The Tank Room

I’m surprised we had never been to the Tank Room until last Friday night. Actually, we did try to go one other time right after it had just opened, but the hours posted on Unilocal weren’t accurate yet, so that other visit was a bust. But after our experience Friday, I am definitely a fan.
We were meeting friends to see Gavin James (an Irish Singer and Songwriter) play, but arrived early and caught the two opening acts (Jessica Paige and Marc Scibilia) as well, and I’m glad we did! Not only were both acts really good, (we particularly enjoyed Jessica Paige), but the acoustics in the Tank Room are great for this type of music. Not too loud, but a really good sound.
It wasn’t too busy when we arrived, but seating was at a premium, and as the night went on, things filled up. We had managed to grab some standing space near the back, which worked just fine, but if you want a seat, get to the Tank Room early! The crowd was a mix of all ages, and everyone was really laid back, which was nice, as there was only one bartender on duty (poor guy), so the line for drinks did get a bit long at times. I even saw Jessica Paige cleaning up empty glasses at one point after her set, so staffing was a bit of an issue, but it wasn’t anything that ruined anyone’s evening.
The beer selection is pretty extensive, but I’m happy to report that the Tank Room does have a full bar for those of us who don’t drink much beer. Drink prices were reasonable, and while I’d say that the single well mixed drinks were a bit on the small side, the doubles were generous.
Bathrooms are single stall only, but were clean, and there was no line for them, which was good.
All in all, I am a fan of the Tank Room, and can definitely see myself going back there to relax and see another band.

There isn’t much to see on the 1800 block of Grand especially as you’re heading south to Crown Center. It’s almost like it’s an empty block that leads to a couple of lofts and law offices as you head towards Crown Center, which makes The Tank Room all the more impressive in my eyes.
There’s isn’t much that catches your eye, just a sign, some blacked out windows and if you’re lucky a couple of show fliers. No matter, inside, so they say, is where the magic happens. The room is intimate, but built with the spectator in mind. Sight lines are paramount and the bar did a good job leaving space for people to stand in front, small rails at the back for people to stand and watch the show, but also a place to put down their beers and talk with others and a nice raised area with some chairs so you can sit and watch the band. The bar at the back offers up a good beer selection and some craft cocktails if you’re into those.
The calendar is mostly grassroots, folk and singer songwriters, but you will see some artsy indie bands, soul and even live band hip hop on occasion. Whoever you come to see will be playing through an impressive sound system for a small room. You will not be disappointed.

Pretty good dive bar. It was stand up comedy night which made for an interesting evening. The comedians were first timers or pretty rough, but the atmosphere was still good. Very nice bartender. Good beer selection.

Pretty hipstery, but good vibe and chill people. The bartenders were friendly and didn’t mind getting us waters (I was DD and other friend was sobering up). They do charge a cover if a band is playing, $ 5. Other than that they have a good menu of beer on tap and were knowledgeable about the menu.

The first time I tried this bar out I was running to the Crown Center Ice Rink, and needed a shot before ice skating. At the bar I asked for the weirdest shot they have, so they immediately reached for the Bacon Whiskey.
You want that bacon whiskey. Oh yes.
Happy hours for organizations I like are always happening here, and I think it’s for the awesome live music. Dancing is bound to break out sooner or later. Kegs and Eggs for the Buzz in the mornings never start soon enough to actually get to work on time. Somehow the most often drink special I run into here is cheap Tank 7. There is no way to complain about that!

I started coming here after the Czar Bar closed down last fall. I admit, I’d never checked it out previously. It’s a pretty comparable venue. The music is loud, they have live bands or DJs on the weekends. This is, of course, where for the past couple years, the alternative radio station The Buzz does their morning concerts (Kegs and Eggs).
The drink specials are amazing. A shot of whiskey and a PBR for $ 5? Tank 7 for $ 3. It’s a pretty standard bar with a very cool vibe. There’s not much else to say that hasn’t been said below. The service is fast. The music is good. The alcohol is cheap. There isn’t any food.

I like Tank Room. It’s small, but the layout maximizes their space better than similar-​sized bars. They could spare a little room with that weird island on the way to the bar, but it’s still not bad. Lots of good parking nearby without having to rely on those pricey lots.

Usually pretty good live music. The whiskys are good too.

Fun spot. We went early evening and caught the tail end of a smoking’ blues duo and happy hour. Plenty of tap beers, homemade tables, funky art and a coloring book. We headed out to get something to eat but would go back.

Great Happy Hour specials. Tank 7 for $ 3! Uh… YEAH! It’s a bar only; no food. Great place to listen to live music in downtown KC.

This one is going to focus around music again. Shocker. I went to Tank Room to attend Kegs and Eggs and, I must say, I really like this place. From a musical standpoint, the stage is right up front and the sound is great. Much better than other small venues I’ve been at around Kansas City. That’s kudos number one.
Being there at 6AM, I didn’t really partake in many of the beverage options, but did notice they have quite the selection. They even serve some of the beers in mason jars. I like that quirk for some odd reason. The one thing I did not like was paying $ 7 for a draft of Santa Fe Java Stout. Yes, it’s a great beer, but it shouldn’t cost the same amount as a Tank 7. Shame on you, Tank Room.
Other quirks I noticed were some infused whisky flavors (again 6AM, so I didn’t give it a try). Overall, I need to go back to this place and give it a thorough test. But, for now, I approve.

Went for happy hour (which goes until 8!) with a group of lady friends. Being GF, I could really only have the Angry Orchard on tap for $ 4.50. It was fine. Still, AO isn’t my favorite cider. The whole place is pretty minimalist. They had a band coming in at 9 or 10 that night and that probably would have been fun. If you like beer, this is probably a great place, but as a GF peep, maybe not. Still a decent atmosphere though.

I LOVE this place! I was there on a cold Saturday night, but the place was hopping, with an awesome reggae cover band and super friendly bar tenders.
The music was loud, but that is ok, since my group was able to grab table and sit close enough together to chat as well. The place was pretty busy, with no empty tables and tons of people standing around, but there was still enough room for a very small dance floor, right in front of the band. Combined with the music, very entertaining.
The beer selection was decent, and they have several whiskeys /​bourbons on tap. Yep, on tap. I highly recommend the bacon one.
I am totally going back, and will maybe sample more of the delicious spirits on tap.

I really like the Tank Room. My party of 5 arrived around 9:30 on a Saturday night and were able to snag the last table (and tables are limited!). Within an hour, the place was seriously packed and a 3 member Reggae group was jamming away. I was surprised at how quickly this place filled up, and the Green Lady next door was also full. A food truck parked in front of both establishments, and actually had customers. I felt like I was… in the city! I loved it!
The music was good, the bartenders were cool, and prices were reasonable. I will definitely be back to the Tank Room!

The Tank room is a no-​nonsense booze and music emporium and I love it so hard it hurts.
There’s been some definite momentum as of late in the East Crossroads, and The Tank Room is a stellar compliment to the neighborhood. A basic stage in front, a deceptively simple bar in the back, with a bilevel floor in between. Elemental in nature, there’s not much décor beyond the slate walls and the sturdy hardwood tables. Instead, they fill up their space with quality drinks, talented musicians and a crowd that is pretty damn hip, indeed!
Let’s talk about the bar. So, it has a moose head and whiskey barrels, which are both cool yet understated. They have (I think) about a dozen taps, pouring beers ranging from AWESOME (Boulevard Imperial Stout comes to mind) to WTF WERE YOU THINKING? (whatever douchey hard cider with the commercials where they pelt bros with apples). But sit down for what I’m about to tell you…
WHISKEY ON TAP!!!
Oh yes, it’s true. We enjoyed shots of Bulleit Rye infused with bacon. The shots were a decent price, massive in size, and dang tasty!
For entertainment, I was there on the night Brody Buster performed, and he just killed it! Harmonica driven blues rock? Yes please. Their entertainment calendar is pretty impressive, and they’re looking to compliment next door’s Green Lady Lounge, already one of my favorite spots in town. They’re a bit all-​over-​the-​place with genre, but that’s fine by me.
Personally, I think the space might be a touch stark when there’s not a band on stage, but I don’t know how often that’ll happen. Plus, they were playing great music in between sets (think Arcade Fire and similar), so I trust that the people in charge know what they’re doing. And I also trust that I’ll be back, and often.