The historic centre of Black Kansas City, home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum. Gates Bar-B-Q on Emanuel Cleaver II, the Blue Room jazz club.
Arthur Bryant's on Brooklyn Avenue in Kansas City is the canonical BBQ address, with roots back to Henry Perry's 1908 pit and the Bryant family's takeover.
Signature: Burnt ends, Beef brisket sandwich, Pork ribs
Order: Burnt ends sandwich on Wonder Bread with the rust-coloured original sauce.
Tip: Open Monday through Friday 10:00-20:00, Saturday 11:00-20:00, Sunday 11:00-19:00. Cash and card; sauce sold by the bottle.
Gates Bar-B-Q's Emanuel Cleaver II flagship in Kansas City has run the city's tomato-sweet sauce style since 1946, with the famous greeting at the door.
Signature: Burnt ends, Beef on bun, Mixed plate
Order: Beef on bun with extra sauce and a side of beans, plus burnt ends if you can get them.
Tip: Open Sun to Thu 11:00-23:00, Fri and Sat 11:00-24:00. Five metro locations; sauce sold retail.
Gates Bar-B-Q's Emanuel Cleaver II flagship in Kansas City stays open to 23:00 weeknights and 24:00 weekends, with burnt ends and beef on bun after the jazz.
Try: Burnt ends, beef on bun
Tip: The Main Street location runs to 24:00 weekends as well; both are reliable late-night BBQ.
The Blue Room at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City's 18th and Vine Jazz District runs live jazz four nights a week, anchoring the historic neighbourhood.
Tip: Open Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat with sets running through the evening. Walk to the Negro Leagues Museum across the courtyard.