The Pitch "Best of" awards 2010

Best Bar Patio

Perched on the second-story roof overlooking Westport, the patio at Kelly's Westport Inn is a party destination in and of itself. It's built to withstand the elements and all manner of drunken assholery, decked out with ceiling fans, a restroom, a full bar, heat lamps for the colder months, and multiple flat-screen televisions for watching the game. And if you can tolerate a hard-drinking crowd, and you can get there early enough to secure a table, there's no better place for aerial people-watching on weekend nights. Better yet, the patio — built following KC's citywide smoking ban in 2008 — only adds to the 160-year-old historic landmark's appeal. It demonstrates a willingness to change with the times, which is necessary for any bar's longevity.