Cliff's Taphouse

Cliff’s Taphouse is a neighborhood American restaurant and bar in the Martini Corner / Hyde Park area of Kansas City, Missouri, opened in March 2021 by longtime restaurant manager Larry Kime with executive chef Laura Valdivia. It pairs a full bar and a rotation of local beers on tap with a scratch-leaning, locally sourced food menu, aiming to be “a great food option” in a district known mostly for drinking.¹²³

Description

Cliff’s Taphouse is an American restaurant and bar at 3044 Gillham Rd in the Martini Corner district at the edge of Hyde Park, Kansas City, Missouri.¹⁴ It operates as a “purpose driven restaurant that aims to connect with the neighborhood and community through exemplary food, beverage and service.”⁵ The concept centers on a full bar carrying roughly a dozen local beers on tap alongside a food menu of flatbreads and dips, wings, burgers, vegetable tostadas, baked mac & cheese, and vegan and vegetarian options.²⁶ The venue seats about 100 inside with a 40-seat outdoor patio, and runs happy hour and reverse-happy-hour specials.²¹

The name honors “Cliff,” described by the business as a 1960s Chicago police officer whose favorite spot “was a dark corner bar with a big sign out front” — the inspiration for the taphouse’s welcoming, all-are-welcome neighborhood ethos.⁵

Ownership and history

Cliff’s Taphouse is owned by Larry Kime, formerly the manager of the Nick and Jake’s South Plaza location, which closed in April 2020.² After that closure, Kime opened Cliff’s Taphouse in the former Ollie’s Local space at 3044 Gillham Rd, debuting in early-to-mid March 2021.² He brought along chef Laura Valdivia from Nick and Jake’s to serve as executive chef.²³ Kime framed the venture around food quality, stating, “I feel there’s a lot of good drinking establishments in that area, but I want to be a great food option.”² Valdivia was recognized by The Pitch’s Best of KC as a Best New Chef nominee for her work at the taphouse.⁷

Menu

Last verified: 2026-07-24 · Source: Official website — food menu + drink menu pages (full capture) · URL(s): https://cliffstaphousekc.com/kansas-city-martini-corner-cliff-s-taphouse-food-menu · https://cliffstaphousekc.com/kansas-city-martini-corner-cliff-s-taphouse-drink-menu · Confidence: High

Neighborhood taphouse + full restaurant. 3044 Gillham Rd, Hyde Park / Martini Corner. Closed Mon; Tue–Sun open; Sunday brunch 10am–2pm.¹⁶ Dietary marks per the official menu: (V) vegetarian, (VG) vegan, (GF) gluten-free, (CN) contains nuts.

Appetizers

• Hummus (GF, VG) — red pepper hummus, olive oil, kalamata olive, carrots, cucumber, pita — $12⁶
• Blue Cheese Potatoes — seasoned waffle-cut potatoes, gorgonzola blue cheese sauce, bacon bits, green onions — $11⁶
• Wings (GF) — Asian glazed, sweet & spicy buffalo, vegan buffalo, or BBQ — $15⁶
• Vegetable Potstickers — pan-seared potstickers, Asian slaw, Asian vinaigrette, green onions, sesame seeds — $12⁶
• Bruschetta (V) — grilled baguette, oven-roasted tomatoes, pickled red onion, basil, roasted garlic, goat cheese, balsamic glaze — $12⁶
• Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (VG, CN) — tempura-battered cauliflower, vegan buffalo sauce, celery, vegan ranch — $13⁶
• Mozzarella Sticks — hand-breaded, marinara, parmesan — $12⁶
• Au Poivre Sliders — black-pepper-crusted burger patties, swiss, roasted garlic black pepper aioli — $15⁶

Soups & salads

Add protein +$6 (fried tofu, chicken, steak, shrimp, grilled salmon); substitute +$3. Dressings: citrus shallot vinaigrette, red wine vinaigrette, balsamic, Caesar, ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard.⁶

• Jalapeno Corn Chowder (GF, V) — potatoes, roasted corn, jalapeno peppers, cream — cup $3.50 / bowl $5⁶
• Housemade Seasonal Soup — rotating — cup $4.50 / bowl $6⁶
• Caesar Salad (GF, VG) — romaine, parmesan flakes, house croutons, Caesar dressing — cup $8 / bowl $12⁶
• Taphouse Salad (GF, V) — chopped romaine, cucumber, carrot, tomato, croutons, cheddar-jack, choice of dressing — cup $8 / bowl $12⁶
• Citrus Shrimp Salad (GF, CN) — mixed greens, red onion, mandarin oranges, grilled shrimp, candied almonds, citrus shallot vinaigrette — $15⁶
• Asian Chop Salad — grilled chicken, mixed greens, Asian slaw, edamame, bell pepper, carrot, wontons, sesame, soy & honey vinaigrette — $14⁶
• Steak & Blue Cheese Salad — grilled beef tenderloin, mixed greens, pickled red onion, gorgonzola, diced pear, red wine vinaigrette — $16⁶

Flatbreads

• Wild Mushroom (V) — pesto, white sauce, wild mushroom blend, garlic, roasted red onion, parmesan — $15⁶
• Margherita (V) — fresh basil, roma tomatoes, garlic red sauce, fresh mozzarella — $14⁶
• The Boss Hogg — Italian sausage, pepperoni, bacon, red sauce, mozzarella, hot honey — $16⁶
• Pear & Brie (V) — brie, ripe pear, caramelized onion, olive oil, balsamic drizzle — $15⁶

Burgers & sandwiches

• Taphouse Burger — brioche bun, 1/2 lb patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle spear — $14⁶
• BBQ Burger — pepper jack, bacon, pepper jam, crispy onions, BBQ sauce — $16⁶
• Smash Burger — smashed patties, caramelized onions, American cheese, housemade special sauce — $16⁶
• Mushroom Swiss Burger — swiss, sauteed mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, onion — $16⁶
• Black Bean Burger (V) — black bean patty, avocado, pepper jack, Cajun mayo — $14⁶
• Chicken Bacon Club — grilled chicken, applewood bacon, pesto mayo, provolone, avocado — $15⁶
• Salmon BLT — blackened salmon, Cajun mayo, bacon, lettuce, tomato on toasted brioche — $17⁶
• Vegetable Sandwich (V) — spinach, tomato, carrot, provolone, zucchini, pesto mayo, balsamic — $13⁶
• Buffalo Chicken Sandwich — crispy fried chicken, sweet & spicy buffalo, mozzarella — $16⁶
• Chicago Beef Sandwich — sliced beef slow-cooked in au jus, sweet peppers, giardiniera, au jus dip — $18⁶

Entrees

• Beef Tenderloin (GF) — smoked mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, choice of side — $29⁶
• Grilled Atlantic Salmon (GF) — garlic herb butter, mashed potatoes, choice of side — $24⁶
• Shrimp & Grits — blackened shrimp, brown butter creole sauce, cheddar-jalapeno grits — $24⁶
• Chef’s Meatloaf — caramelized onion brown gravy, mashed potatoes, choice of side — $18⁶
• Sweet & Savory Tofu Bowl — fried tofu, sweet & spicy Asian glaze, sesame rice, Asian slaw — $22⁶

Pasta

• Baked Mac & Cheese (V, signature) — cheddar, parmesan, Monterey jack, penne, toasted garlic breadcrumbs; protein add-ons +$8 — $15⁶
• Shrimp Lemon Pasta — grilled shrimp, spaghettini, shallots, spinach, garlic, lemon butter sauce — $24⁶
• Beet & Goat Cheese (V, CN) — spaghettini, roasted beet sauce, candied walnuts, zucchini, goat cheese — $20⁶
• Pasta alla Bolognese — traditional meat sauce, pappardelle, parmesan, toasted baguette — $26 (large)⁶

Sunday brunch (10am–2pm)

• Build Your Own (V) — 2 eggs, ham, bacon, or beyond sausage (+$1), hash browns; add toast +$1 — $12⁶
• Biscuits & Gravy — buttermilk biscuits, sausage gravy, cheddar, choice of side — $14⁶
• Chicken & Waffle Sandwich (CN) — fried chicken breast, pepper bacon jam, pepper jack, sausage gravy — $15⁶
• Breakfast Burger (CN) — 1/2 lb patty, sliced ham, melted cheese, bacon, fried egg — $14⁶
• Salmon Avocado Toast (GF) — multigrain bread, grilled salmon, avocado, dill cream, pickled red onion — $16⁶
• Banana Pancakes (V, CN) — sliced banana, candied almonds, maple syrup — $12⁶
• Tofu Scramble (VG) — seasoned tofu, seasonal vegetables, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns, vegan feta — $13⁶
• Breakfast Burrito (V) — scrambled eggs, choice of meat, roasted pepper and onions, cheddar-jack, avocado salsa — $12⁶
• Savory Morning Grits (V, CN) — fried egg, mushroom medley, creamed spinach, brussels sprouts, candied walnuts, creamy grits — $13⁶
• Brunch also carries the Chicken Bacon Club ($15), Steak & Gorgonzola Salad ($15), Baked Mac n’ Cheese ($14), Salmon BLT ($15), and Vegetable Sandwich ($12).⁶

Desserts

• Chocolate Torte (V) — flourless, fresh berries, whipped cream — $6⁶
• Chocolate Cappuccino Cheesecake — vanilla cheesecake, chocolate, maple & caramel glaze — $6⁶
• Chocolate Cake (V) — Golden Boy Pies & Cakes chocolate cake, dark chocolate icing — $8⁶
• Carrot Cake (V) — Golden Boy Pies & Cakes, pineapple, cream cheese frosting — $8⁶

Kids menu — $8 each

Mac & Cheese · Chicken Tenders · Grilled Steak · Burger Sliders · Pasta with Marinara · Noodles & Butter · PB & J · Grilled Cheese⁶

Draft beer (~20 taps, small/large pours)

• Michelob Ultra — $5.50 / $7.50⁸
• Yuengling — $5.50 / $7.50⁸
• Blue Moon — $6 / $8⁸
• Boulevard Wheat — $6 / $8⁸
• Boulevard Tank 7 — $8.50⁸
• Bell’s Two Hearted Ale — $6.50 / $8.50⁸
• Cinder Block English Cherry Cider — $6 / $8⁸
• Cinder Block IPA — $6.50 / $8.50⁸
• Modelo Especial — $6 / $8⁸
• 4 Hands Octohaze — $6.50 / $8.50⁸
• KC Bier Dunkel — $6 / $8⁸
• KC Bier Hefeweizen — $6 / $8⁸
• Brewery Emperial Biscuit — $6.50 / $8.50⁸
• Martin City Hardway IPA — $6.50 / $8.50⁸
• City Barrel Rad AF — $6.50 / $8.50⁸
• Logboat Lookout Pale Ale — $6 / $8⁸
• Stockyards Cerveza Royale — $6 / $8⁸
• Border Brewing rotating tap — $6 / $8⁸
• Grains & Taps rotating tap — $6 / $8⁸
• Seasonal rotating tap — $6 / $8⁸

Bottled & canned beer

• Domestics (Bud Light, Budweiser, Michelob Ultra, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Corona Light) — $5⁸
• Angry Orchard, Fat Randy IPA (GF), Austin Eastciders Blood Orange, Holidaily Favorite Blonde (GF), Topo Chico Strawberry Guava Hard Seltzer, Boulevard Southwest Blvd Lager, Boulevard Quirk Strawberry Basil — $5.50⁸
• Shiner Bock, Toppling Goliath Pseudo Sue, Boulevard Pale Ale, Boulevard Space Camper, Heineken, Left Hand Milk Stout, Logboat Snapper IPA, Stella Artois, Stiegl Radler, Odell Sippin’ Pretty, Guinness — $7.50⁸
• Non-alcoholic: Athletic Brewing IPA, Paulaner Weizen Radler, Quirk Superfruit N/A, Guinness N/A, Heineken 0.0, Border Baseline Pale Ale — $7; Athletic Hazy IPA — $6⁸

Specialty cocktails

• Dirty Nasty — Grey Goose vodka, olive juice, dry vermouth, blue cheese olives — $15⁸
• Rebekah’s Mango Mojito — Cruzan mango rum, mint, lime, grapefruit, simple, soda — $11⁸
• Eva’s Bourbon Berry Smash — Tom’s Town bourbon, blackberry simple, mint, lime, Sprite — $12⁸
• PNK — 360 peach vodka, orange bitters, cranberry, lemon & lime, rosemary simple, soda — $13⁸
• Bucky’s Botanicals — Tom’s Town gin, St. Germain, sour mix, lavender simple — $12⁸
• Woodford Old Fashioned — Woodford Reserve, simple, Luxardo cherry, angostura bitters — $14⁸
• Chan’s Brew — pineapple-infused Svedka Clementine vodka, cranberry juice — $13⁸
• Flower Power — Rieger’s gin, hibiscus syrup, honey, lime, pineapple — $15⁸
• Bebida del Barco — Una Familia reposado, Bacardi mango chili rum, lemon-ginger simple, lime, tajin — $15⁸
• Special K — 360 vanilla vodka, cream of coconut, blackberry puree, sour, pineapple — $14⁸
• Red Skies in Morning — Captain Morgan, Cointreau, grenadine, lime, lemon, ginger beer — $14⁸
• Bird’s Return — Tom’s Town vodka, St. Germain, Aperol, Montenegro, lime, ginger beer — $15⁸
• Honey Boy — Effen blood orange vodka, lemon, honey-cinnamon simple, ginger beer — $13⁸
• The Awakening — 360 vanilla vodka, Tippy Cow chocolate shake rum, honey syrup, Roasterie cold brew — $15⁸
• After dinner: Irish Coffee — $9; Chocolate Martini — $12⁸

Wine

• White & rose: Caposaldo Prosecco — $9/$34; Caposaldo Pinot Grigio — $10/$38; Summer Water Rose — $10/$38; Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc — $11/$42; St. Francis Chardonnay — $12/$46; Pavan Moscato — $12/$46; AIX Provence Rose — $12/$46; Schug Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — $14/$54 (glass/bottle)⁸
• Red: Chateau Souverain Cabernet — $10/$38; Sean Minor 4 Bears Pinot Noir — $10/$38; Alta Vista Malbec — $11/$42; Ballard Lanes Cabernet — $12/$46; Orin Swift Location F — $12/$46; La Patience Merlot — $12/$46; Daou Cabernet — $14/$54 (glass/bottle)⁸

Non-alcoholic

Pepsi products (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero, Starry, Dr. Pepper) — $2.95; lemonade, iced tea, raspberry iced tea, Roasterie coffee — $2.95; Arnold Palmer, Shirley Temple, Roasterie cold brew — $3.25; orange/grapefruit juice, Topo Chico — $3.50; Red Bull / sugar-free — $4.95⁸

Happy hour (Tue–Fri 3–6pm)

Discounted appetizers: Hummus, Bruschetta, Gorgonzola Potatoes, Cauliflower Bites, Pretzel Bites — $7; Margherita Flatbread, Mac n Cheese, Potstickers, Mozzarella Sticks — $9; Wings, Taphouse Burger, Pear & Brie / Wild Mushroom / Boss Hogg flatbreads — $11. Drinks: cocktail menu $6; 22oz “Sluggers,” wine by the glass, and well cocktails $1 off.⁶⁸

Menu note on the drink list: “Buy a beer for our kitchen staff $10.”⁸

Links

• Official website: https://cliffstaphousekc.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cliffstaphouse/

Sources

• Status verified active 2026-06-23 via Yelp — Cliff’s Taphouse (Updated April 2026, 150 reviews) (accessed 2026-06-23). Address 3044 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108 cross-checked and matches; official site live, no closure indicated.

Disputes

• One early secondary search summary referenced a “spring 2023” opening; this is contradicted by the primary Flatland KC report of an early/mid-March 2021 opening in the former Ollie’s space. Founding year recorded as 2021. No other disputes noted.

Footnotes

1. Yelp — Cliff’s Taphouse. https://www.yelp.com/biz/cliff-s-taphouse-kansas-city — asserts: address (3044 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108), business type (cocktail bars / restaurant), current hours, and active status (listing updated April 2026, 150 reviews). ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

2. Flatland KC — “Cliff’s Taphouse Taking Former Ollie’s Space at Martini Corner.” https://flatlandkc.org/eats-drinks/cliffs-taphouse-taking-former-ollies-space-at-martini-corner/ — asserts: owner Larry Kime, his background as former Nick and Jake’s South Plaza manager (closed April 2020), opening early-to-mid March 2021, prior tenant Ollie’s Local, concept (American restaurant/bar, local beers on tap, locally sourced food), seating (100 inside / 40 patio), chef Laura Valdivia, and Kime’s “great food option” quote. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

3. IN Kansas City Magazine — “Reservation for One: Cliff’s Taphouse.” https://www.inkansascity.com/eat-drink/restaurants/reservation-for-one-cliffs-taphouse/ — asserts: executive chef Laura Valdivia; restaurant in Martini Corner. ↩ ↩²

4. Wheree — Cliff’s Taphouse menu/listing. https://cliffs-taphouse.wheree.com/ — asserts: address and KC, MO 64108 location. ↩

5. Cliff’s Taphouse — official “About” page. https://cliffstaphousekc.com/kansas-city-martini-corner-cliff-s-taphouse-about — asserts: mission statement (“purpose driven restaurant…”), name origin (Cliff, 1960s Chicago police officer / “dark corner bar” story). ↩ ↩²

6. Cliff’s Taphouse — official Food Menu. https://cliffstaphousekc.com/kansas-city-martini-corner-cliff-s-taphouse-food-menu — re-accessed 2026-07-24; full menu captured (appetizers, soups/salads, flatbreads, burgers & sandwiches, entrees, pasta, Sunday brunch 10am–2pm, desserts, kids, happy hour) with items, descriptions, and prices. Menu page lists phone (816) 569-2611. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³ ↩²⁴ ↩²⁵ ↩²⁶ ↩²⁷ ↩²⁸ ↩²⁹ ↩³⁰ ↩³¹ ↩³² ↩³³ ↩³⁴ ↩³⁵ ↩³⁶ ↩³⁷ ↩³⁸ ↩³⁹ ↩⁴⁰ ↩⁴¹ ↩⁴² ↩⁴³ ↩⁴⁴ ↩⁴⁵ ↩⁴⁶ ↩⁴⁷ ↩⁴⁸ ↩⁴⁹ ↩⁵⁰ ↩⁵¹ ↩⁵² ↩⁵³ ↩⁵⁴ ↩⁵⁵ ↩⁵⁶ ↩⁵⁷

7. The Pitch, Best of KC 2021 — “Laura Valdivia, Cliff’s Taphouse,” Best New Chef. https://bestofkc2021.thepitchkc.com/PitchKC/bestofkc2021/food/best-new-chef/laura-valdivia-cliffs-taphouse — asserts: chef Laura Valdivia recognized for her work at Cliff’s Taphouse. ↩

8. Cliff’s Taphouse — official Drink Menu. https://cliffstaphousekc.com/kansas-city-martini-corner-cliff-s-taphouse-drink-menu — accessed 2026-07-24; full capture: ~20 draft lines (small/large pricing), bottled/canned list incl. non-alcoholic beers, 14 specialty + 2 after-dinner cocktails, wine by glass/bottle, sodas and soft drinks. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³ ↩²⁴ ↩²⁵ ↩²⁶ ↩²⁷ ↩²⁸ ↩²⁹ ↩³⁰ ↩³¹ ↩³² ↩³³ ↩³⁴ ↩³⁵ ↩³⁶ ↩³⁷ ↩³⁸ ↩³⁹ ↩⁴⁰ ↩⁴¹ ↩⁴² ↩⁴³ ↩⁴⁴