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For those of you who remember way back, Kites's was the Shamrock Tavern from 1920-1953. Better known as "Slim's", the owners were Slim and Marie Redecker. Earl Williams, a previous KSU football player, then bought and remodeled the tavern.
In October 1954, former KSU basketball-baseball player Keith (Kite) Thomas turned "Slim's" into "Kite's': The Kansas City native had just retired from professional baseball after playing with the Philadelphia Athletics, New York Yankees and Washington Senators as an outfielder.
Kite's popularity was aided with KSU's announcement that the Blue Lounge, an established drinking spot on North 3rd, was off limits for University women. Aggieville then started to emerge as the student beer drinking center with Kite's leading the way.
Kite's changed ownership New Year's Day 1969 with Terry Ray, a Kansas City Washington High graduate, as it's new proprietor. Terry had worked for Kite as a KSU student since 1963. In 1971 Terry acquired Schneider's Dance Studio and enlarged Kite's to include "the new back room' — which is now the corner of 12th & moro side. Kansas State Football All-American Defensive End Mike Kuhn, who still holds the record for most blocked punts in a KSU game, was also an owner during this time.
After a brief hiatus as the 12th Street Pub, Kite's was reopened by Rusty Wilson, a bartender for Terry Ray during his days as a student at Kansas State who during that time, was credited with pouring Kite's first cocktail when liquor by the drink in public establishments was legalized in Kansas.
Current owner Scott Sieben cut his teeth at Kite's as a kitchen boy, working his way up to General Manager. A Manhattan High and Kansas State University graduate, Scott continues the century-old tradition of this historic space by serving great food and drinks, and providing a location where friends and family can gather, especially to root on the Cats. Go State!