Having started as the city's first suburban shopping area Brookside Neighborhood in Kansas City is rapidly reinventing itself as a hipster residential zone. Located just South of Country Club Plaza, Brookside's residential zone officially begins at 51st and Wornall. Homes are made over condominiums and townhomes that have keep their historical flavor while going sleek and wireless on the inside.
More than 70 shops make up the Brookside community. The range is vast - earthy coffee shops on one corner compete with swishy stationary shops on the other. Young professionals throng the area to see and be seen as well as shop for the latest hip to have gear. The hot lunch spot is the The Roasterie Cafy on Brookside, where free wi-fi has the locals hanging out all day on the weekends.
Carmen's Cafy and Jalapeso's are popular eateries, the first Italian and second infamous for its monstrous margaritas. It's the beginning of the nightlife trend, as it were. Brookside draws big weekend crowds to its purportedly laid-back bar scene. Viewed as more accessible than drinking at the Plaza, the Brooksider and Charlie Hoopers are major anchors in the scene. The scene goes green for St. Patricks Day each year with the Annual St. Patrick's Warm Up parade. A mad social event that draws thousands, the more bedecked the merrier is the order of the day.
The neighborhood does also have daytime and serious culture. Each year for the last 21 years the neighborhood has hosted an art fair which has been garnering national attention. More than 185 artists show their work and the three day event in May brings 70,000 - 80,000 people to the area. Parking can be a challenge, so those who don't mind a bit of a walk may want to park at the Country Club Plaza and walk down.
