Johnnie's Jazz Bar & Grille — Restaurant in Liberty

I was expecting a demure cocktail lounge with heavy appetizers in the front vestibule of a movie theater. What I experienced was far grander and more enjoyable.

The B&B Theater in Liberty serves as the location for this jazz bar and grille. Conveniently off I-35 and 152 Hwy/Kansas Ave. The business has a private parking lot.

Upon arriving, there is direct access to the restaurant from the side entrance off the parking lot. There is a second access just past the main entrance to the theater ticket counter.

The extremely high ceilings give a feeling of opulence. The 1920s art deco style further adds to this allure.

The bar is such a focal point as you enter. Four shelves rise behind the bar to display various bottles of liquors. Flanked on either side are rows of storage lockers. Local names adorne the placards in what appears to be a reserved bottle service for high-end clients.

The dining space flows over the main room and into two smaller areas facing the parking lot. The larger dining space features high-top tables and the side rooms have lower tables, some which can accommodate groups.

Nestled beside the bar is a stage, which the venue offers for scheduled jazz acts. The acoustics are impressive. We could barely hear the couples a few tables from us. I feel confident the jazz ensembles would not dround the conversation among guests throughout the space.

The single staff member was extremely attentive. Running the bar and tables, she was friendly and helpful.

The drink menu is diverse. As a cocktail lounge, they have an impressive selection of specialty drinks, plus local beers and wines.

Their lunch menu is small, but has enough range. I got the blueberry feta salad with salmon. The lemon poppyseed dressing was a wonderful fresh addition for this salad. The salmon was fully cooked and flaky.

The main dining space is right off the concession area for the theater. The restaurant is ideal for parents stuck taking teens to the theater and needing a little "me time", also a good spot for a date night, girls'/guys' night event.

Definitely interested in another visit during a jazz performance. A fun, chic bar for before or after show...

I love the atmosphere here but I have to say the food is REALLY disappointing. This could be such an amazing place if they would step it up in their kitchen! This review is based off numerous visits over the last 5 years. Approximately 6-7 visits total. Each time we have left disappointed but keep coming back for the music. Again, we decide to go on Valentine’s Day because it’s close to home and they have dinner and music. Loved the idea of the preset valentines dinner. We both ordered the oysters and soon as they sat them on the table they reeked of a foul stench fish smell. I love oysters and have had them at numerous places. Oysters are not suppose to smell like a rotten fish! Both my husbands and I sent them back for salads instead. The pork shank was good! The pasta was very blah… Mixed drinks were absolutely awful. I’m an ex bartender that hates to complain about food and drinks unless really granted! I ordered 2 different ones and both were undrinkable. I finished 1/2 my 1st one and ordered a different one thinking it would be better…took one sip and no…I didn't send it back just left it sitting on the table full. After sending the oysters back I gave up. Very frustrating that I couldn’t even enjoy a drink on valentines night and listen to music. I can overlook one or two oops but come on…when there’s more negative than positive…it needs to be addressed. Cheesecake was edible but the chocolate cake tasted stale as if it was baked 4-5 days ago and frozen and left out to thaw. Very dry! Took two bites and threw away. Ordered 9 different items off the menu that night between drinks, apps, entrée, and dessert and only 2 were good!? The pork shank and strawberry salads were good. Everything else failed miserably. The band was amazing!!!. Sadly we will go else where when we want dinner and music. After 5 years of hoping it would turn around, I can’t torture myself with the horrible food anymore! Please address your kitchen and food quality. You could do so...

The positives - the service was great. Our waitress was nice and service was fast. The only reason why I gave this place three stars - because the service was good and the band was decent. The negatives - THE FOOD WAS TERRIBLE! For the price, the food was definitely not worth it. I would give it two stars for the taste and one star for value for your money. I ordered the honey bourbon salmon with a loaded baked potato and a side salad. The salmon was over cooked and doused in the bourbon sauce. Usually when I get something like that you cook the alcohol off for the sauce. Not at this place. The baked potato was not seasoned. It was pretty bland. The salad was fine and we also ordered the southwest egg rolls which was fine. Tasted very similar to chili’s southwest egg rolls. The place is literally inside the movie theater. I think the band would sound better if the jazz bar was in an enclosed space. Would I go back there again? To listen to music probably but I would eat first before I go because the food is terrible! Also people may like this but their drinks were so strong. I ordered the raz-ma-jazz cocktail and there was no hint of fruit in it. It was supposed to be raspberry and pineapple but it was straight up vodka. It was just too strong for my taste but other people...