Entry No. 13 — the Kansas City file — filed under: underground
S.D. Strong Distilling
Operating 65 feet underground in a former limestone mine, this is the world's only legal cave-based distillery.
The story
Sixty-five feet beneath the limestone bluffs of Parkville, Missouri, inside a cavernous former mine underneath Park University, sits S.D. Strong Distilling. Co-founder Steve Strong picked up the craft after a fellow musician in his band started running garage moonshine in Kansas City. What started as a fringe experiment grew into the world's only commercial distillery operating entirely inside a cave.
Aging liquor underground isn't a gimmick—it is a climate hack. Subterranean limestone mines hold a constant ambient temperature hovering around 65 degrees year-round. That steady coolness shapes the way their oak barrels breathe, aging spirits like their signature Pillar 136 Gin and vodka in rock-walled, damp silence far removed from Missouri's brutal summer heat.
What it's like
You'll drive about 30 minutes northwest of downtown Kansas City, pull off River Park Drive, and motor directly into a massive portal carved into the stone face of the bluff. The asphalt roadway leads through an underground industrial complex shared with climate-controlled storage until you reach Suite 136a. Inside, warm accent lights hit bare rock walls and polished copper stills. If you book a Second Saturday tour, you'll walk through the barrel vault, sample the spirits, and catch a 'Cave Concert' where the rock walls amplify the acoustic set. Bring a light sweater even in July—the cave never warms up.
The move: Book a 'Second Saturday' tour to explore the subterranean barrel room, sip their signature Pillar 136 Gin, and catch a live 'Cave Concert' in this temperature-controlled underground wonder.
- 📍 Parkville
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 8500 NW River Park Dr #136a, Parkville, MO 64152
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Castle Northmoor — Pair a journey into an underground limestone alcohol cavern with a stop at a hand-built, 40-foot stone medieval tower just four miles away.
- The Blue Palm — Trade the natural cool of a subterranean mine for the blacked-out, sun-blocking interior of this intimate Strawberry Hill tiki lounge.
- Screenland Armour — Follow up your underground gin tasting with a cult classic or indie film screening at this historic 1920s cinema in North Kansas City.
Good to know
Where is the distillery located underground?
It operates 65 feet underground in a former limestone mine facility directly beneath Park University in Parkville, Missouri.
What kind of spirits do they make?
They distill hand-crafted spirits on-site, most notably their Pillar 136 Gin and S.D. Strong Vodka.
What happens during 'Second Saturday' events?
On the second Saturday of the month, they offer guided tours of the barrel room, spirit tastings, and live music performances known as 'Cave Concerts'.
How cold is it inside the distillery?
The subterranean mine stays at a natural temperature of roughly 65°F year-round, so bringing a sweater or light jacket is recommended.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · nebraskaalumni.org · plattecountycitizen.com · meyersfuneralchapel.com · Yelp
last checked: 2026-07-21