This profile is in active compilation — some details are awaiting a cited source.

of-town district operator. Tier 3 (disclosure overlay).

Description

Besos y Abrazos opened March 21, 2025 on the KC Live! Block of the Power & Light District, as the centerpiece new concept of a $10 million renovation of KC Live! by The Cordish Companies.12 It operates as a modern Latin American restaurant by day and a nightclub (DJs, VIP bottle service) Thursday–Sunday evenings, with a tequila/mezcal-forward cocktail program.13

⚑ Ownership disclosure: Besos is a Cordish / KC Live! in-house concept. The Cordish Companies — the privately held, Baltimore-headquartered developer that builds and operates the Power & Light District — brought the concept to market; the opening was announced by the president of the KC Power & Light District (the Cordish-run entity), not by an independent local proprietor.124 Local culinary talent ≠ local ownership: the menu was created by Kansas City chef Joe Shirley (of the Überdine pop-up), but he is credited strictly as the menu’s creator, not as an owner or operator.1

Ownership and history

Ownership

PeriodOperatorNotes
2025 → presentThe Cordish Companies / KC Live! (Power & Light District)Out-of-town developer-operator (Baltimore HQ, founded 1910). Besos is an in-house district concept; KC chef Joe Shirley created the menu.241

Sources

Disputes

(None active.)

Footnotes

  1. KCTV5 — “Latin dining, nightlife concept opens on Kansas City Live! Block.” (2025-03-21). https://www.kctv5.com/2025/03/21/latin-dining-nightlife-concept-opens-kansas-city-live-block/ — asserts: opened March 21, 2025; Cordish/Power & Light District concept (announced by district president John Moncke); menu created by KC chef Joe Shirley (Überdine); 1323 Walnut. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  2. REBusinessOnline — “Cordish Cos. Unveils Plans for $10M Renovation of Kansas City Live!” https://rebusinessonline.com/cordish-cos-unveils-plans-for-10m-renovation-of-kansas-city-live-entertainment-destination/ — asserts: Cordish develops/operates KC Live!; Besos centerpiece of the $10M refresh. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  3. Power & Light District — Besos y Abrazos listing. https://www.powerandlightdistrict.com/eat-and-drink/besos-y-abrazos — asserts: Latin menu + programming; signature dishes; in-district venue. ↩

  4. Wikipedia — The Cordish Companies. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cordish_Companies — asserts: HQ Baltimore, MD (Pratt Street Power Plant); privately/family-held; “Live!” proprietary brand. ↩ ↩2

See also

  • Registry
  • power-and-light-district
  • Owner-And-History-Research-Toolchain
Categories
  • Latin
  • Power And Light