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    Starlight Theatre

    4.3 (149 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Sarah G.

    Starlight is a Kansas City institution and I've come here countless times for everything from broadway performances to big concerts and I have to say it's a really great big venue. To start with, what other venue in KC has ample FREE parking? I feel like 10 years ago this was common, but nowadays not only is parking often pricey, but it can be harder and harder to find. With Starlight located in Swope Park, they are able to share parking with the Zoo and if needed do overflow parking into the park itself. Worst case you're walking a bit. I love that I never have to worry about finding a spot. Now, as we've moved into the modern era Starlight has enacted some clear bag policies so you'll want to read up on that. I just brought my ID , a credit card, and my phone to simplify entry. Once inside you'll be treated to the nicest outdoor venue KC has to offer. The restrooms were renovated within the past few years and are really super nice. I remember back in the day they were worse for wear, but now they are all clean, well lit, and despite it being an outdoor venue, little to no bugs. The food options appear to be decent - we ate before arriving on our latest visit, but they had solid beers available for purchase, and several bar areas which made lines move quickly. I'll finally add that you will have a vastly different experience on if you get a ticket way at the top or one down in orchestra. Of course the orchestra tickets are incredible and IMO worth the cost since Starlight keeps prices pretty fair, but I love that since it's so big and they have such far away seats, if you just want to enjoy music under the stars you can still do that here for sometimes as cheap as $30 a seat. Overall, I love this venue - especially on a nice KC night it really can't be beat if you have good seats.

    Union Station
    Dustin E.

    We enjoyed Alison Krauss and Union Station on May 17, 2025. This was the second time we'd been to Starlight Theatre and the second time it rained on us. The first time was at the musical "Come From Away". We eventually left that performance because we were soaked and miserable. The Alison Krauss show was a bit better. It sprinkled a bit and rained some. They left the stage for 5-10 minutes and came back and finished the show. Luckily, we were with some friends who had a membership to the Applause Club. We were able to go in there to escape the rain. People were talking too loudly, so we couldn't hear the music. The bartender working inside was amazing! She was super kind and professional. Very quick. The venue is gorgeous! The staff and management are amazing. They were all doing their best. We met the GM, Jessica, and she was kind and helpful. They are going to be adding a canopy soon. That will help with the rain. It wasn't forecast either time we attended. We're bringing our ponchos from now on.

    Attended the Turnpike Troubadours show 1 Aug 26. I say this with 100% sincerity, this was the best concert experience I've ever had, my wife and I had a great evening. Logistically, not sure it can be done any better, we were in/out breathtakingly fast, totally impressed. The VIP event prior to the show was excellent, very relaxing, highly recommend. We had excellent seats, plenty of room and the sound system was amazing. Exceptional clarity for a venue that size, totally impressed. We attended the Tyler Childers show at Morton a couple of weeks ago, I'll just say this, we won't be going back to Morton anytime soon despite an excellent concert calendar. Congratulations to the Starlight staff, you obviously know what you are doing and it shows, looking forward to returning soon! Thank you, it was the best concert experience we've ever had!

    Kelsey M.

    Starlight is an overall great experience! You can bring the kiddos, you can bring the parents, anyone is welcome. The show is a great way to stay engaged rather than watch a screen. And it is stunning!

    Taylor T.

    It's become a spring/summer tradition to attend an open air musical at Starlight. Last year Legally Blonde was the pick, this year it was Mean Girls. Both made for such a fun girls night out. The theater itself is wonderful, an outdoor amphitheater with a good overall layout and acoustics. I haven't been to a concert here in years but, from what I remember it's a nice outdoor venue with decent sound quality. I just love the vibe of catching a show (of any kind) outdoors in the night breeze. I will definitely be continuing the tradition next year picking another musical to attend with my friends or family. You really can't go wrong with supporting the arts at Starlight. The only thing that can go wrong is parking, getting out of the park once the show is over can be a long tedious process but, to me that one little flaw is nothing in comparison to the overall experience of Starlight itself. It just gives you more time to gab about the fabulous production you just saw. No harm no foul.

    Monica R.

    Starlight is my favorite outdoor theatre. I've been multiple times, usually once or twice a season. But this season, I was lucky enough to attend all five shows and they were all fantastic. There isn't a bad seat in the house. I had a different seat for each show and can't complain about any of them. Not to mention, the TVs that allow you to watch the performers and the set up close is a nice touch. The staff and volunteers are always friendly and greet you with a smile. I look forward to the preshow activities and performances each time. The collectible refillable cup this season was a great bonus. I can't wait to visit again next season. I definitely recommend attending at least one show at Starlight.

    spicy Chicken sandwich and tater tots
    Amri L.

    The Starlight theatre is a beautiful venue. However I am not fan of the chicken sandwich. It was bland.

    Ashton Weaver at Starlight theatre
    Ashton W.

    Starlight is always a great time. The shows are wonderful. My only wish is that the concessions were more affordable. Last time they had water to give out for FREE that really came in handy . The entire place is cashless ! The workers are always friendly .

    Incubus in concert
    Amanda M.

    Love this KC Outdoor Theater! Snag some tickets at the box office (lower fees), some cold bevies from the vendors and plop your butts under the giant fans and moon light. We've visited a few times and always have the best evenings. Great location to enjoy some live entertainment!!

    Sometimes the cheapest seats are the bestest seats. Shade and breeze!
    Jen M.

    We drove from Omaha since my husband had scored some cheap Pixies tickets. We had the last seats in the last row and to be honest, they were great. We had the best shade and breeze, a great view, and easy access to the abundant food and drink choices and to the clean and convenient bathrooms. We parked in the EV charging area (to charge not just to park of course). It cost about $6 to charge but we didn't have to pay to park so that was nice It's a nice place to see a show, sound was good, staff was friendly. Food was ok, was not super expensive, and was served immediately. We bought a reusable cup for $9, refills were $1, definitely would do that again. Pixies were kinda lame in my opinion, compared to when I saw them over 30 years ago. However I am certain that was not a fault of the Starlight Theater! Very nice venue.

    Great outdoor venue with stadium style seats.

    Excellent outdoor concert venue. There are lots of tables to enjoy a pre show meal or drink from one of the vendors. You can buy earplugs or rent seat cushions. Ramps throughout the space which make it easier to navigate. Easy in/out for the parking lots.

    Jessica F.

    Starlight has been on my list of venues to visit in KC- but I'm always traveling during the summer when shows are playing that I'd like to see. We went as a family for my sons first rock concert- The Black Keys. There isn't a bad seat in the house! With large screens you can see the artists even from further back. It was HOT with nary a breeze, but they did have free iced water for people and allow you to bring in sealed, plastic water bottles. There was a line to get in for parking, but the attendants did a great job directing people and it moved quickly. Prices for tickets were very reasonable and it was a family friendly place to bring my teenagers.

    Tears for Fears at Starlight!!
    Mark B.

    I recently had the pleasure of attending a Tears for Fears concert at Starlight Theater, and it was an absolute blast. Talk about sowing the seeds of love! It was a delirious, mad world as a giddy throng of Fearmongers (that's what we fans call ourselves) shouted and let it all out. The crowd was head over heels for Tears For Fears during their excellent performance. We all wanted to rule the world and for two hours, we did! So yeah, the concert itself was nothing short of GREAT! The sound quality is always top-notch at Starlight. Parking: strangely, was a bit more troublesome than usual. While there were a few attendants and cones initially, they sort of disappeared, leaving us to search aimlessly for a spot. Luckily, we were able to find one pretty easily, but it was definitely not the usual seamless "directed" parking experience I've come to expect from Starlight. Getting in: While the line to get into the venue was long, I was very pleasantly surprised by how quickly it moved. The staff really had things organized and got everyone in quickly. Merch: not really anything to do with Starlight itself, but apparently people go crazy for TfF merch. The line for that was super long...and yeah, they had some awesome tshirts, but I'm not paying $45 for one!! Holy geez! Long story short, if you're looking for a fantastic concert experience, I highly recommend checking out Starlight Theater. Open air, very well maintained and operated...and just so much fun!!

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    3 years ago

    ZZ top. Was amazing. Who knew seeing a concert st starlight would be this awesome. Highly recommend. Seeing a music concert there.

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    Love the atmosphere and the food is really good--but a little expensive. It is buffet style, so service is a non issue.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Starlight Theatre

    Review Highlights - Starlight Theatre

    This outdoor venue is a lovely space for plays, shows, and concerts, especially when the weather is nice!

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    The Bottleneck - 3-time Grammy nominee, Chuck Mead, (Homestead Grays, BR5-49, Grassy Knoll Boys, The Hillbilly All Stars) returns to a packed Bottleneck

    The Bottleneck

    4.4(33 reviews)
    37.8 mi
    $

    Watch the marquee - The Bottleneck features an ample stage hosting bluegrass to heavy metal, bop,…read moreswing, country, rock, big band horns, Disney mashups, salsa, drag parades, Zydeco, and more. I've found that bigger names and highly gifted performers come through Lawrence on their way cross country, so pay attention and research the artists scheduled on Sunday through Tuesday nights. (This is true of most Lawrence music venues). Cactus Blossom was 5 brothers from Minneapolis melding family voices like the syrupy blend of Everly Brothers harmonies; Justin Payne was originally a classical violinist who jettisoned to Nashville, got a waterfall of all other music influences, and traveled the road for over twenty years honing his skills at music and reading crowds. Look at the wall of promotional 8x10 glossies of the bands that have played here and you'll get the picture. Lots of acts you want to see today were at the Bottleneck when they were building their cred - and you may be able to say, "I saw them @thebottleneck BAE." Oh, btw - The Bottleneck is small enough that you can generally interact with the performers - and the shows get better with the energy of the audience. It's big enough to take a group of friends and small enough that the audience makes an impressive impact. (Ever notice how people respond to praise and encouragement?) Often, the musicians stick around to autograph their merch, discuss where to eat and drink, and enjoy midwestern hospitality along their grueling path to play for nameless faces in faraway places. Support the artists and inhale their blooming talent.

    I had no idea The Bottleneck had a couple of skylights…read more I guess I never really visited much during the daylight hours. Anyway - the venue has gone through a small renovation. They've updated the sound and lighting systems. They've also done some work around the stage, repainted and cleaned the interior and semi fixed up the restrooms. This is a fun little venue. Whoever you come to see will look and sound good and you should have a good time.

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    The Bottleneck
    The Bottleneck - Full selection of cocktails and beer on tap, in bottles or cans. NA options, too.

    Full selection of cocktails and beer on tap, in bottles or cans. NA options, too.

    The Bottleneck - Tyler Gregory - Merch

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    Tyler Gregory - Merch

    Conspiracy Room

    Conspiracy Room

    2.8(6 reviews)
    3.4 miWaldo
    $$$

    The first thought I had when I entered the Conspiracy Room was wow, I feel like I'm at Abu Simbel…read moreagain. Not really. I'm not sure what they're going for decor-wise but I sensed an identity crisis. You had the old movie memorabilia...cool! Really cool! You had ultra modern table/chairs, neon lighting and glass display cases...not so cool. You had the giant statues of Egyptian gods...uh WHAT? (this seemed to be a very 80s decor choice juxtaposed with the carpets and lighting). And then there are the giant pillars all over so that you are afforded only partial viewing of the stage...why? Oh, OK, I get it, they are holding up the damn *foundation* together and all but really...do they need to be *that* huge? The K was certain that they were covering the gorgeous old pillars original to the space (I have dreams, by the way, of destroying modern mending and cover-ups in old buildings. Like in my old apartment, they had covered a fire place with *dry wall* so I wanted to take an ax and go at it...but I didn't.) The bar set up was truly lacking and looked plain awkward, with no mind to design whatsoever. Just a long bar with a few bottles of booze behind it (choices for vodka: absolut and Stoli Raspberry. THAT WAS ALL). 6 bucks. Uh yeah. The show I saw there last week was excellent and yes, I would go back to see another show, despite the fact that the sound was a bit off in the opening number, despite the limited viewing, despite the seating being weird and despite the giant deities that I felt were watching me at every angle. SIGH

    I was all set to review this place after attending the ever so lame "Night of Fame 4" - The David…read moreBowie Luau. But now reminiscing on the evening and how the Bowie theme (playing labrinyth on the video screen & his music) went out the window 45 minutes after our arrival, opting for "hipper" music, repetitive video garbage, horrible food, and some ridiculous, retarded antics with humping some blow-up sharks....I'm just to bored to review it. Lame. Lame. Lame.

    Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise - View from our veranda.

    Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise

    5.0(8 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    The last review was 11 years ago! it's time for an update:)…read more I signed up for the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise (LRBC), because my aunt loves it, the thought being it's an awesome experience, sharing something a love one is passionate about together. Let me tell you, I fell in love myself, and was totally hooked on The LRBC, within a few hours of stepping on the ship. The accommodations, food, staff are all wonderful. The cruise is always on Holland America's new ships. My cabin was fairly spacious with a lovely veranda. However, what really made the cruise were the people and the music! Music was going 24/7, and the talent was hot! I was able to dance my heart away day and night. Some nights I never went to bed. It was such an incredible experience, all that was needed was a few hours sleep here, a couple hours of sleep there. I made so many connections and friendships with fellow cruisers. There's quite a few cruisers and artists I've kept in close touch with, since coming off the ship in January. The vibe on the ship is warm, welcoming, and full of heart. I've already booked for January, 2026! One thing to note about booking is: it's almost impossible to get on the boat as a newcomer. The cabins are mostly booked out for the following year cruise, by the time you get off the boat. There are a few cabins that are left, after prior cruisers are done booking. If you want to get on the boat, make sure to sign up for email notifications on the LRCB web page. There will be an email sometime in late March/early April announcing cabins and waitlists to the public. If you get on your computer and refresh the bookings page right as it opens, or call right when the list opens, you may have a chance of getting a cabin, but if not, at least you'll be fairly high on the waitlist. 2025, #17

    This Cruise is NOT for you ! You will absolutely HATE being in the Caribbean in January, exploring…read moretropical Islands and basking in the warm sunshine. Also, you will utterly detest the almost 24-hour a day live Blues music that is on this ship - it is just too noisy with the likes of Johnny Winter, Taj Mahal, Dion DiMucci, Keb Mo, Magic Slim, Tommy Castro, etc., etc. And, you will definitely despise hanging out and parting for a week with these same performers into the wee small hours of the night. So for the love of Zeus, please please stay away from this Cruise - I'm begging you !

    Photos
    Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise - The interior of our cabin, minus the bathroom, which is on the left side of room by the door.

    The interior of our cabin, minus the bathroom, which is on the left side of room by the door.

    Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise - After the Pro Jam!

    After the Pro Jam!

    Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise - James Harman's Bamboo Porch Revue performs on the pool deck stage!

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    James Harman's Bamboo Porch Revue performs on the pool deck stage!

    Green Lady Lounge - Basement Bar Area

    Green Lady Lounge

    4.5(590 reviews)
    6.4 miCrossroads, Greater Downtown
    $$

    My husband and I actually drove past this place at first--I was expecting green signage, not red,…read moreso it didn't immediately catch my eye. Even walking in, we weren't quite sure what to expect. The entrance is small, and you're greeted right away, which was a nice touch. Once inside, it's very dark with deep red lighting--almost like stepping into a cave. It took a moment for our eyes to adjust, but once they did, we immediately felt at ease. The space is cozy and perfectly aligned with its purpose: it's all about the jazz. The service was great--welcoming, attentive, and added to the overall experience without taking away from the music. And the music? Absolutely captivating. It pulls you in and transports you--you can't help but settle into the vibe and just enjoy the moment together. We went on a Monday, so there was plenty of seating, but I noticed there's also a lower level that likely accommodates larger weekend crowds. There's a solid drink menu and a small selection of food, but honestly, this isn't the place you come for a full meal. Come for the drinks, stay for the music, and soak in the atmosphere.

    Where in the US can you go to experience amazing live taken for only $10z the Green Lady Lounge is…read morewhere you go! Clean, smoke free lively jazz music and plenty of seating. There's two levels of entertainment. The service was friendly. Only thing is that they don't have food so eat beforehand. There was a hummus plate and some desserts. We had soooo much fun. Such talented musicians. This was a must visiting from LA!

    Photos
    Green Lady Lounge - Love this place!!!

    Love this place!!!

    Green Lady Lounge - Live jazz. Super cool spot. KC doesn't disappoint.

    Live jazz. Super cool spot. KC doesn't disappoint.

    Green Lady Lounge - First floor seating

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    First floor seating

    Unicorn Theatre - Fringe Festival

    Unicorn Theatre

    4.8(19 reviews)
    4.5 mi

    Bold. New. Plays. The Unicorn Theatre features mostly…read moreoriginal work, with several World Premires each season. The cast draws from the best local talent. I love that they have 2 theater spaces so they are able to adapt the room to the show. The concessions feature alcohol, coffee, and non alcohol options. They allow you to bring drinks purchased there, and most shows will have an intermission. Parking is available in the lot north adjacent, the lot south of the structure, behind 39th and Main, or on Baltimore, one block West. Do not park on main street. The street car runs right in front.

    The Unicorn offers up a slice of Broadway on Main Street, KCMO. I daresay it was the most enjoyable…read moretheater experience I've had since seeing Cabaret several years ago at Studio 54. Why? Because the theater offers top notch entertainment (they advertise that they produce "the hippest BoldNewPlays"). But it's more than that. Often the top notch entertainment bit is all you can ask for when going to the theater. Since childhood, I've been going to see many a Broadway Play that cost well over 200 dollars a ticket (some are up to 400 dollars a ticket. I don't lie!) and despite my petite stature (I'm freaking SHORT), I feel absolutely cramped and miserable in a seat that if it were on an airplane, at least it would be soon be spitting me out in a foreign land at those prices! I know, I know. Theater is expensive. Many theaters are old and that is part of the charm. The history, right? Of course. I'm a sucker for all of that, too, don't get me wrong. The theater in which I saw Grey Gardens the Musical offers spacious, comfortable seating in an extremely intimate environment. It's a modern theater, sure, but I was able to stretch my legs out, cross them even, and shift in my seat (OK, I'm restless when sitting for more than an hour), while enjoying the show. I believe there isn't a bad seat in the house. Grey Gardens blew me away. The sound was absolutely stellar and the performances were perfection. Everyone agreed that Drew and Jessica were on point with their GG performances. The actresses last night were just as good. I am not exaggerating. Blew. Me. Away. As Big Edie would say, "You CAN have your cake and eat it, too, in this life." Thank you, Unicorn for existing and making a quality theater experience a sure thing in Kansas City.

    Photos
    Unicorn Theatre - Fringe Festival

    Fringe Festival

    Unicorn Theatre - Fringe Festival

    Fringe Festival

    Unicorn Theatre - Designing Women Set

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    Designing Women Set

    Starlight Theatre - theater - Updated September 2026

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