Kong's Tavern (formerly Gigglez)

[MagzOK]

I don't have a side here -- I've never been to Kongs nor plan to, but there has to be more to the story here rather than just an assault by a bouncer. However stranger things have happened.

[soonerguru]

I am told the owner of both Sunset and Kong's is a guy named James Vu. Apparently there was gunfire at Sunset a couple of weeks ago, also. Anyone know much about Mr. Vu?

[Sooner.Arch]

I stopped going to the establishments owned by James and his friend Shyon Keoppel when I found out about several different racist allegations. One being that they didn't like the club photographers taking pictures of black people because they thought it would make their business look bad. Those guys are both messed up individuals. There's plenty more things.

[catch22]

When I drove for Uber in OKC I always dreaded picking up at Kong’s in OKC and Norman. Always very intoxicated, rowdy customers who would be late for pickup, wanted to change drop off locations mid-ride, or would complain the whole way. A lot of hassle and you could be guaranteed no tip and a bad rating no matter how much you politely tolerated the riders. No surprise reading about the crowd it is continuing to bring.

[soonerguru]

It should also be noted that before Sunset opened, there were numerous reported incidents at Fassler Hall as well. I haven't heard as much lately about that place.

[ManAboutTown]

There was gunfire at Kong's late Friday night/early this morning, per Channel 4.

https://kfor.com/news/local/gunfire-...on-nearly-hit/

[Bits_Of_Real_Panther]

There was gunfire at Kong's late Friday night/early this morning, per Channel 4.

https://kfor.com/news/local/gunfire-...on-nearly-hit/

Good to know they are right next to the SSM Emergency Room... that is without available beds.

[warreng88]

This might be a stupid question, so pardon my ignorance: is there a point where the city can come in and shut the doors of a restaurant/bar if there are consistent issues?

[Jersey Boss]

This might be a stupid question, so pardon my ignorance: is there a point where the city can come in and shut the doors of a restaurant/bar if there are consistent issues?

OKC can do what Norman did to Kongs of Norman. If they are in violation of their liquor license as far as not serving more than 50% of their receipts in food they get shuttered.

[BoulderSooner]

OKC can do what Norman did to Kongs of Norman. If they are in violation of their liquor license as far as not serving more than 50% of their receipts in food they get shuttered.

I don't believe that is a city inspection (it would be able) ..... and any city should be very very leery of doing that ... because lots and lots of restaurants are in violation of that

[Jersey Boss]

I don't believe that is a city inspection (it would be able) ..... and any city should be very very leery of doing that ... because lots and lots of restaurants are in violation of that

But in fact the City of Norman did. As far as other places I imagine it is inspector discretion. But I stand corrected on the %. It's 35%.


Kong's in Norman closes after city suspends license | News | normantranscript.com
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nor...f3ab8.amp.html

[BoulderSooner]

But in fact the City of Norman did. As far as other places I imagine it is inspector discretion. But I stand corrected on the %. It's 35%.


Kong's in Norman closes after city suspends license | News | normantranscript.com
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nor...f3ab8.amp.html

that article lists 35 percent food sales to be a restaurant .. so i wonder if that is a separate Norman requirement .. ?

[soonerguru]

A Facebook friend posted there was another shooting at Kong's last night. Is this the same incident or another one?

[soonerguru]

KOCO tonight reported a shootout involving a passing car, a pedestrian, and a club security guard outside Sunset Patio Bar. It seems like gunplay is becoming a regular occurrence at Sunset and / or Kong's

[Timshel]

Ugh. I just feel bad for the rest of the Midtown business owners. While I'm sure they're still doing fine, I'm sure (and have heard this from a couple of them) Kong's and Sunset are very frustrating to the them. While part of it is probably due to getting older, we have done a complete 180* from going to Midtown more than any other area to barely going there at all over the last few years due to the changing of the "vibe" and I doubt we're the only ones.

[chssooner]

The owner is not a bad guy. I've met him. But for some reason, the clientele who go to these bars are the worst of people. It's so dumb. Not sure what it is. He is a good guy who runs successful bars. It's hard to just turn people away, in this day and age. Word travels fast. But also, these are usually outside the bar, where it isn't the bars fault. Hard to fully blame them when a passing car is involved. I just don't see how the owner is getting shamed.

[onthestrip]

The owner is not a bad guy. I've met him. But for some reason, the clientele who go to these bars are the worst of people. It's so dumb. Not sure what it is. He is a good guy who runs successful bars. It's hard to just turn people away, in this day and age. Word travels fast. But also, these are usually outside the bar, where it isn't the bars fault. Hard to fully blame them when a passing car is involved. I just don't see how the owner is getting shamed.

Because multiple shootings have happened in and directly outside his establishments? Pretty fair criticism imo.

[Pete]

Keep in mind, the owners of these places pay promoters to go out and recruit patrons.

This is especially common in Midtown and Bricktown.

[king183]

Keep in mind, the owners of these places pay promoters to go out and recruit patrons.

This is especially common in Midtown and Bricktown.

Right. Bars don't get a luck of the draw crowd. They actively cultivate who their clientele is. It's no coincidence that the bars in question draw the clientele they do.

[PhiAlpha]

Keep in mind, the owners of these places pay promoters to go out and recruit patrons.

This is especially common in Midtown and Bricktown.

Which seems kind of dumb at this point for Sunset if they’re doing that. The place is always packed and I don’t feel like it would need a promoter to get a crowd at this point.

Most of the crowd at Kong’s is trash now. The last few times I’ve been around there I’ve walked in and walked out. Bathrooms are always disgusting and the place is usually trashed. Women I know who’ve tied to go there basically have said it’s the only place in midtown that they feel like they need to keep their hand over their drink at all times for safety and generally avoid it now. I really hope Sunset doesn’t go that direction. It’s been crowded a few of the times I’ve been but has always been pretty clean and well kept.

[Pete]

Which seems kind of dumb at this point for Sunset. The place is always packed and I don’t feel like it would need a promoter to get a crowd at this point.

Hiring promoters is how they got their crowd in the first place. Same with Kong's and almost all the places in Bricktown.

[PhiAlpha]

Hiring promoters is how they got their crowd in the first place. Same with Kong's and almost all the places in Bricktown.

Figured that was par for the course for the Bricktown clubs but didn’t realize they were both doing it.

[Urbanized]

Hiring promoters is how they got their crowd in the first place. Same with Kong's and almost all the places in Bricktown.

When you say "almost all of the places in Bricktown" you surely are referring to nightclubs, correct? The 4 or 5 clubs in Bricktown often get outsized notice, but there are dozens of other types of bars, restaurants and other establishments in the district who definitely do NOT practice what you are describing here.

[Anonymous.]

Hiring promoters is how they got their crowd in the first place. Same with Kong's and almost all the places in Bricktown.

Yes, I remember Kongs when it first opened was doing a massive social media campaign using a lot of local "influencers" and contests.

I don't ever go to Kongs anymore, but I have been to Sunset a few times and it was always a good time.

[Pete]

^

Yes, meant clubs / late-night bars.