The owners and staff work among friendly and supportive spirits who want them to succeed.

The spirits can enjoy a drink or meal just by being near patrons who are eating and drinking, getting some satisfaction from doing so.

Music entertains both the living and the spirits.

DESCRIPTION

“A Classic, Kansas City Steakhouse”

The Majestic is a restaurant, bar, and jazz venue described as being “a vibrant steakhouse classic, with an old-school vibe, featuring cocktails & nightly jazz.”

Tom and I visited the Majestic and were wowed coming in the door, after admiring the refurbished original exterior copper façade.

It is a totally restored historical place, with a turn-of-the-century atmosphere. There is a gorgeous, huge antique bar from New Orleans on the left, and a piano/music station on the right. The tin ceiling, beautiful wood decor and rest of the furniture go along with the historical aura.

Many interesting pictures, paintings, and historic relics can be found on the walls as well. A most impressive work by local artist Jack O’Hara, is a glorious, 1983 oil canvas painting of 15 of the Kansas City folks who found fame hanging on the right wall as you walk inside.

As the Ladies’ Room is in the basement, I got to check out the Jazz Club venue located there which brings a lot of business from jazz lovers. This space is both historic and pleasing to the modern patron. I think both the living and the spirit patrons enjoy themselves here. I got the tingly, dizzy feeling I experience when spirits are near when I was in the basement area.

The second floor is a private dining and lounging area, called The Pendergast Club, in honor of Kansas City Bigwig, “Boss Tom” Pendergast. It has a fully stocked bar, comfortable leather seating and unusual Kansas City artifacts. “Customers can schedule a private dining and lounging experience found nowhere else in the city.” (majestickc.com website)

We really enjoyed our dinner here – fantastic meals from a talented chef! On-tap beer was refreshing too.

HISTORY

Over a hundred years ago, in the business heart of Kansas City, entrepreneur James Fitzpatrick, with the financial help of town bigwigs Jim and “Boss Tom” Pendergast, built the Fitzpatrick building in the Quality Hill District for a variety of purposes. It was a beautiful, upscale building with all the artistic bells and whistles, such as tin ceiling, etc.

The Fitzpatrick Saloon, where men came for a drink, was on the first floor, with the customary bordello on one of the upper floors to fulfill the sensual needs of men in town.

James Fitzpatrick had his living quarters upstairs so he could live close to his business. Boss Tom had a second office here as well, which today is home of The Pendergast Club activities mentioned above.

When Prohibition became the law of the land, the activities of the Saloon moved down to the basement. The club managed to continue to serve alcohol throughout Prohibition, being protected by Boss Tom, who probably knew how to bribe the authorities to look the other way. Patrons would enter the building next door and go through a tunnel that connected to the Fitzpatrick Saloon’s basement Speakeasy.

When the Garment District became a booming industry in Quality Hill, the Fitzpatrick Saloon closed down and was sold to an independent garment factory where talented seamstresses worked the sewing machines to produce clothing for everyone.

By 1950, the garment company may have found a better building so they moved out of the Fitzpatrick building that was probably by then a real fixer-upper opportunity in need of a boatload of money to renovate and upgrade to 1950s standards.

For thirty-three years, it was vacant, left to the spirits. In 1983, four Kansas City entrepreneurs, Frank Sebree II, Mary Ann Sebree (a local antique dealer and restaurateur), and James B. Nutter, Sr., and Annabelle Nutter, local antique dealers, saw the great bones and treasures of the building and had a vision of what it could be after restoration.

So they made the jump to lightspeed and purchased The Fitzpatrick Saloon Building. These four people in this labor of love cleaned out the dust and debris, and restored this historical building’s treasures, taking care with the painstaking details, and making the building a restored beauty at the end of two years.

As the original bars were long gone, they purchased from New Orleans a 1900, gorgeous, forty-foot long bar, and acquired an 1880 bar for the basement space, soon to be the Jazz Club.

The four of them also hired well-known local artist Jack O’Hara to paint an original oil on canvas mural for the entrance to Fitzpatrick’s called “From Kansas City to… Fame”, presenting fifteen people who were successful in the arts, and who had strong connections to Kansas City. Walt Disney, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, and Ernest Hemingway were a few of the notables included.

Once again, it opened for business. Several restaurants tried and failed to make a go of it. However, in 1992, local restaurateur Doug Barnard hit on the perfect combination that became quite popular: The New Majestic Steakhouse with live Jazz!

He named it after a popular steakhouse that once existed on 31st Street and Holmes, but had closed in the mid-1970s. This enterprise thrived for years until Barnard ran into some personal issues in 2008, and wanted out of his lease.

The Sebrees’ son, Frank the third, and his wife Jolene, bought the Fitzpatrick building. Right after Barnard’s New Majestic SteakHouse closed in 2009, the new owners started their own Majestic Restaurant and Jazz Club, building on the success of Barnard’s long-established New Majestic Steakhouse, and managing to bring attendance up and build popularity once more.

Frank and Jolene continued offering fine food and entertainment, maintaining the business’ success. As of 2025, they continue to run the Majestic Restaurant which still serves “the best dry-aged Kansas City Steaks for lunch and dinner seven days a week along with fantastic chops, fresh seafood, and homemade desserts.”

The huge selection of wine, beer on tap and drinks plus the nightly Jazz Club is the cherry on top for this successful business.

HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS

When a historic fixer opportunity property is restored to its former glory, spirits who have connections to the structure often come back to visit or even stay.

Geiser Grand, OR (Apparitions started to roam around the hotel during the big restoration; so happy that their beloved hotel was being restored).

Rookwood Speakeasy, MT (Restoring a place of fun can draw back interested spirits).

Fort Worden Commanding Officer Quarters Museum, WA (It was restored by volunteers, during the ’70s, which drew back a spectral military couple because they enjoy the historical decor as they relive their good times living there).

The Majestic Restaurant and Jazz Club, MO (After being empty for so long, spirits were drawn back after the renovation and restoration process began).

The life and work of a Prostitute has always been risky, both emotionally and physically. It can lead to early death by suicide, attacks by clients, disease, and botched abortion.

Copper Queen Hotel, AZ (A prostitute who fell in love with a client. They decided to marry. Her client got cold feet and didn’t show up. She killed herself. Her spirit still haunts the hotel).

The Dumas Brothel, MT (One young woman died from taking too much of an opium abortion drink. Another basement lady was killed by a client).

Miss Molly’s B & B, TX (A prostitute died from disease and her spirit haunts the room where she died).

The Majestic Restaurant and Jazz Club, MO (The Fitzpatrick Saloon had a brothel on the third floor of this building, a common feature for a saloon.There are several spirits of prostitutes who died upstairs from the hazards of their line of work).

As most Prohibition-era speakeasies were run by the Mafia, deaths often resulted from run-ins with mob enforcers or rival gangster gangs.

Brumder Mansion, WI (One gambler who was caught cheating was shot by the enforcer in the coal room. A prostitute was killed for talking to the police).

The Buffalo Block Steak House in the Rex, MT (A bartender who was caught skimming money was killed).

O’Henry’s Roadside Building, IL (A gangster with temper and jealousy issues killed brutally, causing two hauntings: His girlfriend and the bartender).

The Majestic Restaurant and Jazz Club, MO (There was a speakeasy in the basement where the Jazz Club is now located. The Mob probably ran the brothel as well with Boss Tom. Some of the deaths that occurred were probably the result of breaking the rules).

People who die suddenly in the middle of trying to finish a project or duty, may stay to try to do so as a spirit.

Social Parlor Building, MO (The spirit of a furrier who died suddenly, leaving garments unfinished, has an overwhelming need to get his projects done, and can’t rest until he completes all of them).

Collingwood Art Center, OH (The spirit of a loving nun with a bright expression and friendly countenance, who smiles and waves at the living, likes to spend her time sewing clothes on her plane of existence, perhaps trying to finish some projects, enjoying her work for the Lord).

Li’l Abner’s Restaurant and Bar, AZ (Something in Larry Lewis’s eyeglass office was misplaced, causing a restless spirit).

The Majestic Restaurant and Jazz Club, MO (Since this building was also a garment factory, a dedicated employee or two in spirit form may still be here, trying to make her quota).

Past owners may like to visit their old business, especially if they once had living quarters upstairs or special places, like an office, while alive. (It is especially tempting if this special place is named after you!).

Irma Hotel, WY (The spirits of Buffalo Bill and his daughter still stay in their favorite place. Bill keeps a watchful eye and Irma is still a hospitable hostess!).

Aaron Burr House, PA (This B and B’s namesake feels at home and doesn’t mind being noticed).

Bullock Hotel, SD (The spirit of Seth Bullock carries out his duties in a progressive way with enthusiasm and vigor. Watch out!).

The Majestic Restaurant and Jazz Club, MO (Spirits of two past owners still make their presences known. The first owner, James Fitzpatrick, had his living quarters upstairs. “Boss Tom” Pendergast had a second office where the private dining and lounging room, The Pendergast Club, is now located).

Spirits of past patrons from years back like to visit old watering holes, restaurants, party places and brothels they enjoyed while alive.

Cigars and Stripes Hammer Hed Lounge, IL (The Spirits who reside and visit here enjoy the lounge’s entertainment).

Hangman’s Tree Ice Cream Saloon, CA (Spirits of all ages are drawn here… for the ice-cream).

Dauphine Orleans Hotel, LA (Apparently, spirits from all eras are still having “a roll in the hay”).

The Majestic Restaurant and Jazz Club, MO (Former patrons of the Fitzpatrick Saloon, Brothel, and Speakeasy may come to enjoy the current entertainment offered, as much as they can in spirit form, or relive the fun they had in their memories. Besides being the Fitzpatrick Saloon, this building has been the home of several restaurants with bars that probably had loyal patrons who loved the places while alive).

MANIFESTATIONS

According to the Sebree family, there is a “ghostly gang” in this restored building. While no personal experiences have been shared, the writer of this haunted houses.com story can provide some insight into possible paranormal activity that could take place here.

PARANORMAL FINDINGS

Sensitives have felt spirits in the basement area.

The original owners had personal paranormal experiences with the spirits they encountered.

Frank Sebree Jr. also says that there are sixteen different ghosts ‘doing their thing’ where the former Fitzpatrick’s Saloon once stood.

STILL HAUNTED?

Probably so. While there has been no hard evidence found that has been made public, the owners of this building have had experiences with their spectral residents.

LOCATION

931 Broadway Blvd,
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
(816) 221-1888 * http://majestickc.com

Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr

Our Photos are copyrighted by Tom Carr

Visit the memorable… Milwaukee Haunted Hotel

SOURCES INCLUDE

• https://www.thepitchkc.com/food-drink/article/20597488/the-new-majestic-restaurant-lives-up-to-its-name-and-historic-location
• https://www.thepitchkc.com/arts-entertainment/article/20589002/the-top-five-haunted-restaurants
• http://majestickc.com/about-us/history-of-downtown-kansas-city/
• http://ourchanginglives.com/shady-history-at-the-majestic-restaurant/
• http://majestickc.com/about-us/kansas-city-jazz-videos-from-the-jazz-club/
• https://shsmo.org/about/kansascity/mcp/Worley-1-28-93.pdf

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