#20 – Hot Country Nights
1100 Walnut Street. Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Cost: Free – $
Atmosphere: Loud, crowded, hot.
Features: Bars, restaurants, beer vendors, shops, etc.
Good for: Country music fans, Thursday night plans.
Tip: Splurge on VIP.
Every Thursday night throughout the summer, Kansas City Power and Light District hosts Hot Country Nights, a free country concert series. Concerts range from up-and-coming country stars to those who have fallen a bit off the map.
This year, the bigger acts at Hot Country Nights have required a $10-$15 ticket. A cost I think is worth it, because Hot Country Nights gets absolutely PACKED on free nights. Most Thursday nights the venue is at capacity and employs a one-in, one-out policy.
The doors open at 5pm, so getting there early to save a spot is a good idea if you can swing it. VIP is also a good option. You get access to a private standing area on the balcony, bathrooms and a bar.
About Power and Light District
Hot Country Nights resides in the KC Live! Block of the Power & Light District. KC Live! Block is an open concert venue surrounded by bars and restaurants. It is the center of Power and Light, a shopping, dining and bar district in downtown Kansas City. The area is named after the impressive skyline feature – the Kansas City Power and Light building.
After an extensive revitalization of downtown Kansas City, the nine-block neighborhood opened in 2007. Today, the area has brought more than 50 unique restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment venues back into the area. Main attractions include: Sprint Arena, Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland, The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, BRGR, Cleaver and Cork and so much more.
Notable 2017 Hot Country Nights Performances:
- Eli Young Band
- Chase Rice
- Josh Abbott Band
- Randy Rodgers Band with Eric Paslay
- Randy Houser
- Dustin Lynch
The venue is busy, and for most of the summer it is HOT. I am never overly impressed with the sound quality at KC Live! Block, but tickets are always free or under $20. Overall, Hot Country Nights is a fun excuse for something to do on Thursday nights, especially if you enjoy country music. xx, Libbie
