This summer, a new bar named “Fern Bar” will be coming to Downtown Kansas City. Fern Bar is an agave and sugarcane-centric bar. Although the bar is stil being renovated, it appears there is a strong sense of what the future business will be. On Fern Bar’s website, it states that the Fern Bar is “willing to create a culture of community and hope, to stand out, to stand up and say: There’s a better way to do things,” and driven through a team of world-class hospitalists, they are to be housed in an inviting and connected space This short introduction to the bar shows a dedication to its craft and an introduction to its mission. So far the company has established some branding principles, a logo, its future location at the Crossroads, and some possible menu items. 

During the last week of March, Fern Bar held an early pop-up event in anticipation of its future opening. At this event, the business was able to showcase all the hard work that has been put into Fern Bar thus far. The pop-up contained a variety of drinks that were in the spirit of its agave-forward mission. The drinks I tried were the margarita and the Daiquiri. The margarita was made from Libélula tequila Joven, Tapatio Blanco, Duckett curacao, lime, and agave. The Daiquiri was made from Probitas blended rum, Gustoso Mexican rum, Uruapan Charanda Blanco, lime, and Demerara. These drinks were bright, refreshing, and thoroughly developed. They were also served in glasses that were visually alluring. Tacos Valentina, a local taco restaurant, and Casio Mccombs, a local DJ, were also present at the event. The event was held at Big Mood Natural Wines, a warm and eccentric wine store in the Crossroads. This was fitting as Fern Bar will be opening its upcoming location at 2045 Broadway Blvd in Downtown Kansas City. 

Interacting with the owner of Fern Bar, Bryan Arri, at the event was insightful. He’s an enthusiastic individual passionate about great cocktails. He shared parts of his vision for Fern Bar at the event as well as expressed his thanks for those who came to support him and his new business. The event appeared to be successful. Personally, I enjoyed the food, drinks, and music that were present. Other people looked as if they were enjoying themselves as well. There was also a line extending through the door for the majority of the night. Although it is not yet known what exactly Fern Bar will look like, the spirit and community of  Fern Bar seems supportive. Although there is no set date for when the bar will be opened, it is estimated for late summer of 2023. Until then, I will be looking forward to re-visiting!

Although cat cafes are still a relatively new business genre in the United States, these lively shops stand as an exceptionally creative way to both enhance and support a local community. In addition to offering popular beverages and baked goods, cat cafes often partner with nearby rescues to socialize sheltered cats and kittens and to overall streamline the adoption process. And with the growing success of cat cafes in the KC metro area, the Northland finally received one of its own in 2020.

Last fall, Sugar Kittens Cafe and Cattery opened its doors in Liberty, MO – just a few miles southwest of William Jewell College – off of Route 291. Inside, a vibrant purple-and-blue lounge is always populated with spunky fur babies waiting to find their forever home. While the cafe’s selling point is definitely the cats, Sugar Kittens double as a coffee shop that serves baked goods, bubble tea, ice cream and specialty frappes among other items. Lining the entrance wall, the cafe also sells supplies, toys and merchandise for anyone looking to spoil their pet.

Now nearing their one-year anniversary, Sugar Kittens has found homes for nearly 400 cats and kittens who would have otherwise been on the streets or stuck in shelters. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the cafe aims to adopt out as many cats and kittens as possible, which they source from local rescues such as Kitty Cat Connections or the community.

For $14.14, an individual can spend 50 minutes in the cat lounge, which is located in a separate area from their supplies shop and cafe counter. One to two employees are always present in the lounge to generally supervise the visits, answer any questions and facilitate the adoption process.

Sugar Kittens holds their felines into foster care until they are healthy enough for adoption; by the time a cat or kitten is moved to the cat lounge, they are microchipped, vaccinated and spayed or neutered. Absent of the occasional sale, cats can be adopted for $100 and kittens for $150. However, due to the need for socialization, the cafe requires customers to adopt a second cat or kitten if they do not already have another pet at home. Additionally, certain cats or kittens are bonded together and the cafe requests that those pairs be adopted together.

Overall, the cat lounge can be described as upbeat and fun, yet relaxing and comfortable. Natural lighting illuminates the room, adding to the vibrant feel of the blue and purple walls, juxtaposed to the soft cushions, plush seating and sleepy cats. While there may be other people present in the lounge – up to 10 people can be scheduled at a time – there is enough space and seating to give peace of mind to even the most introverted individual. And despite the number of cats and kittens running amok, the entire room is kept immaculate; many lounge-goers opt to sit – and even lay – on the carpet to play with the kittens.

As for the main attraction, there is no shortage of friendly felines at Sugar Kittens. By doubling as a cat cafe and adoption facility, the cats are less chaotically socialized to humans compared to shelters and, subsequently, much more of their true personalities come out around a potential new forever family. For example, immediately upon arrival, one exceptionally amiable black cat named Cricket crawled into features editor Sam Bahler’s arms and slept for nearly her entire visit.

The menu is not something to overlook either. Offering popular items like bubble tea and frappes in an impressive array of flavors, the cafe counter is worth visiting itself. The menu may not appeal to everyone since it focuses on an overtly sweet theme – hence the name, Sugar Kittens. But for everyone else looking for a sizable dose of sugar and caffeine, the customizability of the drinks leaves no one disappointed.

As a whole, Sugar Kittens Cafe and Cattery gives a rare type of satisfaction that many look for in small businesses. Customers can indulge in a genuinely enjoyable experience while knowing that every dollar spent – whether at the cafe, supplies shop or by adopting a new friend – is directly benefiting their community. For cat lovers, families and stressed-out college students alike, Sugar Kittens is the perfect place to visit – be it as a one-time event, weekly recurrence or anything in between.

Comfortably nestled in Pendleton Heights, PH Coffee delivers on both fronts important to a successful coffee shop – coffee and aesthetics. It’s an unassuming place that you might accidentally drive by if you’re not aware of where you are going, but once you find it, you won’t be disappointed.

The interior of PH Coffee gives off aesthetically pleasing industrial vibes with exposed brick walls and beautiful hanging metal chandeliers. A perfect place to do homework or catch up with friends, PH Coffee has a variety of seating choices including the coveted window seats overlooking the street outside.

As far as drinks go, PH features everything you would expect – espresso, lattes, teas, matcha, hot chocolate and chai. They also have specialty drinks including the Mayan mocha, a mocha with a dash of cayenne pepper and chai tea. Besides the drink menu, PH has a large variety of food options including a few gluten-free and vegan options. 

The last time I went to PH, they had new drinks featuring autumn flavors. I ordered a mint matcha and was delighted with it. I also ordered a savory scone filled with bacon, cheddar and chives. While the combination of the flavors seemed uncomplimentary, it was the perfect mix of light matcha and salty bread. 

After visiting a couple of times and never being disappointed, I would recommend PH Coffee to anyone in a heartbeat – and now would be a great time to go. Until Halloween, PH is featuring a pop-up bar with craft cocktails, mocktails and live entertainment. The drinks available will rotate each weekend but all of the drinks were created by the baristas of PH. A gem of Kansas City, PH Coffee is more than worth the visit.

Crows Coffee

South Plaza, Colonial Shops

304 E 51st St, Kansas City, MO 64112

I first went to Crows Coffee in January of my sophomore year of high school. Even then, with my infantile coffee palate and minimal familiarity with coffeehouses beyond Starbucks, I could recognize that the shop and the brews were damn good.

Crows has three locations in the metro area: the one I usually visit, which is South of the Country Club Plaza by University of Missouri—Kansas City’s (UMKC) campus, one in Waldo and one in Red Bridge Shopping Center. All three are at least a small hike from Liberty, but I can assure you that the drive is worth it. 

I make an effort to come back to Crows at least a few times a year and usually come every few months in order to try their reliably immaculate seasonal drinks. In the fall, they serve a pumpkin cappuccino that has managed to stay in my top three all-time favorite espresso beverages for a couple of years now. In the earlier winter months, they serve a peppermint mocha and, later, a strawberry white mocha when Valentine’s Day approaches.

On my most recent visit, I picked up the strawberry white mocha. As usual, Crows killed it beverage-wise. Their knack for specialty drinks lies in their minimalist approach to the sugary add-ins, which are a perfect hint of flavor but never overpower the integral espresso flavor of the coffee base. If you’re not one for specialty drinks, Crows’ cappuccino is a great staple, but they carry all the classic drinks you hope to find at a coffee shop – as well as a nice selection of teas. 

Due to COVID-19, seating is quite limited. However, in the few times I’ve gone recently, there have always been a couple of chairs available that I can grab after putting in my order. I highly encourage you to stick around the shop if you can – Crows has a quiet and warm aura that is perfectly conducive to productive study sessions. Every time I head down to Crows with my backpack in tow, I always manage to crank out a good few hours of quality work, which are made far more tolerable with a delectable coffee at my side.

Because it is essentially located on UMKC’s campus, Crows’ patron population is largely composed of college students, meaning you’re more likely than not to be in the company of others looking for a place to study quietly for a few hours. Unlike some other coffee shops I’ve been to, there seems to be an unspoken agreement among customers to keep the volume at a gentle level, which makes it easy to commit to a focused study session or have a quiet conversation with your coffee date. 

Perhaps the best part of Crows is – and this may initially seem shocking – their bathroom. With the clean, cozy design of their main parlor, you don’t expect to walk into the bathroom in the back of the shop to find Sharpie-ridden orange walls. From floor to ceiling, patrons are invited to impart words of wisdom or quick illustrations – though many graffitists don’t quite meet this standard, taking the opportunity to, perhaps cathartically, jot down some swear words or spark some inane political debate. 

However, the fun of the wall is that you can write something with total anonymity and then simply leave. Whether you decide to add your own caffeine-fueled creativity to the wall or just want to take in what others have written, Crows’ bathroom offers unexpectedly perfect conditions for a brief study break.

Unlike many neighborhood coffee shops in the area, Crows’ business hours span a good chunk of the day. The South Plaza and Waldo locations are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., allowing you to hunker down for several hours if you’re looking to chip away at a big workload, grab an early morning coffee before heading to other plans in the city or enjoy a post-dinner beverage. 

If you’re feeling peckish for reliably good coffee and a quiet study space, fly on over to Crows – they’re calling your name.