Looking for a new place to meet friends for a drink during this holiday season? Try Waldo’s newest bar, Dodson’s Bar and Commons at 7438 Wornall. I stopped by last week to check it out and chat with “’smooth operator and Assistant General Manager” Eric Jones.
Dodson’s opened on September 12, site of the former Waldo Bar. It has a relaxed feel, with plenty of table and lounge seating. TVs line the walls, there’s a shuffleboard and Nintendo game, and the modern lighting isn’t too bright. The long bar offers 75% local and regional beers, plus several classic cocktails. Besides the traditional Old Fashioned and Moscow Mule, many patrons try the Suffering Bastard—invented in the 1940s as a hangover cure says Eric—with gin, bourbon, lemon juice, ginger beer and bitters. During the colder winter months, Eric plans to add a hot toddy featuring Waldo honey.
Dodson’s isn’t offering food just yet, but they do have happy hour every day from 4-7pm: all draft beers are $3 and house cocktails are $5. Dodson’s is probably open when you are ready for a beverage and some good conversation—hours are every day from 4pm to 3am. Parking is in the back of the building—the back entrance is hidden by a wooden fence so remember to walk through the alley to slip in the rear door. The front entrance is just north of Pickleman’s at 7438 Wornall.
Eric explained the name of the bar came from the trolley that connected Waldo and Westport (Dodson’s). They added the Commons to emphasize a “gathering of like minds coming together”. He added “We are incredibly stoked to be in Waldo” because of all the local businesses that support each other and the residents that frequent locally owned businesses.
Stop by Dodson’s over the holiday season and welcome them to our neighborhood!
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 