Yeah, I think I paid like $8 at the Speakeasy for their double Belgian….. that’s just way too high – double or not. $5 for the double Belgian is a pretty good deal. I’m not the biggest Belgian fan to begin with. For some reason I just can’t seem to spend that extra couple bucks on Belgians to really get into them….. Ales suit me just fine generally.

Anyway, kudos for carrying the COOP brews and having a nice beer selection.

Mmmm more good feedback I love it =)

Ya it's an everyone bar like mallen said. Although it hasn't happened yet I have offered for anyone in drag to drink free high life on ladies night haha. Anyone wearing high heels and makeup DESERVES to drink free for a few hours a week.

And the COOP! unfortunately it's wholesale price dictates my retail price. Talk to JD merryweather on that one, but I know operating a small-time local brewery that only does kegs creates a mountain of costs. Mostly in ingredient which I have seen firsthand and I must say they are top shelf. Must be why that porter is do damn gooooood! ;)

BUT I will add that my DNR is the cheapest in town ($5) it's twice the purchase investment but I still maintain the dollar profit ratio to the other flavors rather than a %tage of cost.

Thanks ya'll
Ian

I didn't know all that, Ian. The Fry just became the place I take people for COOP tastings!


And anyone in drag gets free highlife!? Man, I bet you'd get lots of hits on that if it weren't on Sunday! :)

not a fan of co-ed bathrooms!

I think its nice that you are giving girls the extra option, to avoid a line -- but like they do at Galileo's they keep one of them GIRLS ONLY and it makes a big difference.

a dirty bathroom is a deal breaker.

After reading the thread I went to the Drunken Fry with some friends all whom are non smokers. There were about 8 people in the bar; some were smoking cigars. The smoke did not bother any of use. Haley ( which is the best hostess in town and you should go see her) advised cigar smoking is not normally allowed in the restaurant. We all ordered various beers and we enjoyed them immensely. The fries were fresh and hot. When we told Haley (which is the best hostess in town and you should go see her) she gave us some complimentary sauces since it was all of our time to visit, we all had our favorites. I liked 1, 3 and 5. I will defiantly be going back and will enjoy the beer, the fries and Haley's smile and friendly service.

I liked 1, 3 and 5...

That's odd.

*rimshot*

:)

so i went there and i have a ? is it a gay bar? cuz by the crowd that was there im pretty sure it is.

You do realize it's right next to the Hi-Lo, right? The Hi-Lo is a gay bar. The Hi-Lo was owned by one of the best people I have ever met, a kind soul named Gil. Gil was an icon in OKC for years. At least to me, he was.

Back before there were gay rights and parades, Gil was there in OKC providing a cabaret for the community. He was also a rancher who raised prize bulls and was active in one of the cattleman's groups, I can't remember which one. Kind of hard to believe, but he would take trips to Denver and come home with blue ribbons and then put on the best damn drag show you have ever seen.

I often wondered if those ranchers knew about Gil's other life.

He had a beautiful ranch on the east side of OKC. I cannot say enough good things about Gil, may he RIP.

Gil Ray Ives; Celebrity of the Month - February, 2003 (http://www.okdiversity.com/celebrities/feb2003.html)

Twenty something years ago the Hi-Lo was a jazz club wasn't it? I remember going there a time or two and then the next time I went I was stopped at the door and told it was a private club. I suppose gaydar kept me out if that's when it changed.

Hi-Lo is what it is and will always be. It's been on this planet longer than I and I have no doubt it will be there until the building crumbles. The show is still running friday nights now run by D'shane (spelling?) who was displaced by katrina. Now operated by chris, Charlie, and owen, I know I am leaving out some people, my mistake.
They are some pretty awesome neighbors I must say. Makes me feel honored to operate in between hi-lo and ednas, two heavy hitters in the OKC dive bar offerings.

Oh yeah and COOP, I have 4. Will probably take off zeppelin when oktoberfest kicks in. I plan to run as many oktoberfest handles as possible and all bottled varieties available to me. It'll be a party for sure!

Ian

Hi-Lo is what it is and will always be. It's been on this planet longer than I and I have no doubt it will be there until the building crumbles. The show is still running friday nights now run by D'shane (spelling?) who was displaced by katrina. Now operated by chris, Charlie, and owen, I know I am leaving out some people, my mistake.
They are some pretty awesome neighbors I must say. Makes me feel honored to operate in between hi-lo and ednas, two heavy hitters in the OKC dive bar offerings.

Oh yeah and COOP, I have 4. Will probably take off zeppelin when oktoberfest kicks in. I plan to run as many oktoberfest handles as possible and all bottled varieties available to me. It'll be a party for sure!

Ian

Very nice post, DF. Thank you for the kind words re Gil.

You are also close to that cool record shop, but I can't remember the name. I have been to that establishment that is another one of your neighbors when it was a sandwich shop.

I remember asking how they make pastrami's one time and told him how they make them in the L.A. area. My memory is not working today.

Anyway, we are definitely going to give you a visit when we hit the "big town". (I hail from hooterville).

That's odd.

*rimshot*

:)

:bow:

Hi-Lo is what it is and will always be. It's been on this planet longer than I and I have no doubt it will be there until the building crumbles. The show is still running friday nights now run by D'shane (spelling?) who was displaced by katrina. Now operated by chris, Charlie, and owen, I know I am leaving out some people, my mistake.
They are some pretty awesome neighbors I must say. Makes me feel honored to operate in between hi-lo and ednas, two heavy hitters in the OKC dive bar offerings.

Oh yeah and COOP, I have 4. Will probably take off zeppelin when oktoberfest kicks in. I plan to run as many oktoberfest handles as possible and all bottled varieties available to me. It'll be a party for sure!

Ian

Luv me some Oktoberfest...Running any happy hour specials?

You do realize it's right next to the Hi-Lo, right? The Hi-Lo is a gay bar. The Hi-Lo was owned by one of the best people I have ever met, a kind soul named Gil. Gil was an icon in OKC for years. At least to me, he was.

Back before there were gay rights and parades, Gil was there in OKC providing a cabaret for the community. He was also a rancher who raised prize bulls and was active in one of the cattleman's groups, I can't remember which one. Kind of hard to believe, but he would take trips to Denver and come home with blue ribbons and then put on the best damn drag show you have ever seen.

I often wondered if those ranchers knew about Gil's other life.

He had a beautiful ranch on the east side of OKC. I cannot say enough good things about Gil, may he RIP.

Gil Ray Ives; Celebrity of the Month - February, 2003 (http://www.okdiversity.com/celebrities/feb2003.html)

sorry for being ignorant, but i just found out that hi-lo is a gay bar. so it occurred to me that df has some spillover.
the friends and i will be back soon. we absolutely love the pbr and shot speacial! and the dnr is waaaay cheaper than at prohibition room.

PBR and a shot is great. had 1 when i was there. I think the Hi-Lo used to be a little more gay than it is now. Lots of metro's and hipsters. That could be confusing to some people. Straight guys in tight jeans(used to wear girls jeans).

hah! they're still girls jeans =)

yep and oktoberfest will be awwwwesome! Headed to a trade show on sunday to check out okcs new beer offerings, looking forward to tasting some new oktobers from across the sea. Ooo and fruli it sounds interesting. Strawberry sour beer from belgium but it's more expensive than silver oz for oz.

The record shop is charlies, I go in and spoil myself about once a week. Found the who album with art done by any warhol and the very first jeff beck LP that's all blatent ripoffs of other artist (he says so himself on the back cover!)

I was just talking to someone the other day about pastrami, I want one! A good one...wheres the super jewy delicatessen in OKC? I needs me some corned beef!

I was just talking to someone the other day about pastrami, I want one! A good one...wheres the super jewy delicatessen in OKC? I needs me some corned beef!

As I've said in another thread on here somewhere about pastrami, I think the best place for sandwiches is ND Foods on Britton Rd. They serve Boars Head meats & their sandwhiches are piled high. Their desserts are awesome too. Another great place for sandwiches that I've recently discovered is Oma's Pantry on 23rd & Council....they're a European gourmet grocery/deli.

Is this place still open?

Hadn't heard anyone mention it in years.

Yes, but with complete staff turnover. Some went to The Pump, some to HiLo and a few just gone.

I remember when you could get a shot of whiskey and a beer for $3 on Tuesdays not too long ago (shudders)

Is this place still open?

Hadn't heard anyone mention it in years.

I went to it recently (just a few weeks ago). Same old, same old. Still have the PBR and shot special. Fries still the same (which are awesome). Not as crowded though and they don't seem to be holding the regular events and shows that they used to be. I was actually having this exact discussion with a friend yesterday who thought they had gone out of business.

It seems like the energy of that whole area has lessened lately. I wonder if it is due to Edna's passing?

Is Ian (of Pump Bar fame) still the proprietor?

No. It's owned by Deep Fork Group. Ian left a few years ago. A lot of the energy and crowd followed the popular staff to other spots.

This whole area is in trouble. I went a few Saturdays ago and Speak, Edna's and Fry were all ghost towns.

This whole area is in trouble. I went a few Saturdays ago and Speak, Edna's and Fry were all ghost towns.

It's easy to see how burgeoning walkable bar districts could be more of a draw than the Classen Curve area.

Honest question: Can you even cross the street between Edna's and the Speakeasy and Drunken Fry?

There are no crosswalks... I suppose people just run to the little median, then the rest of the way?

Exactly, Pete. But it can be dicey to and from Edna's.

I really don't know that there is anyway any of those connect easy. To get to Edna's would be very dangerous, but also no safe way from Speakeasy to Drunken Fry.

I really don't know that there is anyway any of those connect easy. To get to Edna's would be very dangerous, but also no safe way from Speakeasy to Drunken Fry.

Speakeasy to Drunken Fry and HiLo is pretty easy.. basically just sidewalks/parking lots/grass (the only street you have to cross is that little curve of Military Avenue). Ednas to those three is rough though. I do regular pub crawls with my beer club, and about once every month or two we do that grouping. But yeah, comparing the walkability of this to say Bricktown, or Campus Corner, or Plaza, this area has lost lots of it's appeal.

perhapd the fabled tunnel from Hi-lo to Ednas would be of assistance in crossing..

perhapd the fabled tunnel from Hi-lo to Ednas would be of assistance in crossing..

Shh... spoilers!

Is Ian (of Pump Bar fame) still the proprietor?

Pete, not since December 2012. People do make the crossing between Edna's. It's a shortcut that saves about 1/3 of a mile walking through the classen/nw expressway interchange. It's treacherous and I'm honestly surprised no one has been killed. I brought it up to the city back in 2008 and was never taken seriously.

Pete, not since December 2012. People do make the crossing between Edna's. It's a shortcut that saves about 1/3 of a mile walking through the classen/nw expressway interchange. It's treacherous and I'm honestly surprised no one has been killed. I brought it up to the city back in 2008 and was never taken seriously.

I saw someone about two years ago come within an inch of their life trying to make that trek across the interchange. It's truly taking one's life into your own hands to try and cross between these establishments.

On a more topical note, every single time I've visited the Drunken Fry there have been such violent fights that the groups I was with wanted to leave because it was so uncomfortable. I haven't been back since the last incident.

Well, not that I need personal validation. But I sincerely hope that those fights happened after we left in 2012. Hailey and I have always felt our concepts are a representation of ourselves. Even if we don't (in this particular case) own them. It's tough to watch your creation in the hands of others, for better or worse.

Not sure if this place is closing down or relocating, but employees are saying "The Drunken Fry is having it's last day at this location on Friday."

The Fry is closing it's doors Friday. Well, actually Saturday morning.

(obligatory dumb remark, please ignore)

wow, I guess we should have let them tear that building down after all

:-P

End of an era. Though there were other places in this space previously, the Drunken Fry was a stalwart, pioneer in the next-gen, gritty, non-downtown yet urban, hipsterish, limited-kitchen bar establishments. If nothing else it was a direct progenitor of The Pump and Bunker, thanks to the pairing of Ian and Hailey. R.I.P.

Damn. I loved those French fries.

They will be reopening in a new location.

Asked to leave as part of the Classen Circle / Donnay Building renovation.


I'll have more on this later.

They will be reopening in a new location.

Asked to leave as part of the Classen Circle / Donnay Building renovation.


I'll have more on this later.

Unless they change things up, IMO they shouldn't bother. Ever since Ian sold it, it's just.... stagnated.

Unless they change things up, IMO they shouldn't bother. Ever since Ian sold it, it's just.... stagnated.

Someone please correct me if I am mistaken. But I don’t believe that Ian ever owned it

Someone please correct me if I am mistaken. But I don’t believe that Ian ever owned it

Ran it, owned it, something, right? Either way, it just seemed like it got stale over the past few years, and had lots of issues. I've not been impressed for a while. Love the fries though!

Man, it’s gotten so bad. I checked in about 6 months ago and it was just grizzled young people guzzling cheap beer and endlessly smoking cigarettes. I would not be surprised if the new owners had chosen not to renew the lease. They’ve done 0 upkeep and improvements. And it was built pretty flimsily at the beginning. Plywood and black paint can only last so long. I noticed the last time I was there that the ceiling was collapsing and most of the furniture was in tatters. I left when I needed to use the men’s room but didn’t have the courage to go in one.

Yeah, don’t remember if Ian had a percentage or not, but there were other owners behind it, mostly. Ian was essentially an employee there, which is why he (thankfully) partnered with Hailey and with his dad to build/open The Pump and then Bunker. I appreciate his time at DF, but he was destined for bigger and better things, obviously.

Man, it’s gotten so bad. I checked in about 6 months ago and it was just grizzled young people guzzling cheap beer and endlessly smoking cigarettes. I would not be surprised if the new owners had chosen not to renew the lease. They’ve done 0 upkeep and improvements. And it was built pretty flimsily at the beginning. Plywood and black paint can only last so long. I noticed the last time I was there that the ceiling was collapsing and most of the furniture was in tatters. I left when I needed to use the men’s room but didn’t have the courage to go in one.

I've only been there once, about 4 years ago, and it was exactly as you just described it. Not sure what the appeal was for this place.

I've heard some (wholly unsubstantiated) rumors that the north side of the Donnay building (Fry, record store, salon) is going to be renovated into a dispensary. Also some rumors that the Fry will be "re-established" somewhere else with new staff. Looking forward to some real facts from Pete.

Hearing they're moving to 12th and Western. Doing something in association with Good Times.

Hearing they're moving to 12th and Western. Doing something in association with Good Times.

First impression is that this is probably the best location for them besides Classen Circle.

Drunken Fry relocating from Classen Circle (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=534-Drunken-Fry-relocating-from-Classen-Circle)

As the new owners of Classen Circle ready for renovations to the historic Donnay Building, long-time tenant Drunken Fry closed its doors on Friday night will plans to soon reopen at a new location.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry081118c.jpg


Rod Meyer of the Deep Fork Restaurant Group is partnering with Shyon Keoppel for the new spot, to be located in the former Beauty's Cafe building at 1244 N. Western.

Keoppel owns the building, Meyer is the proprietor of the previous Drunken Fry and added to the mix, Zack Moore and Claire Hampton will operate across from their current hit propect, Good Times.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry081118a.jpg

Moore, Hampton and Keoppel are all partners in Good Times at 1234 N. Western and the restaurant and bar has already found a loyal following with the large patio often packed in the evenings. Good Times took over from the former Fat Dog Kitchen and Bar.

The new location will feature a 1,865 square foot building that dates back to 1910 and has long been vacant and dilapidated. Keoppel bought it in 2016 and originally proposed El Jefe, a taco concept before forcusing on Kong's Tavern and the Greystone Lounge in Bricktown.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry081118d.jpg


The new Drunken Fry will keep the same menu, a long list of fries served with inventive dips and sauces, such as garlic aioli, chipotle BBQ and Dr. Pepper syrup ketchup. They will still offer a large variety of beers and update their cocktail menu.

Perhaps the biggest change will be the move to a non-smoking establishment.

The L-shaped building will feature a long bar, booths and a spot for occasional DJ's.

Initial work has already commenced with the hope patrons will flow freely between the new Drunken Fry and Good Times.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry081118b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry1.jpg

[/SIZE]

As the new owners of Classen Circle ready for renovations to the historic Donnay Building, long-time tenant Drunken Fry closed its doors on Friday night will plans to soon reopen at a new location.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry081118c.jpg


Rod Meyer of the Deep Fork Restaurant Group is partnering with Shyon Keoppel for the new spot, to be located in the former Beauty's Cafe building at 1244 N. Western.

Keoppel owns the building, Meyer is the proprietor of the previous Drunken Fry and added to the mix, Zack Moore and Claire Hampton will operate across from their current hit propect, Good Times.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry081118a.jpg

Moore, Hampton and Keoppel are all partners in Good Times at 1234 N. Western and the restaurant and bar has already found a loyal following with the large patio often packed in the evenings. Good Times took over from the former Fat Dog Kitchen and Bar.

The new location will feature a 1,865 square foot building that dates back to 1910 and has long been vacant and dilapidated. Keoppel bought it in 2016 and originally proposed El Jefe, a taco concept before forcusing on Kong's Tavern and the Greystone Lounge in Bricktown.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry081118d.jpg


The new Drunken Fry will keep the same menu, a long list of fries served with inventive dips and sauces, such as garlic aioli, chipotle BBQ and Dr. Pepper syrup ketchup. They will still offer a large variety of beers and update their cocktail menu.

Perhaps the biggest change will be the move to a non-smoking establishment.

The L-shaped building will feature a long bar, booths and a spot for occasional DJ's.

Initial work has already commenced with the hope patrons will flow freely between the new Drunken Fry and Good Times.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry081118b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry1.jpg

Pete, your aerial overview shows what a great development area exists between Classen and Western. BTW, great shot.

Hopefully more parking will go in on the west side of the building. However, I'm curious if the advent of ride sharing apps is now a determining factor in lot size.

Awesome news! Loving Goodtimes, glad to see growth coming in around them.

Unexpected and awesome for that area. With all of the dilapidated/vacant buildings over there, let's hope another entertainment district develops.

They have been making good progress at their new spot.

Should be open in another month or so.

They are close to opening in their new spot.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry123118.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/drunkenfry123118b.jpg

They have opened at the new spot.

whoa, that snuck up

No sign yet and not much on social media, but they will have some live comedy on certain nights.

It's a small place. Completely nonsmoking now.

Did they keep the same food menu as the previous location?

Did they keep the same food menu as the previous location?

I don't know. They have posted very little thus far.

I suspect it will be similar as the one of main partners is still involved.

The Drunken Fry posted this to Facebook today:

"We are getting everything ready, including our plan to re-open safely and with the most fun for everyone that has missed us!
We have missed you all too!
Stay tuned for more updates in the coming week!"

They've been closed since March 15. I haven't seen or heard anything about Good Times across the street reopening, but both bars closed at the same time and both have had handwritten notes up on their doors since then saying that they plan on reopening eventually.