Kansas City jazz has a rich history rooted in the 1920s and 1930s, when the city became a major hub for jazz innovation and development. Unlike the swing-focused styles emerging from New York and Chicago, Kansas City jazz emphasized improvisation, blues influences, and a looser, more fluid structure. This era was heavily shaped by legendary figures such as Bennie Moten, whose orchestra helped define the Kansas City sound, and Count Basie, who brought national attention to the city’s unique style.

Under the leadership of political boss Tom Pendergast, Kansas City’s nightlife flourished, allowing musicians to experiment and develop their craft in clubs like the Reno Club and the Blue Room. The hallmark of Kansas City jazz was its strong emphasis on riffs—repeated musical phrases that allowed for extended solos—and a driving, swinging rhythm section.

The Majestic keeps this jazz heritage alive by featuring Kansas City’s best performers in our Jazz Club and solo  pianists in our main dining room.

Built in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The J. Fitzpatrick Saloon Building in the Historic Garment District is home to the Majestic Restaurant. The building also housed a bordello on the second floor along with the office and apartment of J. Fitzpatrick himself on the third floor. With the prohibition era kicking off in 1919, the saloon became a haberdashery and the lower, now the Majestic Jazz Club, was transformed into a speakeasy; complete with secret alley entrance and tunnel underneath Broadway Boulevard connecting to the neighboring Opera House. The speakeasy became an unofficial meeting place for many of Kansas City’s political leaders including the legendary political boss, Tom Pendergast. According to experts the building is home to over sixteen spirits who dwell within the walls, a testament to the building’s colorful and infamous past.

Kansas City has a deep connection to both whiskey and steakhouses, shaped by its history as a major hub for cattle processing and rail transport in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city’s famed Stockyards District fueled a booming beef industry, leading to the rise of iconic steakhouses that became synonymous with hearty meals and fine whiskey selections.

Additionally, during the Prohibition era (1920-1933), Kansas City’s loose enforcement of federal laws—thanks to political boss Tom Pendergast—allowed speakeasies and underground bars to thrive, keeping whiskey culture alive. After Prohibition, the city’s affinity for whiskey endured, and today, The Majestic Restaurant prides itself on offering extensive bourbon and whiskey menus that celebrate both local and national distilleries.