Republic

[dankrutka]

So for someone who actively avoids sports bars (I just don't do sports), I've thought that I probably shouldn't try them even though their food sounds great - is that a correct assumption (yes, I know they're not *really* a sports bar, but from what I've read with all the TVs they have tuned to all kinds of sports, they are kind of one, IMO)?

Yeah, there's sports on the TVs, but the only time they have audio on for the TVs is during Thunder games. Just go during a non-Thunder game and I suspect you won't hardly notice the TVs. Their food is absolutely fantastic.

[TheTravellers]

The TVs aren't really in-your-face, and often I've actually had a hard time watching if I don't get a well-placed table. It's easy to ignore watching the tvs...

As long as the sound's not on, yes, that'd work... So do they just have the pic on with captions or is there audio (which would be cacophonous if more than a few were on)? The mention of audio earlier is what prompted me to ask, and if it's just a bunch of TVs with no sound, might be OK for me.

[dankrutka]

As long as the sound's not on, yes, that'd work... So do they just have the pic on with captions or is there audio (which would be cacophonous if more than a few were on)? The mention of audio earlier is what prompted me to ask, and if it's just a bunch of TVs with no sound, might be OK for me.

They play music, not TV audio except during Thunder games.

[hfry]

They consider themselves a gastropub so not going because of a dislike a sports is really a mistake. They obviously have tvs with sports on but the amount of different beers they have and high quality of food is a reason enough to go. It's hands down one of my favorite places to eat and drink. The sports are just a plus in my book.
If you're not looking to be surround by the sports crowd just go for lunch one day. Sit at the bar and enjoy anything from their menu. I really enjoy the republic burger and like I said they have a great selection of beer and cocktails. I'm beyond excited they are expanding the brand and opening one up north.

[David]

We've gone in small family groups for dinner and not been inconvenienced by the sports bar nature of the place at all.

[LocoAko]

Their mac & cheese is a meal unto itself and perhaps the best in town.

Once I finally had the willpower to stop ordering the meatloaf, I've found almost everything else they have is equally good.

Seriously. It's so good. The only other mac and cheese in the area I've had that is just as good, if not better, is at Scratch in Norman. I always open the open-faced BLT, but I'll have to try the meatloaf when I go next. I normally don't think to order meatloaf in a restaurant but it sounds quite popular!

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^
Jalapeno bacon mac and cheese at Mickey Mantle's.

[Thomas Vu]

I have yet to see a sports bar type place have captions on the tv. It's either all sound or nothing. Usually nothing.

[bradh]

We have trouble going north of 23rd to eat.

You're limiting yourself the same way some of my fellow suburbanites limit themselves by not visiting the core.

[TheTravellers]

They consider themselves a gastropub so not going because of a dislike a sports is really a mistake. They obviously have tvs with sports on but the amount of different beers they have and high quality of food is a reason enough to go. It's hands down one of my favorite places to eat and drink. The sports are just a plus in my book.
If you're not looking to be surround by the sports crowd just go for lunch one day. Sit at the bar and enjoy anything from their menu. I really enjoy the republic burger and like I said they have a great selection of beer and cocktails. I'm beyond excited they are expanding the brand and opening one up north.

Yeah, that's what we'll probably do - just go during a non-Thunder night or at lunch, because we have heard the food is so good. Been wanting to go, but just didn't want to get there and walk in and go "Man, can't do this". I'm not one for noisy places in general (hard to hear conversations when there's lots of background noise, too much time spent standing in front of speaker stacks at concerts for too many years, young and invincible, y'know), but we'll definitely put it on our list. Thanks to all for the replies...

[betts]

You're limiting yourself the same way some of my fellow suburbanites limit themselves by not visiting the core.

We don't eat out that often and there are so many options near us. It's so nice to walk to dinner.

[TheTravellers]

Went today and damn, it was really good! Went at 2:00, had the Banh Mi and Mac'n'Cheese (wife had the Classen burger, cheddar ale soup, and Asian slaw (veggie of the day)), all really good and fresh-tasting (wife's soup wasn't as good as the rest, but still OK). Had the place almost to ourselves (a few folks on the patio, but that was it), music was loud, but really clear and we did not have to talk above normal volume to hear each other, so they have a really good sound system, it appears, since there are very few sound-absorbing things anywhere in there (I imagine on Thunder game night or Fri/Sat night it gets pretty loud, though). Service was really good - asked if we wanted the soup brought out beforehand (which is a question that should *always* be asked, but isn't), very attentive, beers came out as quick as they should (never have understood why it takes 10 minutes in a not-busy restaurant to get a beer brought out, nothing involved except opening the tap). Not that expensive, either, so we're definitely going back!

[Pete]

there are very few sound-absorbing things anywhere in there (I imagine on Thunder game night or Fri/Sat night it gets pretty loud, though).

There is actually quite a bit of sound-absorbing material in and just below the ceiling which is one of the big reasons it sounds so good in there without it getting overly loud.

Slaughter's Hall is another place that got this right; even on jazz nights the sound is loud, but pleasant.

Sound dynamics and lighting are the two things most restaurants and bars don't tend to appreciate until they open, as most architects only think of both in terms of general appearance of the space rather than ambiance.

[gopokes88]

Went today and damn, it was really good! Went at 2:00, had the Banh Mi and Mac'n'Cheese (wife had the Classen burger, cheddar ale soup, and Asian slaw (veggie of the day)), all really good and fresh-tasting (wife's soup wasn't as good as the rest, but still OK). Had the place almost to ourselves (a few folks on the patio, but that was it), music was loud, but really clear and we did not have to talk above normal volume to hear each other, so they have a really good sound system, it appears, since there are very few sound-absorbing things anywhere in there (I imagine on Thunder game night or Fri/Sat night it gets pretty loud, though). Service was really good - asked if we wanted the soup brought out beforehand (which is a question that should *always* be asked, but isn't), very attentive, beers came out as quick as they should (never have understood why it takes 10 minutes in a not-busy restaurant to get a beer brought out, nothing involved except opening the tap). Not that expensive, either, so we're definitely going back!

Republic is the best place in town to watch a game and it isn't even close. Look up at the ceiling next time. You'll see the sound absorbers, they did an incredible job at hiding them.

[no1cub17]

Republic is awesome. We've had great service pretty much every time, and they are more than willing to tweak the menu to suit our whims (put the chickpea patty on any of the burgers and add fresh jalapenos, add chicken and jalapenos to the black bean tostadas - did I mention they have fresh jalapenos? Cultivar, are you listening?). Beer selection is excellent too. I do agree with Betts - it is a bit further than we usually want to drive from downtown, and I hate driving home even after one drink these days. If they had a location in BT/DD it would be downright dangerous.

[TheTravellers]

Ha, I looked at the ceiling to see if there was anything sound-absorbing up there, but really couldn't see much due to the height and downward-directed lighting, so yeah, they did an excellent job (since the booths aren't a type of sound-absorbent fabric), kudos to them. The Good Egg folks know how to do stuff right, and yes, agree with Pete - more places/people need to think of the entirety of the space while designing it, not just how pretty it looks.

[ctchandler]

fresh jalapenos, did I mention they have fresh jalapenos?

No1cub,
I love fresh jalapeños. I am not a fan of pickled jalapeños, but I did stumble onto an easy method for nachos and I am trying it tonight. Apple cider vinegar with some sugar and salt and overnight in the refrigerator, then add them to the nachos. Of course, I started with fresh jalapeños.
C. T.

[Thomas Vu]

did I mention they have fresh jalapenos? Cultivar, are you listening?)

They only have pickled?!

[no1cub17]

They only have pickled?!

Yup! Unless things have changed since we went.

[Thomas Vu]

Yup! Unless things have changed since we went.

I haven't been there, but that's reason enough for me to hold off.

[Pete]

Here is a rendering for their Chisholm Creek location which is well under construction.

There will be a good-sized patio with TV's on the west side of the 1st level, and a smaller balcony off the 2nd level dining.

[John Knight]

Training is happening at the Chisholm Creek location.

[sooner88]

Does anyone remember, off hand, how much Aubrey put into their Classen Curve location? Will be interested to see the comparison.

[Pete]

Soft opening tonight at Chisholm Creek.

Same menu as other location, which is fine because it's excellent.

Two levels with a small amount of outdoor seating upstairs and a pretty good sized patio on the ground level, with a big fire pit.

You just know this place is going to kill it.

[Thomas Vu]

Looks a lot cooler than the nichols hills location. So glad this is here, so much closer to me!