studio b

This review is about studio b as an event space. We used studio b for our wedding and reception and had an absolute blast. Important to know about our wedding: we were on a pretty tight budget and we wanted it to be casual but still have some of our personalities in it.
Space:
We wanted a unique space with an urban feel in the downtown/​crossroads area and were not interested in blowing half of our budget just to get a room. Studio b is part art gallery, part event space: there is a small room with a basic kitchen area which is connected via a small corridor to the larger, open space with hardwood floors, brick walls, and white columns. In the smaller space we could fit a buffet table, photo booth, and several cocktail-​height tables. It was also nice that it was separate from the main reception area so that people could get away from the activities if they wanted. In the larger space we were able to set up 15, 6′ round tables to seat about 120 people and have a decent-​sized ceremony/​dance area. There is also a small bar in that space.
Amenities:
— small kitchen area with fridge, sink, microwave and oven (I think). A caterer wouldn’t be able to cook full meals but they could warm up food or keep it cool.
— Bridal room off of the gallery for getting ready. I had 3 bridesmaids and we were comfortable. It would’ve been snug with many more though.
— Loft area off of the event space could be used for guys to get ready or a fun lounge area during a reception.
— Bar in event space. Studio b will also provide bartenders for an additional price which we found reasonable. They do allow you to bring in your own drinks if you like. We had several ¹⁄₆ kegs of beer and tubs for water and soda pop.
— Event space is already beautifully lit with christmas lights
— Magnetic wall with magnets to hang photos in event space
Staff:
I can’t say enough about Darren and Jodi. They were very accommodating to any requests and easy to work with. They wound up being the bartenders as well, and didn’t mind how we set up the room or what we wanted to nail to the walls, so long as they could help. Communications were occasionally slow, especially via email, but we did always get a response. They offered to connect us to the other couple renting the space in the same weekend to possibly share rental fees as well, which was a great gesture. It didn’t work out for us but it was nice to be able to examine the opportunity.
TL;DR
Beautiful space with great staff. Made my wedding day perfect!

I attended an event at Studio B. I did not plan or interface with the staff, except to be served beverages and food (and I’m not sure if that wasn’t an outside catering company). Also, I should qualify my remarks further to say that I’m not well acquainted with this part of Kansas City.
The space is cool, and seems to fit the milieu of the neighborhood — especially to the west of it. Artsy, young, sorta’ urban. As noted in Dulaney’s review, the location divides the space into two large-​ish rooms.
Our group elected to set up the buffet in one room, and to have the seating, standing, and bar in the other room. I think we had between 60 — 70 people, and we fit reasonably well in the room designated for standing, drinking, sitting, and eating. The walk to the buffet was a wee bit long and down a short hallway, but not a big deal.
The food was pretty good, especially for a buffet.
While the space was nice, I wouldn’t have known it was a photo studio … or even an art gallery, except that I had been told this. Perhaps the event organizers asked to have the rooms emptied of such things as to indicate the ‘day job’ of this place. If so, that was unfortunate.
My principal complaints are the parking, and some of the idiosynracies of the access to the place. For the parking, we were directed to park across Main St — a busy, 4-​lane, urban thoroughfare. There was a traffic light with crossing signals; however, the neighborhood is on the edge of some less seemly parts of downtown. I would not have felt comfortable having my wife make that walk alone. (I have lived and traveled in a variety of urban areas, for reference.)
There seemed to have been two access points. The secondary access was through the rear — though not adjacent to easily identifiable parking available for visitors. This less traveled access was also where the coat rack was located. Not only was it a less traveled access point, it was downstairs, where nothing else was, and the door was unattended. This was a bit inconvenient, and uncomfortable — I wanted to have the benefit of my coat when I left at the end of the evening, and did not want to share it without my consent.
Not really deal-​killing complaints. Seemed like a pretty good place. Was fairly unique.

Studio B is a photography studio/​gallery/​event space located in the Crossroads District. I have been there both as a First Friday patron and as a bride-​to-​be touring the gallery as a possible space for my wedding.
I called Studio B the week I got engaged to set up an appointment to view the space. The man I spoke to (I don’t recall the names of anyone I met there), was very friendly and even willing to stay late in order for my fiancé to come when he got off work, around 7:30. I was very impressed with that. The other places I called were not able/​willing to accommodate his late schedule. The owner called me a few days later to say that he would be unable to be there when we came. Would I like to reschedule or would it be alright if one of the photographers gave us the tour? I chose the latter.
When we arrived that evening, the photographer who was friendly, but a little awkward greeted us. Not awkward in a bad way, but awkward in a «I’m the photographer and giving tours isn’t really what I am comfortable doing» sort of way. If it had been me, I would’ve been the same. Also, they had just started renting out the studio as an event space, so they probably weren’t used to giving tours to anxious brides and their families. We had a lot of questions, and she was great about answering them to the best of her knowledge.
The space is great, as is the location. They have a parking lot on Baltimore that could easily meet the needs of a smaller event, plus there is street parking all over the neighborhood. There are two rooms, one great for the ceremony/​reception, and the other perfect for a cocktail hour/​bar area. We were also told that any work that may be up at the time of our even could stay up or come down at our request.
Studio B is a great spot, but in the end we went with another space. We live, literally, around the corner from the gallery. While I am proud of how local our wedding will be (I am purposely trying to stay within a Rivermarket to Crossroads radius), something about getting married next door to my house just seemed *too* local. Plus, the two rooms, while a great idea, could’ve easily made the whole event kind of boring. See, we are having a rather intimate wedding. Having half of the people in the main room and half in the bar area would mean that both rooms are sparsely filled with bodies, which defeats the whole purpose.
I would definitely recommend Studio B to someone looking for an event space. The people are friendly, the prices are very reasonable, and the neighborhood is great. Hell, if this marriage doesn’t work out and I find myself planning a second, larger wedding I would absolutely rent the gallery.
Studio B totally deserves 4 stars, for the reasons mentioned above. Plus, both times I have been there they have had a wall hanging that I adore. It is the close up of a white fluffy dog with a big black nose. It reminds me of my dog, Oliver, who I got at age 8 and who my parents put to sleep on my 23^rd birthday (yes, my birthday). Also, the woman who gave us the tour told me that I had the bluest eyes she had ever seen, and compliments go a long way with me!