KC Gets First-Ever Pickleball & BBQ Joint

Char Bar's second location in Kansas City bets big on pickleball with courts in the same building with high-class barbecue and drinks.

In the barbecue world, only a handful of BBQ restaurants have been explicitly built with playing games and sports as part of the experience. Sure, you can watch sports at many barbecue joints, but playing them is another story.

A second location Char Bar recently opened in the Parkville area of Kansas City. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)

The just-opened second location of Char Bar, in the Parkville area of Kansas City, is one of those rare restaurants because it has made it pickleball front-and-center. On top of this, it also features a great selection of smoked meats and cocktails.

Taking a step back, the first location of Char Bar has been a popular destination since it opened in 2014 in the Westport district of Kansas City. That restaurant features a large beer garden, patio bar, picnic tables, fire pit, and games like bocce, cornhole, and ping-pong. Not only is the food good, but it’s also a fun place to spend time.

The Burnt End Benny is a perfect barbecue brunch item. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)

I attended a soft opening of the new Char Bar a few days after Thanksgiving and was thoroughly impressed with the setup. It was during brunch hours, so I could sample both brunch and dinner menu items. Some of my brunch favorites included the Burnt End Benny (poached eggs, burnt ends, hollandaise, buttermilk biscuit, with a side of breakfast potatoes); the cheddar cornbread muffins (served with chive butter, jalapeño jam, and tabasco honey); and the “smoked chicken nuggets” with four sauces. 

The Holy Trinity platter was tasty. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)

On the regular menu, I enjoyed the “Holy Trinity” platter with three ribs, black Angus brisket, and burnt ends, plus the pit beans and creamy slaw on the side. I’ve loved the burnt ends at the first Char Bar for a long time, and these were just as good.

You must order the burnt ends if you’re going to Char Bar. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)

James Westphal, a co-owner of the restaurant group behind Char Bar, told me that the two restaurants both smoke their own meats and make all the food in-house. But the two do have a Westphal described the menu as “chef-driven” and that it is nearly identical to the first location. He also said he is hopeful that pickleball will take off.