The old Grandad's space will soon reopen as Rockford, a 70's-themed cocktail lounge.

The operators are Drew and Anna Mains of Knuck's Wheelhouse and In the Raw fame.

They still have a lot more furniture coming but I took this photo last week:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/rockford1.jpg



Also, this is their sign going up from https://twitter.com/robothouseOKC:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQVJs2WUwAACW9S.jpg

Can someone clarify what happened with Granddad's? I thought it was doing well, then it was gone.

There were issues with the main investor (who is still involved in Rockford) and the bar manager/operator.

The sign looks very nice along 23rd St at night. Once the Tower is complete, that stretch from Robinson to Shartel is going to be a real gem.

There were issues with the main investor (who is still involved in Rockford) and the bar manager/operator.

This is somewhat vague.

Meh. Not everything needs to be hashed and rehashed in a public forum. It's a private business. Let's let their laundry stay in the hamper.

Are the former operator's of Granddad's looking for a new venture?

That ’70s bar: Couple mix up new format for former Grandad’s site
By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record October 7, 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY – Northwest 23rd Street will have a new bar by month’s end, though the location previously drew crowds as another venue.

Grandad’s Bar, 317 NW 23rd St., is being refurbished and updated into Rockford: A Cocktail Den. The bar is owned by attorney Kyle Sweet and husband-and-wife team Anna and Drew Mains. The Mains operate two restaurants in Bricktown: Knucks Wheelhouse and In The Raw Sushi Bar.

“We’re excited to bring something Oklahoma City hasn’t seen yet,” Anna Mains said. “Our cocktail scene has grown rapidly here. We wanted to create something where you could have a drink specially made for you, but in a lighthearted setting.”

The Rockford name pays homage to Norman native James Garner, who played private detective Jim Rockford on TV’s The Rockford Files from 1974 to 1980. The show’s starting date influenced the bar’s interior.

Anna said they visited a bar in New York that was a throwback to the ’70s, but not the disco era. They loved the idea, and went to Brian Winkeler and his Robot House Creative design crew to create a brand.

Winkeler’s team scoured The Male Mystique, a book by Jacques Boyreau that features 1960s and 1970s male-focused magazine advertisements.

“We didn’t want it to be a Disneyland version of a ’70s bar,” Winkeler said. “We wanted it to be inspired by vintage elements.”

They were inspired to make a sexy, swagger feel for the logo and other promotional elements. The team browsed vintage Playboy magazines and found subtle yet sexy photographs. The group re-created the photos using Oklahoma City models, and the photos became the bar’s advertisements and other publicity material.

“I think (the concept) is definitely different than what anyone else is doing,” Anna said. “It’s racier than what anyone is doing right now.”

Original vintage Playboy photos will be inside the bathroom as well.

Other changes to the building’s interior include new paint, wallpaper, and period furniture that will be put in small, living room-type settings to keep the coziness of Grandad’s. Anna said hospitality is being emphasized strongly with her bar team because she wants customers to feel comfortable ordering their drinks or figuring out what they want to drink.

The bar will offer a modern take on classic cocktails, such as the Harvey Wallbanger, Long Island Iced Tea and pina coladas. The drinks will be made with fresh juices, house-made colas and house-made grenadine. Thirteen beers and three wines are slated for the tap, with bottled and canned beer available as well. Vintage-inspired bar snacks are being generated by Chef Jason Heald. The overall price point is $8 to $11.50 for a cocktail, including tax, and other drinks at a lower price.

The hospitality will extend outside, where Rockford will offer a free limo ride to customers who need transportation to their next location.

“It’s a nice way to encourage safe driving and not have to deal with parking somewhere else,” she said.

Winkeler said he enjoyed creating the logo and feel for a place that he thinks will be a huge success. It will open on Oct. 30.

“I hope there are lines out the door, because there’s nothing else like it,” he said.

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I'm kinda excited about this place. It'll be different than anything I've ever experienced.

Drew and Anna really know what they are doing.

Talked to him extensively about this and they have really done their homework.

They've done a great job at Knuck's and In the Raw and I think this will be another success.


I'm a child of the 70's (graduated HS in 1978) so this is particularly appealing to me.

I'll be glad to try this out. It's cool to see more unique themed bars opening. Plus, this is within walking distance of where I live now so that is a huge plus.

Rockford Cocktail Den opens on Friday, October 30th.

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Is it just me or is that ad too provocative (and objectifying) for a cocktail lounge? Just seems like an ad for a strip club.

It's 70's swank.

They'll have Burt Reynolds style ads as well.

Is it just me or is that ad too provocative (and objectifying) for a cocktail lounge? Just seems like an ad for a strip club.

That ad as well as the banner on their facebook page convey perfectly to me the feel they are going for. I dig it. Very American hussle or Playboy Mansion.

I'm very much looking forward to this opening up. I'm good friends with the group that is opening the Rockford and they would never open a cocktail lounge that would be anywhere near that of a strip club or anything that was considered objectifying. A handful of bars in OKC and Tulsa both have had images of women on the walls that were tasteful but a take on the 1970's past. It's just a pop culture thing to go along with the theme....I mean...Burt Reynolds on a bear rug?! What's more awesome than that?! LOL. Mad Men fans are going to love it. It's just something different but not offensive IMO and that's what OKC needs. I've worked on projects in Uptown alongside the Uptown 23rd Director and Board of Directors and if this place was something remotely close in resembling a strip club, you'd have the neighborhood and the association both up in arms and it wouldn't even be considered. I don't even drink but I'm social and I'm looking forward to this new spot in Uptown coming to fruition. Anything that Drew, Anna, Seth, and anyone else in this group has been involved with have all been a success. This place will definitely follow suit. I'm pretty stoked about it being non-smoking, too.

Just to clarify, I certainly didn't think Rockford would actually be a strip club. Lol.

Is it just me or is that ad too provocative (and objectifying) for a cocktail lounge? Just seems like an ad for a strip club.

Yes. I was excited about this place but to me that ad is tasteless and leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I think the model could also be 70's swank with underwear on. Maybe I just don't understand advertising.

Walked by last night...

Is this modeled on Welcome to the Johnson's in Manhattan? As someone born in the 80s, the decor seemed to lack "sexy, swagger feel" and more like the grandma's living room. Not that I didn't have fun times at The Johnson's but it certainly doesn't invoke racy/Playboy heyday/a place where 70s Burt Reynolds would be caught dead in.

Walked by last night...

Is this modeled on Welcome to the Johnson's in Manhattan? As someone born in the 80s, the decor seemed to lack "sexy, swagger feel" and more like the grandma's living room. Not that I didn't have fun times at The Johnson's but it certainly doesn't invoke racy/Playboy heyday/a place where 70s Burt Reynolds would be caught dead in.

Welcome to the Johnons, ha. I stumbled upon that place in a NYC visit several years ago. Dug the decor, good jukebox too.

They aren't finished with the decor.

Yes. I was excited about this place but to me that ad is tasteless and leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I think the model could also be 70's swank with underwear on. Maybe I just don't understand advertising.

. . reminds me of "Night Trips" ads. . .NOT a good thing. . . :(

Kinda what I was thinking. I'm still excited about the place, I just think they missed the mark on what they were trying to achieve with this ad.

It will be an interesting show for the couple. In the raw was already built and established when they took over. Knucks? knucks looks like knucks... This will be they're opportunity to show off what they got.

From their Twitter feed:

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A feature on the KFOR evening news including video and interviews.

Get your 70s swagger on at new cocktail den in Oklahoma City | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2015/10/22/get-your-70s-swagger-on-at-new-cocktail-den-in-oklahoma-city/)

I'll be glad to try this out. It's cool to see more unique themed bars opening. Plus, this is within walking distance of where I live now so that is a huge plus.
Let me know if you want some company, I had fun on Matthew's last night in town.

Checked it out briefly Friday evening during a soft opening event. It's going to be a huge hit.

Planning on going this Friday. Can't wait!

Hearing very good things about this place...

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11205054_625128630963035_8117693563155821765_n.jpg ?oh=008d5c25c9e4e3e16e45811e3b40d857&oe=56BA2A0B

Cool looking place, but unfortunately due to their marketing I wouldn't feel comfortable sending a link to any of my coworkers about the place, especially female coworkers.

I love the theme. I'm just not certain about the interior. It really needs some groovy carpet if it is going to be 70's. From the pictures it looks like a furniture warehouse.

Coming of age in the 70's, it looks like someone redid the family room by grabbing items up and down the street from home of folk I knew back then.

Sort of this vibe in my mind, being an ol' country boy at heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGBeeuZo7wA


or this, for when country awesome hangs out with rockers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFI0lxsjTjo

I love the theme. I'm just not certain about the interior. It really needs some groovy carpet if it is going to be 70's. From the pictures it looks like a furniture warehouse.
Some great shag area rugs would be amazing

Seems lots of posters have a problem with the marketing. I guess I don't get the big deal.

Honestly I think those folks would feel differently once they actually visit the place once. It's just retro fun a la Madmen. They stop well short of anything that's actually offensive.

The reason the owners and their team went that direction to begin with is because the interior/style of the place was inspired by a stack of 70s Playboys that somehow landed in their possession. As much as anything the inspiration came from the vintage advertising inside, but the entire concept is an homage to the relatively innocent but swanky vibe associated with that time and place.

But if someone is going to rule the place out over what they THINK it is, oh well. It's going to be PACKED, no matter what they think of it.

I'll probably go and check it out, I am not personally offended, there's just no way I am sending that ad/link to FB/link to webpage to anyone other than close friends. If I sent that to coworkers it'd be an HR disaster. I think that is what many of us are saying here. Might not agree but it's reality.

Some great shag area rugs would be amazing

I agree with this. Catch22 is right that it looks kind of like a furniture showroom. It isn't bad though. I haven't been yet but have walked by a few times when it has been open and it was packed.

Hearing very good things about this place...

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11205054_625128630963035_8117693563155821765_n.jpg ?oh=008d5c25c9e4e3e16e45811e3b40d857&oe=56BA2A0B

So they spent money on professional Playboy remake ads, but then just took low-light cellphone pictures of the actual space? The Playboy pictures were done in the actual restaurant, could they not have gotten a few extra professional snaps?

Seems lots of posters have a problem with the marketing. I guess I don't get the big deal.

Not "family friendly".

It's meant to get your attention and I'd say it's highly effective.

I'm planning to go on Friday night and looking forward to it.

In last week's Gazette there was an ad for the Rockford on one page and a strip club on the next.... Rockford's was definitely racier. Think the ads have done their job, and I'm not sure why people are offended by a bar's advertising not appealing to all ages.

Are the former operator's of Granddad's looking for a new venture?

Yes, I believe he may be. His name is Greg Seal - you'll probably locate him on FB if you Google him. (acquaintance from HS, I don't know him well)

Regarding Rockfords, the concept is interesting but I am having a really hard time with the vintage couches... gives me a creepy grandma vibe. Maybe younger people who weren't alive in the 70's don't feel the same? Wishing them success and many Febreeze coupons!

I was kinda hoping for the plastic cases that grandma had on the duvan...things might get sticky. I have no problems with the ads. I also don't consider art house films or b-movies like barbarella pornography. It's certainly got your attention though doesn't it.

Spent some time there early yesterday evening and really, really liked the feel of the place.

It was pretty busy given the hour, the service was friendly and excellent and I just really enjoyed the vibe. It looks much better in person.

It's a great mix of seating areas plus more typical bar seating. And the lighting in there is just right... Something so many other places miss on and it makes a huge difference.

I'm going back on Friday with a group of friends and am interested to gauge the vibe in a much more busy atmosphere.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/rockford110515a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/rockford110515b.jpg

No naked women running around? I'm shocked!

Went here last night. Biggest complaint is that it seemed a little bright. They've installed some really great overheard fixtures, but the one nearest the front door was putting out so much light. Bright enough to easily read a newspaper and then some. The white tin ceiling is reflecting a lot of light back down. (In some of the promotional pics in this thread, you'll see that the ceiling mounted lights are turned off.)

In *my* opinion, the furniture is a little too suburban living room, not quite sexy den. It's all so colorful and missing sophistication. However, the wall decorations (canvas art, velvet paintings, mirrors, wallpaper, mounted sculpture, etc) are all first rate! Having a mixture of coffee table and end tables is great. While it's no smoking, there are ashtrays and matchbooks lying around. They had the Thunder and football games on without audio. I only remember hearing one 70s rock song. Hoping they only play 70s music from every genre. Music certainly could have been louder.

I think this bar is great for a couple or a large group. Two people can squeeze in anywhere, and a group of 7+ can grab an entire little living room. Our group of 4 seemed awkwardly stuck on one long couch. Not sure how they feel about people stealing a chair or two from one set-up to another.

The Sloe Ride cocktail was a little sweet for my taste, but I look forward to trying different things on the menu.

Crowd on a Thursday seemed to be late 20s, energy sector. (Maybe I have a little bias :rolleyes:)

For me, I think this bar might function like The Saturn Room in Tulsa- a place I love to go and treat myself to before or after a concert, but not necessarily in my regular rotation.

Bottom line is that I certainly want to go here more than Grandad's.

Went last night -- was there for several hours -- and had a rocking good time.

Had a big group that secured one of the seating areas, settled in and enjoyed everything about the place. It was absolutely heaving with people throughout the night and that's saying something because it's a pretty big place.

Also, since they only offer a couple of food items, they allow you to bring in outside food. So, some of us ordered a bunch of stuff from Back Door which is directly east.

It was a great mix of people and you know a bar is a big hit when there are more women than men.

Hang on...you mean women actually go to such a place? But...the marketing...I just assumed it would be an abject failure based on all of the complaining.

Is there any particular radius their comp ride/driver operates within?

I didn't see this mentioned anywhere and the Californian in me still takes this for granted, but the bar is completely non-smoking.

Hang on...you mean women actually go to such a place? But...the marketing...I just assumed it would be an abject failure based on all of the complaining.

I can confirm the precense of women.

The place had a good feel to it. If you have a large group and want a living room then you will need to get there early.

Yeah, when I've been to the place there have been at least as many women as men, if not more. Seems the concerns were overblown.

You can act like people said it would be a failure all you want though you know that's not true. The only concern was some really objectifying marketing which was in poor taste. No one said it would be a failure.

Oh, please. The sarcasm on my part was obvious. No need to be so literal. My point is that probably 1/3 of the posts in this thread were fretting over the marketing, yet the place is NOT tacky, is jam-packed and obviously women feel quite comfortable there. The worry was overblown.

PC or not, i know of many women (some of whom work there) that have lustfully indulged in the referenced objectification.

You can act like people said it would be a failure all you want though you know that's not true. The only concern was some really objectifying marketing which was in poor taste. No one said it would be a failure.

Taste is most certainly a matter of opinion.

The marketing has obviously worked very, very well.

The place is barely open and was absolutely raging all weekend.

Given the large number of good choices in OKC these days, that's no small accomplishment. Compare it to other openings in town, including places that have become very popular. I can't remember a place that came out of the gates so fast.

Went Saturday night. Really love the décor but I do think more shag rugs could help the sound in there. same problem Grandads had with live music is also a problem when the bar is busy it can very very loud and not in a good way. That echo sound can get annoying.
we had LIT's and wasn't impressed. I don't know how you can make a weak LIT but they managed to do so. it tasted like pure Sweet and sour mix.
for a 10.00 cocktail it should be a stout LIT.
we will go back again for drinks and try some other cocktails we were just stopping in to check things out.