 If you watched Saturday’s BIG GAME at Arrowhead, Iowa State vs. K-State, you may have noticed nobody was at the stadium.
The camera steered clear of showing the seated area as best it could for just that reason. The announced attendance was 38,000m but my hunch is the real number was closer 28,000. And since Arrowhead seats around 80,000 fans., the game was a major bust. In fact both schools announced they will not return to Arrowhead in 2011 and beyond. And Iowa State is one of the Big 12’s better traveling schools. At least where Kansas City is concerned. To be honest without the Iowa State folks Sprint Center would be fairly empty during the Big 12 basketball tournament leading up to the KU game. Here’s a little secret… It centers around Iowa State coming to town and it always has. In Westport Iowa State always came in a day early to party at Kellys, next door to Stanford’s. They brought huge, huge crowds. And we always wanted them to win because with them in town Kelly’s and Stanford’s and Westport were jammed. Kelly’s got Iowa State years ago when they mattered more – Kelly’s, that is. But this year, due to Kelly’s not knowing how to market itself, Kyle and Pat Kelly pretty much  28 Responses to Glazer: End of an Era for Kelly’s, Westport, Iowa State |
Bill Nigro
Hi Craig, I dropped the ball too, not just the Kelly’s. I didn’t hear about the pep rally downtown till friday nite and was sorry we missed getting the show. Kelly’s did get alot of Iowa State fans both friday and saturday nite, maybe not as many as in the past but a significnat number. Cut us a little slack Craig, Westport is busier now than it has been in a decade and it’s because we’ve all been working on making a better, safer and more entertaining area. My hats off to the Kellys for continuing to re-invest in our neighborhood. Kyle in particular has donated more time to making Westport a better neighborhood than anyone else down here. We’ll get Iowa State back here in full force come basketball time. Just wait, you’ll see. Bill Nigro
MediaJunky
Don’t blame the Kelly boys, they’re the victim of a changing demo that even out of towner’s have heard of and want no part of.
It’s a reality that the cultural atmospherics are not comfortable for many mainstream partiers and that now prefer P&L, Brookside and Waldo. The Plaza is in steep decline as well and it appears that Highwood’s is pro-actively changing it’s mix so to not end up with empty club/bars thus tarnishing the “daylight” image of their area. reVerse and the Falloon are obvious examples of this.
It’s a shame… but it’s the truth and your genius buddy Bill Nigro will not solve it.
Jim Fitzpatrick
Kyle and Pat have done a great job in Westport for decades, and if they need to fine tune, they will…But let’s face it, P&L is doing what it was created to do — draw lots of people downtown. And, to me, that’s a good thing. Downtown is no longer an embarrassment, thank God! In the end, though, I want to see all three of our main entertainment venues do well, and I believe there’s enough wealth to go around. After all, as Emanuel Cleaver used to say, “This is not some podunk town along I-70; this is Kansas City!”
John
Here’s an Idea. Instead of Big 12, make Kelly’s a MIAA bar. A right of passage for NWMSU, UCM, MWSU, Pitt-State and Washburn students, when the basketball tourny, or Fall Classic is in town.
The Independent Rage
Only the rocks live forever. ISU’s run at Kelly’s could only last so long. But it’s certainly disappointing that the ISU fans are so short-sighted as to abandon a classic bar located in one of KC’s oldest buildings for the likes of the antiseptic P&L district — the likes of which can be found in any American small city. But then again, we are talking little ol’ Iowa State and its fans, now aren’t we? No surprise.
smartman
Unless the girls can get back to workin’ the poles with some “hands on” bumpin’ and grindin’ you can kiss a whole lot more out of town action goodbye. Kansas is becoming the beneficiary of some self inflicted stupidity by the state of Missouri.
Cliffy
So true, smartman. The juice bar ban is about the dumbest thing to ever come out of Jefferson City … and that’s saying ALOT! I shouldn’t be surprised, though. There are no testicles at the Capitol.
KellysGuy
Glazer you seem to have it in for the Kellys. Are you just pissed that they ran your ass out of Westport. Your Pal Nigro will be next.
WestportPatron
Good points Glazer, no Kellys is nowhere near as busy as it used to be. I have hung out there since I was about 19(under age, I know), and today I am 36, crowds on weekends are maybe half or less and weekdays, when me and pal Tommy hand there, sometimes just us. Wierd. Not sure why, but used to go there for Big Tweleve and it was packed, lines, not anymore. The Kellys should run ads or something more, I brought their name up to my cousin at MU who is 20, you’re right, he never heard of Kellys. Man the times have changed.
Dino
Yeah the Iowa State thing was kinda a non event. K State is a darn good team, more should have come out.
As for Kellys, dude I went there when I was like 16, they just let me in, but that was in the 80’s. Always had fun there in those days. Today time has just passed them by, its an old beer hall that kinda smells bad when its not full. Not enough tv’s for a sports bar, and not too many babes go there anymore so its a sausage fest.
There really is no front of the house guy, Red the Bartender used to be a great guy, but he’s either gone or not there as much. Not sure I only go there maybe two or three times a year now. I’ve moved on to the newer nicer joints downtown or out south. I used to go to your bar Glazer, two for ones. Those were the days. No, there will never be two busy bars like that again next to each other for decades like you two. Thats tragic.
MGarr
Boy hate to see Kellys struggle. I was a cop who hung there for years, we all did. That was our watering hole in the 70’s,80’s,90’s and so on. Always liked Kyle, Pat well he’s a strange one, but ok. Don’t go to Westport as much these days, married, kids the whole nine yards. But my younger brother says the cop thing has died down there lately. Nothing seems to last anymore. I hate that.
KellysGuy
Hey MGarr, Kellys still rocks, ok, so its not as busy as when you were young, but its fun. Sides we don’t miss you or your cop-ass pals any.
Bill Nigro
Hey Kellysguy, you still too chicken to say who you are. No backbone huh! I’ll continue to work hard with guys like Kyle Kelly to make Westport better. How about you? Bill Nigro
KellysGuy
Nigro, I have nothing personal against you or Glazer really. Just you two brought all the blacks to Westport with your stupid Pep Rallys and street promotions. Kellys is down cause you guys let Westport get over run with those kids.
Susan Dunlap
Hey guys I went to Iowa State and live in KC. Used to go to Westport for all the partying. Loved Kellys then. Went to the rally at P&L this past weekend. It was great. Went to game, we lost so sad. Went to Kellys after game, only a couple Iowa State buddies at the bar. It just isnt the same anymore at Kellys. Went to the deck, not much going on there. Just doesn’t have the same vibe anymore. Sorry. I only go to Kellys once a year at best so don’t know why its lost its crowds.
KCMO staffer
I think anything that makes our city busier is a plus. This game was just not promoted much by anyone really.
DowntownDavy
Kellys Guy! Nigro didn’t bring blacks to Westport, the blacks brought themselves. He did not have an urban bar or club anywhere in Westport.
Black Barbie
What you mean black peoples bar? You racist bastards, we can go to any bar we want. Who needs you or Westport or Kelly. We are taken downtown now, its rad, and its ours mofo.
Whitney Tucker
You just keep dancing nude girl.
SimonSays
Did you move to Kansas Barbie?
joco
Hey Barbie.. Just stay out of leawood, mmkay?
Ross
Why should anyone hang out at Kelly’s? The atmosphere, food and drinks are completely unremarkable. You don’t get to be an iconic KC bar forever without putting any effort into it. They rested on their laurels for 20 years before building that deck. Simply waited too long.
rwetzel
the only advertisment for Kelly’s was the damn stop light right in front. I am 38 still active going to bars and friends male and female NEVER go to Westport and the word, “Where we going” some smart ass would say Kelly’s and everyone would say “yeah right” Plaza, Waldo. Nigro? Who is that, doesnt seem to significant…
Bill Nigro
Hey Kellysguy, you’re an embarrassment to the westport community. I’m sure even the Kelly’s wouldn’t approve of your constant rude comments. Could you possibly change your name? You give Kelly’s a bad name. They aren’t like you and thank God they never will be. Bill Nigro
jojo
HEY KELLYSGUY…..I REALLY LIKE KELLYS DUAGHTER
COLLENE….SHES HOT!
SimonSays
I agree with JOJO, saw her, very pretty girl.
whitney tucker
too funny
whitney tucker
too funny.,good one c.