BOOKS BEER WINE SPIRITS FOOD HIJINKS DISCOVERY

A REFUGE FOR THE THIRSTY AND INQUISITIVE OF KANSAS CITY. 

A good book has the remarkable ability to connect friends over midnight discussions, or to a garrulous passenger on the streetcar who loves the same writer. Simple paper pages can inspire a visit to a city or reconnect someone to a time and place of their past. Books can spark an idea or incite an argument and provide a tranquil escape from the chaotic.

Beer, wine and spirits share this quality. Rather than leave one of 'em out we decided to combine their collective powers under a single roof.

Thus, Afterword Tavern & Shelves was born. While it may be libations and books we’re selling on paper, at a philosophical level we are peddling discovery and the city in which we live. We invite you to walk through our door, and when you depart we hope that you do so having discovered something stirringly novel.

“I wanted a bookstore because the book business is the business of life.” 

- George Whitman, proprietor of Shakespeare & Company, Paris.

Contact Us.

Dear Kansas City,

As you may have heard, the lease on our home since September 2018 was not renewed, and we are now unfortunately closed.

We are searching for a new home. Until that day, please continue responsibly reading and drinking cocktails at home or any of KC’s other fine establishments.

We may be slower to respond now that our doors have shut, but until we either find a new home for Afterword or call it quits you’re welcome to message us here. Words of encouragement, advice on any cool books we should read, questions about our next steps, cocktail experiments, input on what we should do next….send it our way.

Thank you, Kansas City. It’s been a privilege having you along for our adventure. Together we created something truly special.

Hopefully we see each other again soon.

September 26, 2018 - January 24, 2026

Afterword Tavern & shelves

1834 Grand Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64108

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