Sitting on a shady corner, just outside of the typical Westport clubber's reach and reckoning, Harling's claims to be an Irish pub, but the only Irish things about this midtown cash-only bar are a choice in stouts, and cider on tap.
However, a purported Irish denomination is not what brings people in the door and up the stairs. When you walk in the door, there isn't a single person sitting at the bar who won't have a nightlong conversation with you, including the bartender. The hospitality and friendliness is infectious, too. Once you sit, you're eager for another stranger to sit next to you, so the whole process can start over.
Also, Tuesday nights play host to the Boulevard Big Band, a unique no-cover event in which a full big band plays for a couple of hours. Harling's is fast becoming one of my favorite bars in Kansas City. It's definitely worth a try.
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