Vine Street Brewing Co. is Missouri's first Black-owned brewery, and we live in a limestone building at the heart of the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. We brew beer fermented in the spirit of Jazz and Hip-Hop. We remix ales and lagers. We book the band, pour the pint, and keep the lights on in a building that waited a long time for somebody to believe in it. Since June 30, 2023, that somebody has been us, and everybody who pulls up.
Our Story
Before there was a brewery, there was the block. From the 1920s through the 1940s, 18th & Vine was one of the most important places in America for Black culture, commerce, and music. More than 100 businesses lined these streets. Count Basie and Charlie "Bird" Parker helped shape the riff-heavy Kansas City jazz sound in packed clubs a few steps from our door. This neighborhood is the reason we exist. We aren't borrowing its story. We're adding a new chapter to it.
The Block
The Building
Our home was hand-built from native limestone in the 1870s to serve as the city's Street Department maintenance hub. For decades it sat quiet while the city changed around it. Guests call it a castle, and honestly, they're not wrong. From 2021 to 2022 we restored the stone and turned an abandoned industrial shell into a multi-level brewhouse, taproom, and performance space. The walls are old. Everything happening inside them is new.
The Long Way Here
This dream did not show up on schedule. In 2014, Kemet Coleman was working as a tour guide at Boulevard Brewing when he snuck a camera crew into the brewhouse to shoot a music video. He got fired. He also got a mission: build a brewery where art rules. In 2018 he toured the empty buildings at 2000 Vine for the first time, and it took three failed attempts before the space came within reach. In early 2021, Kemet, Woodie Bonds Jr., and Elliott Ivory walked those limestone walls together and decided this was home. The lease got signed later that year. On June 30, 2023, we opened the doors, and the line wrapped around the block.
What We Built
We built a home for beer, like Jazzman, our flagship, which scored a 94 in Craft Beer & Brewing. We built a home for music, from the weekly Office Hours jazz lab upstairs to sold-out nights in the Groove Room. We built a home for food, with Vine Street Chicken Co. frying up tallow-fried chicken under the same roof. And we built a home for Kansas City, the kind of place where first-timers and regulars end up at the same table. Along the way we picked up some hardware: NB2A Brewery of the Year in 2024, plus nods from USA Today 10Best and VinePair. Love that. But the real trophy is a full room on a Wednesday night.
The People Behind the Pour
Kemet brings the music and the vision. Woodie, who founded Kansas City's first hip-hop beer festival, brings the hustle and the humor. Elliott, our Head Brewer, writes the recipes, and Dez Jones, our Brewer, turns them into the beer in your glass. Annie McGinnis, our Co-Owner and Director of Operations, keeps the whole house running, and in 2026 she was named President of the National Black Brewers Association. Behind the bar are our Beer Stars. They're not just pouring. They're your guides to the beer, the building, and the block.
“I just want to say on behalf of everybody in Kansas City, on behalf of our community and on behalf of this Black kid who grew up in Kansas City, thank y’all for building this opportunity for all of us,”
Mayor Quinton Lucas, Mayor of Kansas City, MO
We're open, we're growing, and we're still just getting started. Come grab a pint upstairs. Catch a show downstairs. Bring somebody who's never been to 18th & Vine and watch them find out what this neighborhood has always known. The culture is still here. Come taste it.
Pull Up
Bonds, who had previously been hesitant about brewing beer, was convinced to try it by the Missouri Mashers Brewing Club. Since then, he has become passionate about experimenting with unique and exciting flavors, often incorporating unexpected ingredients into his brews.
As the construction phase neared, Kemet sought the expertise of Annie McGinnis, a seasoned leader with a knack for operations. Their paths had crossed years before at P.F. Chang's, where Annie had been Kemet's boss. Impressed by her leadership, Kemet knew she was the perfect candidate to take on the role of Director of Operations, steering the brewery toward success.
With Woodie's boldness, Elliott's precision, Annie's organizational finesse, and Kemet's deep passion for cultural enrichment, Vine Street Brewing Co. found its soul. Their combined dedication and creative force breathed life into the historic 150-year-old limestone building, catalyzing a transformation of South Vine Street and shaping a space that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and the soulful spirit of Kansas City.
As Vine Street Brewing Co. continues to grow, its dedication to quality and creativity remains unwavering. Woodie's adventurous brewing style continues to impress, pushing the boundaries of flavor and introducing beer enthusiasts to exciting new tastes. Elliott's precision and attention to detail ensure that each beer is crafted to perfection, consistently delighting the brewery's loyal patrons.
Annie's organizational prowess has allowed the brewery to flourish, providing a seamless experience for visitors and ensuring that every event is a memorable one. And Kemet's passion for cultural enrichment, combined with his deep love for Kansas City, continues to drive the brewery's vision and mission forward.
Vine Street Brewing Co. is not just a brewery—it is a testament to the power of community, creativity, and perseverance. It stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when a shared vision brings together individuals with diverse talents and backgrounds. From its roots in the historic Jazz district to its blossoming presence in the Kansas City brewing scene, Vine Street Brewing Co. is a story of triumph, innovation, and the celebration of cultural identity.
Today, Vine Street Brewing Co. stands tall as a testament to the power of community, culture, and craft. It is a living testament to the collective vision of Woodie, Elliott, Annie, and Kemet, who, in the pursuit of excellence, brought their dreams to life, inspiring a city and leaving an indelible mark on the heart of Kansas City's craft beer scene. Their journey is a powerful tale of perseverance, collaboration, and the profound impact of embracing and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of a city.
Since its grand opening on June 30, 2023, Vine Street Brewing Co. has become more than just a brewery—it has become a vibrant gathering place for beer enthusiasts, musicians, and community members. The taproom buzzes with the soulful sounds of live music, often featuring local artists, while the aroma of innovative beers fills the air.
The brewery's commitment to inclusivity and diversity extends beyond its taproom doors. Vine Street Brewing Co. actively engages with the community, collaborating with local organizations and hosting events that celebrate the cultural fabric of Kansas City. Whether sponsoring art exhibits, supporting local charities, or hosting beer festivals, the brewery has become a true cultural hub, weaving itself into the very fabric of Kansas City.