Streetcar Grille & Tavern Opening at 16th and Main This Summer

By Kevin Collison

Kurt Oliver believes his new Streetcar Grille & Tavern expected to open this July at 16th and Main will have more than straphangers delivered to his door.

“That corner has curb appeal,” he said.

“We’re across from the northbound streetcar stop, a couple blocks from the Kauffman Center, close to hotels and still in the Crossroads. It’s the best of all worlds.”

The co-owner of the new place at 1580 Main St. said he chose to call it a tavern deliberately.

“We want an old feel to it,” he said. “We love the streetcar and that’s why the name. We’ll decorate it with old streetcar photos and memorabilia on the wall.”

The tavern will occupy 4,100 square feet and seat 170 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.

It’s across the street from the new Hampton Inn. The new 800-room Loews Convention Kansas City Convention Hotel scheduled to open a year from now also is a block away.

Oliver wants the new Streetcar Grille to be the best place to hangout in the Crossroads, watch a game and enjoy what he’s calling upscale fare including burgers, steaks, healthy salads and desserts.

It will feature a full bar and 24 beers on tap, many of them from local brewers.

“We hope we’re the tavern of choice for people in the Crossroads area and cater to travelers since we’re surrounded by hotels,” he said.