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As the temperature climbs, activity at the restaurant and bar that sits on Smithville Lake soars.

Castaways Marina and Grill, which recently hit the one-year existence mark, has just kicked off its summer hours and schedule, including karaoke on Thursdays and live music on the patio every Friday and Saturday through September.

Owners Stephanie and Shane Kesterson had been boat slip holders at the lake for several years before buying what used to be Outlaws, and they had no problem turning regular boaters into loyal customers. Yet the locals who don’t frequent the lake don’t always know about the place, they said.

“We want people who haven’t been here since we took over to come check out all the changes,” Stephanie Kesterson said.

The restaurant building floats on the water by the boat ramp in Little Platte Park, off 180th Street. A building the owners call the boathouse sits next to the restaurant. Inside, they rent boats and Sea-Doos and sell fuel and snacks.

The inside of the restaurant as well as the large patio have an island feel.

“Our goal when we started this was that we wanted people to feel like they were on vacation when they were in here,” Shane Kesterson said.

Both the inside bar and patio bar resemble huts; the owners call the patio bar — which is new this year — Wilson’s Tiki Bar.

Lake memorabilia fills the restaurant area. Photos of the owners’ lake memories through the years decorate a portion of one wall. Items from their friends, such as an old ship wheel, hang on the brightly colored walls. Plastic chairs and lifejackets straight from the lake are on display.

Chef John Coleman, who used to work at Piropos, makes menu items with names like Grilled Parrot Sandwich, The Skinny Dipper and The First Mate.

At night, the patio’s neon palm trees light up the lake.

“We can give people that Lake of the Ozarks feel without having to go to Lake of the Ozarks,” Stephanie Kesterson said. “This is Smithville’s secret getaway.”

THE DETAILS

- Where: On Smithville Lake in Little Platte Park, 2825 N.E. 180th St.
- Restaurant hours: Wednesday and Thursday 5 p.m. to midnight; Friday 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Boathouse hours: Wednesday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Contact: 532-2240
- Know before you go: If you are charged $5 at the park gate, the restaurant will reimburse you if you spend at least $10 in the restaurant.

LIVE MUSIC ON THE LAKE

The following details the entertainment schedule at Castaways:
- May 29 and 30, Mickey Fin Band
- June 5 and 6, Teacherz Pet
- June 12 and 13, Gary Lincoln
- June 19 and 20, Salamander
- June 26 and 27, Damaged Goods
- July 3 and 4, Wonderland
- July 10 and 11, Bob Harvey
- July 17 and 18, Pizza Dudes
- July 24 and 25, Adam Wyatt Band
- July 31 and Aug. 1, Karma
- Aug. 14 and 15, Saucy Jack
- Aug. 21 and 22, Retroactive
- Aug. 28 and 29, Teacherz Pet
- Sept. 4 and 5, Mickey Fin Band
- Sept. 11 and 12, Rukus
- Sept. 18 and 19, Bob Harvey
- Sept. 25 and 26, Jeremy Esteb Band

Smithville Editor Nancy Hull Rigdon can be reached at 532-4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Comments (1)

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Great place to eat!
written by Sherrie, May 27, 2009

What a great place! We went last weekend and had an outstanding time. The food was good, the service was excellent and the prices are very reasonable. I highly recommend going to Castaways. We will probably be there on a weekly basis!

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