In downtown Shawnee, Kansas, two cocktail bars sit side by side, each with its own personality but sharing the same creative spirit. Behind both is Jay Sanders, an award winning mixologist whose approach to drinks is equal parts craft, curiosity, and hospitality.
Sanders opened Drastic Measures in 2019 after leaving the acclaimed Kansas City bar Manifesto. At the time, he and his partners were simply looking for a place of their own. Shawnee was not necessarily the original plan, but meeting building owners Derick and Shelley Shackelford changed everything. The couple eventually became partners, helping turn a simple idea into a neighborhood destination.
The name Drastic Measures came from a long list of possibilities in Sanders’ phone notes. It felt right for a bar that planned to do something a little unexpected in a quieter corner of the metro. The result is a cozy cocktail spot that draws crowds with inventive drinks and a relaxed neighborhood vibe.
A few years later, the concept next door began to take shape. Wild Child opened in 2023, sparked by a moment Sanders still remembers clearly. A guest once asked if a cocktail could be made without alcohol but wanted it kept quiet because she had just learned she was pregnant and was not ready to share the news with her friends. The request stuck with him. Sanders realized the bar should offer thoughtful non alcoholic options so no guest would ever feel uncomfortable ordering a drink that suited them.
Wild Child grew from that idea. Today the bar offers a full menu of cocktails and wine alongside carefully crafted mocktails that receive just as much attention as the spirits based drinks. Sanders says creating non alcoholic options that truly feel special is actually the harder challenge, which is exactly why the team puts so much care into them.
Despite their proximity, the two bars have distinct personalities. Drastic Measures leans toward playful, creative cocktails. One of its most famous is the Kill Bill, a spicy ginger drink that began as a happy accident when Sanders tried to use up extra ingredients. It quickly became the bar’s top seller and a fan favorite.
Wild Child feels a little different. The drinks are just as imaginative, but the space celebrates choice and inclusivity, welcoming everyone whether they drink alcohol or not.
Sanders describes his own cocktail style as a mix of nostalgia and bold flavor. Inspiration might come from food, a color, a name, or even childhood memories. His tasting notes are famously unconventional. Think Play Doh, cut grass, or the inside of a Halloween mask. They may not sound fancy, but they capture something real.
Awards and nominations, including multiple nods from the James Beard Foundation, have brought national attention. Still, Sanders insists the real goal is simple.
When guests walk out the door, he hopes they leave knowing they were genuinely welcome. That, and that they had a great drink along the way