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

The Quaff Bar & Grill is a no-frills neighborhood bar and grill that has anchored the western edge of Downtown Kansas City since 1946. Founded by Antonino Bonino and still owned and operated by the Bonino family across three generations, the Quaff is a near-eight-decade fixture known for ice-cold draft beer, downtown happy hour, and the Q-Burger.

Description

The Quaff Bar & Grill is a longtime Downtown Kansas City bar and grill at 1010 Broadway Blvd, on the western edge of downtown in the Quality Hill / Broadway area. It occupies a roughly 7,500-square-foot space in a building constructed in 1890, and is recognizable by its brightly lit neon façade.12

The Quaff trades on a “no nonsense and no frills” identity while keeping a warm, welcoming neighborhood feel. It is known for ice-cold draft beer (advertised as “the coldest beer in town,” historically served in plastic cups), burgers — including the signature Q-Burger (black garlic, sautéed shallots and onions, cheese) and a happy-hour steak burger — Monday tacos, and Wednesday steak night.23 Open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., the bar draws a cross-section of downtown: office workers at the 4–7 p.m. happy hour, sports fans (it functions as a sports bar with games across MLB, NFL, NHL, and MLS), and local news personalities.12

Ownership and history

The Quaff has “proudly served Kansas City since 1946,” founded by Antonino Bonino. It remains owned and operated by the Bonino family, reported by The Pitch as a third-generation family business. Family ties are part of the room’s character — The Pitch noted baby pictures displayed above the cash register.12

The business is independent and locally owned; no corporate parent or chain affiliation was found. It received the 2018 Kansas City Small Business Excellence Award and was voted Best of Kansas City 2018 by The Pitch.12

The original Registry seed recorded a founding year of 1975, a KCK address (725 Minnesota Ave, KCK 66101), and a (913) 371-2929 phone number. Web research contradicts all three: the well-known Quaff is the Downtown KCMO bar at 1010 Broadway Blvd (64105), founded 1946, reachable at (816) 471-1918. The seed’s “Downtown Kansas City” neighborhood note is correct; the seed’s address, area code, and founding year were not.

See also

Sources

Footnotes

  1. Quaff Bar & Grill — official website. https://www.quaffkc.com/ (accessed May 30, 2026). Founding year 1946, founder Antonino Bonino, Bonino-family ownership, Quality Hill / Broadway & 10th location, phone (816) 471-1918, hours, 2018 awards. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  2. The Pitch, “Bar Spotlight: Quaff.” https://www.thepitchkc.com/bar-spotlight-quaff/ (accessed May 30, 2026). Third-generation Bonino family ownership; 1890 building; ~7,500 sq ft; neon façade; cold drafts; happy hour 4–7 p.m.; downtown clientele; baby pictures detail. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  3. KSHB-41 / Restaurantji menu coverage, “Taste and See: The Quaff” and menu listings. https://www.kshb.com/entertainment/kc-spotlight/taste-and-see-the-quaff and https://www.restaurantji.com/mo/kansas-city/quaff-bar-and-grill-/ (accessed May 30, 2026). Downtown-since-1946 framing; Q-Burger and steak-burger menu items; phone (816) 471-1918. ↩ ↩2

See also

Categories
  • Locally owned
  • Downtown