Puppies and pilsners: Bar K dog park eyes KC’s riverfront

A proposed bar at Kansas City’s Berkley Riverfront park will enable the enjoyment of a cocktail and your canine.

Founded by David Hensley and Leib Dodell, Bar K hopes to be part of a revitalization effort in the riverfront area with Port KC by converting unused green space into a bar, restaurant and dog park. The business partners already have sunk $100,000 into the business, whose design would adopt an industrial style by using repurposed shipping containers.

The proposed bar — which is still awaiting necessary permits and approvals from the City of Kansas City, Mo. — would be located on an undeveloped, two-acre lot on the western edge of the Berkley Riverfront, partially under the Heart of America Bridge.

Dodell, co-managing partner of Bear Bishop LLC, said Bar K will be a unique community meeting place for people and dogs in Kansas City.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have the opportunity to build Bar K next to Berkley Riverfront Park,” Dodell said in a release. “The site is absolutely spectacular, it’s centrally located and easy to access from anywhere in the KC Metro, and the bridge will provide year-round shade and shelter for our customers, both human and dog!”

Bar K will feature a two-acre dog park for large- and small-dogs, as well as a bar, restaurant and coffeehouse. The park will have all-weather seating areas, and it will be staffed by trained Bar K employees so customers won’t have to worry about their pets if they want to step inside for a drink or meal.

Clockwork Architecture + Design will serve as architects for the project and Taliaferro & Brown will offer engineering services.

Port KC is helping lead a 45-acre redevelopment of the riverfront area to create an “urban village” of offices, and residential and retail space. The first phase of the Berkley Riverfront Development will create 398 luxury apartment units, 400 parking stalls, and 12,000 square feet of retail shopping across five acres.

Michael Collins, President & CEO of Port KC, said that the plan will be an asset to the downtown community.

“Bar K is going to be a great additional amenity to the Riverfront,” Collins said in a release. “Many Berkley Riverfront Park visitors enjoy bringing their dogs to the park to run and play. This project gives us the opportunity to utilize ‘found space’ under the bridge, and convert it into an exciting, dedicated, vibrant new meeting space for dogs, dog enthusiasts and others in Kansas City.”

Bar K — who’s tagline is “Where everybody knows your dog’s name” — currently is offering a crowdfunding campaign to help with startup costs. The campaign offers such perks as dog collars, dog training sessions and other pooch-related prizes.

To learn more about Bar K, check out the video below.