Exhale (dead)

[Urbanized]

Uh, what exactly is this place going to be? Someone posted about it in the Automobile Alley thread, regarding a minor Board of Adjustment item. Now Steve has posted a space plan on his blog, saying it will be before the Planning Commission this Thursday. Here's a link to the full-size image of the plans.

I think it deserves its own thread, in part because it's not actually in the Automobile Alley district, but also because the place is remarkable for its size and for the configuration. I'd think this would (should) actually concern Heritage Hills more than Edge did/does, as Steve suggests in his post title.

In looking at that plan (and considering the name), I can't see it being anything other than a nightclub. A big one.

[MikeOKC]

Uh, what exactly is this place going to be? Someone posted about it in the Automobile Alley thread, regarding a minor Board of Adjustment item. Now Steve has posted a space plan on his blog, saying it will be before the Planning Commission this Thursday. Here's a link to the full-size image of the plans.

I think it deserves its own thread, in part because it's not actually in the Automobile Alley district, but also because the place is remarkable for its size and for the configuration. I'd think this would (should) actually concern Heritage Hills more than Edge did/does, as Steve suggests in his post title.

In looking at that plan (and considering the name), I can't see it being anything other than a nightclub. A big one.

Steve's post actually says, "This old car dealership building is up at Planning Commission this Thursday for an ABC (liquor) zoning. From the plans below, it looks like the restaurant/bar, “Exhale,” will be a pretty ambitious remodel..."

I don't guess there's any question about what it's going to be, but you're absolutely right - I would think this would touch Heritage Hills much more than the apartment plan.

[Urbanized]

Yeah, I understood there was ABC zoning, and in fact was adding that to my post as you were quoting me, I guess. There's no doubt it will have liquor, but the question is which ABC zoning it gets. There is a big difference between a restaurant, a bar, and a nightclub. Any of them can serve food. That place has two bar areas and other things that indicate it's not your typical restaurant.

That "performance area" and the empty elevated space below it surrounding it screams nightclub dance floor, and actually could even indicate a topless club.

[mcca7596]

The thing is though, if such a high profile project like the Mercy hospital redevelopment escaped their purview for so long, they won't even recognize Exhale is there until the day it opens.

[Urbanized]

Well, if it is a nightclub it should concern more folks than just the HH crowd. Automobile Alley folks, Midtown folks, Uptown 23, and even the police may want to be paying close attention to this one.

[wsucougz]

Floorplan looks like a stripclub to me. And the name obviously screams restaurant.

[MikeOKC]

There is a big difference between a restaurant, a bar, and a nightclub. Any of them can serve food. That place has two bar areas and other things that indicate it's not your typical restaurant.

That "performance area" and the empty elevated space below it surrounding it screams nightclub dance floor, and actually could even indicate a topless club.

Hmmm. Very good point. Let's hope the "performance area" is for musical acts and not, uh, acrobats.

Glad you raised this here.

[Steve]

They are seeking ABC-2 - which would allow for beer, wine and mixed drinks.

[Urbanized]

They are seeking ABC-2 - which would allow for beer, wine and mixed drinks.

With 50% or more of revenue coming from food sales, correct? ABC-3 is straight liquor?

[MikeOKC]

The nice "Gentlemen's Clubs" in DFW, and even some of the ones here, have huge lunch and dinner crowds. Sometimes they practically give the food away to lure you in. "Exhale" doesn't sound very foody to me - it sounds...well...like a gentlemen's club. "Performance area" worries me, too.

[Urbanized]

The nice "Gentlemen's Clubs" in DFW, and even some of the ones here, have huge lunch and dinner crowds. Sometimes they practically give the food away to lure you in. "Exhale" doesn't sound very foody to me - it sounds...well...like a gentlemen's club. "Performance area" worries me, too.

Yep. Also, I don't think they could get ABC-3 if they wanted to, because St. Luke's is within 300 feet of the western boundary of the building. Maybe ABC-2 could be a licencing loophole in this case?

[Urbanized]

St. Luke's, Downtown OKC Inc., OU Medical Center... ...I can think of all kinds of people who might want to watch this one closely.

[kevinpate]

FWIW, that floor plan doesn't show anything that would resemble a commercial kitchen with adequate storage/prep/cooking space like you'd generally find in a typical restaurant. Perhaps that space on the far right is a kitchen space? However, it shows no kitchen detail, not even a single water point. As compared to the bathroom facilities, nine sink points along with multiple toilets and urinals are shown over the four rooms. But perhaps that area's detail is all shown on another page of the drawings. Just hit me as odd.

[bluedogok]

The kitchen (with no equipment shown) is on the far right of the plan with a walk0in cooler and freezer on the top right corner. It looks like a raised dance floor or something in front of the "Performance Area".

It seems like a very incomplete plan to me or one that had much information purposefully left off. I have had to do that before for some GSA projects like the replacement IRS offices in Austin to replace the ones that a plane was flown into. I can't recall doing those any restaurant/bar.

[Urbanized]

I fixed the broken link to the Board of Adjustment item in my original post. That item also points out that there would be an 1800 sq ft mezzanine level that is not shown on these plans. That by itself is the size of a lot of restaurants.

[wsucougz]

Champagne room.

I fixed the broken link to the Board of Adjustment item in my original post. That item also points out that there would be an 1800 sq ft mezzanine level that is not shown on these plans. That by itself is the size of a lot of restaurants.

[Steve]

One of life's fundamental truths (in the index to the Guy's Code book): There is no champagne in the champagne room.

[zimmerokc]

I sent the info on to Heritage Hills East, I wonder if they know about it. Seems to be just a restaurant from the Planning Commission packet.

[Spartan]

I imagine this proposal will give few area stakeholders a reason to exhale...

[wsucougz]

I imagine this proposal will give few area stakeholders a reason to exhale...

I hear some of them have been waiting for quite some time to do so.

[Spartan]

But don't call them blue in the face, or this forum will attack you for going after the HHers!

[Steve]

Often times when clubs have opened up in Bricktown, they take on names of similar theme clubs in bigger cities (RokBar, Pure, etc.). Here's what pops up for Exhale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvPM9Uo30Ik

[ljbab728]

Often times when clubs have opened up in Bricktown, they take on names of similar theme clubs in bigger cities (RokBar, Pure, etc.). Here's what pops up for Exhale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvPM9Uo30Ik

Well, Spartan should enjoy that anyway. If I remember correctly, he was extremely disappointed that OKC didn't get a franchise for the Lingerie Football League.

[Spartan]

Ha, not so fast. I was annoyed that Mayor Mick would make a moral decision for an entire city, against an event that a lot of people would go to. And it was contained in an arena that families didn't have to be in. What I am against however, is a stag club on the edge of HH..

Often times when clubs have opened up in Bricktown, they take on names of similar theme clubs in bigger cities (RokBar, Pure, etc.). Here's what pops up for Exhale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvPM9Uo30Ik

Well, now we see how you fill your time at the office! Just kidding Steve..

[ljbab728]

Ha, not so fast. I was annoyed that Mayor Mick would make a moral decision for an entire city, against an event that a lot of people would go to. And it was contained in an arena that families didn't have to be in. What I am against however, is a stag club on the edge of HH.

So just to be sure, Spartan, you're in favor of exposed skin as long as it isn't near HH and the kids can't see? LOL