Criterion Concert Hall

[John Knight]

Third Eye Blind + Criterion = Awesome.

This Saturday night is going to be epic!

[soonerguru]

I am hoping they start booking more interesting touring acts like Grimes, Tame Impala, etc. in the near future.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^
Agree, and I expect that it will happen.

[bradh]

I am hoping they start booking more interesting touring acts like Grimes, Tame Impala, etc. in the near future.

If Nathaniel Rateliff makes it through I'm down

[BDP]

If Nathaniel Rateliff makes it through I'm down

They just played here in November, but it would be cool to see them come back and play the criterion.

[CS_Mike]

I noticed on the Criterion website that there is a concert booked for June 30 featuring Dashboard Confessional and Taking Back Sunday, yet I could find no mention of it on either their Twitter account or their Facebook page. That's one I would expect good turnout for. Am I just missing it?

[Pete]

Third Eye Blind but on great show at the Criterion last night.

Another packed house but because there were less under age patrons than last week (Ben Rector drew lots of teenagers) the three bars had crazy long lines.

But, had an absolute blast and this venue adds so much to the OKC scene.

[Easy180]

Third Eye Blind but on great show at the Criterion last night.

Another packed house but because there were less under age patrons than last week (Ben Rector drew lots of teenagers) the three bars had crazy long lines.

But, had an absolute blast and this venue adds so much to the OKC scene.

Heading there for My Morning Jacket later this month. Hope they get those bars working faster by then lol

[Richard at Remax]

It was painful with the bar situation. Almost took some of the excitement away. That being said the venue is awesome and they put on a solid show

[Pete]

^

It only got backed up later in the evening.

We just bought a couple of drinks each before the main act went on and it worked out fine.

In fact, we were down close the stage and if I left my spot for the bar, I'd never make my way back.

[PhiAlpha]

Third Eye Blind but on great show at the Criterion last night.

Another packed house but because there were less under age patrons than last week (Ben Rector drew lots of teenagers) the three bars had crazy long lines.

But, had an absolute blast and this venue adds so much to the OKC scene.

Yep, great show and great venue. The 20 minute bar lines were my only complaint. They either need more bartenders or a few more bars flanking the stage. Those guys know what they're doing so I'm sure they'll get it figured out.

[BDP]

Yep, great show and great venue. The 20 minute bar lines were my only complaint. They either need more bartenders or a few more bars flanking the stage. Those guys know what they're doing so I'm sure they'll get it figured out.

I kind of think they need a beer only bar or something. I noticed last night that a lot of people were ordering cocktails and not just low balls. Kinda triples the service time. I don't mean they shouldn't serve cocktails, but maybe a separate option for those just wanting to grab a beer or a limited cocktail selection for those wanting to just grab something and get back to the show. There was also a lot of people ordering multiple drinks because of the wait, which, of course increases the wait in line.

They've also got the main bar about about 20 feet behind the sound booth with a barricade running the length of the bar. So, you get very long lines on the ends (especially the east end) with limited access to the middle of the bar because of the crowd on the outside. So some smaller options on the wings would probably help that as well.

Or they could use severs with tablets taking orders in the lines like In N Out or chick fil a.

[Anonymous.]

I was there also, and yes the drink situation was awful.

They easily need 2-3 of those kind of roll-a-round beer cooler/stands on the sides so people getting a bottle or two can easily get in and out. They lost a lot of potential money in the drinks category.

Also I discovered that you are allowed to bring in outside food (no drink). So that is interesting...

[Pete]

Long drink lines are a cardinal sin for business owners...

You have people lining up to throw down $8 on something that probably cost you less than a dollar, and you need to quickly take their money, thus encouraging to spend more.

How many thousands of dollars of pure profit did they lose on Saturday night because of this?


In this day and age, super easy to set up small areas/carts with at least beer in cans and an iPad with a card swiper.

[BDP]

How many thousands of dollars of pure profit did they lose on Saturday night because of this?

Yeah, for sure. They certainly have plenty of motivation to work that out a bit. I think some smaller bars would also give them some scaleability options as well. I do really feel like the place can host a show with significantly less people and it wouldn't feel like no one was there. Maybe even up to half as full and just use the lower floor. So, having a few limited bars would give them some options and if you kept them only beer or simply cocktails, then you don't even really need experienced help to staff them.

My one big question for now would be is it getting a wood floor? I don't think the art work was up yet either.

[TheTravellers]

Long drink lines are a cardinal sin for business owners...

You have people lining up to throw down $8 on something that probably cost you less than a dollar, and you need to quickly take their money, thus encouraging to spend more.

How many thousands of dollars of pure profit did they lose on Saturday night because of this?


In this day and age, super easy to set up small areas/carts with at least beer in cans and an iPad with a card swiper.

Sounding like a broken record again, sorry, but do they realize it's this easy, and if so, why didn't they do that? ISTR that they're experienced folks running the Criterion, so I'm hoping they know they need to fix this, but if not, do they read OKCTalk or does somebody have to tell them that their bar model is broken and here's how to fix it?

Just baffling that, again, something that tons of places do all over the country (and city and state) isn't something they do here. Yeah, I know it's only their 2nd or 3rd show, so hopefully they get it fixed soon. Man, I could make a fortune figuring out best practices for restaurants and bars and selling it to people here, but only if they'd listen and buy it, though (horse, water, etc.), lol...

[sooner88]

Sounding like a broken record again, sorry, but do they realize it's this easy, and if so, why didn't they do that? ISTR that they're experienced folks running the Criterion, so I'm hoping they know they need to fix this, but if not, do they read OKCTalk or does somebody have to tell them that their bar model is broken and here's how to fix it?

Just baffling that, again, something that tons of places do all over the country (and city and state) isn't something they do here. Yeah, I know it's only their 2nd or 3rd show, so hopefully they get it fixed soon. Man, I could make a fortune figuring out best practices for restaurants and bars and selling it to people here, but only if they'd listen and buy it, though (horse, water, etc.), lol...

This was their first show with a majority of the crowd being 21+ (and it was on a Saturday night). I assume that the bar crowd will be minimal for Kirk Franklin and Rick Springfield is reserved seating so I would bet that by the time MMJ is here on the 27th they will have this sorted out.

[Pete]

This was their first show with a majority of the crowd being 21+ (and it was on a Saturday night). I assume that the bar crowd will be minimal for Kirk Franklin and Rick Springfield is reserved seating so I would bet that by the time MMJ is here on the 27th they will have this sorted out.

Right, lines were not long at all for Ben Rector, no doubt due to the younger crowd.

[gopokes88]

This was their first show with a majority of the crowd being 21+ (and it was on a Saturday night). I assume that the bar crowd will be minimal for Kirk Franklin and Rick Springfield is reserved seating so I would bet that by the time MMJ is here on the 27th they will have this sorted out.

Randy Rodgers Band will be a heavy drinking crowd as well.

[sooner88]

Randy Rodgers Band will be a heavy drinking crowd as well.

Yeah I'm sure it will be... I was just looking at the concerts in the near future.

[gopokes88]

Yeah I'm sure it will be... I was just looking at the concerts in the near future.

I thought RRB is May 1st not 21st.

They'll get it figured out, don't really understand the panic on the board.

[Pete]

Who's panicking?

All I see are valid observations and ideas for improvement.

[OkieHornet]

or you could always pre-game at tapwerks/bricktown brewery/etc. and get better beer for lower prices!

[Pete]

or you could always pre-game at tapwerks/bricktown brewery/etc. and get better beer for lower prices!

I like going to Slaughter's Hall and/or WSKY before and after. Can usually find a free space near DD and walk to and from the show.

[Urbanized]

Hahahaha I seriously doubt they need to read OKCTalk to know their bar was struggling to keep up OR how to fix it. These guys are pros, and the building itself still isn't even finished yet. They will work it out, guaranteed. I agree that OKCTalk is a valuable resource, but we don't always know all of the circumstances here OR have all of the answers.