I'm beginning to wonder if it's too big?

Even with a couple hundred people it looks somewhat empty.

I was there last night. Only "complaint" would be that, being all concrete, the more crowded it got, the more very loud and echoy it got. This was the consensus in my group, and most of them were 20-somethings so it wasn't just my old ears. Again, this would be a "complaint", not a COMPLAINT. Also, this problem self-corrects in the warm months when the doors open up.

I was there last night. Only "complaint" would be that, being all concrete, the more crowded it got, the more very loud and echoy it got. This was the consensus in my group, and most of them were 20-somethings so it wasn't just my old ears. Again, this would be a "complaint", not a COMPLAINT. Also, this problem self-corrects in the warm months when the doors open up.

Same age group, same boat. It wasn't too loud, but there was definitely an echo effect. With a 1,300 capacity I do wonder if they can maintain a consistent customer base - I'm sure the Edge will help. Once the weather gets better, I can't imagine a better place to come. It was brought up several times last night as well.... Typically with a group of 15-20 it is extremely difficuly to find a place to go and sit together without reservations, etc. Not the case here.

^

That's a good point about large groups.

Would be really nice to be able to arrange big meet-ups without going through the hassle of making advance reservations.

I don't think this will be a problem in the slightest.

I ate and had a beer at Fassler before the game and came back after ward to do some bowling. Very impressed.

9746 9747 9748

What's the word on smoking inside (I assume this is a no-no at both establishments) and outside?

What's the word on smoking inside (I assume this is a no-no at both establishments) and outside?

Definitely not. You can out on the patio upstairs... but with that being close to 4,000 sf I don't see it being a huge problem.

9748

Is that a Thunder "ugly" sweater? I need to get one.

This place will be epic for WCF, NBA finals Thunder games.

Is that a Thunder "ugly" sweater? I need to get one.

Yeah. That's me. Lol. Here's where you can get one: Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Ugly Sweater BusyBlock (http://www.clarktoys.com/okcithnbaugs.html)

I stopped by again tonight to watch the Thunder game and it was absolutely slammed. At times, there wasn't a seat available inside and about 20 or so outside in 50 degrees. This place is going to do great.

They are also going to make a fortune.

Good for them and good for OKC!

I stopped by again tonight to watch the Thunder game and it was absolutely slammed. At times, there wasn't a seat available inside and about 20 or so outside in 50 degrees. This place is going to do great.

They do have heating on the patio so unless it's extremely cold it should be bearable.

That carpet upstairs is going to show SOOO much dirt!

Just wanted to add that Fassler was killing it Saturday night. The bar area and the indoor tables were full, along with over half the outdoor tables. Garage doors were open between the indoor and outdoor sections and overall an awesome vibe late into the night. Very cool yo-pro crowd and people walking between bleugarten and mcnellies. This place is definitely helping to connect the dots in this area.

I was there Saturday as well. It definitely is a really cool place. I only have one very minor complaint. The benches outside are an absolute nightmare. I don't know how many people I saw fall off of them.

I'll probably stop by there occasionally, but as mentioned above, it was a very 'yuppie' crowd on saturday, which isn't really my scene.

Went Friday and it was awesome. If you've never been to a German restaurant before then it might take you back a bit. Definitely loud but most German restaurants I've been too are like that. Not sure what a yuppie crowd is but maybe it was different on Saturday night. Friday night was actually a pretty diverse mix of people.

I saw Aubrey McClendon Saturday night...don't think he is a yo-pro lol

Maybe it was just the time I was there, as there were a lot of corporate Christmas parties on Saturday night.

Its a giant beer hall with picnic tables and benches...not sure how yuppie that can be.

I mean, I don't have to prove to you what I saw when I was there. The crowd was largely dominated by young professionals who were super rowdy. I guess you can question my eyesight if you want, but I don't have a habit of lying about things. And nowhere did I say that demographic was a bad thing. I just said it wasn't my scene. Midtown has been dominated by that scene for a while. If you question that, just pop over to the Packards rooftop some Saturday night.

Disclaimer: I am part of the yo-pro demo graphic. I don't have anything against it.

I mean, I don't have to prove to you what I saw when I was there. The crowd was largely dominated by young professionals who were super rowdy. I guess you can question my eyesight if you want, but I don't have a habit of lying about things. And nowhere did I say that demographic was a bad thing. I just said it wasn't my scene. Midtown has been dominated by that scene for a while. If you question that, just pop over to the Packards rooftop some Saturday night.

This is correct.

I was there Saturday night and really enjoyed myself. I can see why some people wouldn't. I am not sure that will be the usual scene though. As has been said, a lot of corporations had their Christmas parties saturday night and that may have been where everyone ended up afterwards. It seemed like a very large number of people there were from Devon.

I was there Saturday it was a good time. One of the owners even bused our table and thanked us profusely for coming in. With it's sheer size it could anchor 10th and make it the bar district bricktown always hoped to be. The downtown views give it a 6th street vibe, although it's not even 5% as developed as 6th is.

As for the picnic tables outisde you just can't sit on the very end, they aren't bolted down so it turns it into a seesaw.

I must have been there earlier than you guys I saw a very diverse crowd and even some kids.

10th Street Bar District:

McNellies
O Bar
Fassler Hall
Dust Bowl
R&J Supper Club
Bleu Garten
Sidecar

You could throw in Broadway 10 as well but it's definitely more of a nice restaurant than bar.

10th Street Bar District:

McNellies
O Bar
Fassler Hall
Dust Bowl
R&J Supper Club
Bleu Garten
Sidecar

You could throw in Broadway 10 as well but it's definitely more of a nice restaurant than bar.

You can add Packard's rooftop and the Garage as well.

You can add Packard's rooftop and the Garage as well.

Right!

And the new restaurant / lounge coming to 1116 N. Robinson directly across from the Garage.

And yet might end up having the best BAR of the lot...

Glad to hear its a yuppie place (although I think my definition of a yuppie and most peoples might be different) at least when I go I wont be surrounded by hipsters vaping. Seriously why is vaping still a thing?

10th Street Bar District:

McNellies
O Bar
Fassler Hall
Dust Bowl
R&J Supper Club
Bleu Garten
Sidecar

You could throw in Broadway 10 as well but it's definitely more of a nice restaurant than bar.

Café do Brasil

Garage
Packard's

Both restaurants, but with great bars, great outdoor presence and a great late scene.

Yo-pro. Isn't this just a hipster way of saying yuppie?

Lol, the new cool place will always be the "yuppie" crowd. . Once the new bar/hangout opens up the yuppie crowd will move there. This place will be successful far past being the new place, and the crowd will diversify in time.

Yuppies/YoPros rarely hang out in dusty little bars and second hand stores. This is a big shiny cool new spot and not exactly cheap I expect. So, it shouldn't be a surprise that the biggest regular group is comprised of those who are young and in jobs making good coin and willing to spend it. In other words...yuppies/YoPros. Who do you think they were targeting in their business plan?

When did I say that it was a problem or that they weren't targeting them? Do you just argue to argue?


I was there Saturday as well. It definitely is a really cool place. I only have one very minor complaint. The benches outside are an absolute nightmare. I don't know how many people I saw fall off of them.

I'll probably stop by there occasionally, but as mentioned above, it was a very 'yuppie' crowd on saturday, which isn't really my scene.


Maybe it was just the time I was there, as there were a lot of corporate Christmas parties on Saturday night.


I mean, I don't have to prove to you what I saw when I was there. The crowd was largely dominated by young professionals who were super rowdy. I guess you can question my eyesight if you want, but I don't have a habit of lying about things. And nowhere did I say that demographic was a bad thing. I just said it wasn't my scene. Midtown has been dominated by that scene for a while. If you question that, just pop over to the Packards rooftop some Saturday night.

Disclaimer: I am part of the yo-pro demo graphic. I don't have anything against it.

10th Street Bar District:

McNellies
O Bar
Fassler Hall
Dust Bowl
R&J Supper Club
Bleu Garten
Sidecar

You could throw in Broadway 10 as well but it's definitely more of a nice restaurant than bar.
Plus the space directly across the street is an empty lot just begging to be developed.

Gave this place a try now that they're open. What you see below: Hunter (Smoked venison, buffalo & pork sausage), duck fat fries, and Paulaner Salvator. At the risk of seeing just how gutter-minded this website is, I'll say that the Hunter was one of the best sausages I've had the privilege of putting in my mouth. I'll just say that you should try one, because I don't think any words I can type would do the flavors justice. I give them my seal of approval.

9774

Gave this place a try now that they're open. What you see below: Hunter (Smoked venison, buffalo & pork sausage), duck fat fries, and Paulaner Salvator. At the risk of seeing just how gutter-minded this website is, I'll say that the Hunter was one of the best sausages I've had the privilege of putting in my mouth. I'll just say that you should try one, because I don't think any words I can type would do the flavors justice. I give them my seal of approval.

9774

We ordered this on Friday night and it was awesome. Will def get this again

Garage
Packard's

Both restaurants, but with great bars, great outdoor presence and a great late scene.

Though not right on 10th, you could also include Louie's and O Bar which are both almost always crowded from Wednesday through Saturday, late at night.

Yo-pro. Isn't this just a hipster way of saying yuppie?

Depending on the age of the person you ask, is the answer likely to be yup or yo?

Has anybody gone yet?... Facebook friends have reported that Dust Bowl is open.

Went to Fassler Hall instead.. Awesome place.

Went to Fassler Hall instead.. Awesome place.

So how did you bowl, plupan? I know you couldn't have been going there for the bar. :)

So how did you bowl, plupan? I know you couldn't have been going there for the bar. :)

I'm Jeffrey I have nice fins

Fassler was insanely packed Friday night. Bartenders were getting their asses kicked...and some were definitely pissy, but I don't blame them. Outdoor area is cool, and balcony view is awesome...will be awesome come spring time. Didn't spend much time in Dust Bowl.

If you don't like crowds I'd wait a few weeks till the newness wears off so it's not overwhelmingly packed.

Ditto to whoever said that they need to weigh down the outdoor tables/benches better. Definitely saw a bench fall over from someone sitting down at the end.

The duck fat fries were the best fries I've eaten in OKC. Atmosphere was rowdy and fun with a great view of downtown OKC.

Went last night (to Fassler) and loved everything about it. Food was great (tried the lamb sausage and schnitzel sandwich) reasonable prices, and the view & outdoor space is fantastic. Wound up sitting with two other couples we didn't know, with the waiter joking that Okies are gonna need some time to get used to communal seating, lol. Definitely an instant favorite of mine and will def have my birthday here and at DustBowl.

Ha. The waiter was apparently unaware that community seating has been creeping in for years at places like Big Truck Tacos, Mutts, Back Door Barbecue, Texadelphia and a number of other places. But yeah, it's a little bit more pronounced at Fassler.

Pro-tip: don't park at Brown's. There is no sign posted, but they're towing cars after bakery hours.

Interesting. It was the defacto parking lot for McNellies for years. Guess they got tired of it.

Probably only tired of cleaning up the next morning. Considering the disparate hours, it would of course be great if the lot were available after Brown's hours for other businesses. That is a smart use of space. What should happen here is that the McNellie's group or MidtownR guys should offer a few hundred bucks a month to put up signs allowing their customers to park after 5 and to offset cleaning costs, etc.

That said - as I have reiterated for years to anyone who would listen - parking stress is the sign of a thriving district. It's actually a GOOD thing.

They didn't tow me-I was in another lot, but did tow someone at about 5:30 Friday afternoon.

I still don't understand a business owner who doesn't see this as a cash cow. Pay a kid $9 an hour to sit there and take and take $5 a car.

They didn't tow me-I was in another lot, but did tow someone at about 5:30 Friday afternoon.

I still don't understand a business owner who doesn't see this as a cash cow. Pay a kid $9 an hour to sit there and take and take $5 a car.Do you think they would pay them $9 an hour? I would assume they would go minimum.

Do you think they would pay them $9 an hour? I would assume they would go minimum.

I'm sure there's an inverse relationship between pay rate and cash stolen. Pay the kid $12 and enjoy the gold mine.

I'm sure there's an inverse relationship between pay rate and cash stolen. Pay the kid $12 and enjoy the gold mine.I agree with you. I would pay about 12-14/hr personally, but are they going to do that?

Ha. The waiter was apparently unaware that community seating has been creeping in for years at places like Big Truck Tacos, Mutts, Back Door Barbecue, Texadelphia and a number of other places. But yeah, it's a little bit more pronounced at Fassler.

Don't forget the big room at Eischen's!

From the Journal Record:

Serving up jobs: Newly opened restaurants say finding staff not a problem

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record December 22, 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY – In the past year, several new restaurants have opened their doors, including the R&J Supper Club and Lounge, The George steakhouse, Fassler Hall and Slaughter’s Hall. The city has also become home to new hotels such as Aloft and The Ambassador.

Despite continuing growth in the leisure and hospitality industry, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that the Oklahoma City metro’s industry unemployment rate was at 8.2 percent in 2013, while the state’s overall unemployment rate was approximately 5 percent. In Tulsa, the 2013 industry unemployment rate for the metro area was 11.4 percent, while it was much lower in the city itself at 4.4 percent. The data did not include a city-only statistic for Oklahoma City.

Ninety percent of the industry’s numbers reflect accommodation and food services unemployment, with the other 10 percent representing arts, entertainment and recreation unemployment.

Oklahoma Restaurant Association President and CEO Jim Hopper said he has not heard of any restaurants unable to find staff.

“Most members say it’s a good time to be in business in Oklahoma because of our overall unemployment rate,” he said. “I know they are constantly looking for employees, but haven’t heard anyone threatening to shut down because they can’t hire anyone to work.”

Chef Jonathon Stranger and Russ Johnson co-own R&J Supper Club and Ludivine. Stranger said since the restaurants offer two different types of cuisine, the hiring situations were different as well. He said it was difficult to find people at Ludivine because they were looking for workers with more experience than cooking a chicken breast or serving cold beer.

“In the kitchen (at Ludivine), having everything made from scratch – not a lot of cooks have worked with the product before or understand the amount of work that goes into it,” he said. “We do a lot of prep.”

But at R&J, the situation was different. The menu features classic 1950s and ’60s dishes with a Stranger-Johnson twist. He said they were overwhelmed with applicants.

“We wanted a veteran staff, and we were able to find them,” Stranger said.

At the other new Midtown restaurant, Fassler Hall, General Manager Dusty Freeman said in the beginning he had difficulty finding employees, but the issue has improved and he now has a big resume stack.

“We hire the personality and train the skill,” he said. “I was looking for personality, personal appearance – as in how a person carries themselves. “We’ve gotten some really great candidates. I’m very impressed with this staff.”

^^^^^^^

I think this article misses the mark. I made some comments about it (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=R%20J%20Lounge%20and%20Supper%2 0Club&page=2#post853404) in the R&J thread.

It does. It's easy to find people to work. But, in these popular restaurants where execution is key, especially on busy nights -- you need veteran servers and bartenders to deliver that experience. With exponentially growing dining and entertainment options in OKC, one bad experience by a rookie can damage a reputation.

One of the bartenders at Fassler was a bartender at Saints. (Maybe does both?).

Loved Fassler and will be back, but the bartender we had had a really tough time. Poured the wrong beer multiple times, even after pointing at them. Ill give her a pass though, she seemed overwhelmed, if not annoyed, at how busy it was.