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    John Brown Underground

    4.2 (89 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars
    Open 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    John Brown Underground Photos

    Business Info

    JOHN BROWN UNDERGROUND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - John Brown Underground

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    Amazing glassware, for an amazing cocktail
    Paul H.

    Best cocktails I've ever had. Service was amazing. McKenzie was very helpful, knowledgeable, fun, and friendly. Amazing ambience, we were seated with another party and had lots of laughs, the place felt like home.

    Baby love child & Golden Eagle
    Pilar T.

    A cocktail bar staple in Lawrence! We have been going for many years especially during new menu drops. The staff is always so kind and welcoming given the intimate setup of the place with various types of seating. Reservations are recommended at least a few days in advanced, but they almost always accommodate walk ins when available. We ordered an espresso martini and time for slurp which highlighted corn! I love how fun the drinks are and am always impressed but the creative aspects that goes into a drink. Baby love child tasted like a liquid jolly rancher in a good way but the ube was more of an undertone for me. The golden eagle was definitely alcohol forward and more "intense" for those looking for a stronger drink

    Abbey S.

    fun little spot with speakeasy vibes and a nice outdoor patio area for people watching. love the creative menu, and the bartender was super friendly and answered all my questions!

    Glass of God, carbonated with Japanese whiskey and tea
    Vicki W.

    Creativity and attention to detail in creating these cocktails is amazing! The result is drinks that taste amazing and are visually interesting and appealing. It's a smaller space with comfortable, modern decor. Service was busy but very attentive. Highly recommend for a unique experience!

    That girl from that Movie
    Denise F.

    This is one of the coolest places to get a cocktail in downtown Lawrence. It's got a speak easy vibe with delicious, unique enjoyable drinks. It's quite busy so they recommend reservations but we arrived just ahead of the crowd. Mettea was awesome. Our sweet boy Scout was welcome. We'll be back again soon. I highly recommend!!

    Quincy C.

    The best cocktails ever in this any occasion small bar that looks as good as the drinks taste. Cost $35 w/ tip | Rating 10/10 Pros: Unique and quality drinks, amazing service. Cons: None. Our group of 30 booked this place for a mini happy hour. We were all able to fit comfortably and filled the space. Their decor is an artistic grunge with some classy elements scattered. Basically you could come in fancy or relaxed and it would work either way. The drinks were UNMATCHED! I enjoy a well crafted cocktail and these were the best ever. They were all complex, unique, and tested my taste pallet. Even the ones I disliked I could tell were made with a clear understanding of flavor and balance in mind. On top of that they all looked great with different aesthetics down to he cup. The menu even had a style with each page being about 1 drinks and clearly listing the special name, ingredients, and mood. Lastly the bar staff were perfect in handling our chaos. They got bills to people even when we moved around, helped with photos, and had good recommendations. Lawrence, KS isn't a big place but this bar should put it on the map!

    Jennie L.

    If you're looking for a great drink spot in LFK then look no further - John Brown Underground has you covered. Their menu consists of a wide range of different cocktails but they certainly hit the spot. The drinks are tasty, unique, and strong and it's just overall such a fun setting that you're gonna want to spend some time here and enjoy the drinks and atmosphere. I believe it's a first come first serve basis but essentially - to get in you walk down some stairs on 9th street and it's hiding in plain sight but you open the door and if they have space they will take you to your spots. Now keep in mind it's a speakeasy so seating can get a bit cozy and there's a high chance you're gonna get to know your neighbor but who cares when the drinks are this good?! What a fun environment can't wait to try the other drinks!!

    In the Street
    Jackie F.

    This is absolutely the best place in town to get a cocktail. I have never ordered one that I did not enjoy. The atmosphere is great and the staff is even better! They always know what to recommend. Reservations are needed if it's a busy time. But there is a decent amount of seating for how cozy the place is. Prices are not too steep and the drinks are worth every penny. If you like speakeasies this is a must try!

    Mark G.

    Unobtrspeak easy type cocktail lounge. Down one flight of stairs and into the place, through curtains. Dimly lot but inviting. A small bar area with a few tables and small bar with six stools. There are more tables in a U shaped room through the archway and another room for 12 off the back side of the bar. We sat at the bar and chatted up the bartenders. The place was not crowded but there were folks sitting at the tables and another couple at the bar. I got Springtime in the Rockies. Hendricks gin. Junipero Gin, luxardo bitter blanco, Lustau vermut Bianco, chareau aloe liquor, hiking the long trail aromatics. Admit I never heard of some of this stuff. My drink was unique - I tasted a bit of aloe and other flavors. Who thinks up these cocktails? Interesting cocktails. Many mixtures I never heard of. We enjoyed it. Mark & Nancy

    Alisha M.

    A little hidden gem and a very cool speakeasy cocktail bar. You definitely need reservations because it isn't a very big place. After a dinner date at another local spot we stopped in and read through their cocktail book, I had the get lost and was very pleased... it's a dream for generation Z's I am sure.

    a drink and a notebook on a table

    Such a cute place, great service, and amazing drinks. I love the menu theme, makes it feel more authentically made.

    a mural of a couple dancing

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    8 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Great bourbon drinks, a limited menu and a little on the pricey side. Cool vibe though. I'd highly recommend you checking it out.

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    11 years ago

    Service was excellent, Moscow Mules were amazing, couldn't have asked for a better overall atmosphere!!!

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    10 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

    I was there on a quiet night and had a great time. The servers are passionate about cocktails and building relationships.

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    11 years ago

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    715

    715

    4.0
    (497 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Sweet spot, great food, and drinks. Service was a great and gave me a lot of insight on the wine…read moreoptions. I got pretty blitzed before a mom's weekend event and took my mom here, she loved it and got me out of the doghouse for not being able to stand straight. This also happens to be the place every college dude takes a girl right before he asks her out. 10/10 place. Would recommend the vodka pasta.

    3 rd and final review of 715 as I will not be returning. If I could give it 0 star I would. 5 yrs…read moreago I gave it 5 stars and 2 yrs ago I gave it 2 stars because they served me a 38.00 chicken parm which menu said chicken parm w mushroom risotto and what they gave me was grits w a chicken parm of thigh meat! Chicken parm is not made w thigh meat anywhere! Seems like it was a way to use a 1.50 piece of chicken and .50 of grits and charge 38.00. Last night may 30 i ordered the chicken milanese w breast meat as you can see from my attachment from menu. Nope once again took a cut of the chicken and dark meat again and I hate dark meat. Cut it in half and showed waitress who went and talked to the kitchen. They said that when they butcher the chicken they sometimes get thigh meat w the breast???? What? Unbelievable that a manager didn't come to discuss but 35.00 bucks for thigh and arugula salad is robbery. She was kind enough to take off bill but still feel 715 is trying to pull one over again which might explain all the empty seats as well. Have shared this story w a few folks who have said it has gone downhill in the last several months. The prices you charge are over the top. Plenty of other places in town to eat like q39 where you can get a 3 meat platter w 2 sides and order of wings for the same price as 715's chicken thigh and arugula salad!

    Photos
    Interior space is gorgeous with exposed stone and wonderful lighting
    Interior space is gorgeous with exposed stone and wonderful lighting
    *Goat Cheese Croquettes
    *Goat Cheese Croquettes
    Bar Area

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    Bar Area

    John Brown Underground - cocktailbars - Updated June 2026

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