Coming to Johnson County: A coffee shop by day, and a ‘high end’ cocktail bar by night

An exceptional bar is just as focused on its atmosphere as its libations.

That’s Belly Vang and Kirt Rithmixay’s conclusion, anyway. The childhood friends have visited their fair share of glitzy lounges on the West Coast, around the world, even.

As they planned their “high-end” Overland Park bar opening in March, they discussed elements of their favorite spots. Their space, Entity, pulls from the best.

“Something nice to look at, where you can have a civil conversation,” Vang said. “And that’s what we’re doing — a smaller space, more intimate.”

Entity — opening below the Apex at CityPlace apartments at 11216 Switzer Road — aims to be a mellow space for booze and banter. Dates nights, quiet evenings with friends.

The space is under construction, but renderings capture their vision: a marbled backsplash, metallic accents and high industrial ceilings.

Neon piping weaves across the top of the bottle rack — a signature piece meant to invoke awe.

It’s a place to simply exist in, Rithmixay said. The concept of “being” inspired the bar’s name.

While patrons relax in booths, at the bar or a handful of tables, a couple of bartenders will serve up specialty drinks from a lengthy cocktail menu:

The Water Lily contains gin, dry curacao, lemon juice, Creme de Violette and an orange peel garnish. The Boss has white rum, Cocchi Americano, blood orange liqueur and a touch of grenadine.

But, like most bars, Entity won’t be serving liquor during the day. That’s where Patricia Ghavami comes in. Ghavami will serve lattes and other specialty coffee drinks from the bar. Hours have yet to be finalized.

A self-described people person, Ghavami is most eager to build relationships with her customers.

“For me, I don’t see business, I see it as something that comes from my heart,” she said. “You’re sad, you need coffee. You’re happy, you need coffee.”

Entity isn’t Vang and Rithmixay’s first business together. The two own Beloved Nail Salon, which opened two years ago a few doors down. (Their lime-flavored “Be Loved” cocktail winks at the nail salon.)

While throwing around concepts to expand their portfolio, they landed on the idea of a cocktail lounge.

Ghavami and Rithmixay had been friends for a while, too. When Ghavami mentioned her desire to open a coffee shop, Rithmixay told her he’d found her the perfect place.

“It’s a great place to have a coffee date, with the booth area,” Rithmixay said. “During the day we get natural light from the sun.”

And, Rithmixay hopes, it’ll be a place for customers to gather and connect, from sun-up to after sundown.

“We want our guests to feel that higher level and be able to enjoy themselves,” he said. “To genuinely have a conversation that you couldn’t at Starbucks.”