Exploring Lake Perry's Oasis

By MIRANDA ERICSSON | Photo by JOHN BURNS

When Larry and Shelly Mosher opened High Tide 21 in Perry, Kansas, they wanted to do more than run a lakeside restaurant — they wanted the restaurant to feel like a community.

“People from all walks of life spend time out here,” said Larry, who took over as the restaurant’s co-owner with his spouse, Shelly, two years ago. “We see retirees, weekend warriors, pedal bikers, hikers and families enjoying the lake. We’re close enough to visit on a week night, but far enough out to really feel like a getaway, an escape from routine.”

Nestled along the scenic shoreline of Lake Perry, High Tide 21 is a restaurant that features a swim-up bar, live music and an extensive menu of seafood and cocktails. Guests can bring their dogs and watch the sunset while enjoying a meal on the patio, or rent one of the restaurant’s cabanas.

“You feel like you’re out of the everyday city life and enjoying a little piece of heaven out here,” said Emily Hierl, the operations manager at High Tide 21. “It’s a mini ‘Lake of the Ozarks’ feeling that you can’t find just anywhere. Where else can you grab a drink at a swim-up bar and see an eagle flying over you?”

MEMORY MAKER

Many Kansans have fond memories of summers at Lake Perry, including the Moshers, although their own connection to the area runs deeper. Larry said that he was a teenager when he started working at the original property that became High Tide 21. At the time, it was 1995 and the restaurant was called The Crow’s Nest. He met his wife Shelly there the following year.

In 2019, a flood damaged the original building and former owners Chris Windler and Bryan Best decided to rebuild the restaurant on higher ground. They asked Larry, who had previously worked as a food and beverage director for casinos and had 25 years of industry experience, to become the new general manager in June 2021. Larry said that neither he nor Shelly could have imagined that they’d someday run a restaurant at the same location where they first met.

“I was honestly feeling a little burned out on the food and beverage world at the time,” said Larry. “But this is a place where I made a lot of good memories, and I felt drawn back. Being here really took me back to my youth, and I decided that I wanted to help others make memories here with their families. We’ve worked really hard to create a welcoming space where families can feel safe and everyone will feel welcome. High Tide 21 is a place to relax, enjoy life and make memories with the people that you care about.”

MAKEOVER

Windler and Best sold the restaurant and marina to an investment group in March 2023. The same month, Larry was given an opportunity to sublease the building, and he and Shelly officially became High Tide 21’s new owner-operators.

Larry said that in response to customer feedback, he and his team have spent the last few years making changes to the restaurant and its menu. Guests can now play cornhole and pool, and kids have access to a splash pad. Guests who are 21 and older can also take advantage of the swim-up bar.

Their menu offers a wide selection of dishes, including seared yellowfin tuna, shrimp and fish tacos, crab rangoon and their popular queso burger.

“My personal favorite is a family recipe called the pinwheel,” said Larry. “Shelly’s always made it for our family and we love it, so we decided to put it on the menu and let other people love it, too.” Their menu describes the pinwheel as a jumbo tortilla filled with cream cheese, green onions, green chilies, shredded cheese and black olives, which is then sliced and served with a side of salsa.

Hide Tide 21 hosts several events throughout the year, including live music, pool parties and a fishing tournament. The Moshers also enjoy hosting private and ticketed events and pool parties at the restaurant, including a pool party hosted by Topeka and Lawrence Pride, a pool party with Tribal Roots of Wichita and a Christmas in July party.

Larry said that his favorite event is their September fishing tournament, which includes a youth division and has prizes for both kids and adults.

“Kids will get support and encouragement and be the stars of the show first, then adults can go out on the lake and do their thing. I love that we not only brought a fishing tourney here, but one that kids can engage with and be a part of those memories,” said Larry.

Lakeside fishing might be one of the restaurant’s most unique features. But according to Hierl, High Tide 21’s sunset views over Lake Perry are just as special.

“I never get over the awe and wonder of our view,” said Hierl. “Every summer seems to go by faster, but for a little while out here, we all slow down to enjoy life and soak up the sun.