Last call for a 42-year-old Norman landmark is 2 a.m. Saturday morning.
The Lindsey Street location of O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille is closing down because OU will use the land. O’Connell’s started closing celebrations at the pub at the start of the new year, and the celebrations will culminate Friday at O’Connell’s.
Norman resident Janelle Borden came to O’Connell’s often when the pub first opened in 1968.
“It is a big shame to lose this tradition, you always see friends here,” Borden said.
Following an auction of the bar’s memorabilia at 4 p.m. Saturday, O’Connell’s owner Jeff Stewart will present the pub’s keys to the university during halftime of the Sooner men’s basketball game.
Stewart said O’Connell’s has raised a lot of money during the years for campus organizations, and its last week in business will be no different. O’Connell’s is holding an OU faculty and staff appreciation day today in which some of the bar’s proceeds will go to benefit university employees. This Friday will be OU Athletics Appreciation Day.
O’Connell’s also is selling commemorative mugs and T-shirts as part of its “Last Call on Lindsey” celebration.
Photo Gallery
O'Connell's brings green beer out early for St. Practice Day
After 42 years at the 120 E. Lindsey St. location, O'Connell's Irish Pub & Grille will close on Friday. During a week-long celebration the restaurant featured green beer on Monday for St. Practice Day since the original location will not be open on March 17. (Ashley West/The Daily)
On Saturday, O’Connell’s will open its doors for the last time to hold an auction of items in the bar. The money raised will be used as an endowed scholarship fund for undergraduates in the Division of Marketing and Supply Chain Management in Price College of Business, according to a release.
Stewart said he has a range of feelings about having to close the pub. He also said the thing he will miss most about the O’Connell’s on Lindsey is the people.
Stewart mentioned his sister Susan came up with the idea of holding “St. Practice Day” as a part O’Connell’s’ final celebration. The festivities were Saint Patrick’s Day themed and included Saint Patrick’s Day favorites such as Shamrock décor and 25 cent green beer.
Bartender Kade Poulson called the Lindsey Street location a restaurant staple of Norman. The Lindsey location has an older crowd, mostly made up of regulars, while the Campus Corner location is usually filled with college students, Poulson said.
Poulson said he was excited to see how the “Last Call on Lindsey” and “Saint Practice Day” celebrations will turn out. He had high hopes for a good turnout.
OU plans to begin construction soon after the closing of O’Connell’s.
“The area will be a pile of dirt by Valentine’s Day,” Stewart said.
Poulson works at both O’Connell’s locations. Most of the staff will work at the new O’Connell’s on Campus Corner once the Lindsey Street location closes, Stewart said.
EVENTS:
» Tuesday — OU staff appreciation day
» Wednesday — OU Police appreciation day
» Thursday — OU athletics appreciation day
» Friday — Former employee appreciation day
» Saturday — Live auction of O’Connell’s memorabilia at 4 p.m.
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