KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Westport is one of the most popular places for Kansas City nightlife, but there have been some changes since last year.
Several new restaurants and developments are coming this summer.
New restaurants, bars
421 Westport Road is in the process of becoming "Scarlet,” a two-story bar that will have a DJ on both levels, set to open in June or July.
Construction was in full swing Tuesday.
"These walls are getting blown out and there will be seating right here. This will be bottle service," explained Ashton Martin, who is opening the bar with friend and colleague Brett Allred.
Martin said the first floor will be styled as a lounge with some tables and group seating. The first floor will start out open on the weekends and offer bottle service.
Last year around this time, the same spot was known as Snow and Co, which had iced adult beverages.
Just across the street, Michael Peterson, the director of culinary arts at Sailor Jacks, discussed the transition the restaurant-bar has gone through over the past few months.
In mid-April, Westport mainstay The Foundry remodeled to become Sailor Jacks.
The Foundry had been known for hip-hop dances and as a "late night urban beer palace.” Now Sailor Jacks offers coastal cuisine and rum-inspired cocktails.
"I think it's definitely starting to brighten up and build a lot of cool places around here," said Tanner Agpoon, who said he and friends enjoy taking photos in Westport.
Johnny Kaws Yard Bar is set to open in June or July and is currently under construction. It's taking over the former Panera Bread and Ernie Biggs locations. It will feature indoor games set on artificial turf.
"Bocce ball and that stuff is really cool," said Agpoon.
New development also coming to Westport
The West Port Village at Manor Square has already been approved by the City Council.
The KCMO development tracker shows it will have 191 apartment units and a 120 unit hotel around Char Bar.
The apartment community would include an extra 220 parking spaces and bike parking.
A group of teens walking in Westport believe art and new developments are giving the area a new look and feel.
"It's a really good art district, where you can express yourself and hang out," said Maggie Gallaway, who lives in south Johnson County and recently graduated high school.
ln June, security at Westport will also start using metal detectors and wands for those entering the district after 11 p.m. Members of the business CID approved that by vote.
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