Harling’s Origin

Tucked above Main Street in Kansas City’s historic Southwell Building, Harling’s Upstairs opened its doors in 1979. What began as a second-floor pub in a classic Art Deco building quickly became a local institution — not for glitz, but for grit, charm, and unmistakable character. The floors creaked, the Guinness poured freely, and regulars packed in shoulder to shoulder for conversation, live music, and some of the cheapest drinks in town.