Kansas City, October 9, 2025
Copaken Brooks
Copaken Brooks is a prominent development company based in Kansas City, renowned for its expertise in creating vibrant urban spaces and revitalization projects. Established with a focus on fostering community engagement and enhancing cityscapes, the company has played a significant role in developing key areas such as the Lenexa City Center. Their portfolio includes various commercial, residential, and entertainment venues, demonstrating a commitment to quality and innovation. Recently, Copaken Brooks expanded its cultural footprint by initiating the development of Ted’s Taproom, a jazz-focused venue designed to honor Kansas City’s rich musical heritage. The company continues to contribute to the city’s growth by creating dynamic, community-centric destinations.
News Summary
Kansas City is set to introduce a new jazz club named Ted’s Taproom in February, taking over the previous KC Wineworks location. Jon Copaken, inspired by his late best friend Ted Burns, aims to create a vibrant space showcasing local jazz artists with a focus on drinks and music. This venue will contribute to the city’s rich jazz heritage and will serve as a community gathering spot. Ted’s Taproom reflects the growing trend of jazz-centric venues in Kansas City.
Kansas City is set to welcome a new jazz club named Ted’s Taproom in February, honoring the memory of Jon Copaken’s late best friend, Ted Burns. Situated at 1829 McGee St., this venue is taking over the space that was previously occupied by KC Wineworks, which closed its doors earlier this year due to various operational challenges such as break-ins, rising costs, and supply chain problems.
Copaken, a principal at the development company Copaken Brooks, has envisioned creating a jazz club for some time. His friendship with Burns, who shared a passion for jazz, inspired this long-held dream, as the pair often spent weekends immersed in the vibrant jazz scenes of the 18th and Vine District during their college years. Reflecting on the city’s rich jazz heritage, Copaken noted that Kansas City lacks enough authentic jazz clubs, making his upcoming venue more significant to both him and the community.
Ted’s Taproom will primarily focus on providing drinks and music instead of full-service dining. While live performances will be a key feature of the club, they will not run continuously. Instead, the venue aims to serve as a community gathering space that appeals to diverse musical tastes. The atmosphere is designed to be fun and informal, avoiding a stuffy ambiance, while showcasing local jazz artists.
Although many details of the club’s concept are still being finalized, the intention is to create a vibrant experience for patrons. Ted’s Taproom is part of a larger trend of jazz-centric venues in the area, coinciding with the development of another establishment, Cafe 333, in the former Cafe Gratitude location at 333 Southwest Blvd.. This second venue will offer food, drinks, and live entertainment, and is being developed by the Social Cabaret entertainment group, known for projects like the Waldo Supper Club and C.A.S.T. in Overland Park.
Prior to its closure in April, KC Wineworks had operated for approximately a decade at the McGee Street location. Copaken Brooks holds a prominent position in the Kansas City development landscape, also recognized for their work on the Lenexa City Center project.
The announcement regarding Ted’s Taproom was initially published on October 8, 2025.
FAQ Section
What is the name of the new jazz club opening in Kansas City?
The new jazz club is named Ted’s Taproom.
When is Ted’s Taproom set to open?
Ted’s Taproom is set to open in February.
Where is Ted’s Taproom located?
Ted’s Taproom is located at 1829 McGee St., Kansas City.
What venue did Ted’s Taproom replace?
Ted’s Taproom will take over the space previously occupied by KC Wineworks, which closed earlier this year.
What will be the focus of Ted’s Taproom?
The club will focus primarily on drinks and music rather than being a full restaurant.
Will there be live music at Ted’s Taproom?
Yes, live music will be a central feature of the club, but it will not occur constantly.
What is the intended atmosphere of Ted’s Taproom?
The atmosphere is intended to be fun, informal, and not stuffy, showcasing local jazz artists.
What is Cafe 333?
Cafe 333 is a second jazz-centric venue being developed in the former Cafe Gratitude space at 333 Southwest Blvd., offering food, drinks, and live entertainment.
Who is developing Ted’s Taproom?
Ted’s Taproom is being developed by Jon Copaken, principal of Kansas City development company Copaken Brooks.
When was the announcement about Ted’s Taproom published?
The news was originally published on October 8, 2025.
Key Features of Ted’s Taproom
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Ted’s Taproom |
| Location | 1829 McGee St., Kansas City |
| Opening Month | February |
| Previous Venue | KC Wineworks |
| Main Focus | Drinks and music |
| Live Music | Yes, but not continuously |
| Atmosphere | Fun, informal, showcasing local jazz |
| Other Venues | Cafe 333 in development |
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City News
- Wikipedia: Jazz
- MSN: Former Vegan Cafe
- Google Search: Kansas City jazz scene
- Kansas City Magazine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jazz
- Only In Your State: Craft Cocktails
- Google News: Kansas City musicians
- KC Jewish Chronicle
- Startland News
- Atlas Obscura: Mutual Musicians Foundation
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
