The Eleanor (formerly Rockford)

[John Knight]

From their Twitter feed:

[ljbab728]

A feature on the KFOR evening news including video and interviews.

Get your 70s swagger on at new cocktail den in Oklahoma City | KFOR.com

[edcrunk]

I'll be glad to try this out. It's cool to see more unique themed bars opening. Plus, this is within walking distance of where I live now so that is a huge plus.

Let me know if you want some company, I had fun on Matthew's last night in town.

[Urbanized]

Checked it out briefly Friday evening during a soft opening event. It's going to be a huge hit.

[John Knight]

Planning on going this Friday. Can't wait!

[Pete]

Hearing very good things about this place...

[Questor]

Cool looking place, but unfortunately due to their marketing I wouldn't feel comfortable sending a link to any of my coworkers about the place, especially female coworkers.

[catch22]

I love the theme. I'm just not certain about the interior. It really needs some groovy carpet if it is going to be 70's. From the pictures it looks like a furniture warehouse.

[kevinpate]

Coming of age in the 70's, it looks like someone redid the family room by grabbing items up and down the street from home of folk I knew back then.

Sort of this vibe in my mind, being an ol' country boy at heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGBeeuZo7wA


or this, for when country awesome hangs out with rockers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFI0lxsjTjo

[Bullbear]

I love the theme. I'm just not certain about the interior. It really needs some groovy carpet if it is going to be 70's. From the pictures it looks like a furniture warehouse.

Some great shag area rugs would be amazing

[Bullbear]

Seems lots of posters have a problem with the marketing. I guess I don't get the big deal.

[Urbanized]

Honestly I think those folks would feel differently once they actually visit the place once. It's just retro fun a la Madmen. They stop well short of anything that's actually offensive.

The reason the owners and their team went that direction to begin with is because the interior/style of the place was inspired by a stack of 70s Playboys that somehow landed in their possession. As much as anything the inspiration came from the vintage advertising inside, but the entire concept is an homage to the relatively innocent but swanky vibe associated with that time and place.

But if someone is going to rule the place out over what they THINK it is, oh well. It's going to be PACKED, no matter what they think of it.

[Questor]

I'll probably go and check it out, I am not personally offended, there's just no way I am sending that ad/link to FB/link to webpage to anyone other than close friends. If I sent that to coworkers it'd be an HR disaster. I think that is what many of us are saying here. Might not agree but it's reality.

[bchris02]

Some great shag area rugs would be amazing

I agree with this. Catch22 is right that it looks kind of like a furniture showroom. It isn't bad though. I haven't been yet but have walked by a few times when it has been open and it was packed.

[Mike_M]

Hearing very good things about this place...

So they spent money on professional Playboy remake ads, but then just took low-light cellphone pictures of the actual space? The Playboy pictures were done in the actual restaurant, could they not have gotten a few extra professional snaps?

[Jersey Boss]

Seems lots of posters have a problem with the marketing. I guess I don't get the big deal.

Not "family friendly".

[Pete]

It's meant to get your attention and I'd say it's highly effective.

I'm planning to go on Friday night and looking forward to it.

[sooner88]

In last week's Gazette there was an ad for the Rockford on one page and a strip club on the next.... Rockford's was definitely racier. Think the ads have done their job, and I'm not sure why people are offended by a bar's advertising not appealing to all ages.

[julieriggs]

Are the former operator's of Granddad's looking for a new venture?

Yes, I believe he may be. His name is Greg Seal - you'll probably locate him on FB if you Google him. (acquaintance from HS, I don't know him well)

Regarding Rockfords, the concept is interesting but I am having a really hard time with the vintage couches... gives me a creepy grandma vibe. Maybe younger people who weren't alive in the 70's don't feel the same? Wishing them success and many Febreeze coupons!

[Uptowner]

I was kinda hoping for the plastic cases that grandma had on the duvan...things might get sticky. I have no problems with the ads. I also don't consider art house films or b-movies like barbarella pornography. It's certainly got your attention though doesn't it.

[Pete]

Spent some time there early yesterday evening and really, really liked the feel of the place.

It was pretty busy given the hour, the service was friendly and excellent and I just really enjoyed the vibe. It looks much better in person.

It's a great mix of seating areas plus more typical bar seating. And the lighting in there is just right... Something so many other places miss on and it makes a huge difference.

I'm going back on Friday with a group of friends and am interested to gauge the vibe in a much more busy atmosphere.

[Urbanized]

No naked women running around? I'm shocked!

[sixkiller]

Went here last night. Biggest complaint is that it seemed a little bright. They've installed some really great overheard fixtures, but the one nearest the front door was putting out so much light. Bright enough to easily read a newspaper and then some. The white tin ceiling is reflecting a lot of light back down. (In some of the promotional pics in this thread, you'll see that the ceiling mounted lights are turned off.)

In *my* opinion, the furniture is a little too suburban living room, not quite sexy den. It's all so colorful and missing sophistication. However, the wall decorations (canvas art, velvet paintings, mirrors, wallpaper, mounted sculpture, etc) are all first rate! Having a mixture of coffee table and end tables is great. While it's no smoking, there are ashtrays and matchbooks lying around. They had the Thunder and football games on without audio. I only remember hearing one 70s rock song. Hoping they only play 70s music from every genre. Music certainly could have been louder.

I think this bar is great for a couple or a large group. Two people can squeeze in anywhere, and a group of 7+ can grab an entire little living room. Our group of 4 seemed awkwardly stuck on one long couch. Not sure how they feel about people stealing a chair or two from one set-up to another.

The Sloe Ride cocktail was a little sweet for my taste, but I look forward to trying different things on the menu.

Crowd on a Thursday seemed to be late 20s, energy sector. (Maybe I have a little bias )

For me, I think this bar might function like The Saturn Room in Tulsa- a place I love to go and treat myself to before or after a concert, but not necessarily in my regular rotation.

Bottom line is that I certainly want to go here more than Grandad's.

[Pete]

Went last night -- was there for several hours -- and had a rocking good time.

Had a big group that secured one of the seating areas, settled in and enjoyed everything about the place. It was absolutely heaving with people throughout the night and that's saying something because it's a pretty big place.

Also, since they only offer a couple of food items, they allow you to bring in outside food. So, some of us ordered a bunch of stuff from Back Door which is directly east.

It was a great mix of people and you know a bar is a big hit when there are more women than men.

[Urbanized]

Hang on...you mean women actually go to such a place? But...the marketing...I just assumed it would be an abject failure based on all of the complaining.