The Brew Magazine April 2022

Flower Shop Winery an Pizzaria

A WINE BY ANY OTHER NAME...

BY ROBIN AYTES WALKER

One could say that wine is in Bret Kappus’ blood He grew up watching his grandfather make elderberry wine on the family’s land in El Reno (It’s been suggested that grandpa was a bootlegger, but hey, we don’t judge). He went to school to learn the wine business. And now, one might say, business is “blooming” at his tasting room/restaurant/event venue, The Flower Shop Winery and Pizzeria in Yukon.

In 2017, Kappus bought two buildings on Main Street, just on the west end of the downtown business district. One of the buildings was an original homestead in the City of Yukon, the other had served as a well established florist for many years Work soon began to renovate, build out and add outdoor seating. They opened for business in September 2019 with high hopes of bringing quality wines to Main Street Yukon. But, as so many stories from the past few years have gone, March 2020 hit, and The Flower Shop was forced to close.

But a little old pandemic didn’t stop Bret. He continued to make his wines, and he took advantage of an idle kitchen to experiment with making pizza from scratch. When the winery reopened, they were ready to launch with a pizza and salad menu, a vast variety of wines to choose from, and good quality, locally brewed beers to round out the selection, all served in a family friendly environment.

THE FLOWER SHOP IS MORE LIKE TWO VENUES IN ONE.

The Flower Shop is more like two venues in one The former florist building is used primarily as a dining area; the homestead house can comfortably seat up to 40 people and is perfect for smaller events such as showers, small weddings, or other private groups. A Wine and Palette event once a month which is open to the public and offers a different project each month.

As a tribute to the building’s history, Bret not only named his venue The Flower Shop, he also has named all the wines and all the pizza selections after flowers, which lends a bit of whimsy to the menu. And what a menu it is. What type of wine do you prefer? A sweet Moscato? Or does a bold shiraz tempt your tastebuds? You can even find dessert wines available Whatever your liking, you’ll find it at The Flower Shop

So, what could be better than enjoying a tasty pizza with a glass or a pint you ask? How about a large dog friendly patio to relax on, maybe with some live music for accompaniment? The partially shaded, partially covered patio offers ideal seating during the warm months, and an impressive lineup of local bands will be gracing the stage every Friday and

Saturday through September. Check out the calendar of events on their Facebook page and you’ll notice some of the most recognizable names in local talent, including Jason Young, Born in November and Adam Agular.

After all the hard work that has gone into building a flourishing business, it would only seem natural for Bret to take a break and relax for a while. Not the case. Paul Boyd, manager of The Flower Shop, filled us in on upcoming plans. They recently purchased land across the street from the main location and are currently working to create a food truck garden with beverage service and a stage for more entertainment, which will be a whole new concept and draw for downtown Yukon. There are also plans to open another location in Chickasha this summer.

With all The Flower Shop Winery and Pizzeria has to offer, there are plenty of reasons to cruise out west on Historic Route 66 to sip a glass, have a slice, and groove to some tunes this summer. And tell ‘em The Brew sent you.

Coop Ale Works

13 YEARS OF CRAFT BEER EXCELLENCE

by James Frazier

In the Oklahoma beer world, you can’t talk about craft beer without talking about the one that launched Oklahoma into the craft beer scene Coop Ale Works, is now in its 13th year and going stronger than ever This groundbreaking brewery has been at the forefront of the craft beer revolution in Oklahoma since it launched in 2009 Celebrating Coop's anniversary is more like celebrating the birth of true craft beer in Oklahoma Coop’s love for beer and passion for Oklahoma is evident in everything they do, from the beer they brew to the philanthropic work they do in education, animal welfare, health and wellness, and the OKC community

TAX

STATE&LOCAL SALES TAX

There really is something special about a company that gets so involved in giving back to its community In talking to Daniel Mercer, Co Founder, and CEO, it became very clear that animal welfare was right at the top of the list for Coop A Coop event without a rescue presence is just not something you should expect Mercer has a passion for the Oklahoma Humane Society and all the work that they are doing in Oklahoma As a dog lover myself, it was heartwarming to meet the office rescue dogs

I guess we should talk about beer too since that is what Coop is known for Coop’s core lineup can stand head to head with any brewery out there. From the Native Amber with its full flavor super drinkable Red IPA, to the Horny Toad Blonde with its refreshing body, and the Saturday Siren that begs to be drank at the lake, pool, or while tending to a grill. They also have perfected the 99 calorie IPA in the Ice Chest, a smooth and thirst quenching IPA meant for the river. Not to mention the DNR a strong dark Belgian style with its complex flavors and high alcohol content, and the star of the show F5, the IPA that made Oklahomans rethink what kind of beer they should drink.

It’s evident that Coop has a range and it’s exciting to see what they have done over the years to introduce beer to the masses. In recent years, Coop has dove into the seltzer game with their own lineup of tasty seltzers, then one up themselves by partnering with local fast food giant Sonic to turn their full lineup of flavored drinks into something a little more interesting. To say that Sonic Seltzers have hit the market is an understatement. It’s more like the Kool Aid man bursting through the wall with delicious alcoholic drinks.

Let’s talk about this party, 13 years in the making including two years of global pandemic shutdowns. Not only is this the anniversary party, it’s also the reopening of one of Oklahoma City’s most beloved taprooms. This year is going to be pretty special with a ton of amazing beer, including a taproom full of beers created by members of the production team. They will have 4 5 stations serving beer including a VIP station with special releases. Throughout the day they will be releasing special release beers and one of a kind brews. One of the special things about this day is that every dollar spent will go directly to the Oklahoma Humane Society, so drink up and save some dogs and cats.

Many of you may be wondering what the future holds for Coop, and there is a lot. Although delayed by Covid world, Coop is continuing to plan renovations and absolute next level plans for the 23rd street Armory project. Which will include a 60 barrel, state of the art brewhouse, 8,000 square foot restaurant and taproom with indoor and patio seating for more than 160 people, dedicated event space, and a 22 room boutique hotel. You know, nothing much. This amazing development will take some time but is exactly what OKC needs to continue its rise to a star on the craft beer world stage. I’m personally looking forward to a little staycation when it opens in a couple of years Thank you Coop Ale Works for your continued dedication to craft beer and Oklahoma City We at The Brew Salute you

PUT THE FORK DOWN: WING EDITION

BY JAMES FRAZIER

James' Motto when

comes to wings:

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1,000 times, if it’s doesn’t have a bone in it, it’s not a wing. This month, we are talking about wings, of the saucy, spicy, sometimes sweet, but always flavorful variety. In the OKC area, there are a lot of options when it comes to wings and it is difficult to narrow down the best of the best. I set out to write about that one spot that did wings the best, but find myself torn between two absolutely amazing wing spots. If you are a wing fan, you probably know these two amazing spots and have heard them raved about, but just in case you haven’t, let’s get saucy.

The first on the list is an Edmond favorite with a long history of pushing out amazing wings, under one brand or another. You guessed it, we’re talking about Hott Wings, which launched out into the Railyard in Edmond, after Eddie’s Bar & Grill decided it was time to create a place solely

focused on the thing on their menu that had everyone around licking their fingers. I first experienced Eddie’s Wings in their old restaurant across the street from UCO, and I was instantly in love. The wing selection was enough to make that wild place blush. When Eddie made the decision to open Hott Wings, it was a game changer in the Bufalo wing world.

Let’s talk about the wings. To begin with you have the choice of preparation styles, Traditional which are smoked and grilled to absolute perfection. Boneless (AKA Chicken nuggets, buffalo style chicken tenders, wet tenders or saucy nugs) breaded and flash fried until perfectly crisp. Premier Pickle Wings, marinated in pickle juice then tossed in salt and vinegar breading just like your mom never even thought of doing, but oh my. Then there is the Chupacabra WIngs, brined and smoked wings tossed in Hott Wings own Chupacabra sauce.

Once you have chosen a style, you now have to choose a sauce or sauces. This is no easy feat with around 25 sauce choices from fit for a baby mild to scorch your soul hot. The good news is the sauces are organized by heat level and also several fry rub options. Some of the stars of the show include Bourbon Barrel in the mild category, Hott Honey and Mango Habanero in the some heat category, Reaper and Scorpion in the Hott Heat category, and Chipotle BBQ and 7 Pepper in the Dry rub category. Now that my mouth is watering, I am going to need some wings in my life.

it

“

If it’s doesn’t have a bone in it, it’s not a wing”

The second place that just will not stop with their amazing wing creations is in the heart of Uptown in OKC, Chick N Beer. These wings launched onto the stage in 2016 with a bang and really good beer. These wings come in three different styles, Boneless lightly breaded (again, saucy nugs), Traditional double fried Gluten Free potato flour wings, and Fried Cauliflower dipped in beer batter for our vegetarian friends. With Chicken N Beer, you are not getting a ton of options because they chose to focus on making a few things amazing rather than a lot of things really good.

The sauces at Chicken N Beer are on the legendary side with a few show stoppers that keep OKC coming back. Not to mention a little visit from Food Network’s Guy Fieri from DDD (Diner’s Drive ins and Dives).

We can do all day talking about the amazing sauces on these

The

sweet and tangy love coating that begs for more wings. The Gochjujang

know I am going hot with this savory spicy korean chili sauce that has just the right amount of heat to flavor combination. The Szechuan Garlic Parmesan is the definition of love with all the notes that make your tastebuds explode in a glorious happy dance. If you like spicy, you gotta try the Peppers Galore which combines their BBQ Honey Red Curry sauce with the Hot Gochujang then is topped with habanero peppers and garlic tabasco for an otherworldly flavor experience.

We can’t talk about wings without mentioning the thing that goes best with them, beer. Both Hott Wings and Chick N Beer have amazing beer selections and pride themselves on their local craft beer selection. It’s nice to be able to pair amazing beer with amazing wings and there aren’t two better places in the OKC area to do than these. So, what do you say, want to get your sauce on?

wings.

Rootbeer BBQ, yeah I said Rootbeer, provides a

comes in mild or hot and you

SKYDANCEBREWINGCO PAYSHOMAGETOITSNATIVEROOTS FOURWAGS

Hank'sHangout BYHEIDEBRANDES

Welcome to Hank’s Hangout Hank the dog’s favorite places to go with his human. Hank is The Brew’s 2 year old Anatolian Shepherd Mix adopted from Oklahoma City Animal Welfare. At 65 pounds, Hank is curious, playful and loves attention.

He also loves to socialize when his human is out with friends or enjoying a meal and a drink, so we’ve enlisted Hank to help us find the coolest dog friendly hangout spots in Oklahoma City

Skydance Brewing

Tucked away at 1 NE 7th St, one of Oklahoma City’s newest breweries is perfectly positioned to be a dog’s favorite hangout in downtown Just mere blocks from the urban condos and apartments in Deep Deuce and Bricktown and situated between the 9th Street Barking Lot Dog Daycare on NE 10th and the The Dog House Dog Daycare on N E 5th St , it just makes sense that Skydance Brewing Company would get a lot of residual doggie traffic

“We are in a great position, and we get a lot of people with dogs who wander in here,” said Skydance Brewing Co ’s founder Jacob Keyes “We love having dogs on the patio We welcome dogs inside as well ”

With that thought in mind, the brewery’s massive outdoor patio and wide open concrete interior is more than welcoming to dogs. In fact, the only place where dogs aren’t allowed is the upstairs game room, due to the furniture in the area.

In the future, Keyes and Skydance plan to offer more for their furry customers, like curated dog treats and dog friendly events and contests, but for now, Oklahoma City’s newest brewery is getting itself into the groove of slinging beer downtown.

Skydance Brewing Co. is also Oklahoma’s first fully Native American owned brewery. Keyes himself is a member of the Ioa (Iowa) tribe under the umbrella of the Absentee Shawnee tribe of Oklahoma. Besides serving handcrafted brew to Okies, Keyes also has an overreaching mission to inspire other Native American entrepreneurs in the state.

“It’s the idea of natives supporting natives. I think what's important for Native Americans to do is to figure out ways we can be bigger players in the economy and politics of the world that we're living in,” Keyes said “We are not going back to teepees and no electricity, and none of us want that anyway But we do have to figure out ways to

not only survive in this world we are living in now, but succeed in it too.”

Keyes often speaks to entrepreneurial groups, tribal organizations and on college campuses, and he said he wants other tribal youth to start dreaming about owning their own businesses. In his brewery, he honors his Native American heritage with the branding, decorations, and support of Native American artists.

“We want authentic Native American artwork from Native American artists,” Jacob said. “Everything we do here honors our heritage, from the artwork to the branding to the beer.”

His brews also have a heritage flair to them For instance, Skydance Brewing’s Fancy Dance hazy IPA pays homage to the most popular style of Native American dance seen at modern day pow wows. This heavily dry hopped hazy IPA showcases Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hops, bringing a huge punch of citrus and tropical fruit flavors to your palate

Oklahoma’s unique history comes through in The 49, an oatmeal stout brewed with flaked oats for a creamy full body, roasted barley for a slightly roasted coffee flavor, and pale chocolate malt for that smooth chocolate taste. The 49 is named after Oklahoma tribes’ late night parties, usually held in a secret location after powwows This recipe belonged to Jacob’s late father, and the story behind it became the inspiration for launching Skydance Brewing Co.

As summer rolls in, Jacob and the Skydance Brewing team expect even more local and doggie traffic. The expansive patio and relaxed open interior are roomy enough for big crowds and excitable canines.

“This summer, we are planning some great dog events, ” Jacob said “On the weekends already, the patio is just packed with people and their dogs. We love it.”

For more information on Skydance Brewing Co., visit skydancebrewing.com.

Country Bacon & Potato Frittata

by Chef Buz Deliere

Good day to all my readers, I just wanted to take a quick minute to introduce myself. My name is Chef Buz Deliere, I graduated from International Culinary Academy Le Cordon Bleu Pittsburgh in 2001, I have a passion for food and making mixed cocktails so after culinary school I spent a lot of time traveling and learning about the various cultures, food, and drinks From Pittsburgh to the Caribbean, New York, and Canada I am very excited to have the opportunity to share them with you all, so let’s get to it Now that we are in warmer weather it’s time to start having the Sunday brunch on your back patio I love nothing more than a hot cup of coffee, the quiet beauty of nature, and something light and delicious. Something great for your Sunday brunch this spring season is my delicious and easy Country Bacon & Potato Frittata. The great thing about this recipe is there are so many different variations and it's super simple to make vegetarian as well. Fresh spinach is another great ingredient to add, as well as sausage, ham, or turkey the possibilities are almost endless. Don’t forget a good mimosa or VOJ (Vodka O.J.) to go with it too. So, let's dive right into this month’s recipe and a mimosa or two.

First, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, making sure the rack is in the center. Now start to cook your bacon in a large ovenproof skillet, I like to cut the bacon in half when cooking it. Cook to your desired preference, I like my bacon a little more on the soft side.

Remove the bacon when done and put on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb any excess grease Once cooled, chop up the bacon and put aside for later. Now in the same skillet add your potatoes, onions, and green peppers to the bacon grease and cook for about 10 minutes, you want the potatoes to be browned and evenly cooked. Now is the time to add the spinach and cook until wilted, once wilted add back the bacon and spread the mixture out evenly on the bottom of the skillet. Whisk the eggs and milk, salt, and pepper together Make sure the eggs are mixed thoroughly then add in the cheese and mix. Now gently pour the egg mixture over the potato and veggies making sure it's even throughout In the oven, it goes for about 15 20 minutes, just until the eggs are set. This is a very light and fluffy dish once the eggs are cooked remove from the oven and slice and serve immediately t's dive right into this month’s recipe and a mimosa or two.

Country Bacon & Potato Frittata

Yields 4 Cook Time: 35 40 minutes

4 Slices Bacon, Chopped

½ Green Pepper, Diced

¼ Onion, Diced

½ Cup Potatoes, Diced and Parboiled

6 Eggs

¼ Cup Milk

¼ Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Salt & Black Pepper to taste

*½ Cup Fresh Spinach* (Optional)

Recipes by Chef Buz

Chef Buz

by Kari Huskey and James Frazier

It’s time once again to hit the road and take you along for an Oklahoma Road Trip. This month we took the short drive over to the Town of Okarche If you have heard of it, it’s probably because of some chicken place they have over there, or the world renowned cinnamon rolls, or you follow the Oklahoma Craft Beer scene and heard about a new brewery with a quirky name Well, we went to all of them and then had to take a nap. So, mount up, and let’s go for a ride

FIRST STOP EISCHEN’S BAR

Six generations of perfectly fried chicken. Eleven years before Oklahoma became official, a German family decided it needed a bar in the middle of the prairie that would be the town of Okarche In 1890 the Okarche post office was established and six years later Eischen’s Bar opened its doors making it the oldest bar in Oklahoma. I guess it was as true then as it is now, as soon as the mail runs, you probably need a drink Eischen’s Bar at that point just sold sandwiches and chili. They didn’t actually start selling Fried Chicken until 1964 when George “Boog” Eischen orchestrated a shuffleboard competition with the grand prize being his delicious fried chicken. Evidently, it was a hit and the legend of Eischen’s fried chicken was born. Eischen’s bought their first fryer shortly after the competition and put Fried Chicken on the menu. By the 1970s the word was getting out that there was some good fried chicken in Okarche and they had to start frying around 150 chickens on any given Saturday. That seems like a lot until you realize that today, Eischen’s serves 800 1000 Chickens on a regular Saturday. That didn’t happen overnight, well sort of In 1993 business was moving along nicely until the bar caught on fire. It was devastating, but the Eischen’s family has gumption Word got around that they would be opening and news spread like wildfire with the Oklahoma City News

Stations and others even coming to report on the re opening When they opened the doors again, they were shocked to see a line wrapping around the building The people of Oklahoma do what they always do, they showed up

In 2004 is was clear that the family grocery store wasn’t making much profit and the restaurant was needing more tables, so the shut down the IGA and packed it with tables In 2008 Eischen’s got a visit from the one and only Guy Fieri to shoot an episode of Diners, Drive ins and Dives after his email inbox kept getting filled up by Eischen heads It becomes evident when the episode airs again, because the orders for Frito pies and homemade chili go through the roof Walking through Eischen’s is like walking through a museum of Oklahoma history with stories and pictures everywhere You should also check out the maps with pins from all over the world They keep having to add new maps because they get too full of pins That’s not a bad problem to have One family from Germany makes a yearly trip to Oklahoma to visit family, but they can’t leave without coming in for some fried chicken

The food here speaks for itself and is absolutely amazing In case you haven’t been, you have a lot of options You can choose between a whole Fried Chicken, or not to get it They did recently add a couple options to the menu, you can now choose between getting a large Fried Okra or a small one, get the large, it’s AMAZING You can also choose between a Large Nacho or a small one Eischen’s has a couple other favorites on the menu like a couple sandwiches, homemade chili and Frito pie The menu in reality is the essence of perfectly done simplicity When you do something right, don’t fix it We were pleased to see that they had a pretty decent beer selection, including a couple craft beers from the brewery down the street, Expenditure that pair amazingly with Fried Chicken and Okra Which leads us to our next stop on this road trip

ON TO EXPEDINTURE

Not quite an Expedition but more than an Adventure…

It all really started 30ish years ago with 3 boys in elementary school. Then, along the way in their teenage years they added another member to their crew and then a little brother. This journey of 5 lifelong friends with Okarche roots became the owners of Expendinture Brewery. After some failed college attempts at brewing, the friends (then nearly in their late 30s) decided to take a class at Learn to Brew and realizing that they could indeed brew a tasty beer, the brewery idea progressed from there.

You can find this hot spot just down Second Street in downtown Okarche Officially opening in February 2020, the pandemic put a hurt on their storefront but not their

spirits With the town support they started curbside service and growlers. Before long, the parking lot across the street began to resemble a football tailgate party People came from all over to responsibly social distance but yet still have the feeling of some type of normalcy.

From the beginning Expendinture’s style has been based on European style beer. Several trips to Germany doing what they later learned was really market research will do that! Their mindset was to brew the best European style beer possible. They really try to focus on tradition and most of their grains are German in origin and their hops are in true style from the county of origin that the beer requires Occasionally you will find a historical style of beer which is something no one else does.

One of their best sellers is the Irish Red Ale is about as Traditional Irish as you can get and was the first of their beers to win at a competition With the first recipe being Midnight Black, which was basically made from a bunch of grains they had left over, and it turned out to be most of the owner’s favorite beer!

Thankfully, Expendinture started bottling within the last 6 months using a Stubby Heritage Bottle which gives their bottled beer and old timey feel. Right now, you can pick up an Expendinture beer in Yukon at The local, The Shed in Kingfisher and Social Capital across from Scissortail Park. They do have plans to expand their distribution in the future as well

Expendinture is not short on fun events Every 1st Friday you can expect some type of live music, desert style food truck, a boutique type vendor and of course, delivery from Eischen’s Wednesday night is card night, and they have Pitch tournaments a couple times a week. And don’t forget about their Trivia nights and Singo on Sundays. In the fall they also have a huge Octoberfest block party and bring in Oom pah bands, food trucks, and of course a new beer release.

Of course, we had to do some beer sampling, and here are just a few that we would recommend: Pluto is still a Planet is a northwest IPA that has a lighter nice hop that lingers just enough on the backend

Robust W is an experiment beer that went over very well. Special W grain split 50 / 50 with a lighter grain and created this heavy body brown and aged in Jack Daniels Barrels… because of the high alcohol content you will only be able to get a 10 oz pour on this one!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout … well that is just self explanatory!

If you are looking for a fun, get out of town for the day trip, we whole heartedly recommend Expendinture Brewery With the small town charm, welcoming hosts and a fantastic patio that wraps around the building with TV’s for watching sporting events etc you can’t go wrong. You may even run into us there.

Who doesn’t love a hot delicious cinnamon roll? Absolutely no one On our journey to the town of Okarche, a billboard caught our eye with the words “Best Cinnamon Rolls in the West ” Now that sounded like a challenge to us for sure so of course, we had to pop in and see what all the fuss was about

The Tower Café has been in business since 1968 but their amazing cinnamon rolls made their grand entrance several years later. It all started with Ms Louise, the proprietor of the Tower Café, sending her special cinnamon rolls as a favor for a friend to a Cattlemen’s event. That following Monday, after the event, her friend came back to her and said, “you have something here, everyone was fighting over these rolls!” And so it began.

The Tower Café’s Cinnamon Rolls are a beacon of your childhood. They remind you of school lunches and breakfast at grandma’s house after spending the night. It makes sense that the special recipe is an “Old grandma’s recipe” and contains all natural ingredients. You won’t find any preservatives here.

What started as a cinnamon roll making business in a little 12’ x 12’ room eventually morphed into a full scale retail food service Although they no longer sell their rolls in grocery stores, you can still purchase them at the restaurant They also allow fundraisers and work with schools, baseball teams, soccer teams, cheer groups and many more to help them raise money

We can tell you that it is well worth the trip to The Tower Café to grab a tin or two of these heavenly cinnamon rolls. The café is open Monday Saturday 7am 9pm and is closed on Sundays

Our advice for your day trip to Okarche? Feast on some amazing chicken and absorb the history of the décor at Eishen’s, find a table on the deck at Expendinture, soak up the sun and the atmosphere while you enjoy their fantastic craft beers and then stop by The Tower Café to pick up some of their delectable cinnamon rolls Maybe they will make it home, maybe they won’t…

Twenty6 Lounge

INTIMACY, ELEGANCE, & GREAT MUSIC

BY KARI HUSKEY

Sometimes your lucky number pays off… and in the case of Vic M he has hit the jackpot.

Vic has been in the industry for over 10 years. You may have met him at his place Drinkz downtown or his Blame it Bar and Grill in Norman and/or his Session Hookah lounge. Nowadays you can find him at his crown jewel, the Twenty6 Café Bar and Lounge on North May.

So, what sets Twenty6 apart? According to Vic, you will find a chic atmosphere, a small quaint upscale space with fashionable furniture and aesthetics glowing with a velvet red and gold theme. I’m telling you; this space is amazing and would be a great fit for a bachelor/ bachelorette party, birthday party, or private event. Just go to his website at twenty6lounge.net and fill out the contact form to make reservations for your party. They can also accommodate private events.

Because Twenty6 is locally focused, they like to give local artists a place to display and sell their art. Most of them are for sale and will grace the walls of the establishment for weeks just adding to the posh ambiance of the club.

Looking for a great cocktail? Twenty6 has a fantastic choice of house specialty cocktails and a wide selection of top shelf spirits. If you are feeling especially jovial, give their signature drink, you guessed it, the Twenty6 a try. According to Vic, it is not for the faint of heart!

Made with Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Southern Comfort, Gin, and Triple Sec it is bound to kickstart what will definitely be a memorable evening! You can purchase it as a drink or a shot

Twenty6 also offers Hookah No that isn’t some type of fishing apparatus Hookahs are water pipes that are used to smoke specially made tobacco that comes in assorted flavors The selection you will find here ranges from The VJM, a chocolate blend to Berryliscious, a Pomegranate Cranberry Mix If you’re a Hookah fan this very may well be the nicest Hookah lounge in OKC!

Find yourself hungry? You can now order appetizing food with the addition of their new chef, Cory Matthews. You can choose from many different delicious Focaccia Pizzas and oven baked dips. They also can cater for your private party! Every great place to spend time with your friends includes live music and Twenty6 guarantees just that at least once a week. In April, local artists Kooley High will be performing every other Friday and Adam Aguilar, OKC’s Singer and Songwriter Extraordinaire will be gracing the stage on April 21st.

In addition, to live music, you will be able to catch Just Nesh, a talented and hilarious comedian from Chicago with her Laughing in Lingerie Show on April 8th. And if sports are your thing, you can catch all major sporting events on one of their 16 TVs.

Thursdays are pretty social around here and they are offering a variety of fun things to do, many by the suggestions of their loyal patrons. You can expect to see events that include Speed dating, Karaoke and Open Mic Nights. Make sure and check the Twenty6 social media for events.

Every time you got to Twenty6 it is different. Your time morphs into what you want your experience to be. The future looks bright for Twenty6 Lounge Bar & Grill you may want to wear shades.

Every Beer has a story

by James Frazier

My affinity for Twisted Spike Brewery is no secret. It’s one of those places that seemingly does everything right in my books. Bruce Sanchez has created a brand that is unique and has become synonymous with great beer. They have also built a reputation for being a hospitality first taproom. When you pull up to Twisted Spike, yes parking can be a little tricky, but it’s worth finding a spot in order to sit at the bar and have a great conversation with one of the friendly staff members and patrons. Sitting right next to a railroad track creates an opportunity for branding, which is where the name came from, after a good amount of researching names and brands. It just so happens that Bruce came across a picture of a twisted railroad spike bottle opener and it was an instant connection, and Twisted Spike Brewing Company was born.

The taproom has a very unique style and creative structure. When you walk in you will see three shipping containers, one of which is the taproom, then the other two are custom refrigerators. The walls are full of local art and stickers and other creative elements that have given the space a fantastic feel with a lot of

thought provoking imagery. The style, service, and amazing beer create one of a kind experiences that keep you coming back.

Bruce is a diehard beer enthusiast, which is what has led to his wide selection of beer styles and ever evolving beer selections. At the beginning of his beer journey, he started in his garage with a few styles and when he couldn’t drink them all, he would have driveway beer reduction parties for his neighbors and friends. This is probably what accounts for the neighborly atmosphere when you visit Twisted Spike. For years Bruce traveled the Country with work and searched for great craft beer, specifically looking for Belgian beers, as it was something that you just couldn’t find in Oklahoma. As a little tidbit, if you are ever in North Carolina, check the gas stations because they have an amazing selection of craft beers.

When it came time to start the path to building Twisted Spike, Bruce focused on a few key beers that would create the base for the Twisted

Twisted Spike Brewery

Spike brand. Obviously, Belgian was going to be at the forefront of the list, with the heavenly Holy Beer that stands up against anything coming out of any monastery in Belgium and is even blessed by a priest before it is brought to your lips. Then you have the amazingly done Russian Imperial Stout, the Black Snake. A Crisp and clean German Kolsch called Crew. An award winning Belgian Blonde Ale with pear, orange, and clove aromas. An amazingly drinkable West Coast IPA that changed my opinion of IPAs. A smooth and flavorful porter with a robust coffee flavor called Two Bean or Not Two Bean. The list goes on, so you will have to come back several times for the Twisted Spike total beer experience of taste, smell, sight, and the feel you get after a few good beers.

One of my favorite features at Twisted Spike is the Blend Board. This is a list of the known blends of Twisted Spike Beers that go really well together. The most well known of these is the Holy Snake, a blend of the Holy Beer and the Black Snake, creating a smooth, strong, and incredibly tasty life of its own. Trying to list all the options of beers and blends in one story would be a long and arduous process. So, we will just say, go try these beers and blends.

Discussing beer with Bruce is more like an author telling stories of their life At Twisted Spike, according to Bruce Sanchez “Every beer has a story ” This is so true, from the beginning idea to the development process and onto the naming process and the experience of drinking it Their story is ever developing by constantly creating new drinkable stories In the ever developing story of Twisted Spike, they have recently launched their “Underground” club An exclusive club to connect the true craft beer fans to a new and exciting experience This includes members only beer tap, special releases, members only events, one of a kind glassware, discounts, and several other amazing perks.

You can’t talk about the taproom at Twisted Spike without talking about Barley & Bees, the new kitchen in the taproom. This menu is perfectly paired with craft beer. A menu of Southern comfort food featuring amazing biscuit sandwiches, like the beer braised BBQ, pulled pork sandwich that will literally make you smack your mom, so don’t bring her. The loaded Tot nachos are one of my absolute favorite things on the menu. They have several chicken items that defy understanding as o how they are so good. If sweets are on your mind, they have that too like the Strawberry Shorty with fresh strawberries on a next level biscuit. Bottom line, get to Twisted Spike, have some beer, eat and drink yourself into bliss, and bring a designated driver.

A MAN AND A BAND

Since coming here at the age of four, Mike Hosty has fully embraced what Oklahoma City has to offer. Hosty’s father working near downtown put him in the perfect place to join the music scene. At the time acts like Oklahoma’s own The GAP Band were what everyone was listening to This early exposure to R&B, Jazz, and funk music would encourage Hosty’s developing musical palette

Spurred by a need to recover from a complicatedly broken arm as a youth Hosty picked up the guitar as a way of regaining some of his dexterity This would be the first of several instruments for him.

Joe Bob Nelson’s style of instruction was not exactly what the young Hosty had in mind Nelson exclusively taught his students finger playing of the guitar, while all the rockers of the time played with picks

These early lessons were only the start of Hosty’s unique musical skill set that would later allow him to stand out on the Oklahoma music scene Still to this day Hosty uses the same Mel Bay’s guitar book to teach his own music students that Nelson used

When asked about his writing process Hosty had this to say, “I just like listening… Really songwriting is storytelling.” Observations and interactions have often been some of his greatest inspirations. For Hosty, a good story is at the center of writing.

A tornado some years ago proved a catalyst of creation for Hosty With a warning issued for Norman and Hosty’s town Moore, a group gathered to monitor the storm’s progress on the tv Just then an eerie elderly man turned to Hosty and said, “better get in your fraidy hole.”

Hosty was understandably taken aback by the old man’s words, “It was really like something out of a David Lynch movie, he turned around and looked at me. I wrote it down immediately ” Something about this one off encounter stayed with him, “I didn’t write the song immediately, but I had the phrase and sometimes that’s all you need, you just need a little spark and then it ignites, and you get ablaze.” These words

would later be worked into the quirky folk rock song “Fraidy Hole” and provide its title.

Growing up Hosty was a big fan of Willie Nelson and this affinity melded with his father’s love of jazz. And, like many other kids, television was how he occupied a lot of his time. Soult Train, Kung Fu, and Hee Haw each left their marks on Hosty that he feels have contributed to his music.

“A genre of one” is a description and nickname Hosty takes pride in. Per his definition, this is an artist that may not fit neatly into an established category. Rather than being limited by other people’s understanding of his work he goes places musically that make sense to him and the stories he wants to tell, “The best description of my music is my name Hosty because when you say it you know what it is, and that’s the true goal of every artist I think.”

When it comes to guitarists, Hosty appreciates innovators like Django Reinhardt and T Bone Walker. Walker’s song “Dirty Mistreater” in particular was one of the first songs he cut his teeth on with the guitar.

Hosty’s song “Oklahoma Breakdown” was inspired by another one man band Doctor Ross and the song “Chicago Breakdown.” Hosty described the song as follows, “a breakdown is a dance like a boogie or a swing.” Listening it’s easy to envision a bar full of Hosty fans singing and swaying along.

In his song “Sunshine” Hosty had the chance to explore his love of reggae music. He is excited that his new album has been a continuation of that love and an opportunity to collaborate with the late drummer Jamie Oldaker who previously worked with Eric Clapton on hits like “I Shot the Sheriff.”

The song “Bring Me Your Body” is a unique entry in the Hosty catalog with its relaxed Sunday afternoon easy R&B groove. Groups like Atlantic Starr informed his appreciation for techno R&B

Working with the former Jackson Five bass player Mike McKinney in a funk band gave Hosty the opportunity to mix styles to create new material. That and his experience performing with the band, which included choreography, would years later lead to the birth of “Bring Me Your Body ” Hosty, discussing his journey with music up till now put it simply “one step at a time ” He also is enthusiastic about being in front of live audiences again, and new projects. Hosty is the subject of an upcoming documentary titled Oklahoma Breakdown. The film will have a world premiere at the Phoenix Film Festival on April 8th and will later be at festivals all over the country

In a final call to action Hosty encourages everyone to go see musicians, “Music listeners inspire music makers ” He celebrates the power audiences have in the creative process.

LTB American Pale ALE Recipe

BY HEIDE BRANDES

Here is one of Learn to Brew of Edmond’s favorite brews It is similar to the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and a great recipe for a new home brewer to try!

Liberty Hamman, Learn to Brew's Brew Advisor, has perfected this recipe over the last two years for both an Extract and All Grain batch For the beginner, the extract gives you a simple brew, requiring less equipment and time It pours with a white, frothy head and is full bodied The Cascade hops generate a nice aroma and complex filled with spicy flowers and citrus This continues into a balanced flavor with smooth rich malt There is a nice hop finish and aftertaste to this beer and is an excellent example of an American Pale Ale

Step by Step fo Extract Recipe

In a large soup pot, heat 5 gallons (19 L) of water to 166 °F (74 °C) Add crushed grain ( Caramel 10) to grain bag Submerge bag and let grains steep around 155 °F (68 °C) for 20 minutes. Remove grain bag and allow liquid to drip back into the pot Heat liquid in brewpot to a boil, then stir in the malt extracts, add first charge of hops and begin the 90 minutes boil With 60 minutes left in boil, add hops. At 30 minutes left in the boil add hops, add Irish moss. At the end of the boil, add last charge of hops, cool wort and transfer to fermenter. Add water to make 5 gallons (19 L). Aerate wort and pitch yeast. Ferment at 68 °F (20 °C). If you prefer, rack to secondary when fermentation is complete. Bottle or keg when beer falls clear.

All Grain Recipe - 5.6% ABV 90 Minute Boil 5 Gallon Batch

Fermentables:

9 Lb Pale Ale Malt 1 Lb Caramel 10 Malt

Hops: Cascade .5 Oz 90 minutes Cascade 5 Oz 60 minutes Cascade 1 5 Oz 30 minutes Cascade 1.5 Oz 0 minutes

Yeast: Safale US 05 1 packet

Extract Recipe 5.6% ABV 90 Minute Boil 5 Gallon Batch

Fermentables:

6 Lb Pale Ale Dry Malt Extract

1 Lb Caramel 10 Malt

Hops:

Cascade .5 Oz 90 minutes

Cascade .5 Oz 60 minutes Cascade 1 5 Oz 30 minutes Cascade 1.5 Oz 0 minutes

Yeast: Safale US 05 1 packet

PEARL BEACH BEW PUB

Craft Beer meets Beach Volleyball

BY JAMES FRAZIER

It’s nice when someone fixes a problem that you didn’t know that you had. Specifically, when I play Volleyball, I don’t want to drink crap beer. Why can’t I get sand in every crevice of my body while playing beach volleyball and have really good craft beer? This question is one I didn’t know that I needed to ask, but I am so glad that Pearl Beach Brew Pub answered it for me. For years groups of adults have gathered and chosen to get our Spring, Summer, and Fall workouts on the beach volleyball courts just to the northeast of Lake Hefner. We would pour our hearts and souls into our teams, all while drinking cheap beer, because that was what was available.

It’s not often that I concede something to Tulsa, but they got one over on us by combining Craft Beer and beach volleyball. It’s a match made in beer heaven and I for one am thankful that they have shed their light on us in Oklahoma City. Pearl Beach, founded in April of 2019 was named after its first location in Tulsa, Oklahoma right in the heart of "Pearl District" and quickly became everyone's favorite outdoor spot. Pearl Beach is a locally owned brewery with a retro beach spin. They feature crowd favorite beers & seltzers, some of the top being "Lily, Don't Be Coy", their top selling passionfruit & lime seltzer, Cerveza Por Favor, a house made Cerveza, and Mad Dog Stout a delicious coffee stout.

Upon opening the new and improved Pearl Beach in OKC, it became evident that they needed a great food concept to go along with the beer and volleyball. In comes Mr. Nice Guys, a Tulsa based food duo that has been around for over 10 years, and occupied many different spaces throughout their tenure. Their Costa Rican inspired food has been a fan favorite for many years. “We felt that merging the two concepts would bring the right "Pure Vida" vibe to Pearl Beach. said, Blake Bullard. “Pura Vida” is a Costa Rican philosophy that encourages the appreciation of life's simple treasures. Mr. Nice Guys at Pearl Beach is located at both the OKC & Tulsa location and is actively ramping up to full time hours. Pearl Beach is looking forward to staffing up the food truck to be

able to offer Mr. Nice Guys every time you come to Pearl Beach.

The menu at Mr. Nice Guys consists of artfully crafted tacos and other items like their Baked Mac&Cheese. I went on a little tasting adventure and tried one of everything and can truly say that I am hooked. The tacos are all served on corn tortillas with an assortment of meats and veggies that are absolutely delicious. The Baked Mac&Cheese is now among my favorite comfort foods in Oklahoma.

The renovations to the old Lighthouse Beachbar have been absolutely stunning to watch with a near complete ground covered with outdoor grass carpet making it the perfect place to lounge in between games or just spectate the six Olympic sized volleyball courts. If you are looking for something different, you can play the giant beer pong, soccer pool, or a round of cornhole. The venue is also kid and pet friendly. As a dog lover, nothing warms my heart more than loving on all the sweet pups in between matches. I am fairly certain that I would come to pet dogs and drink good beer even if I wasn’t playing volleyball

So, what’s next? I’m glad you asked There is a lot, but the first priority is expanding the brewery That’s right, Pearl Beach Brew Pub is ramping up production, canning, and beginning distribution in 2022, and I for one cannot wait to stock some in my beer fridge, well and I want everyone everywhere to get a taste of life on our Oklahoma beach!

Cafe De L'Asie

FUSION NEVER TASTED SO GOOD

To say that OKC has a few great chefs is a gross understatement. To be honest the idea of featuring one restaurant in OKC each month is like choosing which of your teeth you would rather pull out first. There are so many options and so many amazing chefs doing really amazing things in Oklahoma City. But alas we just have to land on one and this month I couldn’t have been more thrilled to sit down with one of my favorite chefs at his latest amazing accomplishment Cafe de L’Asie is a beautiful spot right in the heart of downtown OKC, under the direction of Chef Voung Nguyen If the name of the restaurant sounds familiar, you may have seen it in The Collective food hall before taking over the space formerly occupied by Café 7

The food at Cafe de L’Asie is the definition of Asian Fusion with touches of classical french cuisine The unique quality of this Cafe is the fast gourmet experience that they bring to the table Headlining the menu are the steam buns, which are akin to Asian style sliders tucked into sweet white dough buns that complement the fillings perfectly The Steam Buns come in five different varieties that are like choosing which kid you like the best, unless you don’t like your kids, then ignore that reference For me, if you say Pork Belly, I say yes and am so glad I did The Honey Sriracha Chicken was off the charts delicious Then they have Fried Shrimp with lemon truffle aioli and jalapenos, Char Siu chicken which is kind of a Chinese BBQ, and fried Tofu for the vegetarian fans out there I highly recommend the bundle with options to get Togarashi Fries, Chicken Cheesesteak Eggroll, or Edamame All of which are amazing but the star of the show is the Chicken Cheesesteak Eggroll, OMG it’s delicate and flavorful and cravings inducing

No, they aren’t just a hand food kind of place, they also draw from various points of Chef Voung’s history of cooking The menu varies a bit in the styles but makes perfect sense when you know that Chef Voung is classically trained in French Cuisine and has Asian roots in various styles You have the chore of choosing between decadent pasta dishes that rival any french restaurant in Oklahoma, Banh Mi sandwiches that are packed with amazing flavor on perfectly selected bread, and Rice Bowls that dance along your tastebuds like Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagachwinners, the winners of the last dancing with the stars I am especially fond of the Beef Bulgogi Bowl with its perfectly cooked rice topped with everything you would expect from a high end Korean restaurant including a perfectly executed soft boiled egg and tender flavorful bulgogi beef that I would put head to head against any Beef Bulgogi in Oklahoma

Cafe de L’Asie also has an amazing breakfast selection with some of the most creative and delicious Benedicts I have seen in one spot in Oklahoma Turns out, if you can put it in a steam bun, it will also be amazing in a Benedict Their selection includes Honey Sriracha Chicken, Pork Belly, Fried Shrimp, and Char Siu Chicken, all of which are perfectly complimented with amazing toppings including immaculately poached eggs and artfully created hollandaise sauce. The Cafe also creates a few other masterful breakfast items all aimed at getting you a healthy and substantive breakfast in a timely manner before you dive into your workday.

For those on the run, or too busy to eat with a fork, Cafe de L’Asie also has Fruit Tea and Thai Tea with Jelly options that are absolutely delicious. I could see running through and grabbing one of their Delicious Mango Thai Teas when I just need something to get me through the day. If you are really in need of a pick me up, get the Vietnamese Iced Coffee. I felt like The Nature Boy Rick Flair after a couple of sips of this deliciousness. Good Vietnamese Iced Coffee is an art and Cafe de L’Asie is Picasso.

The key to having a successful spot in the heart of downtown OKC is being able to create delicious and creative dishes that can be delivered at the speed of business. The team at Cafe de L’Asie has mastered this endeavor. Quick, nutritious, creative, and flavorful food is what people crave and no one does it better than Cafe de L’Asie. Swing through if you are downtown or drive from the other end of the state, it’s worth it for this amazing food.

The

Joinery

WHY HAVE ONE CONCEPT WHEN YOU CAN DO 3

by James Frazier

Something new is brewing and it’s a lot of fun. Those of us that love craft beer are very familiar with the old Tapwerks building in Bricktown and it would be safe to say that you are familiar with the Community through Beer group. Community through Beer has been creating amazing spaces for enjoying and getting to know new beer since The Patriarch opened in 2015. The latest endeavor for CTB is on a whole new level and masterfully done. The Joinery opened its doors officially in early March and is one of the most exciting and ambitious concepts to hit Oklahoma City in a long time.

Licensing Report

The Joinery is a mash up of sorts, between four different concepts in one. When you walk through the main door of the restaurant, you have entered a beautiful community focused eating area. This floor seats about 80 and is simple but elegant with exposed rafters and rustic brick walls. The interesting style of this space is complemented with mirror windows that open the space up making it seem larger than it already is and adding an interesting guest focus. The bar is a great addition to this space with the original copper railing from the Tapwerks bar that lends to some familiarity.

TAX STATE&LOCAL SALES TAX

The Joinery’s menu could be described as Ok talian. Classic Italian influenced dishes with a distinct Oklahoman twist. Elegant Steak and potatoes but it’s a 14 ounce Grilled Ribeye with Boursin mashed potatoes, buttered & herb braised mushrooms, and bone marrow bordelaise. Bone in Grilled Pork chops tossed with molasses gastrique served with a sweet & spicy hash. Housemade meatballs with tomato sugo, and whipped ricotta. Basically, it’s a menu of over the top flavor with delicate thoughtful accompaniments to create a distinctive dining experience

The second floor is called Good Good An utterly unique concept on its own consisting of five state of the art golf simulators, a full bar, and food service from The Joinery downstairs The golf simulators are the same kinds that Tiger Woods and other PGA legends use in their own homes If it’s good enough for Tiger, you should give it a try They also have golf pros on staff to give you pointers and help you with your swing, something that I needed greatly You can bring your own clubs or use some of

Good Goods top of the line clubs, in case you want to try out a set of PXGs. The bar menu is golf centric, with lighter cocktails like a fantastic club special. The beer menu is unique on this floor with some well known craft beers and a couple that you can only get there.

Moving on up to the top floor is a rustic but elegant event space just the perfect size for a midsize party for around 100 guests. You have the opportunity to rent this space with great lighting and amazing views for your rehearsal dinner, fundraiser, corporate dinner, or whatever your needs are. It’s a fantastic space with its own green room and bar setup.

There is another space, and I am torn on talking about it, but let’s just say that this basement bar is an experience of its own. Oklahoma has an interesting history when it comes to bars that you should speak softly about. Most of the time, they haven’t really lived up to their namesake. This is not the case here. I can’t tell you how to get in, just that you have to have a code. Once you have managed to secure your entry you have a dimly lit jazz filled space with comfortable seating and a bar fit for any mobster movie. Do not show up and go to the bar to order, this space is table service only. Once again, the drink menu is completely different. Cocktails are thoughtfully crafted to accompany this atmosphere perfectly The beer list is unique with exclusive beers that you can only order there That is all I will tell you of this space, if you can’t find it, I’m fine with that, more space for me

R&J LOUNGE AND SUPPER CLUB

Stepping back in time to an amazing cocktail

BY LACONIA BUTLER

I am no Wisconsinite, nor have I ever stepped foot in the state of Wisconsin. However, when I do set foot in R&J Lounge and Supper Club, I feel like I’m stepping right into a rich history and culture. Like a blast from the 1950s, R&J’s transports you to your Grandfather’s house. Dimly lit and lovely kitschy you feel an instant sense of belonging. Unlike the Speakeasy of the Prohibition era, Supper Clubs are here to make you feel a big Midwest welcome. There aren’t secret codes or hidden doors. Instead, there are perfectly curated vintage wood wall panels and wallpaper. Eclectic artwork and restored vintage lighting. No detail was spared to create the perfect atmosphere. Sometimes you have to stop and remember that R&J’s opened in 2014 and hasn’t been around for 70 years.

Like all Superclubs R&J’s is all about ambiance, drinks, and relish trays. They pride themselves on their made in house food specials and cocktails. Everything from the juice is fresh squeezed each day to mixers and bitters, all made by hand to add the perfect touch to their menus. Home style Americana with a flare is their true specialty. The menu shines with choices like the old Oklahoma standby, chicken fried steak with an R&J remix by making it gluten free Or try their spin on an American classic, an umami burger made with a blended patty, kimchi aioli, onion strings, and muenster cheese Not wanting a full meal, try their famous and rightfully so, cheesy crab toast Garlic bread made infinity better by topping it with a cheesy crab mix and muenster cheese than toasting it until it’s all warm and gooey Perfection Or if you’re feeling extra fancy and nostalgic dive into a mini pot full of cocktail wieners These aren’t your typical Lil smokie, R&J cooks them in a homemade sauce made of mustard and strawberry jam for the perfect sweet and tart kick However, you can’t come to a Supper Club and not talk about the relish tray, the menu item that is synonymous with Wisconsin Supper Clubs Here you’ll get a selection of spicy cucumbers and feta, warm olives and peppers, pimento cheese, artichoke

dip and to top it off some pickled collard greens. It doesn’t get more 1950’s America than that.

If the food and atmosphere aren’t enough to sell you on R&J then you’ll be won over by the stellar bar. What they may lack in bar space they make up for in quality. With over 50 classic cocktails, hi balls, long drinks, and tiki inspire drinks to choose from they have everything you could want or something new to try. They even have Old Style Beer and sparkling wine on tap, the last to create one of their signature and best selling drinks The French 75. However, to truly experience the real R&J Lounge and Supper Club may I suggest the famous and regularly described as the best in OKC, The Old Fashion. The bar staff uses only rye whiskey and an in house mix of bitter to create of the best version of the classic that I’ve ever had. But they are so much more than just the classics and standbys. They create seasonal menus inspired by the staff and what’s in season and available.

Mitch Czarneski the bar manager of R&J created The

Saturnalia from the Spring cocktail menu, and let me tell you, it’s not to be missed. It’s a tiki inspired drink with gin, mezcal, melon, and lemon, combined to create a refreshing and exciting change from your normally sweet tiki drinks.

R&J’s isn’t just a bar, is a true OKC staple where the majority of the patrons are regulars and lovingly refer to it as a “Cheer’s of Oklahoma.”

On any given day you will find a mix of all ages, genders, and backgrounds sitting together, laughing, and enjoying their drinks and time. It's open 7 days a week from 2 to 2 and serves food until midnight. It has a great happy hour every day from 2 to 6 and all day Monday with deals on drinks and appetizers. They even host events like burlesque shows and brunch. If you ever wanted a piece of the action for yourself and your closest friends, you can even rent out the 2nd floor for any event that you have. The allure of Supper Clubs is undeniable. The unique feeling of nostalgia served with a side of relish trays and whiskey, from your favorite bartender, at a bar that feels like home is something special, and something completely R&J’s It’s what brings people back time and time again While it’s may not be as old as it feels, it feels good to know that it will be here for a long, long time to come Welcoming you back with that Midwest Americana magic

PLAZA DISTRICT

A district with their own style

BY JAMES FRAZIER

If you have been around OKC for very long, you will see that we are very fond of putting things into districts We have some really cool districts in Oklahoma City that each holds a very different style and aesthetic In each of these districts, you will find food, drink, shops, and other experiences that are primarily locally minded. I recommend everyone to check out the different districts in OKC and the first one that always comes to my mind is the Plaza District. This art heavy district holds some of the coolest hidden and known gems of OKC, nestled in on 16th street between Classen and Penn Ave. There are so many amazing places in this district, we can just highlight a few, so let’s go through a few of them.

Shopping

Bad Granny’s Bazaar

If you like unique stores, this is your spot, it features retro and vintage clothing, kitschy gifts, furnishings, art, and more In a way, it’s like a thrift store with only really cool stuff

Dig It! Boutique

This place prides itself on finding the coolest retro fashion, vintage band tees, funky sunglasses, and locally crafted art and jewelry So, if you are looking for a vintage Pink Floyd The dark side of the moon shirt, I would look here first.

DNA Galleries Do you like supporting local art? This is the spot you have to see They focus primarily on local makers This is the spot to find the coolest special occasion cards around. They are stocked full of stickers, pins, patches, and such. Give this place a spin.

Food and drink

Empire Slice House

This NY Style pizza shop has been bringing new definitions to grab a slice for years and it just keeps getting better. Amazing pizza with unique funky toppings and names. Match this with their full bar and impressive beer selection and you have dinner.

Oak & Ore As a craft beer fanatic, this place has my heart, featuring 36 rotating taps. The style is cool, the food is outstanding and the beer, well it’s what keeps me coming back

Roxy’s Ice Cream Social Needing something sweet? This is the place!

This modern yet nostalgic ice cream and soda shop feature a unique selection of custom sodas, ice cream sandwiches, and ice cream flavors It’s the perfect addition to any date night.

The Press Comfort food at its finest. The menu here is a combination of deep south and southwest comfort food with a distinctly Oklahoma twist. Whether you are here for brunch, lunch, or dinner, it’s just the right comfort level for any day

Pie Junkie You can’t talk about the Plaza district without talking about this spot. If you know, you know, and if you don’t, it’s about time. Creamy, flaky, fresh, flavorful, and all the other things that I have used to describe Pie Junky over the years. It’s just damn good.

Up Down The new kid on the block with the retro arcade games, great beer selection, and killer pizza. This is the kid that everyone wanted to hang out with because he had the coolest stuff. So, if you need a beer and feel like challenging me to Tekken, holler.

Entertainment

OKC Improv There really is something special about seeing normal everyday people getting on stage and thinking on the fly, no scripts, just ideas and a lot of laughs They also teach classes, so if you get stage fright from stepping onto an elevator, they can cure that.

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma Oklahoma’s leading professional theatre. They do year round productions of spectacular musicals, laugh out loud comedies, new world premiers, imaginative family favorites, and performances by its Thelma Gaylord Academy This is a truly unique experience.

Paint N’ Cheers Want to let your inner artist shine? This is the spot, drink until your painting looks good and you will have accomplished a great time. This creative studio with an upbeat atmosphere is perfect for a girls' night out, date night, or even a hang with the boys

LIVE! On the Plaza On the 2nd Friday of the month, the Plaza explodes with live music, an art walk, and a great family friendly atmosphere. It’s a great time to get out and see what is happening in the world

Plaza District Festival This annual event is held in the fall and is an absolute blast. You take the unique Plaza culture, with a lot more performing arts, visual artists, live musicians, and children’s activities.

By no means is this everything in the Plaza, but this should give you a taste of what there is to offer there. Check out the Plaza district's unique style and the many other shops, bars, restaurants, and experiences. Hope to see you there.