History, Connection & A Whole Lot of Irish Fun.
Nestled in Downtown Parkville is The Craic, one of the best Irish pubs in the city. It’s a storied spot that’s served as a conduit for connection in the community, from when it was Parkville’s first U.S. Postal Office in the late 1920s, to now, a spirited neighborhood gathering place. The Craic was opened in 2019 by Rich Kasyjanski and has since been owned by a few others who loved the energy of the pub and its role in bringing people together for good food, drinks and music.
When the opportunity to buy The Craic in 2024 was presented to them, Pat and Ginger O’Reilly didn’t believe it was real. But after a one-hour meeting turned into an entire afternoon filled with thoughtful conversations about the future, Pat and Ginger were in. While they hadn’t planned to run a bustling pub, it felt kismet when it came to be.
“I think deep in the heart of every Irishman, there’s a little dream of owning a pub,” says Pat. They finalized their ownership and celebrated in proper fashion at The Craic in November 2024, on their 21 st wedding anniversary. Since then, the O’Reilly’s have poured their hearts and time into maintaining and strengthening what makes The Craic so special: the relationships with their close-knit staff and the patrons who come through its doors.
“When you come into The Craic, it just feels different. The people in our community are so wonderful and it brings a special energy to the place. Each of our staff members truly love interacting with every person who comes in and are so in tune with our customers. We frequently hear how blown away people are when our bartenders remember their favorite drinks or dish from their previous visit with ease,” says Ginger.
Attention to detail, quality and authenticity are paramount to the pub and something The Craic family prides itself on. Having deep Irish roots, the O’Reilly’s are committed to creating a true Irish experience through a traditional menu, live music played every weekend and unique but laid-back environment.
“Even though we are obviously a niche business, we are passionate about ensuring everyone feels welcome and part of the fabric of our community. We’re always open to new ideas or requests for specific tastes in music or food and drink. The Craic is a place for anyone to come in and unwind, or have a meeting or bring their family for a bite to eat or catch a game,” says Pat.
The O’Reilly’s have proudly shared and celebrated their heritage in Kansas City for decades. From participating and volunteering for Irish Fest since its inauguration to being a part of KC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. For years, Pat even had his own radio talk show, Celtic Crossings on 1510 AM, where he and his co-host discussed local Irish news and topics and played Irish music.
The Craic has been another way to share what the O’Reilly’s love most about their culture with others, continue a legacy of fostering connection and slainte (cheers!) with the best of the best in Parkville.
THE REGULARS’ FAVORITES
To Drink:
- The Spicy Craic
- Guinness
- Strawberry Sour
To Eat:
- The Reuben
- Shephard’s Pie
- Fish and Chips
- Craic Fries
Owners Pat and Ginger O’Reilly and their son Thomas and dog Olaf!
The Craic originally opened in 2019 and has since grown to be a favorite local hangout.
When you walk inside The Craic, you immediate feel relaxed — the environment is welcoming, cozy and mimics the aesthetic of pubs throughout Ireland.
