A new nightclub is proposed for the mall. I am not sure if I like this.

http://kfor.com/2015/01/29/proposed-las-vegas-style-club-has-oklahoma-city-residents-concerned-about-crime/

I like the intention but I am not sure it should go in North Park Mall. I am sure the club will fail if they go in there. If they are able to get past NIMBY opposition, simply the fact its in suburbia in OKC will be strikes against it. I think its a better fit for somewhere in the urban core.

I have some renderings I will post later.

Finish out will be quite nice.

Wow. If it ends up like they say, it should be pretty nice.

Would prefer it go in Bricktown, AA, or Midtown.

I agree it would be nice addition to downtown but the location is really growing on me. Northpark has been trying to brand itself as higher end more and more and a high end club like this(the pictures are really nice) would be a nice addition to what could be a growing nightlife scene for the area. The bars on memorial are often filled on weekends so I think this will just add to that and give an alternate destination. Not everyone wants to go downtown every weekend so more choices can't hurt but it has to be done right. They have to enforce security and keep it from turning into the lower ends clubs that are downtown now, don't let it turn into a drink till you puke and then leave establishment.

I agree it would be nice addition to downtown but the location is really growing on me. Northpark has been trying to brand itself as higher end more and more and a high end club like this(the pictures are really nice) would be a nice addition to what could be a growing nightlife scene for the area. The bars on memorial are often filled on weekends so I think this will just add to that and give an alternate destination. Not everyone wants to go downtown every weekend so more choices can't hurt but it has to be done right. They have to enforce security and keep it from turning into the lower ends clubs that are downtown now, don't let it turn into a drink till you puke and then leave establishment.That's true.

The other thing that intrigues me about this is why they choose North Park. I'm sure collectively here we could name dozens of better sites that would be closer to areas of rapid growth that is geared more towards a younger environment, but they choose here. Quail creek has a lot of money hidden in it and I could easily see it becoming a younger homeowner based in it, in 10 years as most the original homeowners scale down for retirement but that's far into the future. I just think they must know something or have a good hindsight to choose this as their location.

One of the big appeals for the operators is all the parking.

The mall has oceans of it and there is almost no one there at night.


BTW, the club would be in the back of the mall, on the east side.

Is anything closing there to make space for the club ?

Yes, but that was in the 80s.

Surprisingly, the mall is relatively full these days.

BC Clark just moved into a much bigger space and they spent a ton of money on build out. They now have their own entrance facing May:

http://okcfriday.com/clients/okcfriday/12-4-2014-2-34-14-PM-3023889.jpg

Here is where this club would go.

According the latest retail survey, the mall is 75% leased:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/northpark1.jpg

Seems like a great deal to me. This place is dead at night except for the second run theater. Probably no one there to hear the noise. And if someone passes out drunk on Saturday night they can wake up and walk to the church that used to be the skating rink.

Pete, any idea what the build out cost?

No, they haven't submitted a building permit yet.

I'm sure they want to get their rezoning (Planning Commission) first.

I love the concept, however, I think the location is absolutely bizarre. I would rather not party at Northpark Mall, but I'll definitely check it out though.

I love the concept, however, I think the location is absolutely bizarre. I would rather not party at Northpark Mall, but I'll definitely check it out though.

I agree. I question its viability at Northpark Mall. I would rather this club open downtown and be success than out in the burbs and be a failure. As has been said above though, it could work.

Last time I was at north park I watched 40 year old virgin and the projector quite 2/3 way in and had to cancel showing. Oh well only cost $.50

From the JR:

New direction for Northpark: Nightclub requests liquor zoning at mall

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record January 30, 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY – A developer has plans for a nightclub, but it won’t be in Bricktown or any other area that often sees bar development.

The Oklahoma City Planning Commission approved OK46 Entertainment Venture LLC’s plans to renovate a 4,880-square-foot space into The Liszt, a mixed-beverage club at Northpark Mall, 12100 N. May Ave., in the city’s northwest corridor. The application even received praise from the commission for being highly detailed. The plans will next go before the City Council.

Renderings submitted to the Planning Commission include high-quality finishes such as glass-entry doors, a liquid-motion tile wall in the entrance, faux stone walls and chandeliers. There will also be a disc jockey to help entice people to the dance floor.

The LLC is being represented by attorney Steve McCaleb, who presented the plan to the Planning Commission on Jan. 15.

Northpark Mall is owned by Tom Morris Enterprises. Vice President Kevyn Colburn said the company is excited about the club. She said the company is in preliminary stages with negotiating the lease.

“We do think it will be a good addition to our current tenant mix,” she said.

McCaleb filed a simplified planned unit development application, or SPUD, for the site since the area is less than 300 feet from a residential area. The Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Control Act requires that mixed-beverage clubs be at least 300 feet from residential areas. With a SPUD, McCaleb was able to ask for an exception to be considered for the alcoholic beverage control, level 3 permit overlay. Developers will still need to get a alcoholic beverage license. The club’s back wall would be less than 100 feet from the Quail Creek neighborhood, and the SPUD would make an allowance for it. McCaleb said during the meeting that two restaurants at Northpark already have mixed-beverage licenses, Rococo and Shogun Steak House of Japan.

McCaleb said the developer also met with all of the mall’s property owners and the vice president of the Quail Creek Homeowners Association. There were no protests filed with the commission, and no one spoke against it at the meeting.

“If you look closely at the application, this is a very, very detailed operation,” said Nick Gales, planning commissioner. “I believe when people see this operation, there will not be any protests.”

The application includes a requirement that the club owners use an identity scanner. McCaleb said the owner plans to use a Servall Biometric Identity Scanner to keep track of patrons and make sure they can legally enter the facility.

Several commission members commended McCaleb for his thoroughness on the application.

“It’s nice to have a really detailed application,” said John Yoeckel, commission chairman.

I agree. I question its viability at Northpark Mall. I would rather this club open downtown and be success than out in the burbs and be a failure. As has been said above though, it could work.
Downtown or on Memorial makes more sense to me.

Nightclub proposed for the Shoppes at Northpark in northwest Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/nightclub-proposed-for-the-shoppes-at-northpark-in-northwest-oklahoma-city/article/5394608)

It was approved.

Not my sort of spot, but it will hopefully meet a need and meet it nicely. Myself, a bit of a dive look and some decent jazz and you have my attention.

Nightclub proposed for the Shoppes at Northpark in northwest Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/nightclub-proposed-for-the-shoppes-at-northpark-in-northwest-oklahoma-city/article/5394608)

Any update on this club? It's been a year and a half...and after much fanfare and publicity on the news--no word lately. Is it still going to happen?

I believe it just died on the vine for some reason.

I believe it just died on the vine for some reason.

Do you think the neighborhoods near it voicing displeasure over a club that close to their homes had anything to do with it?

Do you think the neighborhoods near it voicing displeasure over a club that close to their homes had anything to do with it?

I believe it received the necessary approvals but the proprietors never moved forward after that.

I just heard the proprietor of the club is moving forward with his plans after finding an investor.

That is good to hear! Fingers crossed this happens.

Making progress at The Liszt (from their FB page):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/liszt102517.jpg

This definitely seems like an odd place for a nightclub, unless it's one that will be primarily targeting older people.

There are TONS of apartments in the immediate area.

Go to the Sidecar at Chisholm Creek and you'll see oceans of young people, all dying for a place to go.

There are TONS of apartments in the immediate area.

Go to the Sidecar at Chisholm Creek and you'll see oceans of young people, all dying for a place to go.

Yep, the whole apartment ghetto (not really a ghetto, that's just what we called it 'cos there were so many apts, and we lived there in a couple of different complexes) in the 122nd/Penn area is huuuuuge.

Yep, the whole apartment ghetto (not really a ghetto, that's just what we called it 'cos there were so many apts, and we lived there in a couple of different complexes) in the 122nd/Penn area is huuuuuge.

And there are now thousands of units north of Memorial and farther to the west.

Sidecar has been absolutely overrun and there are not many other places for people to go up there. Hopscotch is packing them in as well.

Wonder why pink parrot couldn't survive in that area.

The only thing that makes me doubt the success of The Liszt is access and visibility. Its on the backside of a low-volume mall that is kind of a good ways away from the restaurant corridor along Memorial road. If a night club ever went in at Chisholm creek, I feel like they would be a lot more successful with all the entertainment venues and restaurants nearby.

Wonder why pink parrot couldn't survive in that area.

Because the space wasn't very inviting and the food not good. You can have lots of potential in the market but you still have to produce a good product to exist.

The only thing that makes me doubt the success of The Liszt is access and visibility. Its on the backside of a low-volume mall that is kind of a good ways away from the restaurant corridor along Memorial road. If a night club ever went in at Chisholm creek, I feel like they would be a lot more successful with all the entertainment venues and restaurants nearby.

As long as they don't have to go through the mall to enter it should be fine. The mall interior is dated and feels almost creepy. Time for a serious update. But, it's a great space for power walking. :)

As long as they don't have to go through the mall to enter it should be fine. The mall interior is dated and feels almost creepy. Time for a serious update. But, it's a great space for power walking. :)

Is it going in that same spot on the map that Pete showed a couple of years ago? I don't think it has an exterior entrance and if it does, its almost like a back door. They will need some good signage on the mall entrance facing towards May.

It may be a great success, just feels like their is a lot more energy at Chisholm Creek and its only going to get bigger.

As long as they don't have to go through the mall to enter it should be fine. The mall interior is dated and feels almost creepy. Time for a serious update. But, it's a great space for power walking. :)

Wouldn't you say that the interior, though dated, has its own charm? It really reminds me of '70s-era malls which were still quite successful into the '90s before being killed off by the large super-regional malls. There aren't many of those left and it's cool to have one that is still successful in OKC.

I don't mind the interior.

If and when the theater does a renovation that will make a huge difference.

I don't mind the interior.

If and when the theater does a renovation that will make a huge difference.

I haven't been to that theater since shortly after moving back here and I think even by dollar theater standards, it's pretty bad. Are they planning a renovation?

I haven't been to that theater since shortly after moving back here and I think even by dollar theater standards, it's pretty bad. Are they planning a renovation?

I talked to AMC and they said they would like to re-do it but they haven't committed to doing so.

That cinema is where I saw Return of the Jedi when it first opened. The first time I saw Empire Strikes Back was at the cinema in Stubbeman Village.

I also saw other movies at Northpark, but I remember Jedi specifically.

I saw Austin Powers in that theater, baby.

I saw Stripes in that theater, baby. Living in Wichita then but summers in OKC.

Wouldn't you say that the interior, though dated, has its own charm? It really reminds me of '70s-era malls which were still quite successful into the '90s before being killed off by the large super-regional malls. There aren't many of those left and it's cool to have one that is still successful in OKC.
Interior isn’t cool, even in a retro way, imho. It is dark and cold feeling. The successful entities all have outside entrances or are right at the doors. There are almost no interior displays or merchandising done that creates an invitation to come in. There are few inside the actual mall, except for walkers who are just looking to be inside from the weather.

That cinema is where I saw Return of the Jedi when it first opened. The first time I saw Empire Strikes Back was at the cinema in Stubbeman Village.

I also saw other movies at Northpark, but I remember Jedi specifically.

I believe it was Return I saw there too, stood in a long line for a midnight show... Also saw Reds there. Both were on the BIG screen they had before they shoeboxed all the theaters. Went there unwillingly a while back, not gonna go back.

Liszt is close to opening and is targeting the end of the month.

Grand opening for the Liszt is this Friday 2/2 at 8PM.

They've spent a ton of money... Will be very interesting to see how they do and the impact on the mall.

I was told it will be non-smoking.

There was an attempt at a small exclusive club restaurant with a piano bar on the back side of the mall in the '80s. Short lived, the bust killed it if not other reasons. It was called St James Infirmary IIRC. It shared a kitchen with a burger joint that faced into the mall. I believe it started out as public and then went to some sort of members only deal. I went there once with my wife right after it opened. Went back later with my brother in law and they wouldn't let us in. That was in the days when both the mall and the area in general were considered upscale. The mall had recently expanded and was filling out.

There was an attempt at a small exclusive club restaurant with a piano bar on the back side of the mall in the '80s. Short lived, the bust killed it if not other reasons. It was called St James Infirmary IIRC. It shared a kitchen with a burger joint that faced into the mall. I believe it started out as public and then went to some sort of members only deal. I went there once with my wife right after it opened. Went back later with my brother in law and they wouldn't let us in. That was in the days when both the mall and the area in general were considered upscale. The mall had recently expanded and was filling out.

i'm a sucker for this kind of stuff... didn't find anything regarding turning into a private club but found a neat article from 1978. the entrance was off the back alley under a green awning. the kitchen was shared with the "out of bounds" restaurant that opened up into north park. dinner for two in 1978 dollars came to $36 after tip... a tidy sum for back then.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14415&stc=1

Yep. Spendy. Sorta secret speakeasy kind of shtick with the back alley entrance. I don't think they put a name on the building or awning. Maybe on the door.

The rest of the story...I went to see a movie with my visiting brother in law. (Pretty Baby.) We were looking for a drink or meal before and/or after. I was trying to impress. Was real disappointed when they didn't let us in. We ended up that night at a dive bar farther south across from where Lynn Hickey dodge was called the Draught Board or the Draft Board, a random pick on his part since they had a neon Coors sign. He was a pretty preppy buttoned down guy, would have fit right in at St James. I thought we might have to fight our way out of the other place, especially since he was talking about stealing a Coors glass as a souvenir. Fortunately he did not. I think that was all the same night.

What is the target audience for The Liszt? I assume they are looking to attract 40-60 year-olds? I don't mean to cast doubt, but I just cannot see how this place would stay busy. I hope I'm wrong because I never want to see an OKC attempt at nightlife become a bust.

What is the target audience for The Liszt? I assume they are looking to attract 40-60 year-olds? I don't mean to cast doubt, but I just cannot see how this place would stay busy. I hope I'm wrong because I never want to see an OKC attempt at nightlife become a bust.

I believe they hope to target the mature, more affluent market.

The main investor is 67 year-old Leo Kingston who was also behind Fat Dog.

I believe they hope to target the mature, more affluent market.

The main investor is 67 year-old Leo Kingston who was also behind Fat Dog.

Well that is a market that I am totally out of touch with - hopefully he nails it! I liked FatDog but, admittedly, we only made it by 3 or 4 times while it was open. What a great patio!

The Fat Dog was a little bit ahead of its time in my opinion. There wasn't (and still isn't) enough people living in that area and it didn't have much of a draw compared to its competition.

The Fat Dog was a little bit ahead of its time in my opinion. There wasn't (and still isn't) enough people living in that area and it didn't have much of a draw compared to its competition.

Orrr....

It was owned and run by people who lived in far north OKC, had little existing constituency in the core and didn't do enough to build it.

Plenty of nearby places have succeeded.

If the dress code is 'mall walker casual' they should have no problem pulling them in off the concourse...

If the dress code is 'mall walker casual' they should have no problem pulling them in off the concourse...

As long as it's not after 6:30PM.