Ping-pong balls fly at new Ricochet game bar
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Game on. Photos: Travis Meier/Axios
A new bar in the Crossroads will send you running across the room chasing your ping-pong ball, but that's all part of the experience.
The big picture: It's one of the many games at Ricochet, a social lounge hosting its grand opening Tuesday at 1720 McGee St.
- The KC spot is the company's second location. It opened its first in Des Moines in 2022.
- The bar is part of Grand Place, a redevelopment of the historic KC Star building, much of which is still under construction.
The vibe: Ping-pong, pool and shuffleboard tables fill the space on all sides, with a massive rectangular bar in the center featuring local taps, wine and cocktails.
- The rich, colored lighting makes you feel like you're in a "Tron" movie.
What to expect: There's no cover, and games like table hockey, foosball, corn hole and beer pong are free.
- A $10 game pass grants access to premium games, including ping-pong, pool, darts and shuffleboard.
- The bar doesn't have a kitchen, but it welcomes outside food.
What they're saying: Co-owner Brad Argo tells Axios he spent more than two years trying to find the right location, and says the Crossroads "has the most synergy among bars and restaurants."
- He grew up traveling to Chiefs and Royals games, and his business partner, Mike Utley, has family in Kansas City.
💠My thought bubble: Plenty of bars around town sport pool tables and shuffleboard, but the other games make this concept unique.
- It's the kind of place where it's OK to be bad at ping-pong. Chances are, someone else's ball will wind up on your table (and almost in your drink) anyway.
If you go: It's open every day until 1:30am.