Catch the PokéBar: Pokémon-themed pop-up bar and burgers experience coming to KC
July 25, 2019 | Austin Barnes
A newly crafted, immersive pop-up experience is set to present fans of Pokémon with the ultimate challenge — making its way to Kansas City in 2020.
Launched in September in Los Angeles, PokéBar is set to evolve in the metro Feb. 8-9, offering fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to prove whether they really can “catch em’ all,” said Terry Adams, a PokéBar publicist.
“Pokémon is a nostalgic and beloved brand and we saw an opportunity to expand the experience,” Adams explained. “Guests will be able to play multiple live games to evolve their Pokémon characters, engage in trivia, and take in the experience.”
PokéBar is expected to be divided into seven regions across Kansas City with each session including two-hours of hunting, batting and catching time, the company explained in a release. Fans who complete all regions will be crowned the ultimate Pokémon master.
“There will be prizes for the winners of the best costume, Pokémon trivia, and the division winners of each session. DJ’s will be spinning tracks and custom themed cocktails and food will be served,” Adams noted.
“Menus vary city to city but all venues will have a burger offering and veggie option and themed cocktails, or themed beer depending on the venue,” Adams said of what customers can expect, noting its their loyalty and craving for new ways to engage with their favorite brands that’s made such an experience possible.
With limited participant spots available, the PokéBar experience has been quick to sell out in locations where tickets are already on sale, prompting the company to offer pre-sale tickets on a first come, first served basis, Adams said.
Click here to register for access to pre-sale tickets to PokéBar Kansas City.
PokéBar will be the second national, pop-up experience to make a stop in the metro. Miracle Christmas Bar — a collaboration with Cocktail Kingdom — brought holiday cheer to the Rockhill Grille Lounge in 2018, presented by J. Rieger and Co.
The pop-up experience, which featured such custom Kansas City cocktails as the “Hallmark Heater,” is expected to return to the Crossroads Arts District in November, though no official announcement has been made.
PokéBar has yet to announce its exact venue locations, but intends to finalize the plans soon, Adams said, citing tour date expansions as more cities have shown interest in hosting the pop-up — which was originally scheduled to stop in Kansas City in December.
Featured Business

2019 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
WYCO debuts DotteBiz tool to help launch, grow small businesses on KS side of KC
Editor’s note: KC BizCare is a partner of Startland News. A newly-launched government online resource aims to eliminate barriers for local business owners and entrepreneurs in Wyandotte County, project leaders said. “Really, DotteBiz is about wanting to ease friction for entrepreneurs and small business owners to help them not only launch their businesses here in…
Kinship Cafe owner paves plans to take ownership of his coffee shop (with a little help from his community)
In April, TJ Roberts was at risk of losing his coffee shop to a parking lot. Now, Roberts is standing his ground, with the help of his community, to purchase the building that houses Kinship Cafe. “It was a very dark couple of weeks, but now there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Purchasing…
Betty Rae’s sells to Shatto: Why the ice cream brand’s young steward is stepping away from the scoop (for now)
An announcement this week that Betty Rae’s Ice Cream could open new shops and push its popular products into grocery stores is exciting growth to envision, agreed Alec Rodgers, the brand’s steward since 2021 when he bought and reopened its two storefronts amid challenges of the ongoing pandemic. Rodgers just won’t be the man behind…


