Fountain Haus: A Cherished LGBTQ-Friendly Nightlife Venue in Westport Closes Its Doors

Sad news for Westport, Kansas City’s nightlife scene. Fountain Haus, a much-loved LGBTQ-friendly spot, has shut down. This club, with its three floors, multiple dance floors, and famous rooftop “pool deck,” gave folks some great times. But, the last night of business was Saturday.

Challenges and Triumphs of Fountain Haus

David Brinkerhoff, the club owner, said they faced more challenges than they thought, even with all their hard work. So, keeping Fountain Haus open just wasn’t possible. Still, Brinkerhoff and his partners, Dan Meiners and Ryan Overberg, can be proud of what they did since opening the club in 2022 at 401 Westport Road, where HopCat and TikiCat used to be.

An Unforgettable Venue

Fountain Haus was a huge 13,000-square-foot place with food, lots of bars, and a rooftop “pool deck” that looked like an empty swimming pool. The club had drag shows, dance parties like Queer Terror, and was a big part of Pride events. It called itself “one of the largest queer and ally spaces” in the Midwest.

Legal Matters and Employee Support

David Hollins, who used to be a minority partner in the business, filed a lawsuit last August. He said the owners didn’t pay back his $50,000 investment in the club, which was a 2% stake in the business. The lawsuit was settled a few weeks ago, and Hollins’ lawyer said the settlement was good for his client. We don’t know if the settlement had anything to do with the club closing.

Brinkerhoff said employees would get severance for February. He also told Fountain Haus customers to support other LGBTQ places in the area, like Bistro 303, Cafe Trio, Gaels Public House, Hamburger Mary’s, Missie B’s, Sidekicks, Sidestreet, and Woody’s.

Discover Your Dream Home Near Exciting Nightlife Options

If you want to buy a home near fun nightlife spots like Fountain Haus, check out Overland Park, Leawood, and Olathe Kansas. With a real estate agent, you can find the perfect home in these lively communities with lots of nightlife choices.

Gratitude for the Fountain Haus Legacy

As the club closes, Brinkerhoff thanked the Fountain Haus team, the customers, and the community partners who helped make the club a success. He said, “You are the heartbeat of Fountain Haus. We are super proud of what we built together and are so grateful to have been a part of Kansas City’s story.”