Afterword Tavern & Shelves

The tomato soup is so fresh and exactly what you'd hope for from a soup. We loved getting to sit and visit and read a little bit. We noticed they had 2 book club meetings that night which is so cool! And lots of board games too. We want to come back!

My husband and I popped by on a Saturday afternoon about 2:00 pm and it was quiet here until about 3:30. The bartender was very sweet and let me create my own craft cocktail using their amazing house blended tomorrow syrup. The books here are super cool and we proved several away just hanging out and drinking our cocktails. We’ve driven by so many times and this time it was a destination. Cool vibes, comfy seating for small groups. I noticed some laptop lap decks under a coffee table- nice amenity. This is yet another reason to love living in KC.

I really like the vibes here! Good sized crowd on the Friday night that I visited. There were still some seats available but it’s not very large in size. I love the atmosphere they’ve created, with a nice selection of books and low lighting giving it a very sophisticated vibe. For the supply of books they have on location, it was a nice selection from what I could tell. You can also order books from their online shop. I tried their Gimlet cocktail, which was absolutely fantastic and I certainly look forward to returning to try more.

Incredible, fun, unique place for books and cocktails. We enjoy a nice, quiet vibe where folks could read and drink NA or alcoholic beverages at their own pace. The cocktails were expertly crafted and fun. If we lived nearby, we'd definitely take part in their book club!

Really cool spot for a cocktail in the Crossroads. Unique, cozy atmosphere. Board games on hand. Solid drink menu. I had the espresso martini and it was lovely!

Walked in around 8 pm, not busy, just myself and a friend. Bartender said he’d be right with us then did everything (clean, complain about music to coworker, drink) but look at or engage. Love the concept and interior design but such a weird vibe from staff

One of my favorite cocktail bars in town. Very cozy atmosphere with friendly and very professional bartenders that get your drinks to you quick, even when it’s busy. Great book selection, fun to look through them when you’re tipsy. Every drink I’ve had here is delicious! The menu changes every so often though so it’s a little different every time. Please bring back that Tropic of Capricorn drink 🙏

A few months ago, when I was in town for Planet Comic Con KC, I stopped in at Afterwood for a quiet drink and to take in the local bar scene. And this place did not disappoint. From the moment I walked in, I was entranced by the establishment. From the shelves of books to the people clustered around having conversations, playing games, or reading, it was clear that this was my sort of bar. The staff were friendly and polite, and all of them provided exemplary service from what I saw. The next time I am back in KC, I intend to visit Afterword again.

This was my first time at Afterword (though I have been meaning to go for a while) and I am already planning on coming back! I love the vibe of the space, which is lined with bookshelves and they even have a card catalog. The drinks are fun and with some Literary references for the names. I had the poppy war and really enjoyed it. We sat inside but they also have an outdoor patio. The bathroom was also extremely clean. Service was very quick with barely any wait before the drinks were ready. I would recommend anyone that loves a cocktail to stop in!

What a unique concept...books & drinks! It has that a cozy vibe to it. You feel like you are in bookstore but not a lot of books. A great drink selection menu. I was a little disappointed in the limited number of books available to buy.

Cozy, book-filled, and perfect for unwinding with a drink. I tried the drink of the month the Boozycatipillar, a fun literary-themed cocktail supporting Read to Lead KC delicious! The only downside? Ordering at the bar makes it tricky to hold your seat as a solo guest. Drinks are a bit pricey, but the ambiance is worth it. Great spot for book lovers looking to relax with a cocktail!

My bookclub met here for a meeting and was able to reserve a back section (patio is available too, but it was supposed to rain). We had about 10 people and all had a great time. The concept is a chill vibe with books and comfortable spots to chill. The drinks are a wide variety of spirit forward, fruity bases, to non-alcoholic options. My favorite of the night was berry picker. It sounds weird with the goat cheese and arugula, but it was delicious. In fact, I've been craving it ever since. The variety of books is great and the employees were all super kind and helpful!

I really like the vibes here! Good sized crowd on the Friday night that I visited. There were still some seats available but it's not very large in size. I love the atmosphere they've created, with a nice selection of books and low lighting giving it a very sophisticated vibe. For the supply of books they have on location, it was a nice selection from what I could tell. You can also order books from their online shop. I tried their Gimlet cocktail, which was absolutely fantastic and I certainly look forward to returning to try more.

The vibes here are great -- it's just a super relaxed spot to visit at any time. There's not many food options (just sandwiches, although I know the point of going here is not to eat) and their drink options are strong (at least for me). There's not many book options but it's still a really great place to chill, get a drink, and read/work. The servers are also nice.

If you love books and adult beverages then you enjoy stopping in here! Books n Booze ( memberships available too) Delicious cocktails! ( mine created by Zach +++) Mine: Pretty in Pink and Kyoto Spirits ( once a season drank) When in Rome... do as a Roman would! You won't get another opportunity!!

Full of cozy decor and literary references, Afterword is every book lover's dream cocktail bar nestled in the Crossroads! They sell drinks and books - what more could you want! Their cocktail menu is creative and extensive, and they even have plenty of non-alcoholic options! Order at the end of the bar and try to snag a table! - on the weekends, this place is packed, and I've seen tables all full on weeknights too! Don't come here expecting to eat while you drink, though. They only have a couple snack options, but the good news is that you're in Crossroads, so there are plenty of places to eat at before or after your visit to Afterword. Parking in the Crossroads can be a challenge, but Afterworld is only a few blocks from the streetcar line!

A bar with books for sale and board games. What a neat concept! Got there around 8.45pm on a Saturday night after a LONG day and the place was busy already. The volume level inside was quiet enough to carry on a conversation, but with it being so full, browsing books wasn't really an option. Every seat was taken, but thankfully there's a patio that was open and with the weather cooperating, we were able to sit there and enjoy our drinks. At $14 a piece, it's definitely not cheap, but it was good. Im normally not a martini person, but this one was delicious. My Lemondrop tasted a bit weird at first sip, but maybe it just needed to settle a bit because sip #2 was great. Service was prompt and the bar tender was nice and attentive. Definitely worth checking out!

The drinks were amazing and the atmosphere was cute - until the staff kicked us out for a private event in a less than kind way. It took me two years to pop in because I had tried multiple times and they were always closed for private events, so it felt poetic being asked to leave. But there was no warning, we had brought a large party that spent a lot of money, and it felt a little messy. It would be helpful if they made it clear on their social media accounts when regular patrons aren't welcome.

Great drinks , plenty of books to read. Amazingly comfy chair. It will get busy after 6 just in case you where thinking of coming and finding seat.

Afterword is such a unique place with a very cool concept. It's a cocktail bar and a bookstore. You will not be disappointed by the cocktails or the book selection. I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious my drink was. I would love to come back here on my next visit to Kansas City.

Cozy cocktail bar with great books and great drinks. This is a lovely place to drink a cocktail and read a book or just chill with a friend. They had a sizable menu with many different options including cocktails, mocktails, coffee and tea. They also had some great deals during the week. Both drinks that I tried were delicious. The station 11 was my favorite. It had a bold and diverse taste with a lot of popping flavors it had rhubarb & ginger infused rum which was delicious! I also had the Unlikely Queen. It was light and simple but still very tasty. The seating was cute and comfy. The bartenders were nice. I will definitely be back.

I really like this place! As an English major, this is kind of my dream spot. However, it is small and usually crowded (which I am sure they love!) My book club meets here sometimes on Thursday nights, and it is pretty much full. Forget about getting a table on Fridays. I have had the best time here on a Sunday afternoon. The concept of playing games is fun but the tables are pretty small. It is really great that they have a space for groups to meet and the giant back sofa is pretty comfy. At the bar, they have two lines to order drinks which I guess keeps it organized but makes it really crowded in those areas. It is a very cute aesthetic and gives me dark academia vibes. The drinks are pretty good and I love espresso martini Thursdays, but I would suggest happy hour because they can be really expensive. Overall, I would definitely recommend visiting this place, just maybe on a weeknight!

A weekday visit to Afterword is the way to do it. Compared to the chaotic Saturday we had our last visit, the place was relatively quiet--- a little less than halfway full. The weekday special on Thursday is Espresso Martinis, so that's what we went with. Drinks are pricey, but aesthetic and strong. It was a great, cozy & chill atmosphere.

I'm so impressed by the cocktails here! The old fashioned and the revolver are consistently delicious and boozy. This is on my list of reliable repeats!

This could quite possibly be the coolest place I have ever been to in my life. I was in Kansas City for a writing conference, so of course, as the little book nerds we are, we all congregated in Afterword post-conference. I was told by a local that the vibe could be pretentious, but I didn't feel that at all. This felt like one of the old, smoky 90's coffeehouses I used to go to (minus the smoke.) With small intimate tables, velvet couches stuffed with pillows, the exposed ceiling and brick walls, it felt like hanging out in a chic loft in Brooklyn. While you sip on aptly named book-themed cocktails like Crying in H Mart, you can peruse the books or play games with a friend. They also played a nostalgic millenial soundtrack of alternative hits from the early 2000's. If I lived in Kansas City, I would likely be a regular at this bar, haunting the cafe like Jack Kerouac and his beatnik friends.

My out-of-town friend who has a penchant for booze, board games, and books found this place for us. We went on a Saturday evening and it was pretty crowded but we timed it perfectly to snag the comfy couch and chairs by the door. Great craft cocktails... Not cheap but pretty unique and memorizingly tasty. I can't, for the life of me, remember the name of my cocktail but it was good. It has gin and beets. (You'll figure it out because how many cocktails have beets?!?!?) If you are feeling more savory and earthy, go with this. By the way, the books are an actual thing, not just a decor and pretentious ploy! I did not peruse the titles but people actually go there to sip and read. I mean, what better place to slog through a homework assignment or read a few chapters of a cozy book than with a cocktail (or coffee).

This bar is just one block from me and I've always wanted to go!! It's a book themed bar and great to go on dates or even with a group of friends. They have tons of board games for you to play. People are also bring their own books to read there with a glass of wine. Friday and Saturday' nights are usually pretty m busy and may have trouble finding a place to sit. They also have a patio you can sit out at when it's nice out. I ordered the french75 and it was SO good. The service is also great with bartenders being attentive to you, even during its busiest times. Will definitely be back again!!

Love the concept of a place to read books and play games together. That should be your primary goal if you come here, but ours was to get a great drink in a different type of setting. Unfortunately, the drinks are not great (at least not the Crying in H Mart). It tasted medicinal and I only had a few sips.

Delicious margaritas (strong in a good way) and old fashioned. We get an old fashioned every time we come, consistent, fantastic ice cubes, great rind, bartenders are skilled in their craft. Payton (bartender) was knowledgeable and let us sample a drink to make sure we would enjoy our drink tonight. Would recommend. Slightly on the pricier side.

Afterword is like the boozy equivalent of a coffee shop or a board game cafe. Come as you are, with whatever group--there's cute and comfortable seating for every size party--and you'll end up having a good time. Atmosphere is super laidback; you can show up wearing a t-shirt and shorts (though keep in mind the place tends to run slightly cold). If you're by yourself, catch a seat at the bar and it's easy to strike up a conversation since the place tends to be busy but not crowded. Or, if you don't want to talk to anyone, that works too. Afterword is one of those rare bars you can pull out a laptop and work without looking out of place. If you're on a first date, this is a great spot to break the ice since there are plenty of books and a variety of board games around. And if you're with a larger group, just grab some couches or a large table and talk it out. Great place to hang out, decent drinks, and worth hitting up at least once if you're local to KC

Went here for a first date. We arrived around 615p on a Saturday night and got 2 seats at the bar right away. It did fill up over the course of the hour but there was still seating available and it was not so crowded it was uncomfortable or too loud. As someone who enjoys both books and craft cocktails this place was so fun. The atmosphere is comfortable and vibrant. It's very much open coffee shop vibes but with a bar. All 4 drinks we got were delicious. I was most impressed with the gimlet -- the jalapeño with the blackberry was delicious but there was not spiced kick yet the jalapeño was so present. It's hard to explain but if you like jalapeño you definitely must try. The staff was all very friendly as well. I definitely will come back :)

Lovely, cozy, inviting bar slash bookstore. Staff are super nice, and the drinks are ridic (the tequila sour was pretty great), and I may have bought a couple books. What's not to love?

When I first walked by this place, I thought it was just a bookstore and maybe they served coffee. To my surprise they also serve cocktails. When you walk in you feel like you're visiting a cozy friends apartment there are couches throughout the bar and some fun and funky seating throughout. I noticed there was also a patio for some outdoor seating when it's nice out. It seems like their cocktail list does change pretty frequently but of course they do offer the classics all year. I tried the pretty and pink in the last dance. The last dance did have Mezcal so I was a little worried because I don't normally like Mezcal, but this might've been the first Mezcal drink that I've ever loved. Not too Smokey and a little sweet. When you think pretty and pink, I would think sweet, but this was a perfect combination of sweet and tart. Overall, this was a great cocktail bar and I can't wait to go back and try their new rotating specials.

What a cute and cozy spot to grab a great cocktail and enjoy a book. The bar is actually very organized you can go to either end of the bar and order your drink then you just grab your spots. Afterwards offers plenty of seating and your just nestled into this amazing atmosphere that's surrounded by so many books. What's great about Afterword is that they also offer a booze and books membership - so you really can grab a drink and a book and just enjoy it. This is place is perfect for the best girls night or book club. Can't wait to come back to try the other coffee drinks - they use real espresso so I'm looking forward to the espresso martini nights! Excited to try more of the menu!

This joint was bustling on a pandemic Friday night! We posted up at the bar and enjoyed 1 gin and 1 whiskey specialty coctails. Bartenders were Wonderful! They had books (obviously), a shelf of board games and plenty of areas to meet up with your besties. Check out their website for book clubs and membership deals. Also, social media is a great way to see what food popups may be featured any given day. Cool vibes!

I am absolutely in love with this bar. From the cocktails, to the books, to the games, this bar is one of the coolest social spots in KC! I have been here on two occasions now and each time I have been thrilled with my experience and eager to come back. The bartenders are efficient and make a nice drink! The Devil Wears Prada is my favorite (espresso martini).

Love love the atmosphere... how perfect to get a great cocktail and a good read!!! It was busy on Friday about 5 and thill happy hour!!! On a Friday night ... woohoo! Service was phenomenal, quick, share lots of info on the drinks & what's in them. They had a new seasonal menu ( just out!) but I stuck to the Happy Hour choices. Great mmmm's by my husband on the Old Fashioned & Negroni!! I needed something lighter ( and it reminded me of our trip to Portugal last year) so enjoyed the Aperol Spritz. There is even a parking garage next store if you can't ( or don't like parallel parking...lol) find street parking!

A fun atmosphere, that lends itself to the reader and the person who loves to drink while doing it. The staff was friendly, prompt, and made great drinks for the most part... The whiskey sour was a bit too sour for my palate, but others may like it. It has great seating inside and also outside, if the weather is nice. Good for a medium size group, but I would say no more than six people, because it does fill up quick. Huge positive to this place is that it doesn't have a cover charge unlike the bars across the street, but we won't mention them. I would highly recommend this place for the chill atmosphere that has the vibes you would want, the drinks you like, and will get you at home earlier than other bars would since it closes by midnight. For the night owl, this is a great place to pregame before you go clubbing or whatever you people do when you're staying up past midnight. Haha

This is a lovely corner bar with a fun vibe. Love books? Then this is the place for you! There are games to play, chess on tables, and books to purchase. There were several bibliophiles at the bar enjoying their books, and I came prepared with my Hemingway. That being said, I had a negative experience with service: they had started new spots to order at the bar, so I stood at the wrong place and was ignored for several minutes. The bartenders avoided making eye contact, so things just got more awkward. The signs were hidden on music stands below the bar, and nobody said anything to me. I used to bartend for years. If someone is standing there, you simply acknowledge their existence and let them know you'll be with them soon. And if they're in the wrong place, then instruct them! A fun vibe of a place, but I was disappointed with the bartenders. Just say something and avoid the awkwardness.

I met up here with friends last night before going to an event together. It's a very cozy place, with a lot of fun and unique cocktails. I tried the cosmopolitan, which has little popping boba pearls in it. It was delicious and not too sweet- I would definitely recommend it! The cocktails are on the pricier side; I spent over $17 for one drink, including tax and tip. It was pretty crowded at 6pm on a Saturday, and there is limited seating. But we were able to find a small table by the door. Overall, I enjoyed my drink here. It seems like a great place for a date night too.

This is a terrific, relaxing hangout where you can just enjoy a great cocktail and chill with friends or alone. Their old fashioned is one of the best I've had.

Awesome environment, great drinks and fun games. Makes for a great date spot or meeting place for to show off that you know the cool spots in kc.

Very cute cozy vibe. The drinks were good and priced a little pricey but about the same as any around here. Good flavors. The workers at the bar were pretty nice and friendly, and with good recommendations and rapport. They do not have many food options, but the charcuterie board was delicious and very well done. I would like to come back and browse the games and books more. The solid wood tables and furniture were very nice and quality. We met here for a book club group in the late afternoon, and it started getting loud and crowded and busy in the evening around 5 on Saturday. I would recommend this for much smaller groups so you can all fit around a table and hear each other better.

Came on a Thursday and it was slightly busy. Was able to quickly order a drink at the bar and find a nice place to sit. The prices are reasonable for being in the heart of the crossroads and the concept of the place is very unique. The vibe/crowd at the bar isn't necessarily what I'm looking for so I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again. :) if you are in to a more laid back, hangout type atmosphere this is definitely the place for you!

Went here with my girlfriend for a date night on Saturday. It was busy but we were able to find spots at the bar easily. We loved our espresso martinis and the music playing awesome. I loved that they featured local art on one of the back walls that (I believe) they change quarterly.

What a fun little place! We decided to check out Afterword Tavern & Shelves after learning about half priced bottles of wine. I was immediately sold on checking this place out as it has two of my favorite things. Books & wine. Loved the cozy atmosphere on the inside. It almost felt like we were in a study or fancy home library. Although we only ordered wine, I felt like the cocktail menu had a variety of options, and I loved that many of their cocktails were named after popular books! Afterword also offers a "Books & Booze" membership which provides up to monthly bottles of wine and a book.

Books AND booze?! Sign me up! This place is so fun and unique. I met a few friends here before our dinner reservations down the street. I really had no idea what to expect, but I loved it! Nice beer and wine menu...fun drink menu and they even serve mocktails tables were close together but conversations were not overwhelming...gorgeous velvet green drapes, lots of beautiful plants and of course books, even a section for Kansas City authors. We weren't there long, but I can't wait to go back!

*Check out my video review @Steve.N.KC on IG and TikTok* Loved this place! Very unique and lowkey. I could see myself becoming a regular! Drinks were fantastic, service was great, and you can work/read/or just hang out and relax! Check it out for sure!

What a unique and beautiful experience?! This cocktail lounge is a book store... and it's amazing. You can come solo and enjoy reading and sipping your favorite drinks (it's a full bar) or you can come with friends and the atmosphere sparks amazing conversations about great past reads. I got to do the latter. Two of my friends where in town and staying the crossroads so I recommended we try out something new for all of us. We all 3 fell in love with this little lounge. The setting is intimate and relaxed, you can even feel somewhat secluded and in some of the ringed seating areas. We each had two cocktails, we tried to try a variety. They honestly were all pretty amazing. I would say my favorite was the White Whale. It looks like they no longer serve food at this location, but we asked the bartenders if we could have it delivered and they happily agreed. The only restrictions was to not touch the books for sale with saucy hands, which was a good call because my friend order wings! Honestly, I'm very excited to go back again. I might even find the time to join a book club some day!

This place has my heart! If you're a reader or just an intellectual, you'll appreciate the people this place attracts. Drinks are great, bartenders are friendly, they also have pop up collaborations with chefs so some evenings there is great food. Can't say enough great things about this place!!

I have been wanting to go here for a long time and think I need to give it another chance, but our first experience wasn't the best. The vibe itself is amazing- the drink menu was extensive and interesting, the interior was gorgeous and featured lots of great books and some board games as well- my complaint was the service wasn't great. My husband and I went on a Tuesday. It was decently busy but there were multiple places to sit and two people tending bar. We looked over the menu and I went up to the bar to order. There was a group of 4 that walked up right before me so I got in line and waited my turn. It took a full 30 minutes to be acknowledged by either bartender. I knew it would be a bit of a wait because of the group, but they made the groups 4 drinks and checked in on several people who were sitting at the bar, some of whom decided they wanted another beverage, before even greeting me. The woman working the bar wasn't warm at all, never said hello, didn't smile, just "what can I get you?" after I stood there for 30 min. The male bartender finished making a drink for someone at the bar and then started rearranging glasses for several minutes, never acknowledging me in spite of my standing directly in front of him. The whole thing made me feel a little uncomfortable/unwelcome. The drinks were expensive and, although they were good, quite small. Although we initially planned to spend the evening there, I elected to close my tab. I think I need to try this place again because it has so many elements that I like. Maybe they are friendlier to their regulars? I might have just hit the place on an off night but it wasn't the experience I was hoping to have.

Cutest place ever!! It's very cozy and intimate but it's such a popular spot it's hard to have a conversation without having to yell above the noise. I met my book club here. Maybe not the best place for that, but I would definitely go back just for the vibe and drinks. I saw people playing chess. I would go back for board games also. The drink menu is adorable and diverse. I had sparkling wine, and tried one of the tasty cocktails. Drinks seemed to be reasonably priced.

Update-Love this place and new winter menu is superb! I had the glass elevator. Not too sweet with great coffee notes and the peppermint cotton candy is the perfect topper. Always a favorite place when in Crossroads area

Grabbed a drink at afterword on a Saturday afternoon. I love the bookstore/bar vibe. We were hoping they had a weekend happy hour, but they don't anymore. The bartender was friendly and made us great drinks! I had a gin/cucumber drink and my husband had an old fashioned. Both were good and I would go back in a heartbeat. We played some games as we enjoyed our drinks.

I've wanted to check this place out for so long! Finally made it! Awesome vibes! Friendly staff! Supporting local authors they've a whole section of the store just dedicated to local authors! We just had beers bit the cocktail list looked delicious! Looked like an awesome place to work remote. Also loved that they have coffee for the non drinkers who want to get out and about!

Nick and Payton are fantastic. Great recommendations annnd free Malort for everyone. JK. But try it. It's not as bad as u think.

Swung by Afterword in Thursday evening after work. Enjoyed the vibe. As someone who works remotely often, this place seemed like it would be a good place to have a drink and get some work done. Friendly staff and good cocktail menu from the looks of it.