The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center
Elegant downtown ballroom and event venue in Kansas City
A ballroom dance studio offering instruction in American and International style dances including Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Rumba, and Swing.
Before your first class
Parking available downtown near the Convention Center; refer to downtown Kansas City maps and directions for options.
About this studio
The Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center is a 46,400-square-foot venue designed for large-scale events. The space is divisible into three separate rooms (2501 A, B, and C) that can operate independently, each with 36-foot ceilings. The main ballroom accommodates up to 4,000 people in theatre-style seating (3,900 capacity), 2,000 in classroom layout, or 3,000 for banquets. Smaller sections include rooms 2502, 2503, 2504, and 2505, offering flexible configurations for groups ranging from 70 to 615 people.
The space celebrates Kansas City's history with water features and is distinguished by a controllable natural lighting system and a 38-foot-high glass wall offering dramatic views south towards the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. One of America's largest eco-friendly ballrooms, the Grand Ballroom is LEED silver certified and features waterless plumbing, energy-efficient heating and cooling, and sophisticated lighting technology.
The venue opens to an outdoor plaza at the southeast corner of the Convention Center complex and connects to the existing Conference Center, allowing access to additional breakout rooms. Loews Catering is the exclusive catering provider for the Grand Ballroom, South Plaza, and adjacent pre-function spaces. The facility is GBAC STAR certified and ADA compliant with multiple amenities for accessibility.
The Convention Center has hosted events ranging from UMKC basketball games to conferences and performances. Ticketed events are available through Ticketmaster, with walk-up tickets at the Municipal Auditorium Box Office (10 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday) or by phone.
What to expect
Your first visit
A professionally managed downtown venue with high ceilings, abundant natural light from its glass wall, flexible room configurations, and dedicated event staff to coordinate your gathering.
Studio history
The Convention Center's history spans over a century. The original Convention Hall, which opened on February 22, 1899, with a performance by John Phillip Sousa's band, burned to the ground in April 1900. The community raised funds to rebuild in time to host the Democratic National Convention. A second Convention Center hosted the Democratic National Convention and later a Republican National Convention before being replaced by the Municipal Auditorium in 1934. Bartle Hall, completed in 1994 and named for H. Roe Bartle, boasts the largest column-free exhibit space and four art deco-inspired pylons designed by artist R.M. Fisher.
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Centerhasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center, claiming the studio lets you add a public schedule in about 2 minutes. A free Google Calendar is the easiest path — visitors see your class times inline + can add events to their own calendar.
Frequently asked about The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center teach?
The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center teaches Ballroom, Latin, Smooth, Rhythm. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center located?
The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center is located in Kansas City, MO. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center offer private lessons?
Contact The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center teach kids and adults?
The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center welcomes students of varied ages and experience levels. Contact the studio to learn which classes fit your age group and level.
How do I sign up for classes at The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center?
The fastest path is to visit The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.
Is there parking at The Grand Ballroom - Kansas City Convention Center?
Parking available downtown near the Convention Center; refer to downtown Kansas City maps and directions for options.