Gates BBQ locations are all in the Kansas City metro. This guide lists every Gates Bar-B-Q address, phone number, and hours so you can find the nearest one.
Gates Bar-B-Q Locations Near Me 2026
Looking for Gates BBQ locations near you? There are six Gates Bar-B-Q restaurants, and every one sits in the Kansas City metro area. Your nearest one depends on which side of the state line you’re on, so this guide lists every address, phone number, and typical hours to point you the right way.
If you’ve ever been to KC, you know the smell finds you before the building does. Sweet hickory smoke drifting down the block, and the second you walk through the door someone calls out “Hi, may I help you?” Honestly, that’s the whole Gates experience in one sentence, and it’s worth planning a trip around. I looked into all six Gates BBQ locations so you can skip the guesswork. And if you want to know what to order before you go, check the full Gates Bar-B-Q menu with prices first.
How Many Gates Bar-B-Q Locations Are There?
Six. That’s the whole list, and there’s something I love about that. While other chains chased nationwide growth, Gates stayed a family-run Kansas City operation since 1946. All six restaurants sit within about a half hour of each other across the KC metro, four on the Missouri side and two in Kansas. Same famous lineup everywhere: ribs, burnt ends, mixed plates, and that legendary sauce.
Every Gates Bar-B-Q Location, With Address and Phone
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Emanuel Cleaver Blvd | 1325 E Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64110 | (816) 531-7522 |
| Brooklyn Ave | 1221 Brooklyn Ave, Kansas City, MO 64127 | (816) 483-3880 |
| Main Street | 3205 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111 | (816) 753-0828 |
| Independence | 10440 E 40 Hwy, Independence, MO 64055 | (816) 353-5880 |
| Leawood | 2001 W 103rd Ter, Leawood, KS 66206 | (913) 383-1752 |
| Kansas City, KS | 1026 State Ave, Kansas City, KS 66102 | (913) 621-1134 |
Finding the Nearest Gates Bar-B-Q to You
Searching “gates bbq locations near me” in Google Maps works fine, but here’s a shortcut. Staying downtown or Midtown? The Main Street location at 3205 Main is your easiest stop, and the Emanuel Cleaver Blvd flagship is just minutes away. The Brooklyn Ave restaurant sits in the historic 18th and Vine neighborhood where the Gates story began back in 1946. On the Kansas side, you’ve got Leawood at 2001 W 103rd Terrace and Kansas City, KS at 1026 State Avenue. Coming from the east, the Independence location on E 40 Highway has you covered. Quick tip: call ahead if you’re ordering party trays or rolling in with a big group, because the lunch rush is no joke.
What Are Gates BBQ Hours by Location?
Most Gates BBQ locations open at 11 AM every day, but closing time shifts a bit from spot to spot. The Emanuel Cleaver Blvd restaurant runs 11 AM to 11 PM Sunday through Thursday and stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. The Leawood, Kansas location closes earlier: 9 PM Sunday through Thursday, 11 PM on weekends. Holiday hours vary too, so if you’re planning a Thanksgiving or Christmas visit, a quick call to your location saves you a wasted drive.
A Quick Word on the Gates Story
You can’t talk about Gates BBQ locations without a little history. George Gates and his wife Arzelia opened the first spot, then called Gates Ol’ Kentucky, at 19th and Vine in 1946, with Arthur Pinkard, who had cooked for Henry Perry, the man who started Kansas City barbecue itself. The red roofs, the tuxedo-wearing “Struttin’ Man” logo, and that shouted greeting all go back decades. The family’s sauce hit grocery stores back in 1975, and it never left.
One More Tip for Your Visit
Gates runs walk-in, order-at-the-counter service at every location, no reservations anywhere. Lines move fast because the crew takes your order while you wait in line, so don’t let a crowded parking lot scare you off. If you’re driving around town, the red roofs are easy to spot from the road, and that’s by design. Once you’re inside, look for the tuxedo-wearing Struttin’ Man on the sauce bottles, that logo goes back generations.
Gates Bar-B-Q Holiday Hours
Like most KC barbecue joints, Gates locations typically close on Thanksgiving and Christmas, though the exact schedule changes year to year and location to location. This is the one time you really should call your specific Gates BBQ location before heading out. Party trays for game days and family gatherings are a different story, those you can order a few days ahead and pick up hot.
Gates Bar-B-Q Locations FAQ
How many Gates Bar-B-Q locations are there?
Six, all in the Kansas City metro area: four in Missouri (Kansas City and Independence) and two in Kansas (Kansas City and Leawood). The company has stayed local and family-owned since 1946.
Is there a Gates Bar-B-Q outside Kansas City?
No, Gates has never expanded beyond the KC metro. The good news is their famous sauce has been sold in grocery stores nationwide since the 1980s, so you can bring the flavor home with you.
Which Gates Bar-B-Q location is best for first-timers?
The Emanuel Cleaver Blvd flagship is the best-known, with the longest hours. The Brooklyn Ave location sits in the historic neighborhood where the Gates story began, so it’s the pick if you want a little atmosphere with your ribs.
What should I order at Gates Bar-B-Q?
First visit? The Mixed Plate lets you sample the meats, and the burnt ends are a KC rite of passage. Browse the Gates Bar-B-Q menu with prices before you go so you walk in with a plan.
Locations last verified: October 15, 2026. Details confirmed against the official Gates Bar-B-Q website: gatesbbq.com.
🔗 Related Reading
So that’s the complete rundown of Gates BBQ locations. Six restaurants, one metro, zero bad choices. Next time you’re in Kansas City, pick your nearest spot, walk in, answer “Hi, may I help you?” with your order, and thank me later.
