I don't know if I technically have any business reviewing a gay bar, but I am a patron of MANY bars, so I know a good dive bar when I see one. So here we are. And this is my life -- if I want to spend time with some of my best friends, who happen to be gay, I'm going to gay bars. And SideStreet is hands down the place where I feel the most welcome and comfortable as an ally. It's basically the closest thing to a laid-back dive bar you can get. Darts, pool, tunes. It's not overstimulating, it's not desperately trying to be a "scene," and it's not trying to be something it's not. It just is. And apparently that's a harder concept to nail than it should be. Byron behind the bar is genuinely one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. The place is well-run, comfortable, and just feels like a good, proper establishment. The back patio is such a great space as well. The plants, the way it is spread out with little nooks to talk and have a heart-to-heart with a friend. I've been treated pretty poorly at other gay bars simply while trying to spend time with my friends, so I really can't say enough about SideStreet. I can come here, have a drink, hang out with the people I love, and not feel like I accidentally walked into a club where I need to submit an application explaining why I'm there. Good people. Good drinks. Good energy. Zero bullshit. SideStreet, please never change. read more

Met up with a few friends here on a Monday night and we had a great time! Bartender was super nice and hospitable, and patio seating was great. read more

Sidestreet Bar & Grill - Outdoor patio - Gay Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Visiting from Dallas, TX. This is a great little neighborhood bar. Good music and a great place to watch sports. If you like a low key bar this is the place for you. read more

Affordable drinks, great service and a beautiful deck! Please note this is a cash only bar and parking can be tricky--also drinks are strong, uber is recommended. read more

Sidestreet Bar & Grill - Gay Bars Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Side Street is a laidback neighborhood dive bar which caters to the LGBTQ+ community. It's nestled in an unassuming building near Costco. It could easily be missed if you didn't know what you were looking for. I've been in here a few times and it's usually busy. They have darts and a great patio scene out back. The inside itself isn't very big, but there are plenty of tables and chairs in both covered and uncovered areas to choose from. There can be a bit of a line for drinks, but the bartenders are fast and efficient. Drinks are super cheap compared to other bars in the area. Of note, it's cash only, so stop by the ATM before you it it up. read more

Passed by this bar many times. Finally checked it out tonight. I do not care who you love. Straight couple did not feel welcome.

great watering hole. perfect size bar. Super large outside patio area. not to loud, you actually can have a conversation. All the bartenders are awesome. they don't have food. Its clean, safe, and cameras for security outside and in, if your concerned about the neighborhood. (there is a Cosco practically across the street. This sis a great pre-bar before dinner or any other event. or its a great destination bar. Either way, you cant loose. read more

Always have a great time. Very understanding and amazing staff. Have always enjoyed this staff.

Thank you for being so welcoming to our group! We will definitely be back. Loved the atmosphere! Loved the people! The drinks and the service were awesome! This is the type of place that makes me proud to live in Kansas City! Well done guys! read more

we had a great time the food and the ambience was excellent as usual and we just enjoyed our night. Service was great and so was the atmosphere. read more

I've loved this bar ever since I moved to Kansas City six years ago. It's basically the gay Cheers! Good place for darts or pool, the best part is their patio. read more

I am and older guy Nearly 60 My friends pointed out that the crackers had gone bad. He attacked me saying whats your problem. I said no problem but my group feels there is something wrong with the crackers. I was polite the entire time. It was no big deal. He threatened to throw me out. I politely said its no pry. I finished my drink then quietly left. I will never give them business again I have heard in the community this guy is vicious and treats everyone terrible Ill never go back. Im a nice guy and never been treated so poorly don't go here. read more

The people that work there are nice and the food was so good I will definitely be going back

Hey Ernie I want to apologize for my behavior last night ;'I'm truly both embarrassing and ashamed of my self - you don't have to allow me back in- but I just want to apologize- I'm not sure what got into me - you know I'm not a " trouble maker " On the other hand - I guess I'm very disturbed that I've had a second incident at SS; three weeks ago I believe I was drugged or something close to it ; i got on a wreck 10 mins after leaving SS- I wasn't 100% sure more like 99% but now that John and Raymond were also victims - it confirms my suspicions of being drugged w my drink that night - I should of brought it to your attention earlier but like I said I wasn't 100% sure Yes I agree I should pay close attention to my drink but nevertheless- " most of us" have a second family at SS so being on the lookout for suspicious behavior is not first nature I hope you can forgive me Have a nice day read more

"The place where everyone knows your name" --only if you are a white gay male. Since this is known for being a LGBT+ bar, and I am a lesbian, I figured there would be no problem fitting in. When I first walked in the bartender would help other patrons at the bar before me. Towards the end of the night we were alerted it was 30 minutes to close, my girlfriends acknowledges the bartender. He proceeds to walk up to her and say she better chug that drink, not in a funny joke way either. When closing my tab, again, I was the last one to be helped.(Aggressive they didn't even want my lesbian money?!) Decently priced drinks, but not worth the attitude of the stereotypical white gay male--thinking lesbian women are some kind of strange creature invading their safe space. Terribly sad that within our community we tear each other down rather than build each other up. What's the kicker at the end of this jagged, hole filled rainbow, this all happened during pride month. read more

Harassed by the short bartender to wear mask even with a drink in my hand that was actively being consumed.

This was my wife's and I first time coming for a few cocktails. They made us feeling so welcomed and the drinks were cheap and strong. The outdoor patio was awesome and the music was chill. We'll be back again. Thanks for setting a great first impression. read more

I've never felt compelled to leave a review, but boy does tonight end that. Beware of the screaming drunk who lives upstairs!!! My wife and I went to Sidestreet for the first time tonight. Despite negative reviews we wanted to see for ourselves what was up, hoping for a new place to hang out and feel comfortable. The bartender was super sweet, the back patio was very cozy, I wish we could've stayed longer, but honestly I just wasted $20 to get berated by a stranger. There's a stairway out back with several lights that looked potentially like more seating, like many bars in KC have. WRONG!!! We got to the top of the staircase and saw the mess and said "Oh...I think someone lives up here" and we proceeded to walk back down. Out of nowhere a man came out of the bar downstairs screaming profanities at us saying "That's me and my neighbors ******* house, don't ******* go up there" etc, etc. Screaming at my wife and me in front of a patio full of people, even though we were apologizing profusely. I thought maybe he was just teasing but nope...fully screaming at us over a very simple mistake. I completely understand not wanting strangers on your porch, but if I lived above a bar, I'd make damn sure I locked it up before screaming at people I've never met ‍ There was a chain that was NOT hooked and absolutely zero sign or indication (besides looking like a messy front porch once you reach the top) that it was a residence or off limits. We're not the types to push boundaries or waltz into places we aren't allowed. SO embarrassing and unprofessional. I don't care if he owns the bar or what, put the chain up, put up a sign, if you live above a BAR and leave it accessible...not my fault for drinking and exploring a place I've never been to! Again, first time to the bar. And it will most certainly be our last. For a city that has so few inclusive spaces for the gay community, I'm very disappointed. Very embarrassed. NEWCOMERS: Please beware of the screaming ogre who lives above the bar...the staircase does NOT lead to more seating. Sure wish someone had told me. Lesson learned. Ugh. read more

Very nice establishment... bartender Shia..will cause your business to lose it's faithful customers...he approached me and 3 others about a Tip...lm sure l left..on the counter..he approached us on the patio screaming he's never serving us again ...we left our untouched drinks and left...we were gonna leave another tip but he was so pissed...never felt so humiliated...but oh well..good help is hard to find these days.. read more

People on my neighborhood facebook page pine for a neighborhood bar within walking distance (even though Wesport is only a 20 min walk from my house), but I don't think they know about this little gem. It's what you would expect from a small neighborhood bar. My husband and I walked over there to watch one of the World Series games. Seems like a lot of people go in there to play darts. Crowd was mostly older, 40s to 50s, and seemd to know each other. And mostly men. Bar is clean. We went early so it wasn't too crowded. I hope to go back again. read more

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Right down the street and love this place. The drinks are cheap, the patio is huge and roomy. It feels like being at someone's backyard bbq. Love that it's convenient. A true hidden gem. read more

Fun place to drink and spend time with friends. Great prices and the patio out back is amazing. Lots of room to talk with friends.

This is a friendly and typical neighborhood gay bar. They don't serve food so I'm not sure where the "grill" in the name comes from. They have cheap drinks. $5 mini pitchers, though bud light is their only tap beer of choice. You only get simple and straight forward drinks here. There is also a nice patio out back, and the bar is dog friendly as long as it's not a busy night. The neighborhood can be a bit sketch at times. I'd drive and not walk alone. read more

I found this little bar very much to my liking. It has history, friendly staff and patrons. If you are after an upscale experience, pass it up, if you are looking for a good time with a diverse group of interesting and engaging individuals then give it a shot. read more

We used to LOVE going to this bar until today. We went a few weeks ago and saw someone with their child under 7 years old at the bar eating food, so we thought, okay-we could bring our 16 year old here for the Chiefs game today. First, we were addressed by the "manager" who said "This table is reserved." So I apologized and we moved to another table to watch the game. She then comes to our table and says, " I need to see his ID." First of all, address the kid, shit! It's not like he was the 7 year old at your bar two weeks ago! We tell her he is not drinking and we wanted to place our orders. She then tells us they do not allow minors since it is not a restaurant. Okay-this makes sense, BUT we were going on what we observed two weeks ago. We inform her of our assumption and she decides to argue with us like we hallucinated the scenario. All I can say is it felt like reverse discrimination and I truly feel like the city should look into this place and possibly cite them for having minors there if truly they should not be there. We like to go to places such as Side Street to promote open mindedness in our teenager. We have lived in many gay districts in this country and have found that Kansas City is lacking a gay community that should be appreciated and acknowledged. We will continue to support gay rights, which are human rights-but we will NEVER give business to this establishment EVER again. read more