Take a peek down Ludo’s lanes before Made in KC’s new shuffleboard bar opens in Midtown
April 23, 2022 | Channa Steinmetz
When the team at Made in KC moved the local-first retailer’s flagship shop to Martini Corner in spring 2021, they immediately had a vision for what the multi-concept building could entertain, said Keith Bradley.
The vision: a retro shuffleboard bar.
Keith Bradley, Ludo’s Shuffleboard Bar, Made in KC
“The idea for a shuffleboard bar sparked from two places. One was the desire we have to create more experiential places for Kansas Citians to hang out and enjoy,” said Bradley, co-owner of Made in KC. “We aim to create places where you can do more than one thing while you’re there.”
“The second was simply the space. It’s long and industrial and just screams shuffleboard.”
Click here to read more about Made in KC’s flagship shop on Martini Corner in Midtown.
Ludo’s Shuffleboard Bar is set to celebrate its grand opening Saturday, May 7.
“We are really excited to open, and we know the neighborhood is too,” Bradley shared. “We will have drink specials, a food truck or two and several other additions to make the grand opening feel as grand as possible!”
Ludo’s Shuffleboard Bar; photo courtesy of Made in KC
From Ludo’s old-school pinball machines to its 1950s-inspired booths, the retro atmosphere plays well with the industrial nature of the building that Ludo’s calls home, Bradley noted.
“There’s certainly a similar look and feel to older bowling alleys,” he said. “For many, bowling alleys used to be a place that provided a great marriage between community and entertainment. We hope people find that same experience and nostalgia at Ludo’s.”
The look and feel of Ludo’s will be unique to Kansas City, Bradley continued.
“There are large booth seating options for groups of all sizes; and the three lanes of shuffleboard will make for a more intimate experience,” he shared, “The overall vibe of Ludo’s will make it a great place just to meet up for a drink — whether or not you choose to play.”
Click here to check out Ludo’s Shuffleboard Bar.
Along with Ludo’s Shuffleboard Bar, Made in KC’s Midtown location contains: Made in KC’s signature storefront; The Black Pantry (which shares a space with Made in KC but is a separate business with Brian Roberts as the founder and owner); and a Made in KC Cafe, which opened in February.
Although shuffleboard is a newer concept to the Made in KC brand, the team also incorporated shuffleboard at its Made in KC Marketplace in Lenexa, Bradley noted.
“It combines shopping local, eating and drinking local, and shuffleboard in a really nice way,” he said. “ [It has] become increasingly popular with our friends in Lenexa.”
Ludo’s Shuffleboard Bar
With Made in KC’s Midtown location open for more than a year, excitement for Ludo’s Shuffleboard Bar has been buzzing around the Martini Corner neighborhood, Bradley shared, noting his readiness to share the space with the community.
“It’s been a year long build up,” Bradley said. “Now our regular store and cafe customers will have one more thing to explore and enjoy in Ludo’s. Overall, there’s been a great curiosity — which wasn’t our intention — but has been fun to interact with.”
Click here to read about Made in KC’s recent partnership with a local, same-day gifting app.
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