Did they give any reasons why they thought it wouldn't survive?

I overheard some developers talking months ago, pre-Covid, about how they didn't think Parlor would survive...

That is hard to believe. Pre Covid the place was absolutely packed every time I went. I would often go with buddies for a pre-game meal before Thunder games or just to grab something to eat and there would be wall-to-wall people in the middle of the week. And what's funny is we would comment all the time about how impressive it was to be so busy for an odd night.

That is hard to believe. Pre Covid the place was absolutely packed every time I went. I would often go with buddies for a pre-game meal before Thunder games or just to grab something to eat and there would be wall-to-wall people in the middle of the week. And what's funny is we would comment all the time about how impressive it was to be so busy for an odd night.

They were very slow during the day and most weeknights.

I was worried about them long before the pandemic; I really love the place but could tell they did not have enough business and had heard plenty of rumblings from people in that industry.

The Parlor and The Yard are the little brothers to The Collective and Bleu Garten.

Parlor and Yard need the surrounding areas to develop (especially residents). Bleu and Collective feed off each other and the atmosphere around it. Parlor and the Yard are still destination places.

They were very slow during the day and most weeknights.

I was worried about them long before the pandemic; I really love the place but could tell they did not have enough business and had heard plenty of rumblings from people in that industry.

Its a little hidden maybe? It was super cool both times I went, but the first time I definitely had to keep my eyes peeled for it and only knew about it from here (although, to be fair, almost everything I know local-wise comes from here).

Its a little hidden maybe? It was super cool both times I went, but the first time I definitely had to keep my eyes peeled for it and only knew about it from here (although, to be fair, almost everything I know local-wise comes from here).

Yes, as others have said, it's a destination... Not a place you would even know about unless you already knew where it was.

Very different than the high-profile Collective.

It’s a bummer places like this can’t seem to survive in OKC. The collective was pretty cool and it’s a great place, but I greatly prefer Parlor over collective. The atmosphere there was so beautiful and it really felt something in LA or San Francisco and I just don’t get those vibes at the collective. Hopefully they can make it work.

This area needs to be more built up with more residential. The metro isn’t enough.

The collective was pretty cool and it’s a great place, but I greatly Parlor over collective. The atmosphere there was so beautiful and it really felt something in LA or San Francisco and I just don’t get those vibes at the collective. Hopefully they can make it work.

This area needs to be more built up with more residential.
I agree with all of this.

It’s a bummer places like this can’t seem to survive in OKC. The collective was pretty cool and it’s a great place, but I greatly Parlor over collective. The atmosphere there was so beautiful and it really felt something in LA or San Francisco and I just don’t get those vibes at the collective. Hopefully they can make it work.

This area needs to be more built up with more residential. The metro isn’t enough.

The only other place remotely 'like this' is The Collective which is thriving.

And Parlor was still operating until the pandemic. The fact is hasn't reopened is not any sort of reflection on OKC. They haven't reopened in Kansas City either and that place had been established for some time.

The only other place remotely 'like this' is The Collective which is thriving.

And Parlor was still operating until the pandemic. The fact is hasn't reopened is not any sort of reflection on OKC. They haven't reopened in Kansas City either and that place had been established for some time.
In your own words you said this place was struggling before COVID. I personally was worried as I frequented here and found it to be rather empty. I had showed several people this place(most from Edmond) and their perception was that the places were too expensive. When I’m in Cali or Nevada I have peers and family who frequents with me the same type of establishments at the same price points. It’s my perception of OKC that many residents are cheap and don’t want to pay something many in other cities wouldn’t have a problem paying for a better atmosphere. Just my two cents.

^

It was slow at times because of the location, as evidenced by the popularity of The Collective which is absolutely not less expensive for food or drinks.

I have some friends (mid/late 20s) that weren't even aware that the Parlor existed until a few months ago, they had only heard of The Collective.

I have some friends (mid/late 20s) that weren't even aware that the Parlor existed until a few months ago, they had only heard of The Collective.

^^^^^^^^^^THIS

i was the person who told so many people Parlor even existed, and so many knew about Collective.

One of my favorite "hobbies" is telling my friends/co-workers about new developments in the city. I think it's easy to forget that the vast majority of citizens don't know about a lot projects here on the site. When I see a new development on here, I make a note to go visit it, but the majority of people my age I interact with have never heard of them,

One of my favorite "hobbies" is telling my friends/co-workers about new developments in the city. I think it's easy to forget that the vast majority of citizens don't know about a lot projects here on the site. When I see a new development on here, I make a note to go visit it, but the majority of people my age I interact with have never heard of them.

Some of my good friends ask, "What are they building next to the arena?"

I want to beat them with my cell phone with OKCTalk open.

Some of my good friends ask, "What are they building next to the arena?"

I want to beat them with my cell phone with OKCTalk open.

Tell 'em it's the new county jail.

Some of my good friends ask, "What are they building next to the arena?"

I want to beat them with my cell phone with OKCTalk open.

This is when this site could really use a gif reply option.

One of my favorite "hobbies" is telling my friends/co-workers about new developments in the city. I think it's easy to forget that the vast majority of citizens don't know about a lot projects here on the site. When I see a new development on here, I make a note to go visit it, but the majority of people my age I interact with have never heard of them,

I love it when my friends "find a new place" in OKC that we've known about forever here and has been open for months. They always act like they just discovered it.

Mother Clucker just posted on their Instagram that they are reopening on the 24th for curbside and delivery! This is great news!

Mother Clucker just posted on their Instagram that they are reopening on the 24th for curbside and delivery! This is great news!

Excellent.

Gonna have to try it. I usually go to Nashbird.

Good news. Looks like they're safe (for now) after all! Posted to their IG and Facebook page:

✨ We are thrilled to announce Parlor will reopen its kitchens Wednesday, July 22 for takeout and delivery orders.
��We will also have two bar pop-ups: Friday, July 24 from 4pm to at least 10pm and Saturday, July 25 from 4pm to at least midnight. We will have live entertainment both evenings.
�� We can’t wait to welcome back all our friends and supporters. Stay with us over the next week for updates on our kitchens, chefs and our full reopening. See you soon! #parlorvibes

Thanks very much for sharing.

I love that place.

Thanks very much for sharing.

I love that place.

Me too. Just reading this thread, I thought I'd add that I brought my brother from San Fran and my friend from Baltimore to both Parlor and The Collective last fall. Both preferred Parlor. I was gutted reading some of the earlier messages about them possibly not making it, so this news makes me very happy.

I like The Collective fine and they have a superior location and patio but I really, really like Parlor.

They spent a ton of money in there and it shows.

Providence Pizza is fantastic! I don't know what it is, but i like the flow of Parlor over the Collective.

This is fantastic news. Love this place and will definitely order out from here in support!!!

They are opening their kitchens today; hours are 11-8.

However, very sad to report that Sura Eats is closed for good. It was my favorite place in Palor.

i'm hoping to grab something from providence pizza today myself...

They are opening their kitchens today; hours are 11-8.

However, very sad to report that Sura Eats is closed for good. It was my favorite place in Palor.

Damn, that does suck. I think it rounded out my top 3 after providence and clucker.

Just went by there...


MOB Grill is open and moved down to the 1st level in the old Sura Eats spot
Providence Pizza was open
Pachinko Parlor was open
Smoked Out BBQ was not open; not sure of their status (they are still operating their original location on NW Expressway)
Mother Clucker was open
Grafitti was open
El Guate was closed before the pandemic but has the MOB sign on it; think the MOB operated in there very briefly before Parlor closed, then they moved downstairs. That spot is currently empty.


The Bars were not open but will be this Friday and Saturday nights. Not sure about after that.

I had some Providence Pizza take out and it was so insanely good. Maybe my favorite pizza in town. I will miss it so much when the Parlor closes (which seems likely? There was absolutely no one in there last night at 6:30).

Parlor is a great place to eat and hang out. I'm with you on the Survivability of these places. It's a hard enough industry to make money when everything is normal. Take out and delivery orders can't keep up with the overhead. Sad situation all around.

I have a coworker who got Mother Clucker as take out yesterday and said it was mostly inedible. She said she got the medium spice and it wasn't spicy at all and about half of it was rubbery. I have been there about six times and have never had a bad experience there. I hope it was just a bad batch of chicken and getting back into the swing of things.

GF and I went to Parlor last night for a nibble and for the monster shake at mother clucker (biggest motivator). They were not making the shake until Monday they said. Was a disappointment. Ate at Graffiti, very yummy. We dined in and were literally the only people sitting in the dinning room (upstairs) for like an hour (this is not actually a complaint!). Saw a few folks picking up their takeout. Going to take a minute to experience recovery here.

^

All the posts on social media by Parlor has said they are open for carryout.

Strongly implies you can't dine in, so I'm not surprised there was almost no one doing so.

When I went in on Wednesday, it was very unclear if I could eat in there or not.

Oops, yeah there no signs indicating we couldn't eat in....

^

Their policy is completely unclear.

And if they don't want people dining in there should have stacked up the chairs.

Yea the way I read the social media posts, was that carryout was the only option except for tonight (Friday) and Saturday night. In which there will be live music both nights.

I don't even know who is running the place now.

It's my understanding the Parlor guys from KC are completely out of it.

I have a coworker who got Mother Clucker as take out yesterday and said it was mostly inedible. She said she got the medium spice and it wasn't spicy at all and about half of it was rubbery. I have been there about six times and have never had a bad experience there. I hope it was just a bad batch of chicken and getting back into the swing of things.

I got Mother Clucker Wednesday evening and it was as good as I remembered it.

I got Mother Clucker Wednesday evening and it was as good as I remembered it.

Good to hear. Hopefully it was just a one time thing.

I had some Providence Pizza take out and it was so insanely good. Maybe my favorite pizza in town. I will miss it so much when the Parlor closes (which seems likely? There was absolutely no one in there last night at 6:30).

So this Providence Pizza I keep hearing about that's fantastic - is it truly that much crust? Seems like a huge amount of carbs, wondering if it's worth it and how well it reheats (there's only two of us)?

It's a good amount for splitting with another person, it's only like 8"x8", and it's thick but not the thickest pizza I've ever had.

It's a good amount for splitting with another person, it's only like 8"x8", and it's thick but not the thickest pizza I've ever had.

Ah yeah, I misread the size on the menu, wife's computer wasn't quite right, now I see it says "serves 1-2" on mine, thanks.

Ah yeah, I misread the size on the menu, wife's computer wasn't quite right, now I see it says "serves 1-2" on mine, thanks.

100% worth it. I typically prefer NY-style pizza, but this is one of the best pizzas I've ever had. The bread is pretty airy, so it's also not as heavy as it seems... but I've always split with at least 2 people.

100% worth it. I typically prefer NY-style pizza, but this is one of the best pizzas I've ever had. The bread is pretty airy, so it's also not as heavy as it seems... but I've always split with at least 2 people.

Thanks, might try them for our next takeout pizza. Sauced wasn't up to snuff last time, so we were going to do The Wedge, but this might take precedence.

Yeah, don't over think the style. Providence is just amazing food plain and simple. Get the motor city pizza.

i had providence last week and it was every bit as good as it was in the past. i was first introduced to detroit style at buddy's in dearborn and instantly became a fan... providence (in my opinion) stacks up with what i had there.

Wife saw a pic and said "Yeah, we should get them next time we do pizza", and Motor City was going to be my choice too. :)

Stopped by mother clucker today. Oddly enough, better than I remembered it to be? I was allowed to dine in. I also asked around and it seems like the KC people are still around?

Stopped by mother clucker today. Oddly enough, better than I remembered it to be? I was allowed to dine in. I also asked around and it seems like the KC people are still around?

From what I've heard the KC group is in fact back managing after a meeting with the landlord. Apparently they have been working with a potential replacement as operator, but are giving the group one last shot.

From what I've heard the KC group is in fact back managing after a meeting with the landlord. Apparently they have been working with a potential replacement as operator, but are giving the group one last shot.

Good news.

The KC group has a big lease and a substantial obligation; they can't merely walk away without a big financial penalty.

What exactly has been the problem with the KC group? Is it the financial impacts of Covid? Or were there issues before?

What exactly has been the problem with the KC group? Is it the financial impacts of Covid? Or were there issues before?

Before.

Not sure other than they have a huge rent payment; that place was a fortune to build out.

Are the landlords local?

Are the landlords local?

Yes.

Looks like they've removed the glass enclosure on their upstairs patio.

The first photo is from their FB page; the 2nd is one I took this past winter.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/parlor073020a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/parlor073020b.jpg

I hope it is something they put up for the winter and take down for warmer weather.

I hope it is something they put up for the winter and take down for warmer weather.

I am almost positive that is what it is. I was up on the patio Saturday night and it was really nice- missed providence pizza!