By: Pete Maher

Pete Maher — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:37:05 +0000

I wouldn’t get too excited about McFadden’s being an overtly “Irish” establishment. To be sure, there’s quite a lot of expensive woodwork, but the whole time I was there they never poured a proper pint of Guinness (they pour them like you might a Pepsi, in one straight pull). There likewise was no one that I could see, excluding the lads from the Tullintrain Pipe Band and myself, from the local Irish community (not even the KCIF, if you can believe that) at the opening.
There’s not even stage for a band or even a place you might squeeze in for a man with a guitar (guess they’re leaving that up to Raglan Road).
Think O’Dowd’s Little Dublin on steroids with probably twice as many loud, obnoxious yuppies wearing Men’s Wearhouse suits and you have it just about right.
All the splash over the opening is largely unwarranted but not unexpected as The Kansas City Star has been a huge proponent of the Power & Light District from its inception (who was the first to build their big glassy building) and will exert every effort to convince the city this is the best thing since sliced bread.
I hope Raglan Road turns out to be a very different story but, so far, McFadden’s Sports Saloon seems to be about as Irish as a peanut butter sandwich but I suppose it will make for a nice place to retire after the annual parade every March.

Comments on: McFadden’s Saloon Launches Entertainment District in KC, MO

By: Pete Maher