Kansas City, MO, October 26, 2025
Afterword Tavern & Shelves
Afterword Tavern & Shelves is a unique bar-bookstore hybrid located in the Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City. Established as a community-focused venue, it combines the cozy ambiance of a lounge with a curated bookstore, offering patrons a space to relax, read, and socialize. The establishment features an inviting interior adorned with leather and velvet seating, gothic chandeliers, and books lining the walls, promoting a warm and welcoming atmosphere akin to an extension of one’s living room. Since its inception, Afterword has distinguished itself by offering creative, literature-inspired cocktails curated by its staff, along with community engagement through events such as open mic nights, themed parties, and a Scholastic Book Fair. Its recent expansion includes extended hours and the introduction of a morning coffee service, along with plans for local collaborations, making it a vibrant cultural hub in Kansas City.
News Summary
Afterword Tavern & Shelves, a unique bar-bookstore hybrid in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District, is set to expand its operations by launching a morning coffee service. This new service, alongside extended business hours, aims to create a welcoming atmosphere where guests can enjoy creative cocktails and literary offerings. The establishment’s general manager emphasizes the tavern’s cozy environment, making it a beloved space for both drinkers and readers in the community.
Kansas City, MO – Afterword Tavern & Shelves, a bar-bookstore hybrid in the Crossroads Arts District, is expanding its business operations by extending hours and launching a morning coffee service starting tomorrow. The establishment aims to provide a unique experience that combines creative cocktails with a curated bookstore, catering to both drinkers and readers.
The general manager, Kate Hall, describes Afterword as an extension of one’s living room, promoting a welcoming atmosphere where guests feel respected, valued, and appreciated. The tavern features an elegantly cozy interior adorned with calm lighting, leather and velvet seating, gothic chandeliers, and walls lined with books, creating an inviting space for all visitors.
Afterword offers a distinctive cocktail menu created and curated entirely by its staff. Seasonal changes bring a lineup of imaginative cocktails with drink names inspired by literature. Notable signature cocktails include an Appletini, featuring vodka, apple brandy, rye, honey crisp apple, sage, and clarified lemon; a Zombie with pale rum, agricole rum, Bitter Bianco, lime cordial, basil, and coconut; Mists of Avalon, made with botanical gin, earl grey, lemon, honey, bergamot liqueur, and tea foam; and a Chocolate Martini that combines black cacao salted simple, spiced pear liqueur, and Amaro chili.
In addition to drinks, Afterword provides a “Books & Booze Membership” with three subscription tiers: Books, Books and a Bottle of Wine, or Books and Spirits. This initiative caters to various literary tastes and encourages customers to engage with the bookstore aspect of the tavern.
The tavern partners with local chef Devin Crawford’s Hot Off the Press for a rotating menu of light, snacky foods. Offerings include a Medianoche Cubano and Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup, complementing the drink selections and enriching the overall experience for guests.
To foster community engagement, Afterword hosts a variety of events, including an open mic night every second Monday, a Halloween party with costume prizes, and an annual Scholastic Book Fair in December. In addition, themed nights—such as Industry Night, Wine Night, and Espresso Martini Night—draw in different crowds, making the bar a lively local hub.
The introduction of morning coffee service aims to attract an early crowd and is part of Afterword’s strategy to extend business hours. There are also preliminary discussions for collaboration with Bloom Baking Co. to offer pastries, further enhancing the coffee experience and community atmosphere.
Background of Afterword Tavern & Shelves
Afterword Tavern & Shelves combines aspects of a bar and a bookstore, providing a unique venue for the local community and visitors alike. The premise capitalizes on the merging of literary pursuit with social interaction, making it one of a kind in Kansas City. With its cozy and stylish environment, Afterword aims to be more than just a place to grab a drink but a community space where patrons can relax, read, and socialize.
Key Features of Afterword Tavern & Shelves
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Crossroads Arts District, Kansas City |
| Interior Design | Cozy with calm lighting, leather and velvet seating, gothic chandeliers |
| Cocktail Menu | Seasonal creative cocktails with literature-inspired names |
| Membership Program | Books & Booze Membership with three subscription tiers |
| Food Options | Rotating menu by local chef; light snacks including Medianoche Cubano and Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup |
| Community Events | Open mic night, Halloween party, Scholastic Book Fair |
| Morning Coffee Service | Launching to extend business hours |
| Upcoming Collaborations | Discussions with Bloom Baking Co. for pastries |
FAQ
Where is Afterword Tavern & Shelves located?
Crossroads Arts District, Kansas City.
What type of atmosphere does Afterword offer?
Afterword aims to provide a welcoming atmosphere where guests feel respected, valued, and appreciated, resembling an extension of one’s living room.
What unique features does Afterword Tavern & Shelves have?
Afterword offers a cocktail menu created by staff, light snack foods, a membership program, community events, and is launching morning coffee service.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
KC Restaurant Week Returns to Kansas City
Exploring Unique Coffee Shops Across Missouri
Additional Resources
- The Pitch KC
- Axios Kansas City
- Feast Magazine
- In Kansas City
- Book Riot
- Wikipedia: Kansas City
- Google Search: Afterword Tavern Kansas City
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kansas City
- Google News: Afterword Tavern Kansas City
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
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