Jon Bidwell Photography

The Black Dolphin is a jazz listening lounge in the heart of Downtown Kansas City which was designed for the afficionado of not just excellent music, but also fine atmosphere and strong, tasty craft cocktails. In terms of sheer lumens? This bar has lower lights than any other establishment in Kansas City, or frankly anywhere on the planet. The lighting and every detail were clearly designed and placed with intention and care. It gives the bar's vibe a coziness which is instantly welcoming and sophisticated without being pretentious. There are two colors: black and orange. All of the illumination is provided by tastefully located ambient overhead lamps and warm-temperature vintage star globes which are easier to just see than to describe. The whole feeling is that of a 1963 cocktail lounge right down to the vintage orange resin "Black Dolphin" sign itself which hangs above the Steinway. The Black Dolphin is the more subdued & subtle sister-club to the rowdier Green Lady Lounge across the alley. Just like The Green Lady, however, the musicianship at this joint is consistently top shelf just like the martinis, and once you set foot in The Black Dolphin, you'll realize you've never been in another bar quite like this before in your life.