To Blake: I am honored that you took the time to call me out on this. Great discussion. I do wish you the best.
Some "points" I don't think we'll agree on.
1) You seem to hate Fox and Hound. Fox and Hound is always open and serving food until 2:00am. Like clockwork. Try to order food at a typical Tulsa bar after 12:00 and you usually get told no.
Now I don't know what your food policy is, but you can seriously order a pizza at Fox and Hound at 1:00am and they will make you one. On a Tuesday.
I'm not saying that is the best place in the world, but it is the closest thing to a Dallas/like late-night venue I've found in Tulsa--right down to the Woodchuck apple cider.
2)Also, you mentioned UP THE CREEK, Hahahahahahahaha. And a few others that have failed. It comes with the territory I guess when the competition is stiff. What's that crazy new concept over there, the Firerock? HAhahahaha, again, ridiculous. I sure do think of food when I think of hot lava, LOL. Who designed that logo? I don't just rip on downtown, I rip on what I believe is clearly NOT going to work.
Your operation may indeed work, though. You make a good point about the bartending. It is hard to find a decent bartender in South Tulsa, I will give you that.
3) If you are going to put 30 games in the retro hub, however, you are going to cross over from "a bar with games" to "a gameroom and bar." I still worry about your maintenance costs here, as well as use of this space. Perhaps though, you will draw the right crowd, but it won't be families on their way to the ballgame, just adults, like you said.
I sincerely hope you make the money you're after. Is the rent considerably cheaper at this location than at your 61st & 169 spot? That could sure help. There does seem to be a lot of hero worship for business owners that take their concepts downtown. I'm sure you will have regulars.
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But you other guys... Downtown retaking the economic title from 71st & 169 in 5 years? Hahahahahahaha.
Now all of you harping about tourists/business travelers downtown... have you seen how many hotels have recently gone up at the 71st & 169 junction? What is that Green-lit rooftop thing over by Woodland that just came on? Is that another one? There are about 4 (including the Renaissance) around the Cinemark IMAX (touristy little thing there) and a new one just to the north of the Fox and Hound.
That's a lot of hotels for an area you guys think is over-rated. And in that 1 1/2 mile area between Woodland and the IMAX, that is a Megaladon of cash grabbing going on.