#48 – The Rieger
1924 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Cost: $$
Good for: Fancy cocktails, New American cuisine.
Features: Hidden basement speakeasy, hand-crafted cocktails.
Tip: Order off their seasonal menu for delightful specialty cocktails.
The Rieger is a Kansas City restaurant and cocktail lounge with roots dating back to 1887. The namesake comes from the pre-Prohibition distillery, J. Rieger & Co, which sold and shipped more than 100 spirits before the Prohibition.
About The Rieger
The Rieger Hotel opened in 1915 and was home to many traveling salesmen, railroad workers and passersby during Kansas City’s formative years. The building has a long, rich history and much of the décor, including the tile floor and bathroom fixtures, remain original.
The hotel was owned by Alexander Rieger, whose father Jacob founded J. Rieger & Co. Whiskey in 1887. The company operated out of Kansas City’s West Bottoms neighborhood, also known as “The Wettest Block in the World,” until Prohibition shut them down in 1919.
Today, The Rieger continues the tradition of hospitality with classic dishes and hand-crafted cocktails. We’re proud to showcase the region’s bounty in the heart of a revitalized downtown. It’s our goal to honor the history of the neighborhood by adding a lasting landmark restaurant to Kansas City’s landscape. Most importantly, we approach our work with the singular motto, “Beautiful Food for the People.”
What to Get at The Rieger
Their specialty drinks are pricey, but typical for what you’d find at places in the Crossroads, like Tom’s Town.
We tried an Old Fashioned (with Four Rose Bourbon, rich and bitters) and Poor Loko (J. Rieger & Co. Caffe Amaro, black cherry kola, Spanish red wine and mint), which were both incredible. The Poor Loko had whipped mint on top!
Other Drinks that looked delightful:
- Children Beehave – Plantation Barbados 5 yr, Smith & Cross Jamaican burnt honey, peach butter and chamomile.
- Electric Avenue – Del Maguey Vida, Tequila Ocho Plata, pineapple, rosemary, lime and sansho pepper.
- Fatboy Sling – Rose, Aperol, Giffard Pamplemousse.
Love their cocktails? Find J. Rieger & Co. spirits at a liquor store near you. Xx, Libbie.
