I learned that they are starting to have DJs on Monday nights now. Probably more for the late-night crowd, i.e., those of you who may be up for drinks until closing time on a Monday night. Doesn't really work for my current life situation.

Pretty sure they've got a drown night on Mondays as well.
I'm a little too old for that.

If the OCU kids had a late nite bar, it would be this one. It is interesting how there is "real choice" in the Plaza with Saints, Empire, The Mule, and the dives.

And also the fact that Saints feels like a neighborhood bar. For some reason, McNellies never resonated the same way with me.

I learned that they are starting to have DJs on Monday nights now. Probably more for the late-night crowd, i.e., those of you who may be up for drinks until closing time on a Monday night. Doesn't really work for my current life situation.

I dislike this. Saints is always nice during weeknights because it can actually be quiet. A good place to watch whatever weird, random TV program is on, and have a cocktail.

I enjoy live music, but have never been a fan of DJ's in bars.

I have not found my replacement "Saints" in Portland, and I miss it dearly.

DJ doesn't always have to be a laser lit electronic party God. It can just be a guy with a few crates of records, 2 turn tables, and a mixer.

I haven't been there in a couple months, but the O Bar was doing this. Just a few crates of records and a turntable. However, the guy was very attuned to what was appropriate for patrons. That would be the factor for me.

It strikes me that Saints is trying some new things. Some of the moves are good imop. Some are not. Ditching the small plates is a loss to patrons. I used to really enjoy their lamb pies and such. Now, if you are hoing in for food, it is most decidely a entree. The quality is exceptional but it does bump the ticket up from the get go.

I dislike this. Saints is always nice during weeknights because it can actually be quiet. A good place to watch whatever weird, random TV program is on, and have a cocktail.

I enjoy live music, but have never been a fan of DJ's in bars.

I have not found my replacement "Saints" in Portland, and I miss it dearly.

I don't think the DJ gets started until later. When I was there it was a little too quiet.

According to my doctor, Saints went under contract and sold this past weekend to the people who own Kong's and Goodtimes. If its true, I wish the staff the best. The place was on a slow, down hill slide however. A friend of mine described it as becoming "a sadder version of Cheers". lol

Also, they really could have done better by playing up the UCO angle. They had Jazz nights and such, but there was a real opportunity there to turn that place into an OCU relevant institution. Such ideas were squandered opportunities by the owner.

nm

According the the owner of Kong's and Good Times, they did not acquire Saints.

Said they were trying to work out a lease deal with the current owners but it fell through.

Saints was open this weekend and is now serving Krows Next BBQ out of their kitchen, which is also used for catering.

Also, they really could have done better by playing up the UCO angle. They had Jazz nights and such, but there was a real opportunity there to turn that place into an OCU relevant institution. Such ideas were squandered opportunities by the owner.

They still have a really good weekly jazz show on Thursdays (saw Spunk Adams there last week and he was excellent). The bar itself, however, has clearly gone downhill and I'm afraid it's only a matter of time, which is a shame because it was a great spot as recently as six months ago, IMO. Not sure what the heck has happened since then.

According the the owner of Kong's and Good Times, they did not acquire Saints.

Said they were trying to work out a lease deal with the current owners but it fell through.

Saints was open this weekend and is now serving Krows Next BBQ out of their kitchen, which is also used for catering.

Good. Not sure what they do fits the vibe of Plaza.

But something does need to be done at Saints. It was kind of a sad scene the last time I was there. And had no food, said the kitchen was under "remodel" but I didnt see any signs of work being done.

Not sure what they do fits the vibe of Plaza.

Agreed! I was slightly sad when I heard the rumor. Josh, the former bar manager has moved on. I am not sure who has filled his place. I will give it another shot. It used to be our neighborhood bar.

Sad to hear that Saints is no longer. The space was in disrepair the past few years and seems ownership had lost interest. Was one of my favorite places to frequent,

RADBAR?

https://www.facebook.com/854650343/posts/pfbid02sHdNDfEoq64E23Lm7A91mQiYbSx9AdPBvPcaZmzk2Hv JTCASahidT1fZGkp7TVwtl/?d=n

^

I was told the landlord did not renew their lease.

The post you link states it will be a cocktail bar "something the district has long needed".

The reason there haven't been cocktail bars before is that the only liquor licenses that can be granted in the Plaza are ABC-2, which require at least 50% food sales. So, they need to be careful otherwise they will draw the scrutiny of ABLE which can suspend their license.

That name does not give me much hope, but on the other hand, it's not like they'll have to put in too much of an effort to improve on whatever the hell Saints was doing over the last few years.

Sad to hear that Saints is no longer. The space was in disrepair the past few years and seems ownership had lost interest. Was one of my favorite places to frequent,

RADBAR?

https://www.facebook.com/854650343/posts/pfbid02sHdNDfEoq64E23Lm7A91mQiYbSx9AdPBvPcaZmzk2Hv JTCASahidT1fZGkp7TVwtl/?d=n

It was time. The place had noticeably declined and was nothing like its heady early days, kinda dreary, and very tired.

Not sure about a cocktail bar, per se, but hopefully RADBAR will infuse some much-needed energy back into the neighborhood. There were some challenges with food preparation at one time; not sure if those have been addressed but I imagine they have been.

Wishing RADBAR many successes.

It was time. The place had noticeably declined and was nothing like its heady early days, kinda dreary, and very tired.

Not sure about a cocktail bar, per se, but hopefully RADBAR will infuse some much-needed energy back into the neighborhood. There were some challenges with food preparation at one time; not sure if those have been addressed but I imagine they have been.

Wishing RADBAR many successes.

I agree. I meant it is sad because it was so good, and fell so far. Was depressing going there my past few trips to OKC. Sometimes you have to take it behind the barn and put it out of its misery. Although from what Pete said, it doesn’t sound like this was Saints initiated…

That name does not give me much hope, but on the other hand, it's not like they'll have to put in too much of an effort to improve on whatever the hell Saints was doing over the last few years.

Yeah, I can't say I am too sad to see Saints go.
Used to walk from my house and sit on their patio with my dog but have opted to just walk around the neighborhood and take that beer on the back porch past couple years.
As you said, won't take much effort at all to improve on Saints.

The only time I had been to Saints...I had cocktails. Really good ones, even! I'm surprised they weren't considered a cocktail bar.

^

I was told the landlord did not renew their lease.

The post you link states it will be a cocktail bar "something the district has long needed".

The reason there haven't been cocktail bars before is that the only liquor licenses that can be granted in the Plaza are ABC-2, which require at least 50% food sales. So, they need to be careful otherwise they will draw the scrutiny of ABLE which can suspend their license.

I’m curious to see if any future establishments bother to go through with the ABC overlay process to change the zoning so they can open such a cocktail bar. It’s a little bit of a cumbersome process though.

Isn’t there a proximity issue to a school or church? There’s been a ton of money poured into the area over the years and I am sure someone would have done it by now if it were possible.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/radbar061022a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/radbar061022b.jpg

Isn’t there a proximity issue to a school or church? There’s been a ton of money poured into the area over the years and I am sure someone would have done it by now if it were possible.

There is, but I think you can get a waiver signed by the school or church if they don't have an issue with it. Technically the ACM UCO school in Bricktown would preclude new establishments from being able to do the same thing, even though they're college students, but new bars and restaurant have been able to get around that.

I've seen the pastor of St Francis hanging in Plaza having a beer, I don't think he minds.

I've seen the pastor of St Francis hanging in Plaza having a beer, I don't think he minds.

Growing up, the Lutheran pastor was from Chicago. He liked to have Bear's watch parties and he drank a fair share of the brews,lol!

Looking at the color schemes and other things I have found online... is this going to be a "90s bar?"

80s

Rad Bar is now open.

No idea about hours or menu but they opened their doors a couple of days ago.

The menu shows a variety of "hot pockets." Hmm.

Got to visit yesterday. Better use of space than Saints. Service was great, greeting tables with waters (don't usually get that at bars). Right now I think they are open 4pm - 2am all days, but closed on Mondays. With Up-Down being the only night life in the Plaza, this is a great addition.

It all fits in perfectly with the Plaza. Murals inside, fun lights, cool retro floors and walls. My favorite was the huge RADBAR neon sign on the old brick wall behind the bar.

Got to visit yesterday. Better use of space than Saints. Service was great, greeting tables with waters (don't usually get that at bars). Right now I think they are open 4pm - 2am all days, but closed on Mondays. With Up-Down being the only night life in the Plaza, this is a great addition.

It all fits in perfectly with the Plaza. Murals inside, fun lights, cool retro floors and walls. My favorite was the huge RADBAR neon sign on the old brick wall behind the bar.

I walk by neon. No one ever on the patio.

Good luck to radbar, no idea who the intended audiences are at these places?

Perhaps it appeals to suburban folk who venture to the inner hoods on the weekends for some "inner city culture " ?

Nostalgia lovers? Not sure, I wish them luck.

The 1 time I went in Saints there was a crowd waiting to be seated but no staff payed any attention. Eventually just left...

I'll give this place a try, haven't had a hot pocket in years!

I walk by neon. No one ever on the patio.

Good luck to radbar, no idea who the intended audiences are at these places?

Perhaps it appeals to suburban folk who venture to the inner hoods on the weekends for some "inner city culture " ?

Nostalgia lovers? Not sure, I wish them luck.

The 1 time I went in Saints there was a crowd waiting to be seated but no staff payed any attention. Eventually just left...

I'll give this place a try, haven't had a hot pocket in years!

The Plaza District is the “inner city”?

The Plaza District is the “inner city”?

it is very inner city it is one of the main inner city districts

I walk by neon. No one ever on the patio.

Good luck to radbar, no idea who the intended audiences are at these places?

Perhaps it appeals to suburban folk who venture to the inner hoods on the weekends for some "inner city culture " ?

Nostalgia lovers? Not sure, I wish them luck.

The 1 time I went in Saints there was a crowd waiting to be seated but no staff payed any attention. Eventually just left...

I'll give this place a try, haven't had a hot pocket in years!

Probably due to the heat we have been having.

I'm sure you will see a lot of people hanging outside in the plaza now.

Checked this out during Plaza Fest which was obviously not a fair trial- they did have table service but it was brvtally slow (see Plaza Fest).
I really liked the Paint Water drink (basically a Ranch Water with blue powerade instead of lime juice) and thought it was the perfect drink after the walk from my house- gf and her parents hated it though so to each his own.
Certainly an improvement from late-stage Saints.

Late-stage Saints was brutal.