TKC MUST READ!!! TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY KANSAS CITY BAR JIMMY'S JIGGER!!!



Really great tribute to a piece of Kansas City history that could soon be coming to an end and the spot where TKC had his 1st drink.

The money line . . .

"It is very sad to see a place with so much history slowly die and a total shame that it has not improved on something historic. The current ownership has allowed and encouraged the complete destruction of such a beautiful place with deep, meaningless carvings into a once gorgeous, imported, mahogany bar top along with hideous permanent writings on the woodwork and brick walls. This could have easily been a such an iconic place again with a little TLC. There are many bar owners, in this city alone, that would feel extremely fortunate to have that spot, continue its long standing tradition and make it shine.

So much could have been done to continue the awesome history of the landmark at 39th and State Line. Jimmy's Jigger and Jimmy Bower's vision are the foundation of what "West 39th Street" is today. There is nothing more cool than places with a long history and our great city does not have too many of those left . . ."

Read the whole thing . . .

Jimmy's Jigger Testimony . . .

It is with GREAT disappointment to hear the news that the holder of Jazz and Jimmy's Jigger for the past 22 years, has decided to do away with a piece of Kansas City history, but we all know that things do not last forever.

According to the Jazz Facebook page and outdoor marquee, the tradition of Jimmy's Jigger is coming to an end


It has been 63 years since Jimmy Bowers stepped foot on the corner of 39th and State Line, and the University of Kansas Medical Center is still recognizing and remembering the enormous contributions that were mutual between the medical school and Jimmy's Jigger. Even 15 years after Jimmy's passing, on the 100th anniversary of KU med's existence the medical center produced a publication recognizing the growth of the med school campus along with notorious physicians, nurses, administrators and staff who helped pave the way of what it is today. Jimmy's Jigger was recognized in a full spread centerfold of that publication. Jimmy was proudly included as an Honorary Member of many Medical School classes and received two Notorious Service awards from Executive Vice Chancellors. In 1984, at the Alameda Plaza Hotel ballroom, in a packed University of Kansas Medical Alumni banquet he was given a standing ovation when he was honored with a "Special Friend" award that was engraved on the same type of bronze plaque that an Honored Alumnus is given each year. He is the only one to have ever received such an award in the 100 plus year history of the med center. Jimmy's gregarious, generous and outgoing personality did not stop with the KU Med Center. Jimmy treated everyone with the same respect they walked through the door where you could usually find him on weekend nights greeting people, handing a flower to the ladies and genuinely thanking people for coming in. You don't see that very often anymore -- if at all. He did not know a stranger and was just at ease frequently shooting the breeze with a third generation Anheuser-Busch beer baron as he would with the homeless man who he paid to clean up the Jigger lot each morning. The stories of Jimmy's kindness and generosity are endless and go far beyond what can be mentioned here.

It is very sad to see a place with so much history slowly die and a total shame that it has not improved on something historic. The current ownership has allowed and encouraged the complete destruction of such a beautiful place with deep, meaningless carvings into a once gorgeous, imported, mahogany bar top along with hideous permanent writings on the woodwork and brick walls. This could have easily been a such an iconic place again with a little TLC. There are many bar owners, in this city alone, that would feel extremely fortunate to have that spot, continue its long standing tradition and make it shine.

So much could have been done to continue the awesome history of the landmark at 39th and State Line. Jimmy's Jigger and Jimmy Bower's vision are the foundation of what "West 39th Street" is today. There is nothing more cool than places with a long history and our great city does not have too many of those left. How awesome would it have been to keep this great institution in our city, clean it up and make it a place for Kansas Citians to frequent again and out of towners to seek out. KC is an old city with new life and it is ashamed to see the life and tradition of Jimmy's Jigger come to an end. This is a true loss, not just for 39th street but for all of Kansas City.
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Comments

  1. Don't worry it will be replaced by some corporate sponsored hipster selling artisan donuts. After that goes under in six months a pop up sneaker shop will replace it.

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  2. Gentrification is never kind to established businesses.
    "You don't know what ya had till its gone "

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  3. That's a nice little spot....some micro brewery will jump on it.

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  4. If only you knew what you were talking about

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    Replies
    1. I know all to well I'm talking about. It's a terrible thing to do. The owner must be a real egomaniac. I can't believe his head fits through the door.

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  5. In the 60s it was Joe Namath's watering hole when the Jets came to town. Many a drink was bought by him for the patrons.

    Across State Line were One Block West and The Factory for the 18-year-olds (and John tending bar at 16).

    Sad to see the ol' gal go.

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  6. Fuck!!!! Say it ain't so...

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  7. Put in a Trough n Brew franchise.

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  8. W. 39th St. will end up looking like any other "modern" suburban strip mall before to long. Totally lacking in any originality.

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  9. I hadn't been there in ten years and thought I was in another bar.

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  10. The current ownership has allowed and encouraged the complete destruction of such a beautiful place



    Anyone checked to see if they have connections to developers waiting in line for a piece of the action?
    Could they fit a market rate apartment on that lot?

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  11. everybody knows Jimmy's Jigger turned into Jimmy's Nigger.

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  12. Great bar but the 39th street remodel is the way of the world.

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  13. The various owners of The Point after Melinda and Cabe opened and ran The Point starting with Mike "Hookman" Jones ran down that place too. Ignorant assholes.

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  14. Damn shame that this is happening to a great KC bar. They really don't know what they're doing on 39th.

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  15. Gonna miss that place.

    Gotta lot of great blow jobs in the parking lot.

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  16. The Jazz Facebook page mentions NOTHING that I can find of any plans to close, neither does the marquee, as far as I know. Does this author really know what they're talking about or, do they just not understand the (ahem) "charm" of the Louisiana Kitchen is all about (?) I'm really curious if anybody has seen or heard anything, anywhere other than this blog, about Jimmy's future plans. Anybody?

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    Replies
    1. It was posted on the Jazz A Louisiana Kitchen Facebook page Friday April 1st. It was also posted on the outside marque sign as of Tuesday evening. Check it out and make sure you are looking at the correct Facebook page before you make yourself look foolish.

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    2. Here's the link to the correct Facebook page.
      https://m.facebook.com/JazzKCMO

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  17. Ironically the changes at The Jigger are just what the writer of this article referred to as needed. From what I understand the bar is being resurfaced the graffiti is being taken down. The booths recovered and 10 more taps are being added for draft beer. They are still going to offer Jazz food as well as an extended menu for just the Jigger. This is just a smear piece by someone who judges before knowing anything.

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  18. I would suggest the real issue is why did the owner let it get in the condition it is in? I also wonder why they would want to change the name of such a historical place? But what do I know, I'm just a former customer who will never be back again.

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  19. I wish I cared, but I don't know how

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