Streetcar Grille Plans ‘Cheers’ Vibe at 16th and Main

(Editor’s note: this story originally appeared August 20, 2019, it’s part of an occasional reminder of businesses that have opened along the streetcar line.

(Streetcar Grille recently posted this press release: “Streetcar Grille & Tavern added eight new dishes and six new cocktails to its menu as it welcomes guests back in the doors this summer.

Featuring dishes like BBQ Brisket Nachos and Kauffman Twisted Patty Melt, and cocktails like Cucumber Basil Lemonade and Blood Orange Cosmo, the latest items are an ode to the hot summer months.”)

By Kevin Collison

The Streetcar Grille & Tavern opened last week at 16th and Main as an upscale sports bar its owners hope also will be a place “where everybody knows your name.”

“Our ultimate goal is to be the ‘Cheers’ of the neighborhood,” said co-owner and manager John Glenn referring to the popular 1980s TV sitcom about a friendly, neighborhood  Boston bar.

That is, if you can take your eyes off the games playing on the 18, 65- and 75-inch flatscreen televisions ringing the restaurant at 1524 Main St.

Streetcar also wants to be the sports bar for the Crossroads neighborhood.

“One of our partners is Tanner’s Bar & Grill and they know how to do a sports bar,” Glenn said. “We decided to do that concept but with a more upscale approach.”

The viewing will gravitate toward the Royals and Chiefs, but there are eight different channel sources to cover an assortment of games simultaneously.

The new Streetcar Grille accommodates 170 patrons on the inside and has sidewalk seating along Main for another 20. The restaurant and bar will employ about 35 people.

It’s located on the ground level of the garage built three years ago for the Residence Inn and Marriott Courtyard hotels around the corner on Baltimore.

And it lives up to its namesake. There’s a streetcar stop right outside.

“It’s a huge impact for us and we wanted to pay tribute to the success of the streetcar and what it’s brought to downtown,” Glenn said.

A slew of old black-and-white photos of the former Kansas City streetcar system decorate the walls. There’s also a streetcar mural prominently displayed.

The Streetcar Grille has a full food and beverage menu as well. There’s a big array of gourmet burgers including a Streetcar that features a hamburger topped with cheddar cheese, peppered bacon and fried egg for $10.

The Streetcar Grille accommodates 170 people and features 18 big-screen televisions.

Entrees include Firecracker Salmon, Chicken Piccata, Steak Frites and a Brown Sugar Bourbon Pork Chop. There are plenty of dinner salads, sandwiches, mac & cheese variations, and starters too including a charcuterie plate and streetcar tacos.

There are 24 beers on tap including a full selection of Boulevard offerings, other local craft beers from Martin City, Double Shift, Stockyards, KC Bier Co., and Torn Label plus national craft beers from Deschutes and Lagunitas.

A variety of red and white wines are available by the bottle or glass, and the cocktail selection include a Streetcar Manhattan, Lemongrass Mojito, Black Cherry Mule and Blood Orange Cosmo.

Happy hour will run from 4- to 6 p.m.

The Streetcar Grille hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays for the kitchen with the bar staying open until midnight; and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays for the kitchen with the bar closing at 1:30 a.m.