Best of KC 2021 was the 2021 edition of The Pitch’s Best of KC, Kansas City’s largest readers’ poll: 2,545 published placings across 518 categories in 11 groups, producing 413 distinct winners.1 Every winner that year is listed below. Runners-up, finalists and the full vote tallies are on The Pitch’s own results portal.
The ballot
| Group | Categories | Placings |
|---|---|---|
| Arts & Entertainment | 54 | 255 |
| Barbecue | 16 | 81 |
| Drink | 60 | 311 |
| Food | 91 | 465 |
| Goods & Services | 88 | 434 |
| Health & Fitness | 37 | 173 |
| Lawrence (LFK) | 10 | 46 |
| People & Places | 54 | 263 |
| Shopping | 57 | 274 |
| Sports & Rec | 19 | 82 |
| Weddings | 32 | 161 |
| Total | 518 | 2,545 |
3 categories published more than one first-place entry — the poll recorded a tie.
Vote leaders
The ten highest single-category vote totals of 2021.
| # | Votes | Entity | Category | Placing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,166 | LaMar’s Donuts & Coffee | Best Donuts | Winner |
| 2 | 2,026 | Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant | Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant | Winner |
| 3 | 1,979 | KC Pet Project | Best Place to Adopt a Pet | Winner |
| 4 | 1,944 | The Peanut | Best Chicken Wings | Winner |
| 5 | 1,869 | Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que | Best French Fries | Winner |
| 6 | 1,865 | Country Club Plaza | Best Holiday Lighting | Winner |
| 7 | 1,834 | Meshuggah Bagels | Best Bagels | Winner |
| 8 | 1,826 | Betty Rae’s Ice Cream | Best Ice Cream | Winner |
| 9 | 1,752 | Shatto Milk Company | Best Local Farm | Winner |
| 10 | 1,720 | Family Tree Nursery | Best Place to Buy a Plant | Winner |
Won more than once
| # | Wins | Placings | Entity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | 9 | Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que |
| 2 | 7 | 9 | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art |
| 3 | 6 | 11 | Jerusalem Cafe |
| 4 | 6 | 9 | Missie B’s |
| 5 | 6 | 6 | The Peanut |
| 6 | 5 | 9 | Town Topic |
| 7 | 4 | 14 | Rye |
| 8 | 4 | 7 | J. Rieger & Co. |
| 9 | 4 | 6 | The Bunker |
| 10 | 4 | 4 | CommunityAmerica Credit Union |
What changed on the ballot
- 2021 is the earliest year held in structured form. Earlier Best of KC results were published as Pitch editorial features rather than through a results platform, so there is no comparable prior ballot here.
- 54 categories ran for the last time in 2021, absent from the 2022 ballot.
Winners
413 distinct winners; 114 have an entry elsewhere in this Wiki or the Registry and are linked. Vote counts are as the poll published them.2
Arts & Entertainment
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Art Exhibit | ”Testimony: African American Artists Collective,” The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (246) |
| Best Art Festival | Plaza Art Fair (261) |
| Best Art Gallery | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (789) |
| Best Blues Venue | Green Lady Lounge (232) |
| Best Burlesque Troupe | Quixotic Sensatia Cirque Cabaret (206) |
| Best Club DJ | DJ Tee Leché (242) |
| Best Comedy Club | KC Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre (387) |
| Best Cultural Event | Juneteenth KC (366) |
| Best Dance Crew | Quixotic (362) |
| Best Drag Artist | Daisy Buckët (297) |
| Best Drag Show | Hamburger Mary’s Drag Brunch (573) |
| Best Fashion Event | KC Fashion Week (615) |
| Best Filmmaker (Artistic) | Shawn Riddle (254) |
| Best Fundraising Event | Hamburger Mary’s HamBINGO (486) |
| Best House/Cover Band | The M80s (517) |
| Best Improv/Sketch Troupe | The KC Improv Company (810) |
| Best Jazz Artist | Lonnie McFadden (464) |
| Best Jazz Band | Eboni & The Ivories (310) |
| Best Jazz Event | Charlie Parker Festival (414) |
| Best Jazz Venue | The Green Lady Lounge (780) |
| Best Karaoke | Hamburger Mary’s Maryoke! (403) |
| Best Live Music Venue (Over 1,000) | Starlight Theatre (820) |
| Best Live Music Venue (Under 1,000) | Knuckleheads (791) |
| Best Live Theater | Starlight Theatre (1,021) |
| Best Local Actor | Vanessa Severo (305) |
| Best Local Artist | Vania Soto (256) |
| Best Local Band | Flannigan’s Right Hook (335) |
| Best Local Craft Artist | Buffalo Bolt Jewelry (309) |
| Best Local Event | First Fridays (1,176) |
| Best Local Podcast | The KC Morning Show (460) |
| Best Local Stand-Up Comic | Brittany Tilander (368) |
| Best Local Themed Tour | Urban Hikes Kansas City (646) |
| Best Movie Theater | AMC Town Center 20 (864) |
| Best Museum | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (1,608) |
| Best Music Festival | Boulevardia (1,144) |
| Best Musician | Calvin Arsenia (432) |
| Best New Local Album | ”Brainwashed,” Cynthia Doll (285) |
| Best Nightclub | Missie B’s (813) |
| Best Non-Music Performer | Kater Tot (453) |
| Best Open Mic | Back 2 Basics at Missie B’s (468) |
| Best Outdoor Event | Plaza Art Fair (909) |
| Best Outdoor Venue | Starlight Theatre (1,561) |
| Best Painting Party | Pinot’s Palette (557) |
| Best Photographer (Artistic) | Shawn Riddle (341) |
| Best Place for a Kid’s Birthday Party | Main Event (795) |
| Best Place to Shake Your Booty | Missie B’s (987) |
| Best Play | ”A Christmas Carol” (831) |
| Best Poet/Spoken Word Artist | Jen Harris (226) |
| Best Song by a Local Band | ”Over You,” Steven Bankey & The Flatlanders (301) |
| Best Theater Company | Kansas City Repertory Theatre (809) |
| Best Trivia Night | Hamburger Mary’s All-Star Trivia (889) |
| Best Virtual Event | Future Stages Festival (369) |
| Best Virtual Play/Radio Theatre | ”William Shakespeare’s Christmas Carol,” Heart of America Shakespeare Festival (475) |
| Best Vocalist | Jessica Paige (595) |
Barbecue
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best BBQ Pop-Up | Harp Barbecue (239) |
| Best Barbecue | Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (546) |
| Best Barbecue Event | American Royal World Series of Barbecue (828) |
| Best Barbecue Sandwich | The Z-Man Sandwich, Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (758) |
| Best Barbecue Side Dish | Cheesy Corn Bake, Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue (436) |
| Best Brisket | Q39 (398) |
| Best Burnt Ends | Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (352) · Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue (352) |
| Best Craft Barbecue | Harp Barbecue (216) |
| Best Mixed Plate | Q39 (416) |
| Best New Barbecue Restaurant | Burn Theory Fire Kitchen (172) |
| Best Old School Barbecue | Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (604) |
| Best Pulled Pork | Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (569) |
| Best Ribs | Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (441) |
| Best Sauce | Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (495) |
| Best Sausage | Q39 (299) |
| Best Vegetarian Barbecue Dish | Portobello Z-Man, Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (425) |
Drink
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best 3 am Bar | Harry’s Bar & Tables (444) |
| Best Bar | Missie B’s (275) |
| Best Bar Staff | Missie B’s (405) |
| Best Bar to Meet People | Harry’s Bar & Tables (367) |
| Best Bartender | Chloe Henington, The Levee (273) |
| Best Beer Festival | Boulevardia (579) |
| Best Beer Taps Selection | Bier Station (516) |
| Best Bloody Mary | Char Bar (236) |
| Best Boba/Bubble Tea | Dragonfly Tea Zone (382) |
| Best Boulevard Release | Quirk Cherry Blossom & Lime (445) |
| Best Brew Pub | Martin City Brewing Company (492) |
| Best Cheap Drinks | Hi-Dive Lounge (392) |
| Best Cocktails | Tom’s Town Distilling Co (439) |
| Best Coffee Shop Food/Snacks | Messenger Coffee (414) |
| Best Coffeehouse | Messenger Coffee (543) |
| Best Dive Bar | The Peanut (704) |
| Best French 75 | Green Lady Lounge (335) |
| Best Girl’s Night Out Bar | Hambuger Mary’s (326) |
| Best Happy Hour (Drink) | La Bodega (438) |
| Best Horsefeather | J. Rieger & Co. (535) |
| Best Hotel Bar | The Savoy at 21c (275) |
| Best Irish Bar | Kelly’s Westport inn (558) |
| Best LGBTQ+ Bar | Missie B’s (596) |
| Best Local Beer (Fruit Beer) | Strawberry Blonde, Border Brewing Company (420) |
| Best Local Beer (IPA) | Hard Way IPA, Martin City Brewing (404) |
| Best Local Beer (Lager) | Dunkel, KC Bier Co. (914) |
| Best Local Beer (Saison) | Tank 7, Boulevard (999) |
| Best Local Beer (Sour) | Tea Weiss, Crane Brewing (569) |
| Best Local Beer (Stout) | Chocolate Milk Stout, Border Brewing Company (312) |
| Best Local Brewery | Boulevard Brewing Company (596) |
| Best Local Coffee Blend | Andre’s Blend, The Roasterie (537) |
| Best Local Coffee Roaster | The Roasterie (691) |
| Best Local Distillery | J. Rieger & Co. (746) |
| Best Local Specialty Beer Release | Kölsch, KC Bier Co (356) |
| Best Local Winery | KC Wine Co (415) |
| Best Locally Owned Kansas Brewery | Limitless Brewing (242) |
| Best Locally Owned Missouri Brewery | KC Bier Co (544) |
| Best Manhattan | Swordfish Tom’s (391) |
| Best Margarita | Ponak’s Mexican Kitchen & Bar (511) |
| Best Martini | Cafe Trio (203) |
| Best Milkshake | Winstead’s (602) |
| Best Mojito | Mean Mule Distilling Co. (318) |
| Best Negroni | The Campground (222) |
| Best Neighborhood Bar | The Peanut (607) |
| Best New Bar | West Bottoms Whiskey Co. (338) |
| Best New Brewery | Transparent Brewing Company (287) |
| Best Old Fashioned | West Bottoms Whiskey Co. (321) |
| Best Patio | John’s Big Deck (388) |
| Best Place for a Celebratory Toast | Ça Va (427) |
| Best Place to Drink with Your Dog | Bar K (961) |
| Best Pop-Up Bar | Miracle Kansas City (276) |
| Best Rooftop Bar | John’s Big Deck (384) |
| Best Service Industry Night | Extra Virgin (304) |
| Best Speakeasy | Swordfish Tom’s (464) |
| Best Sports Bar | Johnny’s Tavern (507) |
| Best Tea Shop/Place to Buy Tea | Dragonfly Tea Zone (421) |
| Best To-Go Cocktail or Kit | J. Rieger & Co. (487) |
| Best Upscale Bar | Monarch (340) |
| Best Whiskey Selection | Julep (369) |
| Best Wine Selection | Tannin Wine Bar and Kitchen (454) |
Food
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best 24-Hour Restaurant | Town Topic (1,495) |
| Best Appetizers | Summit Grill (734) |
| Best Asian Restaurant | LuLu’s Thai Noodle Shop (728) |
| Best Bagels | Meshuggah Bagels (1,834) |
| Best Bakery (Bread) | McLain’s Bakery (852) |
| Best Bakery (Gluten Free) | Mud Pie Vegan Bakery & Coffee Spot (706) |
| Best Bakery (Sweets) | McLain’s Bakery (1,236) |
| Best Bar Food | The Peanut (1,527) |
| Best Black-Owned Restaurant | Niecie’s Restaurant (796) |
| Best Bowl of Soup | Rye (562) |
| Best Breakfast | The Big Biscuit (893) |
| Best Brunch | Rye (630) |
| Best Buffet | Nick and Jake’s (985) |
| Best Burger | Westport Flea Market Bar & Grill (1,034) |
| Best Burrito | Manny’s Restaurant of Kansas City (756) |
| Best Butcher | Broadway Butcher Shop (867) |
| Best Caribbean Food | Mesob Restaurant & Rum Bar (432) |
| Best Catering | Garozzo’s (758) |
| Best Charcuterie Board | Graze & Gather KC (471) |
| Best Cheap Eats | Hawaiian Bros (1,392) |
| Best Chef | Michael Corvino, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room (681) |
| Best Chicken Sandwich | Summit Grill (682) |
| Best Chicken Strips/Tenders | Tanner’s Bar & Grill (695) |
| Best Chicken Wings | The Peanut (1,944) |
| Best Chili | Dixon’s Famous Chili Parlor (757) |
| Best Chocolate Shop | Christopher Elbow Chocolates (1,379) |
| Best Cinnamon Rolls | Corner Cafe (1,146) |
| Best Curbside Delivery | Minsky’s Pizza (1,114) |
| Best Deli | Scimeca’s Online Market & Deli (682) |
| Best Dessert Menu | Rye (652) |
| Best Donuts | LaMar’s Donuts & Coffee (2,166) |
| Best Drunk Food | Town Topic (1,361) |
| Best Ethiopian Food | Blue Nile Cafe (988) |
| Best Falafel | Jerusalem Cafe (1,348) |
| Best Family Restaurant | Stroud’s (1,346) |
| Best Food Pop-Up | Cafe Cà Phê (569) |
| Best Food Truck | Jerusalem Cafe (833) |
| Best French Fries | Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (1,869) |
| Best French Restaurant | Le Fou Frog (914) |
| Best Fried Chicken | Stroud’s (1,597) |
| Best German Restaurant | Grünauer (1,369) |
| Best Gluten-Free Restaurant | Billie’s Grocery (747) |
| Best Greek Restaurant | Jerusalem Cafe (846) |
| Best Gyro | Jerusalem Cafe (877) |
| Best Halal Restaurant | Jerusalem Cafe (896) |
| Best Hangover Cure Restaurant | Town Topic (1,002) |
| Best Happy Hour (Food) | Summit Grill (948) |
| Best Hot Dog | QuikTrip (999) |
| Best Hotel Restaurant | The Savoy at 21C (773) |
| Best Ice Cream | Betty Rae’s Ice Cream (1,826) |
| Best Indian Restaurant | Taj Mahal (551) |
| Best Italian Restaurant | Garozzo’s (1,299) |
| Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant | Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant (2,026) |
| Best Korean | Kobi-Q (455) |
| Best Late Night Eats | Town Topic (1,182) |
| Best Local Snack | Town Topic (1,081) |
| Best Locally Made Sweets | Christopher Elbow Chocolates (1,075) |
| Best Lunch | The Mixx (993) |
| Best Meal Kit/Prepared Foods | Eat to Evolve (327) |
| Best Mediterranean Restaurant | Jerusalem Cafe (945) |
| Best Mexican Restaurant | Ponak’s Mexican Kitchen & Bar (730) |
| Best Nachos | The Peanut (853) |
| Best New Chef | Laura Valdivia, Cliff’s Taphouse (481) |
| Best New Restaurant | Torn Label Public House (382) |
| Best Non-Barbecue Sandwich | The Gobbler, Bay Boy Specialty Sandwiches (418) |
| Best Outdoor Dining | Char Bar (670) |
| Best Pho | Vietnam Cafe (39th Street) (530) |
| Best Pie | Corner Cafe (837) |
| Best Pizza | Minsky’s Pizza (1,635) |
| Best Place to Eat at the Bar | The Peanut (1,376) |
| Best Place to Have Your Parents Pay for Dinner | Bristol Seafood + Steak + Social (1,255) |
| Best Place to Take Your Top Client | Pierpont’s at Union Station (909) |
| Best Pork Tenderloin | Kitty’s Cafe (574) |
| Best Ramen | Bōru Asian Eatery (442) |
| Best Restaurant | Rye (450) |
| Best Restaurant Server | Katie, The Antler Room (513) |
| Best Reuben | d’Bronx (747) |
| Best Salad | The Mixx (1,237) |
| Best Seafood Restaurant | Bristol Seafood + Steak + Social (1,024) |
| Best Serving Staff | The Antler Room (412) |
| Best Smoothie/Juice Bar | Ruby Jean’s Juicery (1,022) |
| Best Soul Food | Niecie’s Restaurant (889) |
| Best Steakhouse | The Capital Grille (683) |
| Best Sushi | Blue Sushi & Sake Grill (722) |
| Best Tacos | Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (746) |
| Best Take Out | Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ (1,371) |
| Best Tapas | La Bodega (1,687) |
| Best Tots | Grinders Pizza (1,164) |
| Best Vegan | Café Gratitude (552) |
| Best Vegetarian Restaurant | Café Gratitude (730) |
| Most Romantic Restaurant | Le Fou Frog (672) |
Goods & Services
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Accounting Firm | Guardian Accounting Services (386) |
| Best Acupuncture | Laura Ponce, Your Wellness Connection (204) |
| Best Ad/Marketing Agency | iFocus Marketing (167) |
| Best Adult Club | The Shady Lady Lounge (473) |
| Best Aesthetician | Lashed by Alex (290) |
| Best Airbrush/Spray Tanning | Recreating Rays (273) |
| Best Apartment Community | One Light Luxury Apartments (366) |
| Best Auction House | KC Auction Company (333) |
| Best Auto Service/Repair | KC Autoworx (352) |
| Best Bank (Commercial) | CommunityAmerica Credit Union (1,076) |
| Best Bank (Consumer) | CommunityAmerica Credit Union (1,126) |
| Best Barber | Jessica Gilmore, The Barrel House Barber Lounge (313) |
| Best Barbershop | him.her.them Hair Studio (332) |
| Best Bed & Breakfast | Woodstock Inn Bed & Breakfast (199) |
| Best Blow Out | Posh KC Blow Dry Bar (469) |
| Best Body Piercing | Supernatural Body Piercing (516) |
| Best Boudoir Photographer | Good Bodies (504) |
| Best Brows | Lashed By Alex (340) |
| Best Car Wash | GO Car Wash (637) |
| Best Child Care Center | Spectrum Station (240) |
| Best Cleaning Service | The Maids (276) |
| Best Computer/IT Services | Integral (237) |
| Best Contractor | NextGen Remodeling (267) |
| Best Coworking Space | Plexpod (450) |
| Best Credit Union | CommunityAmerica Credit Union (1,472) |
| Best Custom Countertops | Rocktops Granite & Stone Fabrication (492) |
| Best Customer Service | BesaMe Wellness Dispensary (246) |
| Best DUI Attorney | Jungle Law (404) |
| Best Electrician | Anthony Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric (423) |
| Best Employment Agency | Staffing Kansas City (436) |
| Best Financial Planning | Creative Planning (530) |
| Best Gutter Cleaning | Gutter Cover Kansas City (225) |
| Best Hair Colorist | Megan Grover, HAIR by Miss Meg (311) |
| Best Hair Removal | The Wax Co. (311) |
| Best Hair Salon | Moxie by KC (409) |
| Best Hair Stylist | Megan Grover, HAIR by Miss Meg (282) |
| Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company | Anthony Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric (556) |
| Best Holiday Lighting | Country Club Plaza (1,865) |
| Best Hotel | Crossroads Hotel (814) |
| Best Hydroponics/Grow Shop | River Market Hydro (507) |
| Best Injector | Holly Post, Hollyday Med Spa (373) |
| Best Insurance Agency | Nicole Feltz Agency, American Family Insurance (216) |
| Best Interior Designer | Tamara Day (441) |
| Best Kitchen & Bath Remodeler | Jericho Home Improvements, LLC (319) |
| Best Landscaper | Doctor’s Lawn and Landscape (198) |
| Best Lashes | Lashed by Alex (414) |
| Best Law Firm/Lawyer | Jungle Law (414) |
| Best Library Branch: KS | Kansas City Kansas Public Library, Main (978) |
| Best Library Branch: MO | Kansas City Public Library, Plaza Branch (922) |
| Best Loan Officer | Brittani King, LeaderOne Financial (441) |
| Best Local Farm | Shatto Milk Company (1,752) |
| Best Local Moving Company | Two Men and a Truck (871) |
| Best Makeup Artist | Mae Monroe (323) |
| Best Martial Arts | Glory Mixed Martial Arts (339) |
| Best Mortgage/Home Loan Provider | CommunityAmerica Credit Union (810) |
| Best Motorcycle or Off-Road Vehicle Dealer | Worth Harley-Davidson (532) |
| Best Music Label | Strange Music, Inc. (1,189) |
| Best Music Studio | Studio B Muzik (275) |
| Best Nail Salon | Polished Nail Salon (293) |
| Best Naturopath | Jen Ciszewski, Inspire Health by Jen (330) |
| Best New Home Builder | James Engle Custom Homes (372) |
| Best Oil Change | Hyde Park Auto Service (436) |
| Best Party Bus/Limo Service | Showtime Transportation (376) |
| Best Pest Control | Blue Beetle Pest Control (515) |
| Best Pet Boarding/Daycare | Woof’s Play & Stay (573) |
| Best Pet Groomer | Brookside Barkery & Bath (492) |
| Best Photo Booth Service | The Photo Bus KC (558) |
| Best Photographer (Business) | LGEmerick Photography (358) |
| Best Place to Adopt a Pet | KC Pet Project (1,979) |
| Best Place to Buy a Plant | Family Tree Nursery (1,720) |
| Best Plumbing | Anthony Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric (748) |
| Best Preschool | Sunrise Montessori Academy of Independence (357) |
| Best Property Management Company | Price Brothers Management Company (325) |
| Best Real Estate Agent | Brie Simmons, Kansas City Realty Services (288) |
| Best Real Estate Brokerage | ReeceNichols (733) |
| Best Real Estate Company (Boutique) | Kansas City Realty Services, LLC (341) |
| Best Real Estate Company (Commercial) | ReeceNichols (519) |
| Best Roofer/Roofing Company | Pyramid Roofing Company (347) |
| Best Screen Printing | Oddities Prints (301) |
| Best Senior Living Community | Tallgrass Creek Senior Living (332) |
| Best Solar Provider | Solar Planet Inc. (295) |
| Best Tailor/Alterations | Rydell’s Tailor Shop (224) |
| Best Tattoo Artist | Jessie Hopeless (335) |
| Best Tattoo Studio | Black Atlas Tattoo KC (383) |
| Best Travel Agency | Destination Fun Travel (217) |
| Best Veterinarian | Eagle Animal Hospital & Pet Resort (405) |
| Best Videographer/Filmmaker (Business) | Wildly Creative Co. (356) |
| Best Window Cleaning | Triton Window Cleaning (344) |
Health & Fitness
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Boxing Club | TITLE Boxing Club (106) |
| Best CBD Store | KC Hemp Co (101) · Native Hemp Company (101) |
| Best Chiropractor | Finan Chiropractic (247) |
| Best Cosmetic Surgeon | Dr. Sheryl L. Young, Associated Plastic Surgeons (330) |
| Best Day Spa | The Facial Bar (252) |
| Best Dentist | LeBlanc & Associates Dentistry for Children (147) |
| Best Dermatologist | Dr. David Fieleke, Cornerstone Dermatology & Surgery Group (240) |
| Best Dispensary | Greenlight Dispensary (936) |
| Best Edibles (CBD/Delta 8) | KC Hemp Co. (405) |
| Best Edibles (Cannabis) | Greenlight Dispensary (915) |
| Best Eye Clinic | Sabates Eye Centers (286) |
| Best Fitness Bootcamp | BLUSH Boot Camp (470) |
| Best Fitness Class | Phoenix Fitness For Women By Women (273) |
| Best Gym | Phoenix Fitness For Women By Women (334) |
| Best Health Clinic | F.I.T. Muscle & Joint Clinic (294) |
| Best Hospital | The University of Kansas Hospital (554) |
| Best IV Therapy | Recovery Hydration Therapy (196) |
| Best Local Doula/Midwife | Amber Walla, Sacred Song Homebirth (112) |
| Best Massage Clinic | Sacred Roots Holistic Healing (237) |
| Best Massage Therapist | Ryan Brown, Sacred Roots Holistic Healing (194) |
| Best Medical Marijuana Clinic | Missouri Cannabis Clinic (307) |
| Best Medical Marijuana Clinician | Dr. James McEntire (Doc Mac) (195) |
| Best Medical Spa | Associated Plastic Surgeons Med Spa (272) |
| Best Mental Health Provider | Kelsey Foss, The Counseling Collaborative (199) |
| Best Nutritionist | Emily Cox (150) |
| Best Orthodontist | Dr. Jeremy Fry (238) |
| Best Pediatrician | Dr. Lauren Hughes, Bloom Pediatrics and Lactation (213) |
| Best Personal Trainer | Brandon Smith, Freight House Fitness (232) |
| Best Pharmacy | CVS 75th & Wornall (176) · Stark Pharmacy (176) |
| Best Physical Rehab Center | SERC Physical Therapy (253) |
| Best Physician | Dr. Gay Purcell, Enhanced Health & Wellness (179) |
| Best Pilates | HOTWORX (155) |
| Best Place to Have a Baby | Saint Luke’s Hospital (363) |
| Best Rehab Treatment Center | Healing House (140) |
| Best Rock Climbing Gym | RoKC Climbing Gym (458) |
| Best Weight Loss Clinic/Counseling | KU Weight Management Program (179) |
| Best Yoga Studio | Power Life Yoga Barre Fitness (243) |
Lawrence (LFK)
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Art Gallery (LFK) | Phoenix Art Gallery (41) |
| Best Bar (LFK) | The Bourgeois Pig (75) |
| Best Bartender (LFK) | Dante Colombo, John Brown’s Underground (43) |
| Best Boutique (LFK) | Wonder Fair (97) |
| Best Brewery (LFK) | Free State Brewing Company (186) |
| Best Brunch (LFK) | Ladybird Diner (128) |
| Best Dive Bar (LFK) | The Sandbar (113) |
| Best Music Venue (LFK) | The Granada (105) |
| Best Restaurant (LFK) | The Burger Stand at The Casbah (118) |
| Best Retail Business (LFK) | The Raven Book Store (75) |
People & Places
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Attraction | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (464) |
| Best Business that Could Only Exist in KC | Made in KC (935) |
| Best Day Trip | Weston, MO (693) |
| Best Dog Park | Bar K (651) |
| Best Elevator | The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center (346) |
| Best Facebook Page | KC Local Events (256) |
| Best Green Business | Ripple Glass (506) |
| Best KC Building Wherein to Find a Ghost | The Elms (477) |
| Best KC Humanitarian | Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (331) |
| Best Local Activist | Stacy Shaw (239) |
| Best Local Author | Kristy Nerstheimer (148) |
| Best Local Blog/Substack | Eleven Three KC (166) |
| Best Local Charity | Girls on the Run of Greater Kansas City (411) |
| Best Local Hero | Patrick Mahomes (858) |
| Best Local Instagram | @KClocalevents (374) |
| Best Local Investigative Reporter | Sherae Honeycutt (345) |
| Best Local Model | Brandon Smith (184) |
| Best Local Personality | Gary Lezak (629) |
| Best Local Politician | Quinton Lucas, Mayor of KCMO (988) |
| Best Local Radio Personality | Dana Wright, 98.1 (451) |
| Best Local Radio Station | KCUR 89.3 (609) |
| Best Local TV Sports Anchor | Len Jennings (387) |
| Best Local TV Station | KMBC-TV 9 (548) |
| Best Local TV Weather Forecaster | Gary Lezak (842) |
| Best Local Television Personality | Gary Lezak (999) |
| Best Local TikTok | @jacksonmahomes (598) |
| Best Local Twitter | @ksujulie (251) |
| Best Neighborhood | Brookside (581) |
| Best Park | Jacob L. Loose Park (979) |
| Best Place for Stargazing | Powell Gardens (909) |
| Best Place for a Cheap Date | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (1,202) |
| Best Place for a First Date | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (1,051) |
| Best Place for a First Kiss | Liberty Memorial (555) |
| Best Place for a Long Walk | Jacob L. Loose Park (741) |
| Best Place for a Picnic | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art lawn (916) |
| Best Place for a View of the City | Top of Liberty Memorial (1,337) |
| Best Place to Break Up With Someone | Buzzard Beach (505) |
| Best Place to Geek Out | Up-Down (474) |
| Best Place to Meet Singles | Bar K (528) |
| Best Place to Pick Up a Copy of The Pitch | Westport Flea Market (634) |
| Best Place to Take Out of Town Guests | Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (635) |
| Best Place to Take a Selfie | Arrowhead Stadium (598) |
| Best Place to Work (Over 50 Employees) | Kansas City MO Public Library (513) |
| Best Place to Work (Under 50 Employees) | Pet Resource Center of Kansas City (392) |
| Best Place to Worship | Church of the Resurrection (274) |
| Best Public Restroom | QuikTrip (1,374) |
| Best Rooftop View | John’s Big Deck (366) |
| Best Scenic Spot | Liberty Memorial (894) |
| Best Section of Arrowhead’s Parking Lot to Tailgate | Lot D (229) |
| Best Shop Pet | The Cats at Crane Brewing (250) |
| Best Sports Talk Radio Host | Carrington Harrison (237) |
| Best Startup | InnovateHER KC (538) |
| Best Urban Garden | Longfellow Community Garden (282) |
| Best YouTuber | Kater Tot (250) |
Shopping
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best 2020 Fashion Line | WyCo Vintage (90) |
| Best Accessories Store | Shopgirls (139) |
| Best Adult Store | Cirillas (147) |
| Best Appliance Store | Nebraska Furniture Mart (359) |
| Best Baby Store | Buy Buy Baby (141) |
| Best Bath and Body Shop | Soap Bar (193) |
| Best Bicycle Shop | Midwest Cyclery (149) |
| Best Black-Owned Retail Store | The Black Pantry (154) |
| Best Bookstore | Rainy Day Books (351) |
| Best Boutique Store | Shopgirls (162) |
| Best Candles | The Corner Candle Shop (185) |
| Best Children’s Clothing Store | The Bunker (126) |
| Best Clothing Store (Men’s) | The Bunker (160) |
| Best Clothing Store (Non-Gendered) | The Bunker (206) |
| Best Clothing Store (Women’s) | Shopgirls (153) |
| Best Comic Book Store | Clint’s Books Comics & Games (156) |
| Best Consignment Store | Lulu’s Boutique (172) |
| Best Craft Store | ScrapsKC (303) |
| Best Farmer’s Market | River Market (777) |
| Best Fashion Designer | Whitney Manney (140) |
| Best Florist | Trapp’s (165) |
| Best Framing Store | Hook Gallery (118) |
| Best Furniture Designer | KC Furnishing Co. (158) |
| Best Garden Store/Nursery | Family Tree Nursery (563) |
| Best Gift Store | Best of Kansas City (256) |
| Best Grocery Store | HyVee (480) |
| Best Health Food Store | Sprouts (492) |
| Best Home Furnishing Store | Nebraska Furniture Mart (417) |
| Best Home Furnishing Store (Boutique) | The Porch Swing Boutique (377) |
| Best Home Goods | HomeGoods (386) |
| Best Jewelry Store | Meierotto Jewelers (225) |
| Best KC Pride Clothing | Charlie Hustle (465) |
| Best Kitchen Store | Pryde’s (636) |
| Best Lingerie Store | Birdie’s (201) |
| Best Liquor Store | Gomer’s (402) |
| Best Local Maker | Gifts By Birdie/Effing Candle Co. (188) |
| Best Locally Made Soap | Zum (445) |
| Best Metaphysical/Spiritual Store | Aquarius (160) |
| Best Outdoor Outfitters | REI (366) |
| Best Pet Supply Store | Brookside Barkery and Bath (413) |
| Best Place to Buy Eyeglasses | Mission Eye Care (144) |
| Best Place to Buy a Musical Instrument | Meyer Music (418) |
| Best Place to Buy a New Car | Cable Dahmer (179) |
| Best Place to Buy a Used Car | Country Hill Motors (129) |
| Best Record Store | 7th Heaven (259) |
| Best Shoe Store | The Bunker (234) |
| Best Shopping Center | Country Club Plaza (375) |
| Best Sporting Goods Store | Scheels (526) |
| Best Table Top Game Store | Mission: Board Games (253) |
| Best Thrift Store | Savers (369) |
| Best Tobacco Shop | 7th Heaven (220) |
| Best Toy Store | Brookside Toy and Science (515) |
| Best Vape Shop | 7th Heaven (172) |
| Best Vintage Clothing Store | Donna’s Dress Shop (306) |
| Best Vintage Finds | River Market Antique Mall (394) |
| Best West Bottoms Vendor | Bella Patina (436) |
| Best Wine Shop | Gomer’s (377) |
Sports & Rec
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Athlete | Patrick Mahomes (407) |
| Best Bowling Alley | Ward Parkway Lanes (135) |
| Best Break Out Room | Breakout KC (165) |
| Best Casino | Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City (102) |
| Best Driving Range | Topgolf (272) |
| Best Golf Course | Minor Park Golf Course (54) |
| Best Local Family-Friendly Activity | Kansas City Zoo (287) |
| Best Local Stadium/Arena | Arrowhead Stadium (265) |
| Best Organized Bike Ride | Bike MS (61) |
| Best Organized Footrace/Run | Hospital Hill Run (169) |
| Best Place To Get an Adrenaline Rush | Arrowhead Stadium (221) |
| Best Place to Play Video Games/Arcade | Up-Down Kansas City (291) |
| Best Place to Play Volleyball | The Sandbox (101) |
| Best Place to Shoot Pool | Side Pockets (175) |
| Best Place to Table Top Game | Pawn & Pint (105) |
| Best Place to Throw Darts | Brass Rail Sports Bar, Restaurant & Pool Hall (67) |
| Best Roller Derby Team | Black Eye Susans (74) |
| Best Sports Team | Kansas City Chiefs (454) |
| Best Spot for Yard Games | Chicken N Pickle (354) |
Weddings
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Bachelor Party Location | J. Rieger & Co. (121) |
| Best Bachelorette Party Location | Amigoni Urban Winery (116) |
| Best Bridesmaids Dress Shop | Bella Bridesmaids (119) |
| Best Couples Therapist | Laura Shaughnessy (55) |
| Best Divorce Lawyer | Lauren Fields (80) |
| Best Engagement Photographer | LGEmerick Photography (147) |
| Best Hotel for Your Wedding Night;) | Crossroads Hotel (122) |
| Best Local Wedding Caterer | Brancato’s Catering (189) |
| Best Local Wedding Hangover Cure | Winstead’s (195) |
| Best Non-Religious Wedding Venue | The Guild (144) |
| Best Outdoor Wedding Venue | The Guild (126) |
| Best Place for Wedding Photos | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (206) |
| Best Place for a Rehearsal Dinner | Lidia’s (182) |
| Best Place to Get Gifts for Your Wedding Party | Made in KC (333) |
| Best Place to Get a Tux | Tip Top Tux (170) |
| Best Place to Get a Wedding Cake | McLain’s Bakery (196) |
| Best Place to Get a Wedding Cake Alternative | Sugar Whipped Bakery (216) |
| Best Place to Get a Wedding Dress | True Society by Belle Vogue Bridal (191) |
| Best Place to Propose | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (225) |
| Best Place to Throw a Divorce Party | Missie B’s (219) |
| Best Religious Wedding Venue | The Open Air Chapel at The Pavilion Event Space (205) |
| Best Wedding Band | KC FLO (252) |
| Best Wedding DJ | DJ Alex Reed (221) |
| Best Wedding Florist | Wild Hill Flowers and Events (240) |
| Best Wedding Hair Stylist | Posh KC Blow Dry Bar (212) |
| Best Wedding Jeweler | Meierotto Jewelers (253) |
| Best Wedding Makeup Artist | Hello Lovely (226) |
| Best Wedding Photographer | LGEmerick Photography (204) |
| Best Wedding Planner | ThirtyOne: Thirty Events (203) |
| Best Wedding Reception Venue | The Abbott (228) |
| Best Wedding Venue | Union Station (208) |
| Best Wedding Videographer | Her Third Eye Productions (222) |
Sources
Footnotes
-
The Pitch, Best of KC 2021 results portal —
PitchKC/bestofkc2021(accessed 2026-09-12) · Asserts: every category, placing, rank and vote count reproduced on this page. ↩ -
Harvested from that portal on 2026-09-12 and held in full at
05_Operations/Pitch-Best-Of-KC-Awards-2021-2025.csv; method, per-year portal slugs and coverage limits are recorded with the dataset. ↩
See also
On the record — ks.city/wiki/events/2021-best-of-kc · last revised 2026-09-12