Harry's Bar & Tables

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

Harry’s Bar & Tables is a long-running Westport cocktail bar and patio at 501 Westport Road, opened in 1994 in a building that earlier housed Doershuk’s Drugstore for much of the twentieth century.

Description

Harry’s Bar & Tables is a cocktail bar and restaurant in the historic Westport entertainment district of Kansas City, Missouri. It occupies a storefront at 501 Westport Road and is known for handcrafted and classic cocktails — including signature martinis — an extensive whiskey and tequila selection, a kitchen that runs late, and a patio that has become part of its identity in the neighborhood.

The bar markets itself on longevity and atmosphere, describing itself as “a Kansas City favorite for over 30 years” with a relaxed, timeless feel and a loyal local following. The kitchen operates until 1:30 a.m. and the bar until 3 a.m. daily, with a daily happy hour, positioning it as a late-night Westport mainstay rather than a pure restaurant.

The building itself carries history: the structure at 501 Westport Road previously housed Doershuk’s Drugstore for roughly the first half of the twentieth century, and reporting has noted that Harry’s retained original windows and entrance elements from that drugstore era.

Ownership and history

Harry’s Bar & Tables opened in autumn 1994 (not 1986 as listed in the base data — the 1986 date is unverified and contradicted by independent reporting). According to a 2003 Pitch account, the founding “triumvirate” was veteran bartender Harry Murphy (the namesake), chef Trey May, and advertising figure Loy Edge.

The early years were turbulent. The same reporting describes internal conflicts, bankruptcy proceedings, and legal disputes across the bar’s first five years. Harry Murphy departed in 1996 (later associated with the Hereford House in Leawood), and Loy Edge subsequently bought out Murphy’s interest. In its earliest period the venue was characterized as “raucous, smoky and sexy, with delicious food served on linen-draped tables.”

Current ownership and operating entity are not confirmed in the sources reviewed. The original founders’ involvement after the late-1990s buyout is not documented in available sources beyond Loy Edge acquiring Murphy’s stake.

Tier classification

Tier 2 (provisional). Harry’s is a genuinely long-tenured, independent Westport institution (30+ years) in a historically significant building, which weighs toward a high tier. However, Tier 1 measures demonstrable pride-and-roots ownership tied to a born-and-raised KC operator, and current ownership is unverified here — the documented founders’ KC-roots are not established, and the bar has changed hands at least once. Pending confirmation of who owns and operates it today and their KC ties, Tier 2 is the defensible classification; it could move to Tier 1 if current ownership shows deep local roots.

Sources

Harry’s Bar & Tables — official website (self-description, “over 30 years,” cocktails/whiskey/tequila focus, late-night hours, address, social links, 816-561-3950) — https://www.harrysbarandtables.com/ — accessed 2026-05-30
The Pitch — “The Trouble With Harry’s” (autumn 1994 opening; founders Harry Murphy, Trey May, Loy Edge; Murphy departure 1996; Edge buyout; bankruptcy/legal disputes; Doershuk’s Drugstore building history) — https://www.thepitchkc.com/the-trouble-with-harrys/ — accessed 2026-05-30
Westport KCMO business directory — Harry’s Bar & Tables listing — https://westportkcmo.com/business/harrys-bar-tables/ — accessed 2026-05-30

Verification

Drafted 2026-05-30 from web research; 3 sources (official + 2 independent). Founding corrected from base-data 1986 to 1994 (autumn), corroborated by The Pitch. Building’s prior life as Doershuk’s Drugstore confirmed by The Pitch. UNVERIFIED: current ownership/operating entity (); whether 1986 reflects an earlier unrelated business at the address; current primary phone (two numbers recorded). Tier 2 is provisional pending current-ownership confirmation.