The Red Balloon

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  Well... what can I say. The drinks are cheap! Yeah, that's about the best I've got. It's a divey place, but not in a fun-divey way. And don't roll up in here with your credit card, it's a cash-only joint.

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  Posted on 04.29.13 Michelle F.

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  First time at the Red Balloon late on a Saturday night.  On the way over, my brother in law warned us that it was a total dive and we would be overdressed and out of place.  He was right about the dive bar status.
  
  Another dive bar located in a precarious spot among some side of the road businesses on 75th street and Switzer.  The first thing I noticed was the amount of smokers outside the blacked out bar. The inside was just as dark with a handful of small tables, a couple long tables for groups, and some high tops amid the three pool tables and dart boards along the wall.
  
  The crowd was pretty young and two groups were celebrating birthdays. Another group was with a bachelorette party. A few servers were circulating trying to peddle pre-made Jager Bombs, but were friendly and attentive. $3.50 PBR Pounders (24 ouncers) were a great deal (not so much this morning).  Not sure if they had food though some folks were eating from catered serving pans. A few others had walked to the Taco Bell two doors down and brought some chalupas back.
  
  Karaoke is the draw at the Red Balloon and it's pretty good. They have a massive song library. Some of the "new" songs (listed in the front of the manual) weren't exactly new, but there is something for everyone in the book. The karaoke DJ was lively and kept the show rolling. As soon as someone was finished, there were some music interludes and another person or group moving to the main stage quickly.  No props or fancy accessories - just a stage, two microphones, and a television hanging from the ceiling with the scrolling lyrics.
  
  It's definitely a dive but some serious high energy and fun here.
  
  I'll definitely be back for a drink and some karaoke, but only with the group. I wouldn't come here by myself or with one other person.

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  Posted on 04.14.13 Michael P.

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  So my friends and I were here tonight for a good time only to discover what nasty individual the owner is and completely ignorant regarding the ADA laws and individuals with service animals. She told my friend she couldn't sit at the bar because she would get dog hair in the ice when I later saw her all leaned over the ice chest with her hair literally hanging in it. It will be more likely you'll find her nasty bleached blond and black combo hair In your drinks then my friend's medically necessary service dog.

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  Posted on 02.14.13 Kelly H.

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  CLASSIC DEFINITION OF DIVE BAR.
  
  Loved it....
  
  BEER SCHOONERS ARE HUUUGE and at a good price...
  
  SHOTS ARE HUUUUGE and at a good price....
  
  They've got karaoke, pool, darts, some FULL-ON bar food...
  
  Joe the bartender is jumpy, but cool enough...you'll see....
  
  It hit the spot....
  
  You can buy smokes at the gas station next door and smoke 'em out back....
  
  The music is LOUD....
  
  The front door is busted so take a jacket....
  
  All in all...great spot!

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  Posted on 10.24.12 Ara G.

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  They don't answer their god damn phone. DONT GO. Maybe a good time but fuck i wouldn't know.

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  Posted on 05.30.12 Abbie R.

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  if you're looking for a new, fresh, clean, bar -- this is not it. If you're looking for douchebags in popped collars and sunglasses putting out the vibe, this is not it either. If you're looking for a great local place to hangout, drink for cheap and karaoke, this is definitely the place. The Red Balloon is a great hole in the wall with beers in cans and local customers without teeth. But that's why this place rules. I'd much rather go to this place than to the P&L or Westport. Jukebox, pool tables, darts, tvs and fun and dirty atmosphere. So next time you go out on the town, bring it and sing it over at the Red Balloon

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  Posted on 03.06.12 Ryan Z.

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  Terrible margaritas and vodka tonics. Switched to soda and waitress never came back with change after I paid with a 20. Management was no help at all either. Wasn't impressed with karaoke either. There also isn't enough parking at that place.
  
  And did I mention everyone smokes right outside the front door...including employees. Lots of fun to walk through to get inside.
  
  Let's just say I'm not real eager to go back.

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  Posted on 12.19.11 JP J.

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  I don't feel equipped to FULLY write a review because I went here on a Tuesday, roughly 15 minutes before closing.
  
  Either way, it kind of reminded me of "the bar" from my small hometown.  I don't know that I'm really looking for that here, but what I AM looking for is some karaoke when I've been drinking.  And this place has it.  
  
  The KJ seemed a little self-serving, singing multiple songs herself in the very short amount of time I was there, and trust me, my group of friends were more than ready to perform.  But it was still a fun atmosphere, and the "regulars" were great people.  Easygoing, fun...  not too judging of the fact that I was drunk on a Tuesday...  That's all you really need in a bar.
  
  I will definitely be back.

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  Posted on 08.22.11 Heather B.

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  Wow.  Definitely a dive bar, no doubt.  That is not my reason for the 1 star though.  I could only give 1 star due to the incredibly awful service we received.  Both the bartender and the karaoke DJ were incredibly rude.  This was actually the 2nd bar of the night and our group came specifically for the karaoke.  That said, the "DJ" only played one karaoke song about every 20 minutes.  It is not like the place was packed (it was a Tuesday night) so it isn't like people wanted dance music.  Also, there were plenty of people there with songs to sing, and it took FOREVER to wait.  Total buzz kill, I tell you.  Anyway - not impressed.  At all.  Also, in case the owner ever reads this - the outdoor smoking law means within 10' of the door.  Having your patrons (and DJ) stand RIGHT IN FRONT of the door smoking - totally defeats the point of not subjecting nonsmokers to carcinogens.  Sorry, normally I enjoy dive bars and karaoke bars - but this one just had one disappointment after another.  Can't forget that it is cash only.  Sounds like weekends are better?  Not sure I will ever care enough to try again.

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  Posted on 07.27.11 Stephanie G.

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  This was a stop on a recent party bus excursion for fellow Yelper Nikki B's birthday.  After pre-drinking and a stop at another dive in OP, our bus pulled into the Red Balloon as the sun was setting.
  
  We rolled in with about 25 people and immediately hit the bar.  I was looking around after one drink to see where the rest of our group was and one of them had bribed the KJ and started belting out "Don't Stop Believing."  There were probably 50-60 people in the bar and nearly all of them were singing in unison as our friend high fived random patrons during the chorus.  Needless to say, we had announced our arrival.
  
  The next hour was much of the same, bribing the KJ, dancing, talking to people that could barely speak since they had started much earlier than us.  The bartenders look like cheap prostitutes, so don't mistake them for anything but your friendly neighborhood alcohol supplier.  
  
  We departed after an hour and a half of debauchery to seek a dance floor, but I will have fond memories of our time at the Red Balloon.  I will definitely be back to get services, I mean drinks, from the bartenders.  Cheers!

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  Posted on 07.15.11 Dev V.

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  A decent place to go for karaoke any night of the week. It's a cash only bar, though.

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  Posted on 04.23.11 Joshua Y.

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  This was just what we were lloking foer. $2 PBR 24oz and karaoke and pool tables. Girls were dancing.  People singing. Oh I forgot the $1 burger. Excellent.

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  Posted on 03.31.11 David P.

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  I once repaired a ham radio with nothing but a safety pin and piece of fruit stripe gum so I know a thing or two about dive bars.
  
  Most dive bars have that puked in, peed in, smoked in smell built up in strata on the dingy walls that could no doubt be studied by post apocalyptic scientists to determine the approximate age of the building.  I am not suggesting that The Red Balloon does not have that charming stink-patina.  However, other than profit-defying pricing and Keno, most dive bars stop there.  The Red Balloon, however, is just getting started.  
  
  If you suffer from ADD or ADHD then this place is for you.  There is ALWAYS an activity going on.  Some highlights:
  
  Darts & Pool & Pinball- always available for downtime
  
  Karaoke- every day!
  
  Trivia- all the damn time!
  
  Deal or No Deal- any drink purchased over $3 (yes, they have drinks under $3) qualifies you for an entry into this backwoods version of the Howie Mandel gameshow.  The bottom prize is a penny and the top prize is $50.  You sit in a metal folding chair in front of a pool table covered in pink caboodles while the MC walks you through the game.
  
  People Watching- Nuff said.
  
  Please make it a point to visit this place.  All of the staff members are very friendly and they deserve your cash!

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  Posted on 06.11.10 Ima S.

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  My favorite dive bar in all of KC.  The only place I've gotten close to getting in a girl fight in ( I would have won, by the way).  I love the atmosphere, not a single chair matches and the whole place feels like they went around to dumpsters and pulled out all the tables and chairs they could find.  The people are very laid back.  Do not expect a wide (or more than 3)beer selection in addition to some mixed drinks.  I think they might throw you out if you tried to order a martini.  The TV they were doing the karaoke on looked like it was from 1975.  I LOVE the Red Balloon, as much as I hate bar karaoke, I love this place.  I hope it never changes.

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  Posted on 03.19.10 Emily s.

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  I sing.  Alone.  In the car to myself.  Basically, even after a few drinks (i.e. MANY drinks), you could not pay me enough to sing karaoke by myself.  But if I ever got the nerve to go in public and belt some tunes, The Red Balloon would be, without a doubt, my number one pick.
  
  This is the place to go if you don't want to deal with any extra BS or hecklers or snobbery.  I know karaoke joints in general usually aren't the most uppity or classy places but sometimes, and I know you've experienced this, you just get that embarrassed/awkward feeling when someone gets a little...how do you say it..."pitch-y."  
  
  From what I've experienced, the crowd will cheer you on no matter what you choose to sing and regardless of your singing *ahem* talent.  (This private singer finally got up enough nerve (several times) to sing duets and in other groups for a few songs.)
  
  The Red Balloon experience is certainly "branded": Plenty of noise, lots of laughter, people-watching GALORE and not an ounce of pretension.  Every time I go there, I know I'll have Fun, not just a good time.  And come on, who wouldn't enjoy a place with Spaghetti-O's and Beef Jerky on their actual menu?

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  Posted on 02.10.10 Melissa D.

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  I've been to Karaoke bars all over the country. I've sang on the East Coast. West Coast, and plenty of places in between.
  
  So far, this is the bestest place in KC to sing Karaoke. It's the only place that has Karaoke every night that I've found. But, the best nights are around the holidays. There's always fun crowds, diverse, and intent on singing.
  
  I'll break it down for you, though:
  
  Karaoke - B - Solid set up. The microphones are all wired (no wireless microphones), so that kinda sucks cause you have to stay right on stage (they said they tried wireless, but people broke them a lot or something). The song list is solid, but there isn't a lot of newer stuff and there's a lot of older stuff that's missing. For example, only like 2-3 Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, John Cougar Mellencamp - no Killers, Kings of Leon, etc... At most Karaoke places, they'll have almost every song on my Karaoke playlist - and if they don't  they'll download it right there. This place doesn't have that. Not too many Karaoke books, either, so you'll have to make some new friends at the tables near you to find "Artist" and "Title" books. But, sharing is good, especially in Karaoke.  This place has the shortest song collection of any place I've been to, but you can still find more than a handful of songs.  They do the whole play a few karaoke songs, then play a dance song to get folks up on the dance floor (not a big fan of that format, but lots of places do it - except the "true" Karaoke bars on the coasts). The audio is good - but it's loud in your ears on stage and when you're sitting on the floor, you tend to hear more of the Karaoke track / background than people's voices - but I think the Karaoke Jockey guy controls most of that.  Every once in a while they play Beer Cap Bingo in between songs. That's fun. You can win some money to buy some extra drinks.  Most importantly, Karaoke songs are free, here. Some places charge $2 (on the coasts) or you have to buy a drink to get a song, but this place is free. Just tip the guy in the Karaoke Booth!
  
  Atmosphere - C. Folding chairs. Small Card tables. Super Super smoky. You'll leave smelling like an ashtray but that's ok, sometimes, because you'll get to sing like a rock star.
  
  Other Fun Stuff: They have a few pool tables and some dart areas. I guess this place is really well known for dart supplies and darting tournaments. But action is usually light after 8 or 9 when people start to sing.
  
  Staff / Bartenders: Solid, stiff pours. Cheap prices. Tip well and you'll get smothered with attention. Good people. Solid.
  
  Karaoke Jockey: Good people. Fun. Will heckle those people that sign up and chicken out (Love That). Encourages everyone to support everyone. In general, some of the best at making sure everyone has fun. They'll even put themselves in the rotation and sing their own songs. Personally, I think it'd be best if they pull audience people in to sing with them and, occasionally, they'll do just that.
  
  Overall: A great time for just a little money.  You'll make some new friends. You'll see people get super... drunk on music.  Just plan on washing whatever you wear in the morning :)

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  Posted on 12.23.09 edmund v.

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  To me, karaoke is never fun, no matter how drunk you are. There is always that hint of humiliation in the back of your head, telling you, "Don't do this.....you can't sing......remember that mishap in 8th grade?" But still, karaoke calls to you. It begs you to enjoy it.
  
  And if I'm going to enjoy karaoke (as much as you possibly can), I will do it at the Red Balloon. They are open every day of the year, and beside karaoke, they also have poker on a couple nights a week, with prizes for the winners. Nothing says fun like beating complete strangers at games they think they're good at! :)
  
  This bar has a low-key atmosphere and is also fun to come to to laugh at the karaokers, as well as laughing yourself as you stand there, swaying to 'Stayin' Alive' by the BeeGees and trying to let the other girl sing into the microphone more than you.
  
  They usually have good drink specials as well. It is in a weird location, but what good bars aren't? :)

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  Posted on 11.25.08 Kelsey C.

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  Karaoke anyone?
  
  I'm quite timid, but after watching a few people get up and sing and the love from the crowd, how I could I not!?  
  
  If you're having a rough week and instantly need to feel like a million bucks, The Red Balloon is the "support group" you've been looking for.
   
  The wait staff is friendly, the DJ keeps the crowd engaged, and it seems like word of mouth tends to keep an interesting group of individuals wandering in and out of the bar all night long.
  
  They have HUGE song lists updated reguarly by ARTIST and TITLE.
  Cheap drinks.
  Fun crowd.
  Regulars.
  
  The Red Balloon has it all.

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  Posted on 07.29.08 Amanda P.

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  On our recent KC excursion, me and four of my karaoke-loving friends went to the Red Balloon. It was recommended to us by a friend who goes to KC on business.
  
  This is a very solid karaoke joint.
  
  Pluses:
  - large song list, no big omissions by genre/artist etc.
  - good cheap drinks
  - enthusiastic crowd; plenty of dancing, cheering, etc.
  - KJ the night we were there was nicely bribeable; $5 tip with a song got good preferential placement in queue
  
  Minuses:
  - we could only find a songlist by song. Why do KJ's even make these? They are useless.
  - EVERYONE in there had a song in. The song queue was very long in relation to crowd size. Even with our tips, we only got in about 7 songs between the 5 of us over about 2 1/2 hours.
  - they stopped the karaoke for like 20 minutes to play bingo. You get a free bingo card for every pitcher you buy or something like that. I'm not sure this is a total minus, but it's pretty weird.
  - very smoky bar. If you like smoke or smoking, this could be good; if you are averse to smoke do not go here.
  - crowd was mostly older, and many more men than women. You won't be meeting any 20-something (probably even 30-something) coeds here.
  
  Overall a great bar that I would come back to again.

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  Posted on 07.07.08 Jeremy K.

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  Large Schooners of beer for $4! You must go.. it's a little shady as far as business goes. Smoky, dark, crazy karaoke people, local drunks and a huge list of songs to choose from to sing. A whole in the wall that is a must for anyone. I definitely side with Kat A.

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  Posted on 03.21.08 Ali A.

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  How in blue blazes has no one reviewed THE premier karaoke spot in Kansas City? I don't drop phrases like 'blue blazes' lightly, people. The Red Balloon is an institution. It's gritty, smoky, and mullet-ly delicious. They pour generously, and their karaoke is simply unsurpassed.
  
  A friend of mine got picked up by a guy who was driving the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile across the country at the Red Balloon - and this was after she'd gotten up on stage and belted out some Captain and Tennille. I can't make this shit up. It is because of experiences like these that you absolutely must go.
  
  So, if you're not looking for a meat market, but rather a fun spot with local flavor aplenty and karaoke wonderment, look no further. It's a great place to have a drink, shoot some darts, listening to some entertaining music, and people watch until you're cross-eyed.

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  Posted on 12.10.07 Kat A.

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