September 9, 2023
What began as a dare between two buddies, Brad Lobdell and John Milone, the International Tap House has expanded to now five locations across the Show Me State. Two in St. Louis, one just off campus in Columbia, MO and two in the Kansas City area. The 18th and Oak Crossroads location opened in 2017 and in September, Lee’s Summit at 3rd and Main will join the family.
Specializing in craft beer and handmade draft cocktails iTap, as it’s affectionately called, will open its doors in September in the old bank building. The old vault will now be home to 40 draft beer, seltzer and cocktail options as well as close to two hundred bottle and can options from around the corner, across the country and from every corner of the world not to mention a wall of bourbon selections.
The business partners had to look twice at this location, but with the help of Drake Development and Collins and Webb Architects they visualized a great tavern in which to meet friends, watch games or simply just hang out inside.
It’s a trip back home for co-owner Brad Lobdell, who grew up on KC’s east side, graduating from the now extinct Hickman Mills High School.
“My mom lives two blocks away from the Lee’s Summit location,” tells Lobdell, “and I’ve always been enamored with the area’s hometown feel.” iTap’s Regional Manager Josh Kennedy grew up in town and still calls Lee’s Summit home and is thrilled to make International Tap House an integral part of the downtown economy. “We want to be part of the rising economic tide downtown,” says Lobdell.
JMH Construction helped bring the idea from paper to reality, with a design that is an homage to the prohibition days and a tilt of the cap to the bank history of the building.
Joining iTap in the space will be the third location of Johnny Jo’s Pizzeria. The New York style pizza and sandwich joint will have its own storefront on 3rd Street but will also serve to iTap’s hungry customers. “We can’t wait to bring our brand of hospitality to my adopted hometown,” Lobdell says, “I know we only add to what is already a great downtown nightlife.”
