Lael Callaway's Sapphire Bar + Lounge opening where LIT was

[warreng88]

Bricktown adds new nightspot
by April Wilkerson
The Journal Record November 4, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY – Bartender turned bar owner Lael Callaway doesn’t just want to serve people a drink. He wants them to be able to relax and carry on a conversation while enjoying it.

Callaway is the owner of Sapphire Bar + Lounge, opening Thursday in Bricktown at 209 Flaming Lips Alley, just north of the ballpark. The space, formerly home to Lit Lounge, features a new color scheme, furniture and an eye for the happy-hour crowd.

“We’re trying to fuse an upscale classy place with a lower-key casual place,” said Callaway, who owns Sapphire with his wife, Lori. “There’s no DJ or dance floor, and the music will be low and in moderation.”

Sapphire has a capacity of 170 people in three main seating areas downstairs and a rooftop patio. By spring, a second full bar will be open upstairs. Furniture is black-and-white leather, and the overall color scheme includes several shades of blue. Lori Callaway hand-painted a zebra pattern on the lounge’s back room.

A wine rack is featured in a cutout in the cement wall, covered by a sliding chain-link door. Callaway said he kept the layout and several features from the previous ownership, but is giving things his own flair.

For happy hour every Wednesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sapphire will offer hors d’oeuvres created by Ryan Parrott, chef of Iguana Mexican Grill. Among the offerings: ancho chili popcorn, Parmesan thyme deviled eggs, and ham and brie mac and cheese. Callaway also plans a Sapphire signature drink that he created.

Callaway has bartending experience at several other Oklahoma City nightspots, and he managed Dexter’s Wine Bar and Bistro in Orlando, Fla., before returning to his Oklahoma roots. Owning a business is both a leap of faith and a goal realized, he said.

“Good service will be first and foremost No. 1, and good attitudes,” Callaway said. “If you have both of those, you can’t not be successful. People want to go where they’re appreciated and get a drink in a timely fashion.”

Sapphire’s hours will be 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday through Friday; 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday. It will open at 5 p.m. Sundays for Thunder games and concerts.

A grand opening event begins at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

http://journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=104058

[HOT ROD]

Will the lounge have tv's of Thunder and/or OKC events? I think it would be great to have such an upscale lounge as they mention but also have some way to keep up with what's going on in the city - you know, so the place will always appeal to people.

I think this is OKC's next truly HIP place; where one can relax and enjoy the night in an upscale urban environment.

[native]

Sounds good. I like bars/taverns where you don't have to yell to have a discussion.

[sapphireokc]

Yes! There are tv's and a large projection screen for Thunder Games, OU/OSU games, and other events.

[circuitboard]

Sweet! Sounds like a cool place!

[HOT ROD]

way cool!