Oklahoma Man Creates Straight-Edge Lounge In Friend's Memory

A local man has opened what he says is the only sober bar in Tulsa.

In 2019, Jeff Thompson was inspired to open Straight-Edge Lounge after he lost a good friend to an alcohol overdose. Over the past two years, non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails have become the third fastest-growing drink category in the U.S. according to data company Numerator.com

Thompson stopped by the Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch to talk about how his pop-up speakeasy has been taking off across town

Thank you for joining us Jeff, tell us about Straight Edge Lounge.

Straight-Edge Lounge is an alcohol-fee haven from the traditional bar scene that retains the nightlife energy and community aspects of a neighborhood bar. We feature late-night programming such as yoga, trivia, live music, poetry, comedy & karaoke. We also plan to offer access to evening mental health & substance-abuse counseling and resources.

Since we focus only on zero-proof beverage craft, our selections eclipse anything currently available in Tulsa. Fresh juices, a full coffee bar, zero-proof cocktails, NA beer and wine as well as kid-friendly options. Our speakeasy is more than a destination restaurant and venue. Our program offers job and life skills training focused on “second-chance employment” for individuals exiting the justice system.

Why and when were you inspired to open a sober speakeasy pop-up?

In 2019, a friend and fellow restauranteur died from an alcohol overdose, highlighting the painful reality of our industry's alcohol and drug problem. In my 40-plus years as a restaurant industry veteran, (and 22 years as a recovering addict) I've seen countless lives lost & ruined as a result of addiction.

Restaurant staff have a uniquely stressful job, which often has them leaving work at 10 pm or later with nowhere to turn except local bars for a human connection & a chance to unwind. While there is nothing wrong with bars per se, when there is no alternative, it can put people who may be struggling with excessive drinking in a precarious position.

What if there was a place where people could gather in the late evening hours, and connect and socialize in an atmosphere free from temptation where interaction was fueled by connection and community instead of alcohol?

Can you tell us about the next few events you will find Straight Edge?

We have a “semi-permanent” home at Coracle Coffee at 314 S. Cincinnati Ave. Our speakeasy takes over every Thursday thru Sunday after Coracle closes.

Current hours are Thursday thru Saturday: 7 pm to 11:11 pm. And Sunday: 5 pm to 10 pm.

We will also be one of the vendors at Wild Brew in August.

To learn more about Straight-Edge Lounge CLICK HERE