CRAFTING COCKTAILS

In 2017, Jill Cockson envisioned and created Swordfish Tom’s, a preProhibition–style cocktail bar located in the Crossroads of Kansas City. She’s now expanding her vision to Shawnee and partnering with Jay Sanders, previously the general manager at Manifesto, and Shelley and Derick Shackelford, owners of the building where the new bar Drastic Measures is located. Sanders will act as operating manager of the establishment. Jay and Jill enjoy the atmosphere in the photo above.

Cockson was drawn to Shawnee after meeting the Shacklefords and learning of their newly purchased building. “We met and Derick said, ‘I like smaller markets. I think the future is smaller neighborhood bars,’” she says. Cockson and Sanders agreed Shawnee was a great location.

Sanders says there’s a need for a neighborhood gathering spot in the suburbs. “I’m 32 and a lot of my friends are my age. We don’t always want to drive all the way downtown for a craft cocktail,” he says.

Cockson adds, “I think you can create really unique, special spaces in neighborhoods that are being underserved right now.”

“And the city is so accommodating for us,” Sanders says.

Swordfish Tom’s is a speakeasy in the Crossroads district where you take an alley and go down the stairs to find a waiting room with a light above the door. A green light means there’s seating available; red means they’re at full occupancy. The concept will be similar at Drastic Measures,

and a light will let guests know if the bar is at its 40-max occupancy. “The model is the same but the face is a little different,” Sanders says.

“We want to create an atmosphere where it’s like you’re coming to your living room, as opposed to a cold and unwelcoming space. We want people to be able to connect and have a conversation. That’s always our No. 1 agenda,” Cockson says.

Sanders says, “We call it your neighborhood craft cocktail.”

The name “Drastic Measures” relates to cocktail ingredients being precisely measured. It’s “drastic” because the owners like to stretch the creative ways they do things—yet they do so in measured, thoughtful ways.

“So I thought (the name) was a great … juxtaposition of words, and it’s a nice colloquialism. So we’re going to do hopefully nice, farreaching, cool, thoughtful things, but with a very measured, tempered approach,” Sanders says.

Sanders brings an impressive background in cocktails and is eager to create a custom menu for Drastic Measures. “I like doing bright flavors—not necessarily tropical or island—but like bright and unique flavor combinations using a variety of spirits, agave spirits or Aquavit, or just things that I personally like that maybe not a lot of people know about. I want to share, and I want them to like them too,” Sanders says.

“I want to offer offbeat little things, but also very balanced. We’re not doing anything crazy. If you come in and you want something off the menu, such as a rum and Coke, well, we don’t offer Coca-Cola, but we do create our own cola syrup. Would you like to try that? We want you to be able to order whatever you want.

“At the same time, everything we make is in-house. We try not to source anything.”

The owners have designed the bar and the menu to enable drinks to be prepared as fast as possible. So while there are 12 craft cocktails on the menu, everything is readily available to quickly accommodate an off-the-menu request.

Sanders is also creating a nonalcoholic selection of craft drinks.

Sanders wants everyone to know they can create these same craft drinks at home, so he’s offering a recipe book for sale. “I never want anyone to feel like they can’t make something at home themselves,” he says, “so we have our recipe book for sale. So if you like our menu, I’ll

Cockson and Sanders, along with the Shackelfords, wanted Drastic Measures to have a welcoming atmosphere, from intimate seating clusters to the one-of-a-kind light fixtures designed by Jake Balcom.

Drastic Measures 5817 Nieman www.drasticbar.com Facebook: drasticmeasureskc

Cash only; no reservations

let you purchase it. (And) in your copy, you’ll have the full rundown of everything needed and how to make it.”

The space is intimate with seating areas separated with rugs, creating pockets for small groups to gather and connect. With natural light from a window, plus the custom-made lighting designed by Jake Balcom, the contrast between the walls and the lighting adds a delicate ambiance.

Balcom, a metal sculptor by trade, designed and installed the sconces and light fixtures, with the chandelier a focal point as you enter. Elated with the designs Balcom created, Sanders says, “They’re all mathematical and equation- and geometric-expression inspired.”

“He (Balcom) usually does large-scale installation,” Cockson says. “And he’s always inspired by the contrast between mathematical, geometrical, and organic shapes. So it provides a contrast in here between the rustic stone wall and the modern contrast of the fixtures. I think it’s a really great balance.”

Drastic Measures is open Monday through Saturday, 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

“I want people to come here for the atmosphere and the chance to connect with each other. If our cocktails come in a close second to that, we consider that a win,” Cockson says.