Jeneé Osterheldt raises a glass to the best patios around town

For a minute, I cant concentrate on my plate. Despite the delicious duck confit and a strawberry lemonade cocktail, all I can do is stare out at the view.

I never paid attention to how the tiny pieces of North Kansas City and Briarcliff fit so perfectly into the Kansas City skyline like a panoramic puzzle. Busy but quiet, city and suburban. I can see it all from the Trezo Mare patio.

And the sun has arrived. Summer finally won the weather war. We might not have beaches in our beautiful city, but we have pools and patios. Fun in the sun with a drink and some appetizers? This is how we do it.

Even food trucks like the Local Pig have a picnic table patio. Did you see the parklet in front of YJs in the Crossroads on First Friday? A parking space became a shabby-chic patio (expect to see it all summer).

So on a Saturday, Im with my girlfriends at Trezo Mare in Briarcliff, where there are plenty of outdoor tables and a view that makes you want to raise your glass of sangria and give a toast to the city. And suddenly I understand why the coasts take patio life a step further in the summer.

In places like D.C. and L.A., its the season of the day party. People dont wait until late night to have a little fun. They take advantage of the sun and throw parties on rooftop lounges and bar patios. Its all about DJs, happy hours and summer dresses.

Day parties havent taken over KC patios just yet, but we have all of the potential. From the Waldo Well and Sol Cantina in midtown to Westside Local and Johns Upper Deck downtown to La Bodega in Leawood, we have all kinds of options.

Here are some favorites, old and new, to get the outdoor party started right:

The First Friday Patio

Theres nothing like Kansas Citys monthly art crawl in the summer. The weather is right for gallery hopping and people watching. And if you can find a place to grab a bite and a drink before the festivities, its even better.

Read this article:
Jeneé Osterheldt raises a glass to the best patios around town