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What changes in KC when the drinking slows

At least six Kansas City area breweries have closed since early last year, and owners say the bigger loss is the gathering space.

News

Kansas City has lost several breweries, bars and pubs in recent years, leaving fewer places for socialization. Why it matters: Americans are drinking less for good reasons, but bars and taprooms do more than just pour booze — they provide places to gather without a plan.

What Kansas City gets in the Royals stadium deal

City council approved agreements on community benefits, construction and financing.

The Royals&#x27; downtown stadium is another step closer after City Council on Thursday approved a package of agreements on community benefits, construction and financing. Why it matters: Public documents shed light on what the Royals are promising the city, including funds to address homelessness and benefit public art.

Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early

The U.S. won't become majority-minority until 2046, but four rural Kansas counties and Wyandotte County are already there.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Census data" data-vars-click-url="https://ipsr.unit2.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/population/2pop29.pdf" data-vars-content-id="d68a86e0-3cfc-4b0a-a45b-220b4010d145" data-vars-headline="Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ipsr.unit2.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/population/2pop29.pdf" target="_blank">Census data</a> shows a majority-minority U.S. population is decades away, but four Kansas counties and the metro&#x27;s Wyandotte County have already crossed that line. The big picture: The shift is reshaping the state, from meatpacking towns in southwest Kansas to the metro&#x27;s urban core, part of the nationwide rural trend identified in an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios analysis." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/majority-minority-rural-america-black-latino" data-vars-content-id="d68a86e0-3cfc-4b0a-a45b-220b4010d145" data-vars-headline="Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/majority-minority-rural-america-black-latino" target="_self">Axios analysis.</a>

KC's last 8pm sunset is days away

Most of the country has already lost its late sunsets, but the KC metro has until Aug. 23 to 25 depending on your county.

Most Americans have already seen their final 8pm sunset of the year, but Kansas City still has about a week of late light left.The big picture: We lose a little more light every day as the Earth&#x27;s Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun until Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year.<ul><li>The farther west within a time zone you live, the later your sunsets typically run, and KC sits in the western stretch of the Central time zone.</li></ul>

5 KC record stores worth digging through

From a Westport shop in a former antique mall to a south KC storefront that started in a backyard shed, here's where to buy vinyl across the metro.

Music

KC vinyl hunters are spoiled for choice, whether that means a cavernous Westport shop or a south KC storefront that started in the owner&#x27;s backyard shed. Wednesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Vinyl Record Day" data-vars-click-url="https://nationaldaycalendar.com/celebrations/national-vinyl-record-day-august-12" data-vars-content-id="bdd477f9-aefa-465c-a85e-014dc827aef2" data-vars-headline="5 KC record stores worth digging through" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nationaldaycalendar.com/celebrations/national-vinyl-record-day-august-12" target="_blank">National Vinyl Record Day</a> is reason enough to hit one.Why it matters: Independent shops took more than 4 in 10 U.S. vinyl sales last year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Luminate reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.billboard.com/pro/luminate-2025-year-end-music-report-taylor-swift-showgirl/" data-vars-content-id="bdd477f9-aefa-465c-a85e-014dc827aef2" data-vars-headline="5 KC record stores worth digging through" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.billboard.com/pro/luminate-2025-year-end-music-report-taylor-swift-showgirl/" target="_blank">Luminate reported</a>, and nearly every store below is locally owned.

A dry jazz bar in a city built on booze

Café 333 arrives as American drinking hits a record low.

Business

Kansas City jazz was born in Prohibition-era clubs fueled by liquor. A century later, the city&#x27;s newest club is alcohol-free.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Café 333" data-vars-click-url="https://cafe333kc.com/index.html" data-vars-content-id="12730782-38c9-43b7-9ef7-88f25e28fa3c" data-vars-headline="A dry jazz bar in a city built on booze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cafe333kc.com/index.html" target="_blank">Café 333</a> is KC&#x27;s first sober jazz bar, and it&#x27;s arriving just as American drinking hits a record low.

Nonprofits launching music hub in the Crossroads

The hangar-like space will be outfitted with a stage, lighting and a greenroom.

Two nonprofits are coming together to form a music hub downtown Kansas City this summer, thanks to the city&#x27;s Open Doors initiative.Why it matters: There&#x27;s no shortage of bars and clubs that feature live music in the area, but this promises to be something different — an intimate, open-air venue where pedestrians can swing by, the music comes first and performances span genres.

KC Symphony's new performance hall would triple its capacity

The new venue would be designed for audiences of up to 4,600.

The Kansas City Symphony this week announced plans to build a new performance hall nearly triple the size of its current space, with a target opening in 2028.Why it matters: The symphony is expanding its footprint with its own venue designed for specialty shows and capable of attracting midsized touring acts.

K-pop dancers go viral on Overland Park restaurant's TikTok

The videos are powered by a KPOT server backed by his competitive dance group.

Culture

An Overland Park Korean restaurant chain is racking up millions of views thanks to an employee and his local dance squad.Why it matters: Korean culture is having a moment in America, with more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurants opening" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/01/korean-food-us-where-trends" data-vars-content-id="87db5e81-9e0d-42e2-b57d-92fcedfa22fe" data-vars-headline="K-pop dancers go viral on Overland Park restaurant&#x27;s TikTok" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/01/korean-food-us-where-trends" target="_self">restaurants opening</a>, K-pop musicians <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="touring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/13/katseye-world-tour-minneapolis-concert-tickets" data-vars-content-id="87db5e81-9e0d-42e2-b57d-92fcedfa22fe" data-vars-headline="K-pop dancers go viral on Overland Park restaurant&#x27;s TikTok" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/13/katseye-world-tour-minneapolis-concert-tickets" target="_self">touring</a>, and &quot;KPop Demon Hunters&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="topping charts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/huntr-x-golden-global-charts-number-one-nov-8-1236104082/" data-vars-content-id="87db5e81-9e0d-42e2-b57d-92fcedfa22fe" data-vars-headline="K-pop dancers go viral on Overland Park restaurant&#x27;s TikTok" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/huntr-x-golden-global-charts-number-one-nov-8-1236104082/" target="_blank">topping charts</a>.

New song release part of KC Streetcar extension opening

A local musician partnered with the KC Streetcar to create a Main Street extension anthem.

<figure><img alt="Kemet Coleman and others sing and dance in a new music video filmed on the KC Streetcar." height="450" id="8a8b3535-7b0f-4d8c-a918-fb8a777d9e04" src="https://images.axios.com/ja_17Cr_5DgnEeEkR8QNwW20n50=/2025/10/22/1761165816095.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Sneak a peek at the new music video. Video: Courtesy of Kemet Coleman</figcaption></figure>The streetcar has a new sound — and it&#x27;s not the chimes, bells and musical notes that signal passengers and traffic.The big picture: A local musician partnered with the KC Streetcar to create a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Main Street extension" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/07/25/kc-streetcar-extension-opening-2025" data-vars-content-id="1a465402-f671-495c-85e1-2b3b5e20c81a" data-vars-headline="New song release part of KC Streetcar extension opening" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/07/25/kc-streetcar-extension-opening-2025" target="_self">Main Street extension</a> anthem he hopes will boost civic pride.

KC is turning pink for Chappell Roan

Fans can soak up Kansas City's Midwest Princess pride all week.

Kansas City is turning pink this weekend in honor of pop icon Chappell Roan and her tour stop at the WWI Museum and Memorial.Why it matters: Fans can soak up Kansas City&#x27;s Midwest Princess pride all week through civic displays, glitter-filled parties and themed treats.

Events celebrating Taylor Swift's new album, "The Life of a Showgirl"

There are plenty of ways to share your excitement with fellow Swifties with themed events around town.

You could sit at home waiting for the release of Taylor Swift&#x27;s new album, &quot;The Life of a Showgirl.&quot; Or you could get out and celebrate.The big picture: There are plenty of ways to share your excitement with fellow Swifties with themed events around town, both leading up to and following the anticipated release.

Taylor Swift fuels KC economy again

Swift's romance with Travis Kelce gave Kansas City more than headlines — it drove real money for local shops. Her new album may keep the momentum going.

When Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce went public with their relationship, Kansas City didn&#x27;t just land in headlines — our small businesses felt the impact in real dollars.Why it matters: With her latest album, &quot;The Life of a Showgirl,&quot; dropping Friday, KC&#x27;s Swift economy is coming back <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stronger than a &#x27;90s trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsEZmictANA&amp;list=RDRsEZmictANA&amp;start_radio=1" data-vars-content-id="e467d46b-1044-458c-8923-a5e072e276bb" data-vars-headline="Taylor Swift fuels KC economy again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsEZmictANA&amp;list=RDRsEZmictANA&amp;start_radio=1" target="_blank">stronger than a &#x27;90s trend</a>.

816 Day: KC's loud, proud love letter to itself

From Electric Park cocktails to streetcar scavenger hunts, 816 Day is KC's unapologetic love letter to itself. Here's where to eat, drink and celebrate this Saturday.

Born in 2017 as a jazz-district block party, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="816 Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.visitkc.com/blog/celebrate-816-day-in-kansas-city/" data-vars-content-id="66e1bde8-d2d5-4396-b7d9-7b4858cfd859" data-vars-headline="816 Day: KC&#x27;s loud, proud love letter to itself" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.visitkc.com/blog/celebrate-816-day-in-kansas-city/" target="_blank">816 Day</a> has ballooned into a citywide celebration of Kansas City&#x27;s culture, with music, food and events across the metro this Saturday.