The Vault
The Vault is an absolutely adorable mid-century re-boot of the old First National Auto Bank at 6th and Cincinnati in the Deco District. What was once the world’s large drive-thru bank in years past, The Vault now uses this location to serve classic dishes using organic and natural ingredients. The cobb salad is one of the best salads I’ve had in Tulsa.
But — alas — we’re here to talk about fun bars and drinks.
If you’re into the whole mid-century modern take on art, design, furniture, and architecture, you’re going to want to get over to this place soon. It’s a time capsule.
The atrium of this building — once a bank lobby — is now the dining area for this restaurant. A long elegant bar lines the southern edge of the room. The craft cocktails are made of fresh-squeezed juices, house-made syrups, and high quality spirits. This is reflected in the flavor and presentation of their drinks.
Favorites of ours include Hemmingway’s Daiquiri — a pleasantly tart little chilled cocktail — as well as their spin on the classic Mai Tai. We love Mai Tais and we will confidently say that The Vault makes a hell of a Mai Tai; served in a classic tiki mug with a sprig of mint, a slice of orange, and a little umbrella.
The Downside:
Like some of the other places on this list, the drinks and food cost a little more at The Vault, but they’re worth every penny. Just like the Saturn Room, if you want quality, you’re going to pay a little more for it. That’s this place in a nutshell. We’re gladly paying.
There you have it.
There’s no reason to go to a bar that doesn’t offer much more than a person other than yourself pouring your drinks. A good bar or pub should have a spirit of its own — a spirit made up of the atmosphere, the patrons, the service, and the general vibe.
These places have that. You can go to any of these (and dozens more that weren’t on this list) and receive top notch service and quality, but these 12 places really have the type of environment that takes a building and makes it into what feels like more of a living thing.
Why is that so important? Because these are the places you meet up with buddies to celebrate. These are the places we visit to decompress after a long day of work. These are the places we rekindle old friendships and romances.
There’s a reason these businesses stay well-patronized — here’s a hint: a big part of it is a great environment and a unique concept.