The Bad Cat Jazz Bar

About The Bad Cat Jazz Bar

The Bad Cat is proof the Kansas City club scene is still growing — and growing south. Owner Dustin Kaufman, who also runs The Comedy Club of Kansas City down the block, opened the 1,400-square-foot jazz bar at 1220 W. 103rd St. on September 24, 2026, after planning it since early 2024. He had 26 local bands booked before the doors opened, and players from as far away as New York were soon asking about 2027 dates.

There is deliberately no house band. Instead, the room runs on a rotating cast of Kansas City bands — quartets and trios booked fresh each week — with shows at 7 and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and an early, no-cover happy-hour set on Saturday afternoons. Thursdays belong to the open jam, which in a matter of weeks became a fixture: sign-up sheet out at 7:30, jam at 8, hosts rotating among some of the city's best players.

For decades, a dedicated jazz club meant a drive downtown. The Bad Cat's bet is that South Kansas City will support one of its own — and the early crowds say the bet is paying off.

Standing gigs

Thursday Open Jam — Thursdays; sign-up 7:30 p.m., jam from 8 p.m.; rotating hosts (recent hosts include Matt Otto, Pete Fucinaro and Brett Jackson).

Friday & Saturday shows — sets at 7 and 10 p.m.; Saturday happy-hour set at 5 p.m., no cover.

More Kansas City jazz rooms

Browse the full directory of Kansas City jazz venues, compare the city's clubs in our Kansas City jazz clubs guide, or see who's playing tonight. More rooms to know: Ted's Taproom, The 1909 Club and The Shop Cigar Lounge.