Block 15 Sports Bar Opens in River Market

By Kevin Collison

Block 15 Tavern & Exchange opened Friday at 311 Delaware in the River Market and includes an outdoor patio overlooking City Market Park.

The new sports bar is the latest project of Sam Hagan, a founder of Tribe restaurant across the street.

It’s located in the cellar of the 130 year-old Ebenezer building and its interior features the rough limestone walls of the old foundation and seating fashioned from salvaged church pews.

Hagan said Block 15 has been serving drinks informally since mid-July as it got its new staff of two dozen people up to speed. The place seats about 110 people inside and another 45 on the patio.

Block 52 is located in the cellar of the historic Ebenezer building at 311 Delaware that opened in 1890.

It’s initial hours will be Wednesday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturday from noon to 1 a.m. Once the college and pro football seasons get underway, it will open at 11 a.m. Saturday, and begin Sunday hours and host Monday night football.

No food service is planned for the Block 15, but patrons are welcome to bring in their own or order from Tribe where they can be texted when their meal is ready. A food truck also is expected to be parked by the patio.

The name comes from the designation given to the block where some of the oldest buildings in downtown Kansas City are located.

The new sports bar features a rear patio overlooking City Market Park.

The seating at Block 52 features salvaged church pews.