THE LOKCAL LOWDOWN
KC's weekly guide to going, eating, exploring, and staying in the know!
👋 Happy Tuesday!
We crammed a lot into this past week! We took a little trip to Omaha (more on that soon!) and went straight from Omaha to the World Cup game in KC. Nosebleed seats, and still had the absolute best time — we were cheering for Colombia, but ended up loving both teams. Ghana’s kits were my favorite of the entire tournament. Did you hear me say kits? I’m really turning into a real soccer fan.
A few days before the 4th, Porkchop decided to be scared of fireworks, so instead of a big blowout, we had a quiet night in with Tiki Taco and my current needlepoint project. No complaints on my end! Jake made Chicago dogs Monday night (no ketchup, as God and Jake intended), and I finally wrapped my last soccer-themed needlepoint project this weekend — right as the World Cup heads into its final KC stretch. I’m already missing the soccer spirit and it isn’t even over yet. I am almost feeling pre-nostalgic. Is that a thing?
Anyway, let’s get into it!
👀 ON MY RADAR
One place, thing, or experience I just can’t keep to myself.
Bar Phoebe in the Crossroads — I haven’t made it in yet, but everyone I trust keeps bringing it up. It’s a modern bar with a vintage feel, named after Phoebe Jane Ess, a Kansas City suffragist and “unapologetic force who believed the heartland deserved a seat at the table.” Some of my friends have said this is the best bar in KC so it’s high up on my list!
⚽THE WORLD CUP
Everything you need to know this week to help you navigate KC during the tournament.
Saturday, July 11 is the big one — Kansas City Stadium hosts its quarterfinal, the only one in the central US. Last World Cup match we get to host, so it's going out with a bang. Fan Festival hours will be extended that day. If you want a list of watch parties in KC, I’ve got you.
📍 THIS WEEK IN KC
Your guide to what’s going on in the city.
⚽ THROUGH JULY 11 — FIFA FAN FESTIVAL Free screenings, food, and music at the National WWI Museum lawn. This is your last week to catch it before it wraps.
🎭 JULY 7 — A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL At Starlight — a great excuse for a summer date night. Use code MCLINEY26 for 20% off most tickets!
🌃 JULY 10–12 — CROSSROADS NIGHT MARKET: FINAL WEEKEND The last of the five Night Market weekends. Catch it before the galleries, food vendors, and string-lit alleys go back to a normal First Friday schedule.
For all July events, click here.
📲 ICYMI
Anything you may have missed on my feed last week.
Last week I posted about:
🧳 BEYOND KC
For when you’re ready to explore a little further from home.
Jake and I just got back from Omaha and I’m already plotting a reason to go back. We stayed at the Kimpton Cottonwood, ate our way through the city, and had the absolute best time. Sharing more about this trip later this week, so if you’re looking for a good couples trip destination, stay tuned!
Next up: Chicago. It’s one of Jake’s favorite places on earth, so we go often, but I’ve got a long list of new spots to check out this time. You already know I’ll be hitting at least one needlepoint shop while I’m there.
And the one I’m most excited about — Jake and I are finally kicking off our Route 66 road trip! I’ve been teasing this one for months and I’m finally ready to share the details. We’re doing it in legs so it’s actually manageable instead of one exhausting sprint. First leg coming up soon, and I’ll be documenting the whole thing as we go!
If big trips aren’t your thing right now, don’t sleep on Parkville! It’s only 20 minutes from downtown and makes for a perfect little day trip. Full guide here.
🔮 SNEAK PEEK
A glimpse into what I am working on.
Coming up on loKCal:
A couples trip itinerary under 3 hours from KC
My favorite date night spots in Kansas City
A morning meal deal at a Taiwanese bakery
A celebratory date night spot in town
and more!
📋 WEEKLY R.E.P.O.R.T.
Reading — Eating — Playing — Obsessing — Recommending — Treating
📖 Reading: Finally finished Trust and loved it. I was going to start Names next but needed something faster-paced, so I picked up Five by Ilona Bannister instead — a slow-burn thriller that counts down the five minutes before a stranger dies on a train platform, following five people who’ll be at the center of it. I was clearly excited about it, because I accidentally bought it twice — once in St. Louis, once in Omaha. 🙃
🍉 Eating: Fresh watermelon. Jake picked the best one last night and we finished the whole thing over the last 24 hours.
🎧 Playing: Love Trapped podcast. My mom recommended it and now Jake and I are both hooked — can’t get enough.
🧵 Obsessing: I won’t let myself say needlepoint again this week (Even though I still am obsessed lol), so instead — my obsession is planning a Route 66 road trip with Jake. Doing it in legs so it’s actually manageable.
🌙 Recommending: Staying up late with your favorite hobby, just because it’s summer and there’s something nostalgic about staying up with zero cares in the world. You can guess what I’ve been staying up doing 🪡
🍰 Treating: Ordering dessert every single time we go out lately. It’s been such a treat.
Same time next week? — Katie