Patio dining in Tulsa

[PonderInc]

I've recently heard (from more than one person), that Tulsa's health department codes are more stringent than the Oklahoma Health Department.  It seems that the rules make it hard for restaurants to offer patio dining. (It also affects our ability to have street vendors.)

What's the scoop?  Everywhere I travel, there are cool places for people to eat outdoors.  On gorgeous days, it's great to have the option of eating outside.  In addition, patio/sidewalk dining makes streets more interesting, safe and attractive to pedestrians.  So what gives?

[cannon_fodder]

A bar tender at the Colony (owned by McNellies) told me something similar for bars.  I like going there for a few, but it is too smokey some nights.  I asked about an outdoor area and they said they were working on it.  The next time I was by they said something about having trouble getting a permit.

Not sure what the scoop really is (maybe the bar keep didn't know and just said something). But I enjoy a eating outdoors on a nice night or a drink outside (Empire, Grey Snail, 201, Arnies, Blue Moon, The Collective... that I can think of off hand).

/random

[joiei]

The dining terrace at the Daily Grill at the Crown Plaza is very nice.  Elevated with a great view of parts of downtown.  And now that the heat has sort of broken would make a great place for some al fresco dining.  (al fresco - outdoors)

[MDepr2007]

We have plenty of outdoor eating in E. Tulsa. These taco stands that are popping up everywhere usually have at least one picnic table.
Kanbar I heard is going to open up some patio area for you downtowners. The Plaza area between the library and courthouse would have been nice to fix up as a patio,if you could deal with the pigeons

[patric]

Some years back when I did some checking for a bar that wanted to have a beer garden, the requirement was that the health department inspect it first.
Dont know what sort of checklist you would use for an outside facility, though.

[waterboy]

I wonder if restrictions on public consumption of alcohol may be in play. Isn't it prohibited to purchase or consume alcohol in public areas?

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

I wonder if restrictions on public consumption of alcohol may be in play. Isn't it prohibited to purchase or consume alcohol in public areas?

SoChey allows drinking outside but had to put a little fence around the tables.

[Townsend]

quote:Originally posted by MDepr2007

The Plaza area between the library and courthouse would have been nice to fix up as a patio

That'd be cool as hell.

[PonderInc]

Not the greatest location, though. Surrounded by the library, courthouse, post office, YMCA...not much opportunity to create synergies with surrounding nightlife...

Perhaps if the old City Hall location get's redeveloped into something, then this big concrete island could be turned into something useful.

[Townsend]

quote:Originally posted by PonderInc

Not the greatest location, though. Surrounded by the library, courthouse, post office, YMCA...not much opportunity to create synergies with surrounding nightlife...

Perhaps if the old City Hall location get's redeveloped into something, then this big concrete island could be turned into something useful.

After a mass use of high powered water sprayers to clean off decades of grime...

I was picturing the YMCA hotel changed to something else once it's shut down.

Library might eventually become something else if the library bond issue comes back around...(that's just a thought)

Something else being done with the location of the old city hall would provide plenty of reason to have something there.  Picture open air seating with art display as an example.  

It's also easy walking to the Arena.  

It'd work well with current and future development towards Cheyenne.

[Michael71]

quote:Originally posted by Townsend

quote:Originally posted by PonderInc

Not the greatest location, though. Surrounded by the library, courthouse, post office, YMCA...not much opportunity to create synergies with surrounding nightlife...

Perhaps if the old City Hall location get's redeveloped into something, then this big concrete island could be turned into something useful.

After a mass use of high powered water sprayers to clean off decades of grime...

I was picturing the YMCA hotel changed to something else once it's shut down.

Library might eventually become something else if the library bond issue comes back around...(that's just a thought)

Something else being done with the location of the old city hall would provide plenty of reason to have something there.  Picture open air seating with art display as an example.  

It's also easy walking to the Arena.  

It'd work well with current and future development towards Cheyenne.

Since I live in the area, I would like to be notified as to the type of hotel it would be, the rates charged, & what clientele it would cater to.  After all, I wouldn't want my property value to go down.*

*sarcasm in above paragraph