Kill Devil is definitely a good time. The atmosphere is dark and intimate, but is often livened up by an awesome jazz band. The walls are all wood paneling, the seats are spacious, fancy rugs cover the floors, and the waitresses walk around in flapper dresses. It's the perfect place to go when you want to have a good time but don't want to trip over slop tarts at P&L. And the bartenders work fast and furiously so you don't sit there waiting forever for a drink. Here's a fun fact. "Kill devil" was actually a name for rum hundreds of years ago (Now don't you feel smarter). Â So of course this place offers a wide variety of the adult beverage. However, do not let the fact that you don't like rum get in the way of you coming here. They do, after all, have other drinks as well.
Disclaimer: Â I have nothing against slop tarts. It is my firm belief that downtown KC would not be the same without them.
This is a place for a person to sit in a nice atmosphere, away from the crowds of Jersey Shore wannabes who normally populate PNL, and focus on music. It's too loud to hold a conversation and the stage is the obvious focal point of the club, so be prepared to enjoy the show. I wasn't as enamored of the drinks as others who've reviewed. I found them small. The Bacchanal was a bit bland and half foam, although the presentation was amazing. The Tempest tasted delicious at first, but tasted like a red pepper at the end and became undrinkable. The small plates menu is sparse, meager and overpriced. The crowd is older (late 20s through middle aged) and well-dressed, yet casual. The atmosphere is amazing: swanky, dark lighting, blacks and reds, with throwback architecture. I felt like I really was in the Kansas City of the great jazz age.
Review Source:We had heard so much about this place that we had to check it out. They have a live band, so at least the cover charge makes sense (unlike many of the other bars in P&L). I think that the best way to describe this venue is swanky! And the people watching is awesome; lots of sexy people in Kansas City! Most importantly, the music was real jazz, what a treat!
Like many of the new bars in the area, they have a nice list of handcrafted cocktails. And, like the others, their prices are right up there too. I tried the Hanky Panky, at the waitresses suggestion. I think that they were too heavy handed on the bitters, ugh! But the waitress was very apologetic and brought me a new drink, no questions asked. Good customer service will always keep me coming back!
Once I read all the other positive reviews it became clear to me that the people who wrote those reviews obviously work at the "Club" or are affiliated in some way. There were so many bad things about Kill Devil Club that I'm having trouble even gathering my thoughts to write this review. First, SLOW service. I found myself having to order 2 drinks at a time since it took the waitress about 1/2 hour between the time you ordered your drink and when you actually got it. Then, when you do get your drink, it's only about 1 oz of liquid poured over ice so it lasts about 5 sips and then you need another. Oh, and that 1 oz of liquid (of which only about .25oz is actually alcohol), will run you about $10 to $12, btw. Now, don't get me wrong, I expect to pay $10 or $12 (or even more) for a drink when I'm in South Beach or some areas of Chicago, but NOT in Kansas City. People who compared this place to Manifesto must have amnesia of some sort. Then there was the food: Poor quality and almost no quantity. The bruschetta was literally 5 little crackers with some tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, and basil. Again, I don't mind laying down some money for some delicious, quality food, but paying $12 for 5 crackers is an insult. From the time we asked to close our tab to the time our last credit card was processed was about an hour, no less. I would be shocked if this place was in business for long.
Review Source:Ok, I finally gave this place another couple of tries. Â My reaction upon my first visit was that Manifesto is far and away more impressive but that I liked it ok. Â I finally tried a drink, The Pendergast, and it was delicious. Â Over $10, but delicious so I'm ok with spending that on occasion. Let me be honest and say, I will still go to Manifesto over Kill Devil, but this was a little better of an experience than my first so I will go back when friends want to.
What I like: The drink menu is varied and delicious with some classics and some originals to go along with their decent beer and liquor choices. I like that they have music, especially the dj who spins with a live drummer keeping the beat behind him. Â They have always taken good care of my friends and me when we go in as fellow service industry workers. The bartenders are talented and have a flare that isn't showy but appreciated by all watching. Â They take care in the details and I like that. They know what they're doing.
What I don't like: They seem to close when they want to. Â The hours may say 3am but if it's slow and 1:45, they're closing up shop. Â (at least the one time when I actually stayed until after 1am) Â I've heard this complaint from others too. Â I definitely understand being slow and not able to justify labor and all that, but if you're closing up early, others in the service industry are going to notice. Â I'll still go but others may not want to come if you're always closing up right when their shifts are done. Â Also, the music is wayyy too loud. Â We had four or five of us at the bar and I had trouble hearing the person beside me, much less the ones two people down. Â We finally moved to a table in the back and could hear one another much better.
So, I don't hate it, but I'm not rushing to get there before the crowd on the weekends. Â It's just not quite my style with the loud music. Â The menu and the quality bartenders are of the caliber to keep me coming back , but the overly-loud music and unpredictable hours keep it from being an 'A' kind of review for me. Â Definitely check it out but try out KC's other classic cocktail destinations while your'e at it. Â Kill Devil is not the only place to try out and I haven't been impressed enough yet to make it a main staple in my list of evening destinations.
Punch. One word. Punch. There is this spirit that is magically made and aged mysteriously in a barrel somewhere under sunshine and rainbows where quadricorns play and lepricorns stay. It comes out in a cake dome. Spirits in a upside down cake dome. With blackberries and cinnamon sticks, and pineapples floating around in it. I personally got all my friends to use the cinnamon sticks as a straw. It worked. I highly recommend it. Also, its actually economically feasible.
The music is always great. The bands are wonderful. Those things are known. The punch. That my friends, is magic.
Been there twice now; both times, atrociously bad service (took 15 minutes for a waiter to stop by table, 45 minutes for first drink to arrive; on first visit, took 45 mins to get check). Â Wait staff, who aren't terribly friendly, seem to just hang around the bar socializing with pals, ignoring customers. Â Drink arrived, the size of a shot. Â Ordered a beer second time round: the bottle was slammed down on the table with no glass. Â No napkins provided with food. Â Sound quality terrible for the musicians (they seem to have no sound engineer, although it's billed as a live music venue, and use blurry cheap speakers designed for outdoor events). Â A friend who is a professional sound engineer confirmed the bad sound quality. Â No manager in sight anywhere. Â The owners probably live somewhere else, out of town, and just treat this as a cash cow. Â (Is it a chain?) Â Their only interest must be to keep costs down so as to suck as much money out of their customers as possible, with minimum service. Â Don't go! Â And to local musicians: DON'T PLAY HERE. Â At least until the owners decide their customers are worth some courtesy and respect. Â Kill Devil is Corporate Posing As Cool.
Review Source:We came here after a wedding reception. The place was pretty awesome, there was a live jazz group. The lighting is dark and intimate, the drinks are fancy and have a fancy price to match with them. I ordered a Ramos Gin Fizz which is usually pretty difficult to find in any bar.
It would be good for a private event of less than 8 people.
Warning, they will not let you do the limbo with a tie, we tried and only 2 people made it through (successfully) before security told us to stop. Overall a good time!
Kill Devil Club continues to grow and host different types of events with a stellar cast of musicians and DJs. The cocktails are a pretty good selection, yet a bit tame compared to other local cocktail slingin' joints around town.
If you're downtown and want some highly entertaining live music accompanied by a cocktail (that isn't a redbull and vodka), this is your place. Â Pick a night where there's likely to be dancing, and you've got yourself a party. Â
Thankfully there's a bit more class to this establishment than the other bars in the P&L, but it doesn't mean the drinks aren't strong and the time isn't good.
Let me preface this by saying, my review for The Kill Devil Club has been incredibly difficult to finish, for no other reason than there is so many wonderful things to say about this place and I want more than anything  to ensure that I give it the props it so desperately deserves.
My first experience with KDC was prior to it's official opening, while working w/ the good people at PoP Fest, during the First Annual Paris of the Plains Cocktail festival. Â Yet another fantastic accomplishment from the KC Baller, Ryan Maybee, that brought us Manifesto located in salubrious confines of the Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange. Â A location, many a Kansa Citian has had the good fortune to visit and fall in love with but that is for another review. Â Mr. Maybee was gracious enough to host an event for PoP Fest here w/ the talented Mark Lowery providing the entertainment. Let me say, upon walking into this club, you feel transported back to a golden age of debauchery in KC. It is Prohibition Decadence at its finest, hosting red leather lounging booths that open you up to the entire room as well as candlelit tables providing the kind of perfect indiscretion, which has not been enjoyed since Bogie and Bacall. Â Â I am not ashamed to say that I immediately fell in love this Club and adopted it immediately as one of my favorite places in our fair city. Â Not only because it is beautiful to look at, providing one of the most breathtaking views of Downtown KC but also because the setting really makes you feel like you are an celebrity, if only in your own right. Â KDC promotes an air of glamour and decadence that is exhilarating and addictive. Â
One of KDC's claims to fame is of course there amazing selection of Rums. The Bartenders and Manger, Scott Tipton at KDC have spent tireless hours creating some of the best cocktails recipes in all of KC. Â But fret not. Â If rum is not your thing you are sure to get a great cocktail, with whatever your spirit of choice, made to taste and absolute perfection. Â Mr. Tipton has made it his mission to keep this bar stocked w/ the finest sprits the world over.
KDC also provide small plates of deliciously prepared food! A perfect accompaniment to all the cocktails you are sure to consume while being swept up in the atmosphere.
Let me not forget to mention the music, OH MY, THE MUSIC. Â From Jazz to Swing to genres that have yet to be defined. Â It will not take long until you can't help but to leap from your chair, with a full glass of "Last Word" in hand and make your way to the dance floor. Â
As I said, at the beginning, there are not enough good things I can say about this place and although, I am not one to spend an exorbitant amount of time in the Power & Light district of KC, this club is definitely worth the trek and one I enjoy making every chance I get
So, polish up your dancing shoes, grab your best girl of guy and head down to Kill Devil Club to have a night, that you will not soon forget.
And While you are there tell them Courtney "CoCo" Crockett sent you ;)
ENJOY!!!
I really enjoyed the atmosphere at this club. Â I was here early 12/14 and the piano player (although he didn't seem to have a large repertoire of music he did try to sing requests) was pretty good and funny.
Our group ordered two of their $50+ punch bowls. Â The presentation was nice, but the execution was awful. Â They were both horrible tasting and I couldn't drink either one. Â I would recommend sticking with your usual cocktail or beer and not branching out and trying one of their mixed drinks.
I would definitely go back here though!
Honestly, when I'm in the right mood, I don't know that I could think of a better place to sit and drink a nice cocktail in KC than Kill Devil. Â The location is very convenient. Â The cover is a little annoying, but what place in downtown KC doesn't have a cover? Â The live music more than makes up for the tab (better than paying $10 to get into McFaddens).
The place itself is well designed; think of a modern speakeasy on the top floor overlooking Power & Light. Â It is an odd amalgamation of past and present, but I think it really works. Â Some think it is contrived, or just a P&L bar covered in a dark, jazzy coat of paint. Â I disagree. Â I think the drink menu is well thought out. Â I think the servers are a few steps above even a place like Drunken Fish across the street. Â I really have enjoyed my time at the club.
We went for the opening, got a massive bowl of punch and a couple cocktails. Â Let me tell you, the cocktails are pricey. Â I wanted a little more bang for my buck, but this place isn't somewhere you go to get shitfaced anyways. Â The music itself was stellar. Â It is VERY loud here!! Â Don't expect to hold a casual conversation with your friends. Â If I had a gripe, it would probably be that when the music starts, it's hard to communicate with anyone. Â We also had some issues with our tab, but by the end of the night all was well. Â I like this place, but I do think it can get better. Â Work with the volume a little bit, and make sure that the servers continue to improve, and I might just have to bump up KD to 5 stars in the future.
Either way, this is a great place to spend an evening if you're tired of the usual and want something you can't get anywhere else.
A great new addition to the Power & Light district, the Kilk Devil is a Prohition-era speak easy with a cozy atmosphere & great cocktails.
We went on Prohibition Night, a celebration of the repeal. Starting with the Kill Devil Punch to drink, we loved all the old-fashioned cocktails. Â While I'm not usually a fan of gin, which was in several of the drinks we sampled, everything was very well balanced and easy drinking. The Bees Knees (10$) was a bit sweet for me, but I loved the special cocktail of the night which featured lime juice and gin. The absinthe cocktail had a very strong anise flavor so beware!
We shared the cheese plate $10. They offered a good selection of about 5 cheeses. No one at the table was a fan of the blue cheese offering though. A friend had the ham croquettes, which she enjoyed.
Overall if you looking for a fun night out with great music & a nice dance floor, I highly recommend Kill Devil.
If you like live jazz in a more upscale place, come here. Â We stopped by last night for the last 30 minutes of the band, and we had a blast! Â People were dancing and enjoying themselves. Â The staff was fabulous, from the doorman to the bartender. Â I guess the focus is on rum and craft cocktails, so the beer selection was bottle only. Â Prices are high, but I would guess rent is sky high for this incredible venue, so no real complaints. Â It is located on the second floor, and the stage is in a corner surrounded by floor to ceiling windows. Â I can only imagine how cool it would be to watch a band with a snow or rainstorm going on. Â This is a wonderful place for a romantic date or to enjoy music and dancing with a group of friends. Â I am very happy Power and Light has finally opened a place with class. Â Hopefully it will survive!
Review Source:My first vibe of the place when we walked in was that it was trying a little too hard to be a Las Vegas casino center bar. Â The decor is pretty swanky, but it feels like it's trying a little too hard. Â (I think some of that may be the contrast of dark hole-in-the-wall speakeasy decor combined with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the street.) Â
But that was the extent of my negative judgement. Â They totally win on every other front. Â The service was fantastic. Â Apparently this was the busiest night they have had in a while (or ever) due to an event in the adjacent rental space. Â But the waitresses completely kept their cool and tag-teamed their customers when the other got busy. Â The manager was bouncing around clearing tables, delivering drinks, and checking in on everyone at full speed. Â The music was great and went all night. Â The food was super tasty.
The prices are date-night prices rather than neighborhood dive bar prices, but that was totally expected with the atmosphere and the quality of the drinks.
We will totally be back again soon.
This is a pretty neutral rating, and for good reason -- my take on the place is pretty darn neutral.
Let's rewind a few weeks -- a friend wanted to meet us here, but our plans had changed, and it took him 30 minutes to flag down a server, tab out, and meet us outside. Â (This will come into play later.)
$10 cover to get into the place; found out the cover only kicked in after 10pm. Â But, I didn't mind -- after all, I was visiting with friends and such.
Went upstairs, and the place was busy -- crowded, but not overly such. Â Band started a few minutes after I arrived, and it pretty much killed any chance of conversation we'd have. Â I love live music, and I love jazz -- but the band quality and the volume effectively killed any chance of conversation I would have had with my friends.
Menu was a little more limited than I expected. Â Prices were pricey; in line with other P&L places, but more fancy (and pricey) than typical bar grub. Â Drink menu was pretty extensive.
As with my friend, though, tab took a little while to arrive when we needed it. Â It wasn't as horribly bad as his experience, but it was definitely a wait.
I really want to like the place, and I do plan on going back at some time or another to make sure I'm giving it a fair shake. Â It felt like it was trying way too hard to be a hip happening jazz bar, when really, it just needed to relax.
Shattered, Disappointed, and simply Let Down.
Here's the thing. Â Hotel Rieger is the problem. Â The expectations are so high that it probably was half of the problem.
The drinks were fine, the service was friendly, the music was in line but somehow the whole thing just left me wanting for more. Â ...or Less!
Kill Devil should be better. Â Or it should be less better, Maybee.
The thing is that it feels like a P&L destination and I was Sooooo hoping it wouldn't. Â I was hoping it wouldn't feel like a chain (it does). Â I was hoping it wouldn't be perfect (it was). Â I was hoping the bartending would be unique (it wasn't). Â And I was hoping it was going to take me back in time just a bit (it didn't).
Don't get me wrong. Â It was just fine. Â But folks. Â That wasn't what it should have been. Â
It should have been better.
Stop the thematic little pink flapper dresses! Â Stop the prefab 40's drinks! Â Just stop it all! Â I had hoped that Kill Devil would compel me to put up with the P&L.
It won't.
Huge fan of this place. EXACTLY what the P&L needs, an authentic , non-chain bar with some soul, class and patrons that are not rocking tribal arm band tattoos and Affliction shirts. The interior is sexy and dimly lit with lots of dark wood. The views of downtown from the 2nd story are breathtaking and totally make you feel like you are in a big city club. The band the night I went was fantastic, hot spicy Latin music had everyone dancing and feeling good. The drinks are fantastic, but what else do you expect from the King Of KC Mixology Ryan Maybee? I can't wait back for more delicious beverages,sexy atmosphere and rockin' Â live music.
Review Source:I finally made it inside Kill Devil Club on Friday. I won a happy hour party there on the Facebook page and gathered a group to try it with me.
We headed over for our 5-8p party and were greeted at the door, asked to sign in and given wrist bands identifying us as members of the group. The friendly hostess  then led us over to a table and got us each free welcome glasses of champagne.
As with most places in P&L, the more people you bring in, the better the deals and freebies you get. My group was only about 1/2 a dozen, but we did qualify for a free charcuterie plate. There were some nice cheeses in the mix, including yummy Drunken Goat, lots of sliced meats and olives.
You also can get a free rum punch with a Yelp check in, which I did. Tasty, but just a hair too sweet for my tastes.
I did try two other house cocktails. Both were intricate, interesting adult drinks. They were not cheap, however.
My group also ordered a few $5 happy hour small plates to try. The bruschetta was well received, as were the meatballs. They have a very attractive ceviche presentation, but it was very small.
My only complaint was the service. While everyone was friendly and nice, we felt a little bit like we had to hunt people down to get tabs and place second drink orders. I'm not sure why that was, since there were only three other tables there. I'm sure this is a glitch that will work itself out with more time.
I like the old speak-easy feel of the place. It's very comfy.
Went there the first night they were open to the public. We loved it! The bartenders were good. Only cretic is that the bartenders should really know the drinks a bit better and be able to make suggestions. The one guy we had knew how to describe the drinks, but didn't really know what they tasted like as much and couldn't make any suggestions for other drinks that were not on the menu. I think he just needs to be a bit more seasoned.
The music was great. The food was awesome. Love the up beat of it. The decor was nice. However, I would suggest to them that they need to add some art work on some of their walls. It seemed too dark/baren on some of the walls. As if it was missing something. For example, by the bar.
I suggest going though.
B+
I really want to give this place an A- kind of review, I really do. They did everything well except for one thing, but that will come later and I'm not even really sure how about what to write about it.
There are many places in the Power and Light District, where the Kill Devil Club makes its home, that lack originality and character. Hell, almost all of the places in the P & L lack those two qualities. The Kill Devil Club does not. It is certain to become a  KC Original and it most definitely fills a niche in the District. Live Jazz, lively Jazz that makes you want to stand up and dance instead of putting you to sleep, greats you as  you arrive. To the right and directly in front of you are giant windows with inspired views of the downtown KC cityscape. To your left is a long, dark, swanky bar where the mixoligists (and they are true mixoligists) make you classic, handcrafted cocktails.
The night I was in the service was impeccable. They were slammed and it took a second to get a drink but they got around to you in time. The wait is definitely worth it.
The Kill Devil Club is a welcome addition to the community and is now the destination of  the Power and Light District.
Do yourself a favor and make plans now for a sinful night out on the town at the Kill Devil Club.
(Since my only experience of the Kill Devil Club was on opening night, I am going to give them a free pass in regards to my comment at the top of my review. Mistakes are made on opening nights and my complaint centered around the marketing of the event that I attended. Food and Drink are outstanding here. Support this local business)
Thank. The. Lord.
This bar is EXACTLY what KC needs, and specifically what the Power and Light district needs. In a city without a ton of jazz options (despite calling itself a jazz town) this spot fills a definite niche and will be one of the hottest tickets in Kansas City. Wanna feel classy and sexy and awesome? Get thee to Kill Devil!
So why does this place stand out compared to the other jazz bars in town? Well, primarily in the fact that instead of acting as a listening room, where you have your seat and you just sit there quietly while applauding politely every 10 minutes or so, this place seems to embrace the rowdy, sexy nature of a jazz bar! People are dancing and mingling and while they still appreciate the excellent musicians, they're not being held captive by the tunes. Bottom line: It's hard to have a bad time when you're listening to a 10 piece brass band.
Additionally, the drink menu here is stellar. Kill Devil boasts the largest rum selection in KC, and will feature a number of punch options for both individuals or groups! These are Grade-A, hand-crafted cocktails, and the price tag reflects it. But it's all part of the atmosphere. I wouldn't want to come here and drink crappy beer or a well vodka soda.
Speaking of atmosphere, the decor of this place is great. All dark woods, it nods to the past but isn't overly themey. I love that they have checkerboards in the corner, it's a nice tip of the hat to Cuban/Puerto Rican/South Floridian culture, without coming off too strong. And the staff all look impeccable.
Welcome to town, Kill Devil. You're top notch!
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,608 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,970 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,309 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,906 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,985 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
