Originally located at 411 East 10th Street in between Oak and Locust in downtown Kansas City, The Ship was a grand lounge opened shortly after the repeal of Prohibition in 1935, reportedly opened by Ethel Mae Wright, companion to a gentleman of means and questionable repute.
Mike Salvato and Jasper Mirabile returned home from the Pacific Theater in WWII and assumed command of The Ship in 1950. In the mid-50’s, Mike aquired sole ownership when Jasper moved south to open his beloved Waldo neighbohrood restaurant. Mike and first mate Tony Cropis continuously operated the bar for 60 years. The Ship was a popular destination for a diverse mix of Kansas Citians and visitors, from judges and politicians to prostitutes and hoodlums. The Ship was reknown for boarding all passengers regardless of class or means.
On November 25, 1995, The Ship was decommissioned and her berth was taken by the city to make room for Ilus Davis Park. For generations of countless Ship customers her original beauty and grandeur was presumed lost at sea. Fortunately, several visionary gentlemen including Adam Jones arranged to salvage most of the original interior before the building was finally demolished.
In 2004, after poking around in places they shouldn’t, Josh Mobley and Bob Asher recovered the treasures from the basement of a West Bottoms warehouse and began carefully reconstructing The Ship as close to the original details as possible in her new location in the heart of the West Bottoms. By 2014, she was finally recommissioned and launched to the public.
Come in early and enjoy a nice lunch or perhaps an afternoon gam. After a long day at the docks, sail down for happy hour or dinner. You might even find yourself staying aboard late to enjoy the wide variety of music we serve up most nights.
Whenever you board, know that you’ll be taken care of by the finest crew in town and that your business is always appreciated.