I finally tried this place out Friday and it was crazy packed and just about impossible to get a drink. Will definitely have to give it a few months before I try again.

Given the scale of that place and the margin on alcohol, they must be carting money out of there in wheelbarrows.

But good for them. Huge investment and they did things the right way.

Went to the Dust Bowl Friday night! We had a private room which squeezed about 20 people (it felt a little tight) but not everyone bowled. We had the room for 2 hours. I have to say, I really enjoyed taking score by hand. For some reason, it added a different feel to the whole experience. Our waitress did a great job handling all of our drink orders. The service was excellent! The bar area was absolutely packed and the atmosphere had a great feeling. Fassler Hall/Dust Bowl is bringing so many people to the midtown area for late night entertainment. It was already a great thriving district, but this just really takes to another level. Our group finished bowling at 11:15 and some of them walked over to McNellies for more drinks. I love that OKC is getting more areas where the entire district is the destination, rather than just one place.

Given the scale of that place and the margin on alcohol, they must be carting money out of there in wheelbarrows.

But good for them. Huge investment and they did things the right way.

I'd be willing to help them carry the money out, as long as they don't mind a little skimming. A mover's fee, you know.

I just Uber down there. No worries about parking or my BAC.

I tried to warn you guys about the ability to get a drink here before the place opened. Only 2 bars in a place this massive was asking for it to be a disaster.

Violating my own "give them some time to work out the kinks" rule, I went to Fassler a couple weeks ago on a weeknight (the place was somewhat less than half full). I appreciated the communal / casual atmosphere (Thunder game was on), cool views to the south, and friendly waitress -- but we did have to wait quite a while for beers. Nothing to completely sour the experience by any means, though. I'll be giving them another try in a few weeks.

I took some family from Chicago there on Sunday around 4. I was surprised at the crowd for a Sunday before dinner but we easily got a table. It took a few minutes for the waitress to make her way over to us which was fine, but you could tell immediately they didn't have enough staff for how busy the place was. Sadly they were out of the my favorite German beer, she said by Sunday they have been so busy they are out of a lot of beers, but recommend a new one which was equally as great. She got our orders and the food was great, I loved their mustard and the fries fried in duck fat were great and she came back after a few minutes to make sure everything was great yet that was the last time we saw here. We wait and tried to flag her down for about 20 minutes after we got done eating (say 30 mins from when we got our food) and at one point had thought maybe her shift ended and they had just kinda forgot our table in the shuffle but I could tell the tables around us were wanting their checks too. Finally, we just had to add up our orders and left cash on the table for her since we had other places to be. Loved the place and will definitely be going back but hopefully they get some of the kinks of restaurant service figured out cause they have a goldmine of a location, food, beer and building.

The good thing about Fassler is that you can order a pint of beer, which means you shouldn't need a waiter/waitress for a while. 😜

The good thing about Fassler is that you can order a pint of beer, which means you shouldn't need a waiter/waitress for a while. ��

I did this and ordered two pints to drink because I thought it was tough and didn't want to wait in line again. Turns out Im not so tough and had to distribute the majority of the second pint.

The good thing about Fassler is that you can order a pint of beer, which means you shouldn't need a waiter/waitress for a while. ��

Do you mean liter?

Do you mean liter?

He probably meant a pitcher of beer. Not a pint. Pint = 16 oz, while a pitcher can be 32+ oz.

He probably meant a pitcher of beer. Not a pint. Pint = 16 oz, while a pitcher can be 32+ oz.

They serve their drafts by the liter or half-liter if I recall.

They serve their drafts by the liter or half-liter if I recall.

True. He probably ordered two liters and couldn't finish the second. I usually end up getting two half liters of different beers when I go.

If you drink quickly, you should order a liter.

It's a Biergarten, not a restaurant…we really need to not expect it to function like a restaurant.

Biergartens are places for groups of any size to get together and socialize with each other and with people from outside of their own circle. Germans are not the kind of people to invite just anybody over to their house, so this is one of the places where intimate friend gatherings happen. That's why you have the communal benches and tight spaces. It's also why you have Liters of beer. You're not supposed to get in and get out, and it's not really a place where you're supposed to be pushed through a dining experience. You go to sit down and have a beer and chill out. Those who like the place will learn how it works and they'll be frequent patrons. Those people will the show the ropes to the people who have never been or don't frequent because they feel weird. We're super used to having our own space, and that's just simply not how a biergarten is supposed to function.

Do you mean liter?

Yes. I did.

1/2 liter is slightly larger than a pint and it's the smallest beer they serve from the tap.

Just ate there for lunch today. I actually thought it would be bigger inside based upon the comments of people here. It wasn't small, just wasn't as large as I expected. Got a sausage and a 1/2 liter beer. Pretty good all the way around. I will definitely come back.

It wasn't crowded at all for lunch. I like the environment. Very fun.

More than 2/3rds of the seating is outside, so if the doors aren't open and people aren't out there, it's obviously not nearly as big.

I just Uber down there. No worries about parking or my BAC.

Smart use of your funds. Kudos your way for protecting yourself, others and helping out an additional person in the process.

Went to Dust Bowl tonight. First experience keeping score by hand. Really enjoyed the experience! One complaint is the mirrors in the restroom. They are very very odd.

Went to Dust Bowl tonight. First experience keeping score by hand.

That just sounds very strange to me for some reason since I've never kept score any other way when bowling. My many years of bowling weren't recent, however.

Considering organizing a small bachelor party for April...

Are the VIP lanes at Dust Bowl pretty separated from the rest of the facility?

Might be more fun just to reserve a couple of general lanes.

Thoughts?

Yes. Separate entrance, bowler area separated br a wall (which I assume is retractable but didn't look closely), rest of lane separated by theater-type curtain.

Yes. Separate entrance, bowler area separated br a wall (which I assume is retractable but didn't look closely), rest of lane separated by theater-type curtain.
The wall separating the seating and approach areas of the private lanes might be movable but it doesn't give that appearance.

Was in town this holiday weekend and went to Fassler with some old coworkers of mine for lunch on Monday. Great food, but their service needs some work. I am starting to understand the complaints about restaurants in OKC struggling for staff; we definitely had the "D" crew wait on us. The food was fantastic, I had the lamb sausage with a COOP F5. With that in mind, we sat outside but had to order our food at the bar, even though they were not busy in the least bit and had several waiters loafing around. Also, it took forever for our party to get our beers; we actually had to go back to the bar to remind the bartender to get them after about 15 minutes of waiting.

I was a server in HS and some of college and I know that sometimes you will just have an "off day." But this was beyond that; had I not been with a group that was already running late, I would have probably said something to the manager. Hope they get it together.

I was there Friday night and thought the service was pretty good. It was early though, before it got too busy. Everytime I've been so far it hasn't been too bad. Hopefully they get the kinks worked out and become a little more consistent.

We were there for both football games on Sunday and had great service for what it is worth. Again, on and off days I guess.

Their service, when busy, can definitely use some improvement. It takes an unacceptable amount of time to get a drink or place an order. I think their management is great, though, and is always looking to improve. I went there for lunch last week and there was a manager intently watching the service and coaching the service staff, which I found impressive.

So went in on Friday and sat down while we waited for our lane at Dust Bowl. Sat there for 15 minutes or so, we finally went to the bar to order. We had to get 3 times and still the server never even said hi. I asked for the manager and the manager said we've been practically ignored by the server the whole night, glasses were piling up and no one generally likes been ignored. She responded that because we went to the bar we were basically out of her territory now and that busing glasses isn't really her job. There doesn't seem to be a good team atmosphere and for a place that gets that busy and loud service will be absolutely crucial or rest assured people won't come. The least the server could have done was clear the glasses and at least say hi and ask if we needed waters or anything.

Also we reserved a lane at Dust Bowl. Paid $35 an hour and the girl at the front gave us an aux cable to play our own music. The server asked the dj to flip channels for us so it wouldn't be the bar music. However, since we were only paying $35 an hour and that's a VIP perk we would not be able to use the music. I asked how much VIP is he said $100 an hour. I asked so you mean to tell me you want to charge me $65 an hour to play my own music? He said you are already getting the private bowling lane for free and that usually is part of VIP not regular. I said you gave the private lane for free without us asking. So no, you are asking $65 an hour for music. Which is absolutely absurd. The server said he'd send the manager down, who never came.

It's not bad service per say, it just needs some retooling so they aren't in situations where glasses pile up, waitresses ignore customers because didn't order from her section, and giving away a premium lane for reg price but want the extra $65 anyway for what amounted to one meh feature. Not a good look.

Heading to bowl Sat night. Guessing Fassler will be crazy packed so wanted to ask if you can order food along with adult beverages while you bowl?

Yes

Had a great time bowling then heading up to Fassler for some grub. It was challenging keepng score especially after a few beers. The 70's atmosphere in The Dust Bowl is great and their tater tot appetizers were a good way to buy some time until heading upstairs

We actually were able to squeeze in to a table right away at 9:00 which surprised me. Everyone enjoyed the food and them having Warsteiner Dunkel on tap was just icing on the cake.

I've been to Fassler three times now, and while the food is good I'm quickly reaching the point of not coming back on account of the horrible service. I'm here as I type this, and it took a full fifteen minutes after I walked in and sat down before anyone took my drink order, and another five after that before I got the drink. I hope my food is coming, but I'm uncertain.

I understand that one guy sitting alone isn't a good candidate for great tips, but that's not really a good excuse for just completely ignoring a customer for that long.

Maybe I'll try once more and sit at the bar, in other threads on the site here I've seen that recommended as an approach for getting better service in a bar environment.

Maybe I'll try once more and sit at the bar, in other threads on the site here I've seen that recommended as an approach for getting better service in a bar environment.

If going in alone, I would always sit at the bar personally.

Yeah, that's definitely going to be the plan next time. Got tired of waiting for the server to come take my card so I could get on with waiting another 10 minutes for her to run it, and went up to the bar to flag a manager to run it for me. I wasn't sitting for more than 15 seconds before one of the bartenders asked me if I needed any help.

Went to Fassler last night on a weekday for the 1st time and it wasn't nearly as busy, and it was way more fun. This place gets so busy on weekends that it's almost overwhelming/annoying. Feels a lot more chill when it's not packed.

Tried the Lamb sausage...'twas awesome.

I've been to Fassler three times now, and while the food is good I'm quickly reaching the point of not coming back on account of the horrible service. I'm here as I type this, and it took a full fifteen minutes after I walked in and sat down before anyone took my drink order, and another five after that before I got the drink. I hope my food is coming, but I'm uncertain.

I understand that one guy sitting alone isn't a good candidate for great tips, but that's not really a good excuse for just completely ignoring a customer for that long.

Maybe I'll try once more and sit at the bar, in other threads on the site here I've seen that recommended as an approach for getting better service in a bar environment.

I would venture to guess that since you were sitting alone at a table, the server thought you were waiting for the rest of your party to arrive. No excuse for not at least greeting you. But that was my initial thought on reading your post.

I would venture to guess that since you were sitting alone at a table, the server thought you were waiting for the rest of your party to arrive. No excuse for not at least greeting you. But that was my initial thought on reading your post.

I was wondering that might have been the problem, but even with that it would have been nice to have gotten at least a little service before a quarter hour in. I'm used to dining alone, but most places I go to don't have quite the same combination of seating yourself and then waiting for service.

On the plus side I tried again today and the "sit at the bar" plan works much, much better.

I travel quite a bit for work(in Toronto currently), and I usually sit at the bar when I eat alone. Much quicker service.

Always.

See, I like to sit and read, so slow service doesn't mean that much as long as it doesn't start that way. Even at Fassler today I got a few chapters read, though it did feel a little bit more awkward than not to be doing that at the bar as opposed to at a table.

I was here Friday night. Man this place is a cluster fluck on weekends. I will have to check it out on a weekday to see what that is about. Goes without saying, the place is a huge hit, will be even moreso once it is warmer.

I was surprised at the price of drinks, $4 for silver bullets and $6 for F5. 1 dollar less on each accord seemed more fair for a (mostly) outdoor picnic table area.

Did not eat, but servers were great and bartenders seemed like they knew what they were doing.

I was here Friday night. Man this place is a cluster fluck on weekends. I will have to check it out on a weekday to see what that is about. Goes without saying, the place is a huge hit, will be even moreso once it is warmer.

I was surprised at the price of drinks, $4 for silver bullets and $6 for F5. 1 dollar less on each accord seemed more fair for a (mostly) outdoor picnic table area.

Did not eat, but servers were great and bartenders seemed like they knew what they were doing.
A liter of Coors banquet is $8 on draft.

Those damn violent bricktown night clubs! oh wait...

Dramatic assault at local bowling alley caught on camera | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2015/03/04/dramatic-assault-at-local-bowling-alley-caught-on-camera/)

Those damn violent bricktown night clubs! oh wait...

Dramatic assault at local bowling alley caught on camera | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2015/03/04/dramatic-assault-at-local-bowling-alley-caught-on-camera/)

Didn't see many people there. That place is normally packed.

^

Wow, that's pretty bad.

The police described the victim as extremely intoxicated.

Fassler and Dust Bowl better get a handle on over-serving people, because that's very easy to do with their setup of huge steins, etc.

Yikes. One too many of those and women stop coming, bankruptcy follows about a month after that.

Maybe that hoodie ban wasn't such a bad idea. (Kidding.)

Seriously? One incident and people are already bitching? This kind of stuff is going to happen and it will happen more and more as the city grows. Get over it.

I've been to many bars many times and have never seen someone break a beer mug over someone's head.

That's pretty intense stuff and someone could have been very badly injured; and not just the victim.

They need to get a handle on this, especially given their crowds which are sure to be massive this summer.

I've never seen it happen either, given I'm much younger, I see this sort of stuff all the time in the news in other cities.

Can't find these guys even with clear pictures, right

I've been to many bars many times and have never seen someone break a beer mug over someone's head.

That's pretty intense stuff and someone could have been very badly injured; and not just the victim.

They need to get a handle on this, especially given their crowds which are sure to be massive this summer.

Exactly. One incident isn't a huge deal, but dust bowl's incompetency being able to handle the situation could very very easily let it keep happening. Then a repuatation happens and it's known as Dust Bro. Women stop coming and when that happens bars close quickly after. The sheer amount of overhead they have they can't afford a huge drop off and survive. They best take it very seriously.

Don't be surprised if the victim sues.

Seriously? One incident and people are already bitching? This kind of stuff is going to happen and it will happen more and more as the city grows. Get over it.

Yes. And it better not happen more and more or watch bars in this city die or turn rough.

If I have to pay the prices bars charge, at no time should I ever for any reason, be hit with a massive beer glass. Dust bowl should be diligent in not over serving people. where is security in that video? They are no where to be found. Why didn't dust bowl have cameras themselves? Why weren't they both detained by dust bowl before the cops came and now police have to try and find them? How in the world were they able to get out of that bar?

Dust bowl was extremely negligent. In fact because of their negligence the police had to put out a help us find this guy. If both were detained by police this probably doesn't even become news.

They better make changes or it'll be the best bar that never was.

I have been in bars where I felt the energy was turning a bit scary, but for the most part that was in England and Australia where it's pretty common for people to get hammered in pubs and then start kicking the crap out of each other.

I don't think I've ever seen a bar fight in Oklahoma. I know there were a couple of times when I cleared out of a place when I felt things were on the verge of going aggro.

I absolutely would never go back to a place if it made me feel unsafe. Way too much to lose personally, and way too many other options.


Having said all that, I'm sure they can get this under control. But they better see it as a warning sign. They are going to have thousands at a time this summer.

I was at Ednas last saturday being a DD for my wife and her friends, and i saw a girl smash a beer mug over a guy who was about to fight with her boyfriend.

I was at Ednas last saturday being a DD for my wife and her friends, and i saw a girl smash a beer mug over a guy who was about to fight with her boyfriend.

I've seen that happen at Edna's as well. In fact everytime I've been there it has seemed like things were about to get rough.

Last bar fight I saw was at Bricktown Brewery, quite recently. Nobody has threatened their viability going forward.

Last bar fight I saw was at Bricktown Brewery, quite recently. Nobody has threatened their viability going forward.

Videos and press can make all the difference in perception.

People have to first become aware.


Anyway, I'm sure this biz will be fine as long as it doesn't become a pattern.