Well it's time for the tournament in Kansas City and again KC is excited to have all the teams. Below are some helpful hints from questions I get every year. Sorry for the length, trying to get most topics covered. We have volunteers that know KC well at many downtown hotels as well as the Sprint Center. They are staffed with maps and info so stop by and get suggestions. We love to give suggestions. Here are some FAQs that we tend to be asked. I hope this helps everyone traveling to KC. To let you know, I'm in my 30’s living downtown, love dining out and
barhopping. So take that into account as you read my suggestions and use accordingly. Feel free to email me at [email protected] or follow me on twitter @downtownkc where I plan to give updates during the tournament and can answer any questions when you are here. I post this on about every Big 12 forum...so might see it if you visit other sites. Just hoping to spread a lot of info to a lot of fans. I'll be happy to answer any other questions people have.
- Events -There are free concerts Wed and Thurs nights after the games (P&L is 21+ after 9pm
FYI). Also the Big 12 will have their normal fan fest setup on Grand between the Sprint Center
and P&L district all week.
- Weather -Bring about everything. Big 12 week can be 30 degrees to 70 degrees. Looks like it will be wet this year.
- Hotels -Many are pretty busy by now but if you want to walk, the Marriott, Crowne Plaza,
Hotel Phillips, Hotel President, Holiday Inn Aladdin are all walkable. Sheraton (former Hyatt)
and Westin are downtown but probably not walkable for most. Also many good hotels on the
Plaza including Marriott, Courtyard, Sheraton, Residence Inn, and Intercontinential. If you stay
in the burbs, you are driving....cheaper but not near the experience if you ask me. Money you
might save in hotel costs will be eaten up in taxi and parking costs.
- Tickets -Men is sold out, women still available. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.
Scalping is legal in Missouri although I don't believe on the grounds of the Sprint Center and
Power and Light district tends to chase off scalpers. Most of you have been to the Big 12
tournament before and know the drill. Wait for a losing team, buy their extras, etc.
-Transportation - Airport Super Shuttle is the best way to get from the airport to downtown
if you don't want to rent a car. Taxis are expensive. Staying anywhere downtown including
Sheraton/Westin to the Plaza (which I highly recommend) , there is the MAX bus line (map here
http://www.kcata.org) that is safe, quick, and easy. $1.50 each way, can also get a $3 all day pass
if you ask the driver when you board. Drops off a block from the arena. Runs until 12:30am.
There is no downtown shuttle going from hotels to/from arenas. Taxis to the plaza will run you
15-20 with tip.
- Parking -There are multiple parking lots all over downtown. The closer, the more expensive
obviously. A good parking lot map here: (http://www.downtownkc.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/DowntownKC_ParkingMap-Web_Feb2012.pdf). Take the bus
if at all
possible...save yourself parking cash. Usually runs around $10 a day. The daytime sessions Wed
& Thurs are a bit tougher with downtown employers also parking at some garages.
- Sprint Center hints – Get into Sprint Center early if you like to watch a lot of warm-ups. With
a bar district across the street and no alcohol in the Sprint Center, it causes a rush at the last
second. Seems particularly bad when there are two sessions as they empty and clean the arena
between and doesn’t leave a lot of time for fans to get in. No weapons…this includes pocket
knives.
Open Free Practice - Big 12 announced no open public practices for 2012.
- Restaurants - An overall dining map here for things around downtown. This map is also
available at fan information booths in hotels and Sprint Center: (http://216.119.82.16/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-Restaurant-Map1.pdf)
My personal favorites....I will just list them, I'm sure you can google / GPS them as you need:
- BBQ - Close to downtown is unfortunately not easy. Jack Stack is on the edge of walkable.
Gates is on the MAX route at 31st Street. Arthur Bryants is a car ride.. Oklahoma Joes is also
quality but it's a drive.
Quick between sessions -This is the toughest for people to find. Fact is the P&L district can't
handle 18,000 fans from the Sprint Center and countless fans hanging out without tickets in
the time you need. Expand your search beyond P&L district proper. Remember thousands of
workers eat down here quick every day. Some that are walkable (* = lunch only): Zaina (12/
Walnut), Willies (16/Grand), Kansas City Cafe* (17/Grand), Art of Pizza (18/Baltimore), Quaff
(10/Broadway), Jimmy Johns (12/Grand), Subway* (11/Oak), Peanut (9/Broadway), Ingredient
(12/Main), Subway* (11/Oak) City Center Square Food Court (12/Main), Planet Sub* (11/
Main), KFC/Pizza Hut* (11/Main),
- Good lesser known places but probably not the quickest to serve you between sessions but still
good and walkable: Pizza Bella (18/Baltimore), Bulldog (17/Main), Tannin (16/Walnut), 12
Baltimore (12/Baltimore)
- Places to avoid due to being busy between sessions - Chipotle, Cosentino's grocery, Johnnys,
Whopper Bar
- Coffee -Starbucks at 12th & Main and 13th & Wyandotte, LatteLand at 12th & Main,
Cosentinos at 13th & Main, Scooters inside of building at 11th & Main (weekdays only)
- Steaks - My personal favorite is Plaza III on the Plaza, in downtown I'd go with Majestic at (10/
Broadway). 801 is ok but it is pricey.
- Latin/Mexican - My fave is Ponaks due to the margaritas but not walkable, Mannys is on the
edge of walkable. Some swear by Los Corrales (9/Broadway) and Los Tules (17th & Broadway),
Extra Virgin is a great tapas place (20/Main)
- Italian -Garozzos but isn't walkable, Anthonys I like but it's hit or miss is walkable at (7/
Grand), also Lidias (by Jack Stack)
- Cool local places probably better for nice dinner -Michael Smith (20/Main), Rieger Hotel (19/
Main), American, Farmhouse (rivermarket) , Blue Bird & Westside local (westside)
- Beer snob bars - Flying Saucer, Westside Local, Beer Kitchen (westport).
- Dive Bars -Quaff (10/Broadway), Zoo Bar (13/McGee), Brick (17/McGee), Cigar Box (16/
Grand), Harrys Country Club (5/Grand)
- Live Music -Brick, Phoenix, Majestic, Drum Room
- Brunch -Bristol is walkable, as is Majestic, some other good ones are a drive including Eggtc.,
Succotash, and You say Tomato. Westside local is also on the edge of walkable in the westside
neighborhoo d.
Power & Light District - Across from Sprint Center is the P&L district which some KC residents
love, some dislike...either way, you'll be spending time here more than likely and tourists tend to
love it. So quick spin around the district to what is there
- Outdoor area - First off, you can hang out outside with big screen TV and drink under a
covered courtyard... many do this.
- Johnnys -Quality sports bar. Great TVs, drinks specials, bar food. Will be packed.
- Pizza Bar -Nothing special. Good to grab a slice to go.
- McFaddens - Alright bar food, more upbeat drinking establishment
- Dubliner (replaces Raglan Road from prior years) - Huge Irish bar that's pretty fun.
- Gordon Biersch -Kinda like an Applebee's type brew pub....food is better but pretty corporate.
- Makers Mark - Only eaten here a couple times, it's okay, good liquor selection and more of a
lounge bar
- Tengo Sed -Mexican themed bar....it's ok, nothing special but okay
- Howl at the Moon -Dueling Piano bar, pretty fun if like that stuff
- Shark Bar -80's/90's dance bar....girls love this place
- Z Strike (formerly Lucky Strike) - pretty large lounge and bowling alley
- Mosaic -Techno Dance club
- Angels Rock Bar - Hard Rock dance club
- PBR Sky Bar - Country bar complete with a bull
All those above are inside the P&L "Live" block that will be blocked off and you can carry your
drinks in and out of all of these bars and in/out the courtyard. Other places around the P&L
district proper
- Flying Saucer -Great bar if you like beer....250 different to choose from. Also good bar food.
- Chipotle -I'm sure we all know Chipotle
- Whopper Bar - Think a Burger King where you can also drink...some new concept they are
doing.
- 801 Steakhouse -High end steakhouse out of Des Moines
- Bristol -Love this place. Quality seafood and nice bar setup. Love this place.
- Frans - 24 hour diner setup....nothing spectacular... the more you drink, the better it gets.
- Drunken Fish - New to KC, started in St. Louis.....sushi...it's okay. Very clubby.
- Mixx – Lunch only, they have good salads and sandwiches
- AMC Mainstreet theatre -Coolest theatre I've ever been in, can take liquor into the theatres.
Nice jazz type bar called Marquee attached.
- Kobe -Japanese grill as well as a sushi bar in the back.
- Balsano’s – New Gelato shop. Also serves breakfast and deli food.
- Garment District /Lovebird /Envolve /Zafar - Cool little clothing boutiques, mostly female
clothing but some guy stuff. Great way to spend some time shopping
- Cosentinos - This is the grocery store for downtown residents but also does a lot of premade
food for lunch. Will get swamped. Worth checking out just as a cool grocery store....has liquor
for hotel room stock up
- Teadrops -Good place to duck in for some tea and light snack.
- MeMa Bakery - Cool local bakery and does lunch stuff too
- LatteLand -Local KC coffeehouse. ..not open too late most nights unfortunatel y
Other areas of KC Westport -ISU fans love Kellys of course....there are other cool bars here
including Harpos, Harrys, McCoys, Beer Kitchen to name a few....some good local eateries here
as well. Definitely more unique and organic than the P&L district. Westport is approx. 39th and
Broadway.
Martini Corner - at 31st & Gillham...taxi would be easiest....some fun bars here including Sol,
Velvet Dog, Tower Tavern, and Drop. Not much in the way of food.
Plaza - The Country Club Plaza is the best shopping in KC. Right on the MAX bus route at 47th
& Main. Some good dining...more chains year after year and a couple of okay bars including
Fred p. otts, Grandfallon, and Tomfooleries. Some cool new places have opened up here in the
past year including Gram & Dunn, Seasons 52, and Zocolo (food questionable here). A couple
new stores including H&M have opened as well.
River Market - Cool downtown neighborhood that has a farmers market on Saturday and some of
the best dining of all kinds of nationalities including Blue Nile, Bo Lings, Hien Vuong. Minskys
is a good pizza place (delivers downtown).
Crossroads -Artsy downtown neighborhood just south of the Sprint Center....some cool dining
and bars.
18th & Vine -A neighborhood trying to get a foothold. Worth a visit just for the Negro League
Baseball Museum.
Brookside /Waldo - Two great neighborhoods with some cool local bars
Other attractions If you need other things to do, here are my picks:
- Auto show is going on at Bartle Hall downtown
- Titantic exhibit at Union Station
- Negro League Baseball – 18th & Vine
- WWI national monument – Crown Center. Great war history.
- Crown Center /Union Station great for families...countless things to do here
- Nelson Atkins Art museum -Cool thing is they will be having the original rules of basketball on
display during the tournament.
- Steamboat Arbia museum -Rivermarket neighborhood...they dug up a sunken river boat and its
on display.
- Shopping -Plaza has the best, Crown Center has some stores, the best malls would be
Independence Center, Zona Rosa, and Oak Park Mall
- College Basketball Experience -Cool collegiate museum and basketball drill type
setup....attached to sprint center.
Good overall website /twitter accounts
- KC Star - www.kansascity.com
- Downtown KC - http://www.downtownkc.org/
- Power and Light District - http://www.powerandlightdistrict.com
- Visitors Association -http://www.visitkc.com
- Sprint Center -http://www.sprintcenter.com
-@big12conference - Usually keeps up to date for tournament
-@downtownkc - My twitter account. Hit me up and I'll help you out with your question
barhopping. So take that into account as you read my suggestions and use accordingly. Feel free to email me at [email protected] or follow me on twitter @downtownkc where I plan to give updates during the tournament and can answer any questions when you are here. I post this on about every Big 12 forum...so might see it if you visit other sites. Just hoping to spread a lot of info to a lot of fans. I'll be happy to answer any other questions people have.
- Events -There are free concerts Wed and Thurs nights after the games (P&L is 21+ after 9pm
FYI). Also the Big 12 will have their normal fan fest setup on Grand between the Sprint Center
and P&L district all week.
- Weather -Bring about everything. Big 12 week can be 30 degrees to 70 degrees. Looks like it will be wet this year.
- Hotels -Many are pretty busy by now but if you want to walk, the Marriott, Crowne Plaza,
Hotel Phillips, Hotel President, Holiday Inn Aladdin are all walkable. Sheraton (former Hyatt)
and Westin are downtown but probably not walkable for most. Also many good hotels on the
Plaza including Marriott, Courtyard, Sheraton, Residence Inn, and Intercontinential. If you stay
in the burbs, you are driving....cheaper but not near the experience if you ask me. Money you
might save in hotel costs will be eaten up in taxi and parking costs.
- Tickets -Men is sold out, women still available. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.
Scalping is legal in Missouri although I don't believe on the grounds of the Sprint Center and
Power and Light district tends to chase off scalpers. Most of you have been to the Big 12
tournament before and know the drill. Wait for a losing team, buy their extras, etc.
-Transportation - Airport Super Shuttle is the best way to get from the airport to downtown
if you don't want to rent a car. Taxis are expensive. Staying anywhere downtown including
Sheraton/Westin to the Plaza (which I highly recommend) , there is the MAX bus line (map here
http://www.kcata.org) that is safe, quick, and easy. $1.50 each way, can also get a $3 all day pass
if you ask the driver when you board. Drops off a block from the arena. Runs until 12:30am.
There is no downtown shuttle going from hotels to/from arenas. Taxis to the plaza will run you
15-20 with tip.
- Parking -There are multiple parking lots all over downtown. The closer, the more expensive
obviously. A good parking lot map here: (http://www.downtownkc.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/DowntownKC_ParkingMap-Web_Feb2012.pdf). Take the bus
if at all
possible...save yourself parking cash. Usually runs around $10 a day. The daytime sessions Wed
& Thurs are a bit tougher with downtown employers also parking at some garages.
- Sprint Center hints – Get into Sprint Center early if you like to watch a lot of warm-ups. With
a bar district across the street and no alcohol in the Sprint Center, it causes a rush at the last
second. Seems particularly bad when there are two sessions as they empty and clean the arena
between and doesn’t leave a lot of time for fans to get in. No weapons…this includes pocket
knives.
Open Free Practice - Big 12 announced no open public practices for 2012.
- Restaurants - An overall dining map here for things around downtown. This map is also
available at fan information booths in hotels and Sprint Center: (http://216.119.82.16/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-Restaurant-Map1.pdf)
My personal favorites....I will just list them, I'm sure you can google / GPS them as you need:
- BBQ - Close to downtown is unfortunately not easy. Jack Stack is on the edge of walkable.
Gates is on the MAX route at 31st Street. Arthur Bryants is a car ride.. Oklahoma Joes is also
quality but it's a drive.
Quick between sessions -This is the toughest for people to find. Fact is the P&L district can't
handle 18,000 fans from the Sprint Center and countless fans hanging out without tickets in
the time you need. Expand your search beyond P&L district proper. Remember thousands of
workers eat down here quick every day. Some that are walkable (* = lunch only): Zaina (12/
Walnut), Willies (16/Grand), Kansas City Cafe* (17/Grand), Art of Pizza (18/Baltimore), Quaff
(10/Broadway), Jimmy Johns (12/Grand), Subway* (11/Oak), Peanut (9/Broadway), Ingredient
(12/Main), Subway* (11/Oak) City Center Square Food Court (12/Main), Planet Sub* (11/
Main), KFC/Pizza Hut* (11/Main),
- Good lesser known places but probably not the quickest to serve you between sessions but still
good and walkable: Pizza Bella (18/Baltimore), Bulldog (17/Main), Tannin (16/Walnut), 12
Baltimore (12/Baltimore)
- Places to avoid due to being busy between sessions - Chipotle, Cosentino's grocery, Johnnys,
Whopper Bar
- Coffee -Starbucks at 12th & Main and 13th & Wyandotte, LatteLand at 12th & Main,
Cosentinos at 13th & Main, Scooters inside of building at 11th & Main (weekdays only)
- Steaks - My personal favorite is Plaza III on the Plaza, in downtown I'd go with Majestic at (10/
Broadway). 801 is ok but it is pricey.
- Latin/Mexican - My fave is Ponaks due to the margaritas but not walkable, Mannys is on the
edge of walkable. Some swear by Los Corrales (9/Broadway) and Los Tules (17th & Broadway),
Extra Virgin is a great tapas place (20/Main)
- Italian -Garozzos but isn't walkable, Anthonys I like but it's hit or miss is walkable at (7/
Grand), also Lidias (by Jack Stack)
- Cool local places probably better for nice dinner -Michael Smith (20/Main), Rieger Hotel (19/
Main), American, Farmhouse (rivermarket) , Blue Bird & Westside local (westside)
- Beer snob bars - Flying Saucer, Westside Local, Beer Kitchen (westport).
- Dive Bars -Quaff (10/Broadway), Zoo Bar (13/McGee), Brick (17/McGee), Cigar Box (16/
Grand), Harrys Country Club (5/Grand)
- Live Music -Brick, Phoenix, Majestic, Drum Room
- Brunch -Bristol is walkable, as is Majestic, some other good ones are a drive including Eggtc.,
Succotash, and You say Tomato. Westside local is also on the edge of walkable in the westside
neighborhoo d.
Power & Light District - Across from Sprint Center is the P&L district which some KC residents
love, some dislike...either way, you'll be spending time here more than likely and tourists tend to
love it. So quick spin around the district to what is there
- Outdoor area - First off, you can hang out outside with big screen TV and drink under a
covered courtyard... many do this.
- Johnnys -Quality sports bar. Great TVs, drinks specials, bar food. Will be packed.
- Pizza Bar -Nothing special. Good to grab a slice to go.
- McFaddens - Alright bar food, more upbeat drinking establishment
- Dubliner (replaces Raglan Road from prior years) - Huge Irish bar that's pretty fun.
- Gordon Biersch -Kinda like an Applebee's type brew pub....food is better but pretty corporate.
- Makers Mark - Only eaten here a couple times, it's okay, good liquor selection and more of a
lounge bar
- Tengo Sed -Mexican themed bar....it's ok, nothing special but okay
- Howl at the Moon -Dueling Piano bar, pretty fun if like that stuff
- Shark Bar -80's/90's dance bar....girls love this place
- Z Strike (formerly Lucky Strike) - pretty large lounge and bowling alley
- Mosaic -Techno Dance club
- Angels Rock Bar - Hard Rock dance club
- PBR Sky Bar - Country bar complete with a bull
All those above are inside the P&L "Live" block that will be blocked off and you can carry your
drinks in and out of all of these bars and in/out the courtyard. Other places around the P&L
district proper
- Flying Saucer -Great bar if you like beer....250 different to choose from. Also good bar food.
- Chipotle -I'm sure we all know Chipotle
- Whopper Bar - Think a Burger King where you can also drink...some new concept they are
doing.
- 801 Steakhouse -High end steakhouse out of Des Moines
- Bristol -Love this place. Quality seafood and nice bar setup. Love this place.
- Frans - 24 hour diner setup....nothing spectacular... the more you drink, the better it gets.
- Drunken Fish - New to KC, started in St. Louis.....sushi...it's okay. Very clubby.
- Mixx – Lunch only, they have good salads and sandwiches
- AMC Mainstreet theatre -Coolest theatre I've ever been in, can take liquor into the theatres.
Nice jazz type bar called Marquee attached.
- Kobe -Japanese grill as well as a sushi bar in the back.
- Balsano’s – New Gelato shop. Also serves breakfast and deli food.
- Garment District /Lovebird /Envolve /Zafar - Cool little clothing boutiques, mostly female
clothing but some guy stuff. Great way to spend some time shopping
- Cosentinos - This is the grocery store for downtown residents but also does a lot of premade
food for lunch. Will get swamped. Worth checking out just as a cool grocery store....has liquor
for hotel room stock up
- Teadrops -Good place to duck in for some tea and light snack.
- MeMa Bakery - Cool local bakery and does lunch stuff too
- LatteLand -Local KC coffeehouse. ..not open too late most nights unfortunatel y
Other areas of KC Westport -ISU fans love Kellys of course....there are other cool bars here
including Harpos, Harrys, McCoys, Beer Kitchen to name a few....some good local eateries here
as well. Definitely more unique and organic than the P&L district. Westport is approx. 39th and
Broadway.
Martini Corner - at 31st & Gillham...taxi would be easiest....some fun bars here including Sol,
Velvet Dog, Tower Tavern, and Drop. Not much in the way of food.
Plaza - The Country Club Plaza is the best shopping in KC. Right on the MAX bus route at 47th
& Main. Some good dining...more chains year after year and a couple of okay bars including
Fred p. otts, Grandfallon, and Tomfooleries. Some cool new places have opened up here in the
past year including Gram & Dunn, Seasons 52, and Zocolo (food questionable here). A couple
new stores including H&M have opened as well.
River Market - Cool downtown neighborhood that has a farmers market on Saturday and some of
the best dining of all kinds of nationalities including Blue Nile, Bo Lings, Hien Vuong. Minskys
is a good pizza place (delivers downtown).
Crossroads -Artsy downtown neighborhood just south of the Sprint Center....some cool dining
and bars.
18th & Vine -A neighborhood trying to get a foothold. Worth a visit just for the Negro League
Baseball Museum.
Brookside /Waldo - Two great neighborhoods with some cool local bars
Other attractions If you need other things to do, here are my picks:
- Auto show is going on at Bartle Hall downtown
- Titantic exhibit at Union Station
- Negro League Baseball – 18th & Vine
- WWI national monument – Crown Center. Great war history.
- Crown Center /Union Station great for families...countless things to do here
- Nelson Atkins Art museum -Cool thing is they will be having the original rules of basketball on
display during the tournament.
- Steamboat Arbia museum -Rivermarket neighborhood...they dug up a sunken river boat and its
on display.
- Shopping -Plaza has the best, Crown Center has some stores, the best malls would be
Independence Center, Zona Rosa, and Oak Park Mall
- College Basketball Experience -Cool collegiate museum and basketball drill type
setup....attached to sprint center.
Good overall website /twitter accounts
- KC Star - www.kansascity.com
- Downtown KC - http://www.downtownkc.org/
- Power and Light District - http://www.powerandlightdistrict.com
- Visitors Association -http://www.visitkc.com
- Sprint Center -http://www.sprintcenter.com
-@big12conference - Usually keeps up to date for tournament
-@downtownkc - My twitter account. Hit me up and I'll help you out with your question
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around 12th you can find Zoo bar; think Locust Tap for those familiar...