Approaching the parking lot, I noticed cars parked in an area full of shops and art expos closed…read moreduring non-business hours. I got out of my Uber, and I saw a couple walking into the main building. One would assume that everyone is there for art and passes by thinking nothing of it, but I knew there was a secret entrance waiting to be found. I tipped my Uber and walked in. The couple was gone, and all that was left were closed shops in a long wooden hallway. In the Hallway was a man in normal clothes. He said, "The lounge?" Yes, I replied, and he asked for my ID. I showed it to him, then he pointed to a black box on the wall with a moon sticker on it. I pushed it, and the wall opened like an Indiana Jones movie. First impressions are important, and I was impressed. The hidden entrance established the secrecy and exclusivity that I expected from a speakeasy. The Lunar Lounge featured a 1990s retro space theme. This included decorations and art. They had their business logo on the wall, a mural of a naked women sitting on a crescent moon with long red hair covering her private parts. There was a robot-shaped snack machine with a mini tube television for a head, static on the screen with angry black electrical tape making his eyes and mouth. The music was energetic without overpowering people's conversations. Calling ahead of time, I met with a bartender who explained to me that they had no intention of becoming a speakeasy; they wanted to create a safe place for their friends who were part of the LGBT community to express themselves out of sight of public view without fear of judgment or discrimination. Basically, meeting every requirement of a Modern Speakeasy. The owner did a good job creating a convivial atmosphere. People were friendly and socially warm in this relaxed environment. According to the Annuals of Tourism, "Convivial atmospheres are powerful in that they carry with them a transformative potential in terms of individuals' openness to and anticipation of future encounters, and their attendant feelings"(Rokka). The Hosts, therefore, created an Atmosphere catered to their intended Patrons. Even though the secret entrance and the atmosphere made this speakeasy impressive, the focus is on the drinks. Now, a bartender does not need to be a master at mixology, but for the sake of the evaluation, there are a few things people tend to look for in a drink. I personally evaluate a cocktail based on the balance of sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and aftertaste. According to the International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, "mixologists, with their aesthetic approach, contribute to transforming mixology into a form of cultural and creative expression" (Creta). I ordered a sophisticated drink from their menu, wondering what they might do differently. I ordered their Cosmopolitan, a signature cocktail. Instead of putting one shot or two shots, the bartender put a shot and a half. This made the alcohol blend in with the sweetness, not too sweet, so that someone would not drink it too fast. With the cranberry juice, he added a space candy garnish shaped like the moon, and as it dissolved, it started to dye the drink blue. After I finished the drink, I ordered it again from a different bartender, and she made it the same way. I saw consistency; all their signature cocktails looked cold, full of artistic expression, and used high-quality ingredients. Now, an argument I would consider valid concerning Speakeasies is: "A real Speakeasy is a traditional hidden room within a restaurant or cave with formal attire and with jazz music." And to a point, I would agree, but at that time, cave networks were maintained, and Restaurants were a family business where you could make a secret room without corporate overreach or whistleblowing. Those places were modern at the time. Today, Speakeasy simply means to go somewhere to drink away from the general public to speak easily. This could be two construction workers getting off work to go to an exclusive place where most union workers go to relax after work, to a private room where two politicians talk shop out of earshot of the public, or to a restaurant turning into a bar after business hours and bringing in a DJ, karaoke or actual theatre. All of these activities meet the constantly changing environment that would and could be seen in a speakeasy. Ultimately, the Lunar Lounge succeeds because it captures the cultural purpose of a speakeasy, with secret doors leading to a convivial atmosphere and well-made cocktails. Based on my data and experience at the Lunar Lounge, I would consider it a modern speakeasy. The 18th Amendment wasn't just about stopping the sales of alcohol. It was about stopping people from expressing themselves in America and spreading cultural influence. The Lunar Lounge met my basic evaluation of a speakeasy, not just the physical building, but also the Freedom of Expression that its customers enjoyed.

Fun entrance and vibe. The service was nice and friendly. Great location. Drinks were delicious. We…read morewill definitely be back.

I took my girlfriend here for our anniversary in December. It was very festively decorated, and…read morevery busy. Despite how packed it was, the service was incredibly quick and attentive. I'm a big fan of lasagna, and this was an excellent meal. My girlfriend said the bucatini was a flavor explosion. Overall had an amazing time, 10/10 would recommend it to anyone looking for a date night.

We had a wonderful anniversary dinner here last night…read more Service was the best we have had in the city. Our server, Sofia, really made our night that much more memorable, and all the small details really added up to a special evening. I was hesitant to get the bucatini as I was worried it would be a heavy dish, but it was perfectly balanced, clean, and light. Loved it. The steak dish was top-notch. Perfectly cooked and a fully rounded meal. A lot of steak places charge more and leave you with an empty plate outside of the steak itself, not the case here. Wonderfully seasoned and priced very affordably considering. Such a memorable evening for us and so glad we came here.

So much to say during my visit to the NCAA Tournament…read more.... First off, I apologize for not remembering names. That's not my strong suit. Humidor: It's small, but everything in stock is top shelf. Well stocked also. Staff is very helpful in finding what you're looking for and making recommendations. 10% off for military, vets, and first responders (cigars only). You can smoke on site, which is getting rare these days. Bar & staff: Nothing short of outstanding. Friendly, chatty (if you want that) and make the best Old Fashioned I've ever had. 3 different bartenders, 3 old fashioneds, all amazing. I told them they need to have a "mix off" for bragging rights. They're considering it. If Old Fashioned isn't for you, very wide selection of top shelf liquor, wine, and beer. Wanna play "Stump the Bartender"? I dare you. They'll know how to make it. Atmosphere: Lots of locals and a few visitors like me. Very welcoming. Told me a lot about the city and made me feel welcome. Definitely not a snooty "you're not from here," vibe. They welcomed me as one of their own. Not a sports bar, per se, but the games were on the one TV, which is fine with me. No kitchen on site. If you need food before your liquor, eat beforehand. Bottom line: My go to place in OKC. Should be yours also. Miss y'all already. Hope to be back soon.

Let me set the downtown scene for you guys! Me and the boys were rolling around in deep deuce on…read moresome scooters having a great day. I seen a sign outside a stag that said happy hour. Instantly we stopped in and were greeted by, Monica and Tay!!! and let me tell you they were so welcoming we came to sit at the bar for a couple old-fashioned! Next thing you know, we were eating appetizers and having a few more drinks accompanied by everybody's good vibes and spirit. 10 out of 10 you guys this is what customer service is supposed to be. This is how bartenders are supposed to interact. They answered every question and provided amazing. Suggestions with so much knowledge about the product. We were blown away. We are definitely coming back.

Started off rough Wednesday night when they weren't prepared for the influx of March Madness and…read moreHusker fans. Their kitchen was backed up over an hour and items on the menu started getting dropped. Waitress said we cleaned out the kitchen. They had karaoke on Wednesday and everyone was having a great time. As a Husker fan in town, we dominated the environment and it quickly turned into a Husker bar. Idk how the bartenders ended up with Husker tank tops but they embraced the madness and rolled with it! Only star i had to knock off was them not having the AC on while the bar was PACKED wall to wall on a 98 degree day. We had to leave and go next door because it was so uncomfortable. Unfortunately but everything else was great. They said it was busier Wednesday than St Patty's day was Tuesday. Thanks for hosting a ton of Huskers!

Riley was awesome as well as the bartender. The TJ was fire best burger I've had in foreverread more

Amazing! We went on a Thursday night and were pleasantly surprised to find they weren't too busy…read more We were able to find spots in the back parking lot with ease, and were sat immediately when we entered. (We had a reservation, but we didn't need one given the seating availability.) The ambiance is amazing, perfect for a date night or a group gathering. (The winter decorations were still up ao that added a nice touch!) Thankfully the menu complimented the aesthetic, and we enjoyed our meal! The Marilyn Monroe was delicious- light and fruity but not super sweet. The chicken marsala was to die for- the chicken was tender, the portions were perfect, and the flavors were on point all around. (We asked for salt and pepper and didn't even use it.) We spent a little over $100 for 2 drinks, a salad, and 2 entrees. But for a finer than casual dining experience, the prices were fitting. We left happy, full, and satisfied. I highly recommend for dinner. Gonna have to try out their nightlife aspect some time!

First time here and it was a vibe. The restaurant, The bar,…read moreand the club area were all nice. Would be a great spot to celebrate any special events. Now we all Had various food options and they were all Subpar or aaa supposed to be a tapas vibe but the food wasn't super shareable and it was pricey. The tuna wontons were a huge disappointment and were sent back. Though the food was good for the price we Were expecting better. I know this is a newer spot so I would definitely come back again. The drinks weee Amazing we had those in the back bar area and we loved being able to just lounge and vibe out after dinner. The staff was great and gave us a tour of the facility after we dined. I do hope to go back.

This place is AWESOME! It's inside an old bank vault downstairs at the National Hotel. Beautiful…read moredecor with safety deposit boxes and other vault rooms inside. SERVICE: The staff here was great tonight (March 25, 2025). Well by staff, I mean one person, "Jo" and this server was Fabulous! Super attentive, answered people's questions and made great drinks. Great job "Jo" (spelling?) FOOD: I only tried the guac and chips but it was a large serving with plenty of chips. Tasted great!! If you want a great experience while you are staying at the National (or nearby) go give them a visit.

Thursday date night so we headed to the Library of Libations, what I call the Vault. If your not…read morefamiliar with this bar, it's in the vault of the old First Nationa Bank, located in what is now the First National Center. The vault is in the basement and surprisingly large with a large bar area and adjoining rooms. It's a lovely venue that you could picture in New York City. We each started with a dirty Martini with Hendrick gin and a light touch of Vermouth. They were perfect. We then ordered the Charcuterie board. It was amazing. Thoroughly enjoyed it. It was delectable with a nice mix of cheeses, meats and vegetables. Turned out to be dinner. From a decor perspective, I love the mix of old and new. It very modern and trendy while being steeped in history. The bar was busy, but the noise was low. The service was excellent, the prices moderate-high. It was a great evening.

The atmosphere was great.tasy food 8 out of 10.... Dips and bread was really good. The burger was…read morealso really good.

So delicious! Food…read more- all were very good! - Dips and Spreads | bread was soft, fluffy, hot, and delish - Nashville Hot Chicken | chicken was VERY moist and the outside was crispy it had the perfect balance with the cole slaw. To me it was not spicy... I would have like more spicy heat. Overall, delicious! - Hot Rod Pizza | amazing flavor combination... crust sauce and toppings were all very yummy. Was good hot and even better the next day cold Service was great - friendly and upbeat staff. Large and lively establishment - I love how they had The Princess Bride playing on the big screen (muted). Definitely a good spot for groups. It was a little loud... so be prepared to compete with the crowd when having a conversation. Would I go back? Yes! So much more yumminess to try!

We are back at Grey Sweater and can't help to say that we will definitely come back again!…read more Food is all superb and service is always very excellent and incomparable. Can't wait to find out what you guys have in store on our next visit!

So my boyfriend took me here for our anniversary and I've been wanting to try it for a while. We…read moregot the maximum course meal, I can't remember the exact number. Of course the sizes are small, but the flavors are exceptional. For me the service is too slow. I know they cook and prepare each dish in the kitchen nice and fresh, but for me, taking almost four hours to eat dinner was way too long. They made some amazing mushroom dishes for me since I don't eat fish/seafood. I loved most of the dishes that were presented in front of me. My boyfriend liked most of his as well. I loved the interior of the restaurant and appreciated the small space. It makes for a more intimate setting. My favorite part was the waiter getting a few keywords about what drinks you like. He then took those to the bartender and he would custom size a drink for you based on those few key words. I loved both my alcoholic drinks he made me and I don't even like those type of alcohol usually. He was a master!

Went there for our birthdays as my Aunt and Uncle were in town from CA. Didn't even know this place…read moreexisted. Ambiance was excellent. Service definitely on point. One of the best steaks I've ever had. We tried a little of everything. And I don't have any complaints. Great for a date night or a celebration! We will definitely be back!

We celebrated our anniversary and the service did not disappoint!…read more Reservations at 4:00, we were seated in a nice 2-top and wished happy anniversary by the staff. We tried their version of a salmon sushi roll, it wasn't bad. Rice was fried. Our steaks were so flavorful and tender! We decided to try the onion rings and green chili cream corn as our sides. I wished the corn was a little sweet. Onion rings were good but not the best I've had. Old fashioned cocktail was on point though! They delivered an anniversary multi-layered red velvet cake. Pretty tasty. I would definitely return and order the same steaks just with different sides.

The same night that I tried Eastside Pizza House (at The Collective) is the same night we ended up…read morecoming over to R&J to get away from the crowd. Walking in, it was dimly lit & it reminded me of a bar Downtown in Tulsa. We found a table (the place got filled up pretty quick afterwards) caddy corner to the bar & we got help quick. My partner ordered the Oaxacan Old Fashioned, a friend of mine ordered some Truffle Fries & a drink that I didn't catch - as for me, I got the Ginger Beer (I don't drink). The Oaxacan Old Fashioned looked nice with the orange peel climbing out of the glass & had a really good aroma (I took a big whiff of it). The ginger beer was a spicy ginger beer & it was really good. With every sip, it was opening up my nostrils, it had some spice to it for sure. I tried my friend's Truffle Fries & it's something I'd order, especially if I wasn't as hungry & wanted a "snack". You can smell the truffle while the taste was real subtle. All in all, the place was chill. It was a nice wind down from leaving an art show & The Collective (I had no clue it turned into a clubbish scene on a Saturday... they were jammin' that night). My friend was a regular there, the individual who served us was super nice & friendly. There was whole menu to explore full of sandwiches, burgers (I want to try the South West Burger along with the Umami Burger) & all kind of other dishes to choose from. As much as I come down to OKC, I still get familiar with the scene more & more - R&J is added to the list of places that I'd return to. Side Note: A friend of my friend stopped by right before my partner & I left. She ordered the Brussel Sprouts and Bacon & in my head, I dove into her plate before she could.

After stopping in for a drink after a game, I can confidently say this is one of my favorite bars…read morein OKC. This spot was very chill and laid back. We ordered a couple of drinks and everything was great. The bartender was also very kind and attentive. I enjoyed my time. And would definitely stop by again!