Norman native Claire Hampton had a relatively brief stint as a bartender in OKC before making the jump to ownership when an opportunity arrived in the form of Good Times, the best little dive bar in OKC. Formerly Fat Dog, the Western Ave. space already had one of the best patios in the metro — partially enclosed, pet friendly, and spacious — but it was Hampton who brought together all the elements to make her dive bar something so good that it’s weird to call it a dive. With the addition of rotating murals (the current one is by wunderdind Carlos Barboza) the patio is even more inviting, and with Belvedere the Yellow-Eyed Cat for company, it’s the perfect place to hang out with Chef Evan McCullough‘s delicious food and the bar team’s excellent cocktails, especially the frozen options. McCullough’s rotating weekly features are one of the draws, as is Burger Night (every Monday).

Photo by Lexi Hoebing

I wrote about Good Times a few years ago for a local publication, and Hampton talked about all aspects of the bar, and we finally got to the decor near the end of the conversation. In addition to the wall of Polaroids, there is an eclectic collection of pop culture kitcsh, memorabilia, and nostalgia triggers. I wrote:

“Someone will ask about the decor. Someone always does. So imagine two high friends, late on a weeknight, supposed to be studying but talking about movies and music, and the conversation meanders through everything they like about pop culture. Now, take all those references, find a poster for each reference, throw in some art from friends, hang it on the walls, and say, as Hampton put it, ‘We just chose cool shit we love.’ It perfectly nails the aesthetic, the booze, and the food.”

Over the past few months, Hampton and McCullough have turned Good Times’s sandwich game into a must-try; the bologna sandwich was one of the best things I have had this year. It will return, along with a Brandy Ice, in the fall, and we’re ready for it! Buttressed by a phenomenal bar team, Hampton has turned the tucked-away spot into a destination for industry professionals, food nerds, and a cast of regulars who just love the vibe Hampton has created. Worth noting, Stonecloud has created a beer in honor of Belevdere, and yes, the can is yellow, and yes, it’s always available.