture Club (goat cheese washed blanco tequila, macerated strawberry, lemon), and the Kill Bill (tequila, pineapple, ginger thai chile, lemon, salt)--both were AMAZING. Definitely recommend asking for suggestions from the bartenders because they know EXACTLY what they are doing back there! Thanks to everyone there, and so glad to find this little gem in Shawnee! read more

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I'd like to keep this review short and sweet. I can be a hard critic which results in me not visiting establishments after one or more occasions. Honestly, if I have to wait for a drink like I did on this occasion outside in late December in Kansas then this must be something special. It's no surprise Drastic Measures is no longer a hidden gem in Shawnee. I've never been there without having to wait outside to snag a seat behind that heavy entrance door. The wait is always worth the experience, ambience, hospitality, rotating amazing drinks options, and the constant feel that you're in the right place at the right time. My fiancé and I went for Hanukkah menu and ordered the following mouth-watering, eccentric, and mind-blowing drinks...fyi I normally don't order more than 1 drink. Me: 1. Rugelach - raisin & fig infused rum, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon, almond & cream cheese foam 2. Sufganiyah - raspberry doughnut infused cognac, macerated raspberry, lemon juice, aquafaba Fiancé: 1. Everything Old Fashioned - bourbon, everything bagel spiced syrup, bitters 2. Rugelach - raisin & fig infused rum, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon, almond & cream cheese foam read more

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Such an honor to visit Drastic Measures while visiting the KC area. I met the co- owner Justin, five years ago and it was a joy to taste his award winning cocktails. I really love the space. It is sexy, sultry, and dark. The playlist was amazing, the staff is astute and I enjoyed everything about the unique craft cocktails. I will definitely be returning when I come back to the area. read more

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Wayyy hype, low delivery. Expect a wait (30+min at 4:30 on a Wednesday). It's not packed inside, they just only have 1 bartender and 1 bar back for ~30 people at tables. The menu is unique (was Jewish themed when we went), but 2/3 of the drinks we ordered just tasted like anything at a halfway decent cocktail bar. Service is super slow too - we waited 30min after sitting down before we got our first round. This one's a skip for me. read more

We had a really lovely time at Drastic Measures. Love the vibe. The owner at the bar was so friendly - we were waiting and he offered us some drinks which was so kind of him! The drinks are so well crafted and I love the vibe and quirky bathroom decor! I never expected to see such cool patents - I'll let you discover for yourself what those patents are the daquiri was strong yet so refreshing, and we got a few other drinks that unfortunately I no longer recall - let's just say everything we tried was fantastic, so be adventurous! This is a great place to bring your close friends and enjoy the evening :) you may have to wait a little, but it's worth the wait! read more

Drastic Measures - Love this place already! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

I had no idea this place even existed, but I'm so glad I found it. Speakeasy vibes, you check the entrance chandelier to know whether they have openings or not. They have their own cocktail menu, but they also have a full bar and can make you whatever your heart desires. I went off menu and ordered my personal favorite, a perfect manhattan. Well mixed, perfect balance of sweet and dry. Service was good as well! Attentive, kind, and one of the waiters came by to ask us a personal question of who was the better actor: Brad Pitt or Bradley Cooper. Ha! This seems like a not very well known place, which is just fine!! Because it really made for an intimate setting. I live in Olathe, and my best friend lives downtown--I think we finally found our halfway place! read more

Drastic Measures - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

Lovely little speak easy vibe with terrific bar staff (we loved sitting at the bar and bantering). I started with the Golden Sparrow which was so nice. Then I tried the Green Ranger but I didn't care for the flavor profile... but my husband liked it instead! I'm eager to return and try more cocktails. read more

Wow! How did I not know about this place?? What an awesome spot, off the beaten path, speakeasy vibes with hospitality and class. If you love a dark, cavey, perfect place for delicious craft cocktails, get your Drastic Measures on! We will be back! read more

Drastic Measures - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

Went to this place because we thought it sounded cool. There were two people waiting to get through the steel door that keeps people out. We knocked on the door and the dude that answered acted like we were annoying him. All we asked was how long the wait might be and he said " I don't know, this is a bar. Depends on how fast people drink. Besides these folks are ahead of you!" We have never been there and saw the two people waiting, but to be treated so rude was not called for. We will never go back and will tell everyone about the way we were treated. read more

This little speakeasy has been on my list for over a year and today I finally got there. Love the hip cozy vibe and cool lights throughout. My favorite drink was the Roll up , which has a limit of 2 ( tasty but very powerful). We got there shortly after 4pm on a Thursday and got right in however things were picking up when we left around 5:45. Our server was also the bartender but by round 2 an actual server showed up. My only regret was it look me a year to get there! read more

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Lovely speakeasy bar with great tasting drinks. I loved how you have to read and follow directions to come in. The place is small so I wouldn't want to come with a big group. This time was just 2 of us and I thought that was perfect place to go for a few drinks. It's a nice treat because you'll have drinks that you won't necessarily make at home...so it's really nice. read more

I live near here and wanted to check it out for my birthday. They were putting on a Jurassic world theme and all of the cocktails were dinosaur themed. This is a small cocktail bar so definitely arrive early if you'd like a seat without waiting. The servers were on top of it, very friendly and quick. All of the drinks were unique and well worth the money. Plus the ambiance couldn't be beat. I'll definitely be back to try their normal menu soon! read more

Drastic Measures - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Shawnee, Kansas

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