WHY HAVE ONE CONCEPT WHEN YOU CAN DO 3 ~ THE JOINERY

from The Brew Magazine April 2022

COOP 13 YEARS OF CRAFT BEER EXCELENCE

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. Licensi Community through Beer getting to know new beerng Report has been creating amazing spaces for enjoying since The Patriarch opened in 2015. The latest and 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.

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 communityfocused 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 SQ788 TAX STATE & LOCAL SALES TAX 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. 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 wellknown 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 L O U N G E A N D S U P P E R C L U B Stepping back in time to an amazing cocktail

B Y L A C O N I A B U T L E R

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 glutenfree. 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 tikiinspired 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.