Hallowing Voodoo Dance Party & Other Weekend Possibilities

Have you heard the one about the bookstore that walked into a bar? Afterword Tavern & Shelves (1834 Grand Blvd.) is a new bookstore-bar hybrid that opened last month in the Crossroads.

“We liked the idea of bringing the community together,” co-owner Luke Pitz said. “And we want to help people find things they haven’t experienced before.”

Pitz and fellow owner Christian Overgaard transformed the space, formerly a warehouse for the neighboring Bob Jones, into a cross between a library, (a decorative card catalogue) study, (warm, dark wood), and living room (a couch just feet from the front door) that just so happens to have a well-appointed bar with book nooks.

“This is a place where you can be exposed to new things and discover untold stories,” Pitz said.

Chef Dillon McCabe has designed a series of small plates — Pitz recommends the peaches and cream toast — alongside flatbreads and sandwiches. The cocktails are “whimsical,” one comes with a plastic Tyrannosaurus Rex and they’re making Ecto Cooler (an adult vodka take on the juice box of your generation’s youth) for Halloween right now. Afterword also serves Missouri and Kansas wine because Pitz noted “they’re hoping to tell the broader story of the Norton varietal.”

In the coming months, Pitz is looking to host book clubs, trivia nights, readings, and meet and greets with authors. Afterword isn’t the only bookstore and bar concept in Kansas City. Our Daily Nada (304 Delaware St.) opened this summer in the River Market.

Afterword is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

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Lean in to fall with the 13th annual Westside Fall Festival at the Kansas City Public Library’s Irene H. Ruiz Branch (2107 W. Pennway St.) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Try sack races and three-legged races or a fall craft. They’ll have hot dogs and popcorn at the free festival.

The Savoy at 21c (219 W. Ninth St.) has started serving lunch between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Executive chef Joe West (check out his recipe for Brunch Strata below) has put together a menu that includes egg salad tartine, a charred broccoli salad, curry chicken and rice, a tuno crudo chopped salad, and a chocolate pot de creme.

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Throw on a costume and head out to Kansas City, Kansas, for the Strawberry Hill Trick or Drink. The pub crawl around Strawberry Hill bars (The Mockingbird Lounge, Johnnie’s on 7th, 403 Club, Breit’s Stein & Deli, Chicago’s, and the Colonial Club) runs from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday.

Wings Café (3927 Broadway Blvd.) is hosting its Hallowing Voodoo Dance Party from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday. There’s an all-you-can-eat Cajun buffet (7 to 9 p.m.) and then a dance party and costume contest.

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It’s a feast for your senses at Joe’s Cellar (4101 W. 83rd St., Prairie Village, Kansas) with an Italian cooking demonstration ($50) from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. You’ll see how braciole, meatballs, and stuffed peppers are made, and get to taste what you’ve just seen prepared during the class.

Burgers and beer have arrived, Leawood. A second location has opened for Burg & Barrel at 5408 W. 151st St. in Leawood, Kansas. Seek out Defiance’s Apri-Gose-Fragalistic (a spiced gose with apricots) on tap and take a look at the El Diablo (a burger with pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, Buffalo sauce, and a beer battered onion ring). The original is at 7042 W. 76th St. in Overland Park, Kansas.

Manheim Gardens (4229 Forest) is hosting a Harvest Festival from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. There’s a potluck lunch at noon, and art activities, garden tours and a sweet potato harvest in the afternoon. The local band, Lovergurl, performs at 5 p.m.

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Kansas City Bier Co. (310 W. 79th St.) is holding its third annual Fall Family Festival from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. There’s a costume contest, pumpkin painting, and $1 from every Spezial bier sold goes to benefit Noah’s Bandage Project and the BMA Foundation.

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