Mort’s is no longer in its 20s, but it still knows how to party

Mort’s Martini and Cigar Bar is officially over the hill this week — as some argue turning 30 is — still, that’s likely to only draw more people there for a two-day celebration this weekend.

“We’ll be loaded with music and food,” said owner Morrie Sheets. “We’ve got all kinds of fun stuff.”

There will be 12 bands on the patio and under a tent in the parking lot on Saturday and Sunday at First and Washington.

So what’s made Mort’s the go-to place over three decades as other bars have come and gone?

“Mort’s is Emma,” Sheets said of operating partner Emma (Russell) Johnsen.

“Emma’s made it what it is.”

Johnsen, who is part general manager, part accountant and even part bouncer at times, has been there 29 years.

“I actually started as a lunch girl.”

That’s back when Mort’s served lunch.

“There’s people that still talk about the sandwiches,” she said.

Johnsen graduated from high school at 17 then spent a year traveling before coming home to Wichita to apply for jobs.

“I went out in my ’90s floral dress and hit the pavement and filled out applications.”

She went to River City Brewing Co. first and then stopped into Mort’s where then-manager Darrin Hackney interviewed her.

“He gave me trouble about not having a pen to fill out my application,” she said. “I actually did have a pen, but Ty Issa stole it from me.”

Issa, of course, is better known as the Larkspur and YaYa’s owner today, but back then he owned River City.

Johnsen explained how her pen was pilfered, and Hackney ended up hiring her on the spot.

Her only restaurant experience had been as a hostess at Station Square, where Emerson Biggins is now, but she was savvy.

After several years, original owners Morrie Sheets and Matt Carney sold the business to Frank Whitmer with a buyback agreement.

“I jokingly said that I came with the building,” Johnsen said.

Food service, except for popcorn, had stopped along the way. Johnsen brought it back in the form of limited appetizers.

There’s no room for making sandwiches or much else, but Sheets is the owner again and would like some loaded nachos, so Johnsen is working on it.

Sheets, whose wife told him he had to sell the bar in the first place, said, “I’d been married long enough that my wife didn’t mind me getting back in the bar business.”

At the anniversary party, there will be face painters, photo booths, a tarot card reader and food — either free or for a nominal price. Johnsen said she’s still crunching numbers and just looking to cover costs.

“And, man, the costs are a lot different than they were 30 years ago.”

Johnsen said Mort’s is “a home for customers and for staff alike,” including some of their weddings and funerals.

“It’s a pretty cool thing that we’ve gotten to be so involved for so many people.”

She said her favorite thing is “when parents run into their kids” at the bar.

“Mort’s has kind of stood the test of time and spanned the generations.”

The party will be noon to 1 a.m. on Saturday and noon to 11 p.m on Sunday.

“Thank you, Wichita,” Sheets said. “We just appreciate your support.”

This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 10:47 AM.