Pearl Tavern

Pearl Tavern is a seafood-forward tavern and oyster bar in Lee’s Summit, MO, operated by the locally owned Summit Hospitality Group (co-founders Andy Lock and Domhnall Molloy). Opened in July 2018, it brings a fresh-daily oyster bar and an elevated tavern menu to the southeastern KC metro.

Description

Pearl Tavern is a seafood-driven restaurant and oyster bar that also serves classic American tavern fare, billing itself as on a mission to bring the freshest seafood to “land-locked Lee’s Summit.”¹ The concept pairs a fresh-daily oyster bar with a rotating fish selection alongside burgers, salads, and elevated comfort plates, served with what the group describes as elevated tavern-style hospitality.¹² It is operated by Summit Hospitality Group, the locally owned restaurant group also behind Summit Grill, Third Street Social, and the former Bōru Asian Eatery.¹³ Frequently cited dishes include the lobster roll, crab cakes, and blackened shrimp tacos, with a daily happy hour from 3–6 p.m.¹⁴

Ownership and history

Pearl Tavern opened in Lee’s Summit in July 2018, launched by Andy Lock and Domhnall Molloy, the duo behind Summit Grill, Third Street Social, and Bōru Ramen Bar.⁵ Lock and Molloy — both veterans of McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants — founded what became Summit Hospitality Group with the original Summit Grill in Lee’s Summit in 2012, and have since grown it into a multi-concept, KC-metro group.³ Pearl Tavern’s seafood-forward concept draws directly on the founders’ seafood-restaurant background.⁵

Links

• Official site: https://www.pearltavernkc.com/
• Summit Hospitality Group (parent): https://summithospitalitygroupkc.com/

Sources

Disputes

None recorded.

See also

• neighborhood-cafe — Neighborhood Café (Summit Hospitality, Lee’s Summit)
• Summit Grill (Summit Hospitality flagship, Lee’s Summit / Waldo)
• Third Street Social (Summit Hospitality)
• Bōru Asian Eatery (Summit Hospitality; Waldo location closed Feb 2026)

Footnotes

1. Pearl Tavern — official site / About. https://www.pearltavernkc.com/about — asserts: address 1672 NW Chipman Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081; seafood/oyster-bar concept; classic American fare; current hours and daily 3–6 p.m. happy hour; tie to Summit Grill, Third Street Social, Boru. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

2. OpenTable — Pearl Tavern, Lee’s Summit (Updated 2026). https://www.opentable.com/r/the-pearl-tavern-lees-summit — asserts: 4.6 rating across 735 diner reviews; recent 2026 reviews; seafood concept; active operation. ↩

3. Summit Hospitality Group — official site. https://summithospitalitygroupkc.com/ — asserts: locally owned group founded by Andy Lock and Domhnall Molloy (McCormick & Schmick’s veterans); Summit Grill opened Lee’s Summit 2012; Pearl Tavern opened 2018; portfolio includes Summit Grill, Third Street Social, Boru, Pearl Tavern, Neighborhood Café. ↩ ↩²

4. Yelp — Pearl Tavern, 1672 NW Chipman Rd. https://www.yelp.com/biz/pearl-tavern-lees-summit — asserts: listing updated April 2026; 361 reviews; New American/seafood category; address; active operation. ↩

5. IN Kansas City Magazine, “Famous For Seafood, Pearl Tavern’s ‘Sheer Variety’ of Other Tasty Menu Items Keeps Guests Coming Back For More.” https://www.inkansascity.com/eat-drink/restaurants/famous-for-seafood-pearl-taverns-sheer-variety-of-other-tasty-menu-items-keeps-guests-coming-back-for-more/ — asserts: Pearl Tavern opened in Lee’s Summit July 2018; founded by Andy Lock and Domhnall Molloy, the duo behind Summit Grill, Third St. Social, and Boru Ramen Bar; oyster bar and signature dishes. ↩ ↩²