No longer will patrons stroll out of The Comedy Club at 1130 103rd St., hours before they’re set to begin their nighttime routines, look at each other and wonder, “What now?”
Owner Dustin Kaufman has the solution. He’s opening yet another entertainment concept across the street.
The Bad Cat, a jazz bar and sister concept of The Comedy Club, is debuting Sept. 18 at 1220 W. 103rd St.
It’s taking over Happy Dragon Chinese Restaurant’s dining space (Happy Dragon now primarily operates through carry-out services) and will offer cocktails, bites and consistent music.
The Bad Cat will be open Thursday through Saturday. It’ll have an open jam night on Thursdays, and scheduled performances Fridays and Saturdays starting at 7 p.m., lingering into the night.
If the doors are open, trumpeting, saxophone blaring and scatting are sure to be heard.
Its schedule coincides with The Comedy Club’s, but of course, customers don’t have to attend both. They can, however, use their confirmation email from The Comedy Club as free admission to The Bad Cat.
It’s a more intimate spot — about 55 seats — but Kaufman guarantees a good time.
“If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s opening venues and making them look nice,” he said.
The Bad Cat will be Kaufman’s third concept. The Comedy Club first opened in 2019, then launched another location last November at 811 New Hampshire St. in downtown Lawrence.
Kaufman, a comedian and jazz-enthusiast, hopes it’s a place where patrons connect and groove together. Anyone can put musicians on stage, he said, but creating a vivacious space built for community is more difficult.
“It’s the same as The Comedy Club, where it’s run off of passion,” Kaufman said. “It’s not just the space, it’s the people at the space.”
While some jazz clubs have a short roster with many repeat acts, Kaufman’s shooting for variety. Some will be local, and some are out-of-towners.
“We’re gonna have a lot more bands,” he said. “We already have 25 bands booked for our first six weeks.”
Plus, The Bad Cat will be a place where musicians can let their (proverbial or literal) hair down. He’s not handing anyone a must-play list, though musicians are free to perform classics. He’s not telling anyone to wear suits or cuff links, unless that’s their jam.
“We’re not forcing a style, we’re not forcing standards,” he said. “We’re leaving it open for the musicians to just be free to play, and to give the audience the best show that they can every time that they’re here.”
The Bad Cat won’t have a full kitchen, so don’t come starving. Sweet appetizers and charcuterie will be offered, Kaufman said, while customers sip from a packed drink menu with cocktails, spirits and wine.
He couldn’t share any specific menu items during his recent interview with The Star (that’s more his bar manager’s expertise, he said) but he can certify that it’s delicious.
“It is well-thought-out and really delicious, honestly,” he said.
Happy hour Saturdays will start the second weekend, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Live music will still play during happy hour, but a full band will take the stage at 7 p.m.
To ensure a spot, customers can purchase tickets online at thebadcatkc.com. The Bad Cat’s cover charge is $20.
This will be at least the third jazz club to open in Kansas City this year. Months ago, Ted’s Taproom and Cafe 333 debuted in the Crossroads.
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Jenna Thompson
The Kansas City Star
Jenna Thompson covers retail news for The Kansas City Star. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, she previously reported for the Lincoln Journal Star and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she studied journalism and English.
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