405 Magazine

01/15/2025

🥃 Say Hello to Later Bye 🥃

Palo Santo spins off an instant classic in Midtown, with Later Bye now officially open.

In March of 2020, one of the most promising craft cocktail bars in OKC made its debut in the Farmers Market District. Four days later, Palo Santo — and the rest of the city — shut down due to the pandemic. In spite of its precarious start, the bar, from California transplants Brian and Bailey Butler, not only survived, but thrived. It’s gone on to solidify itself as among the must-drink spots in town, and one of the foremost destinations for mixology. Now, four years-plus and one pandemic later, those same owners have branched out with a new bar, and one that could set the new standard for quintessential neighborhood bars in OKC. Say hello to Later Bye.

Considerably smaller than its elder sibling, though no less dazzling, Later Bye resides in a cozy nook of a space in Midtown, sandwiched directly behind The Harvey Bakery & Kitchen. Where Palo Santo feels airy, lofty and downright Californian, Later Bye feels more subtle, channeling the aesthetic energy of neighborhood corner bars in big cities like Chicago and New York. It’s fitting, then, that neighbors from nearby Mesta Park have so quickly added it to their walkable routine — it’s the kind of space where regulars are made, and where guests can share snacks while clinking martini glasses.

The long-simmering concept, which stemmed from the owners of the building having known the Butlers at Palo Santo, took shape as an intentionally intimate cocktail bar, with the goal of simply showcasing flavors that they craved.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/say-hello-to-later-bye-midtowns-latest-bar/

Story by: Matt Kirouac
Photos by: Rachel Maucieri

01/13/2025

👜 Too Good to Go 👜

January Fashion: Out with the Old — Well, Mostly.

When we think about the month of January, we often think of new beginnings, a clean slate and a chance to leave behind some of the baggage from the year before. But you wouldn’t leave behind a designer tote or crossbody bag — which is why I think we should focus on the pieces that did us so much stylistic justice in 2024. We saw a resurgence of the barn jacket, a structured piece to grab on the go. The lug boot brought us comfort without sacrificing the look, and its fusion with the western trend is sure to carry on into the year ahead. Statement pendants prove more is more without overdoing it, and a slip dress transcends trends. As you begin the calendar anew, it is important to acknowledge and embrace what came before, and carry yourself fashionably into the new year.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/january-fashion-out-with-the-old-well-mostly/

Story by: Bennett Hill
Veronica Beard, Arlen Dickey Coat: Gretta Sloane
Seychelles, Speak Up Boot: Betsy King Shoes
Zobel, Hematite Necklace: Naifeh Fine Jewelry
Zadig & Voltaire, Ramelil Butterflies Dress: Edit & Co.
John Hardy, Rata Chain Band Ring: BC Clark
Rag & Bone, Cami Chain Camera Bag: Cayman’s
Rachel Nathan, Trilogy Chain Bracelet: Refinery

01/10/2025

🌆 On the Horizon 🌆

2025 Trend Forecasting for Oklahoma City.

What does 2025 have in store for Oklahoma City? We asked our 405 Magazine monthly contributors to give us five things to look forward to in their areas of expertise. Read all about the restaurant and dining options that will be opening, upcoming interior design trends, hot new looks in fashion, innovations in local healthcare and what is on the horizon for city happenings. It stands to be a fantastic year with much to celebrate. Now you are in the know!

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/2025-trend-forecasting-for-oklahoma-city/

Written by: Matt Kirouac, Julie Partin, Evie Klopp Holzer, Bennett Hill, Lavinia Creswa and Jake Durham
Photo by: Flight Time OKC

01/08/2025

🎭 Finished Construction 🎭

Putting Community in Theatre at Carpenter Square.

In the southwest corner of the West Village District near downtown OKC, Carpenter Square Theatre has found its forever home. “We are in our 41st season and second full season at 1009 W. Reno. This is our fifth, and last, location,” said Artistic Director Rhonda Clark.

Clark has been involved with Carpenter Square Theatre in some capacity for the last 36 years. And after losing 30 years of furniture, props and equipment in a devasting fire a few years ago, the theatre company has been rebuilt better than ever. Clark is understandably proud of the new space that houses the theatre company: “Everything is now under one roof,” she said.

The theatre has approximately 120 seats with ADA accessibility, and Clark joked, “With about five and a half feet between each row, we have the most leg room in town.” Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the art gallery in the lobby which exhibits work from local, central-Oklahoma artists while having a beverage from the concession stand. “We are a small house, so our shows are up close and personal,” Clark noted. “Our audiences can immerse themselves in the p couterformance. If the actors are crying, you are going to see the tears roll down their face.”

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/carpenter-square-theatre-new-location-in-the-west-village-district/

Written by: Lavinia Creswa
Photos courtesy of Carpenter Square Theatre

01/06/2025

✨It’s that time again!✨ Every year, 405 Magazine asks readers to highlight the best that Oklahoma City and the 405 area have to offer. You choose the businesses that blow you away, the restaurants that serve top tastes, the exceptional entertainment and first-rate amenities that make life great in OKC.

With over 170 categories, you are able to nominate your faves for as many or few categories as you choose. Make sure to come back later to vote between the finalists for each category! Nominations will run Monday, Jan. 6 - Wednesday, Jan. 15. Voting for the finalists will be Monday, Jan. 27 - Sunday, Feb. 16. Winners will be announced May 1, 2025 in our print issue and on our website.

THE RULES: The Best of the 405 is 100% devoted to celebrating local excellence, so VOTE LOCAL! We accept one ballot per person. Ballots must include your full name and verified email address; your email will remain private and will not be shared. 405 Magazine reserves the right to reject any ballot that appears to violate the spirit of Best of the 405 or nominates entries in the incorrect categories. Thanks for participating! Choose “Start” to begin nominating in all categories, or scroll down to nominate for specific groups.

https://www.405magazine.com/2025-best-of-the-405/

405 Magazine is the definitive city and lifestyle magazine of central Oklahoma, featuring people, pla

01/06/2025

🏠 Stay Golden 🏠

Bold and fresh designs renew the Higginsons’ home in Rose Creek.

There was a time when Misty and Rick Higginson considered moving out of Rose Creek. Their beautiful Christopher Lee home was 20 years old, and they had already enjoyed living there for 12 years. Rick Higginson was on the verge of retirement. Plus, the Rose Creek golf course was in decline. Perhaps it was time for a new chapter.

Then, everything changed.

“Whenever the new owners bought Rose Creek about two and a half years ago or so, and we saw it coming around, we decided we wanted to stay,” said Rick Higginson.

To enhance their golden years, the Higginsons also decided to redesign their Rose Creek home and give their everyday surroundings new life. Interior designer Lauren Horton, with Micah and Co. at the time, collaborated with Jordy Acklin of Acklin Construction to transform the previously rustic and neutral interiors into more joyful designs.

“We made it much more modern and colorful and bold,” Horton said. “Knowing them, I just feel like it fits their personalities so much more.”

Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/misty-and-rick-higginsons-redesigned-rose-creek-home/.

Written by: Evie Klopp Holzer
Photos by: Korie Smith, KTM Interiors

01/01/2025

✨Fabulousness in the Forecast✨

Welcome to a new year! There is so much momentum in the Oklahoma City metro right now. It feels like our dreams of becoming a big-league city have now come to fruition.

One of the most exciting and intimidating parts of creating a magazine is anticipating what people will find interesting in the future. We create an editorial calendar the summer before the next year, so by the time a December issue comes out, its cover story has been planned for a year and a half. It’s called “trend forecasting,” and it is as much an art as a science.

When deciding how to compile an extensive list of all the hottest happenings coming up for Oklahoma City, we went straight to the experts - our own writers. As an editor, I have always been a believer in the monthly contributor model: people who live and breathe their “vertical” or “beat.” They are the ones who are the most passionate about the topic, and I think it comes through in our content. Style can be tweaked and formatting can be learned, but zeal cannot be taught. In this month’s cover feature, we help you get ready for what’s on the horizon for 2025 in food, fashion, design, health and city happenings. Reading through it made me so proud to be an Oklahoma City resident. The sky is the limit!

You will also find in our second feature the story of the innovative OKC eye care center celebrating its 50-year anniversary of serving central Oklahoma and beyond.

We are also delighted to introduce you to the dynamic architect who will further transform the downtown OKC skyline with the new arena and the artist passing on her southern art passion to hundreds of people at time at her studio in Guthrie.

In addition to the up-and-coming eatery openings in the cover story, we cover the new sushi restaurant in OKC’s Wheeler District that has everyone salivating.

I hope this issue finds you with the sun on your face, preparing for another wonderful year in the 405!

Read now: https://www.405magazine.com/issues/405-magazine/january-2025/

~ Julie Partin

Photo by Jacob Adam Walton

12/30/2024

🔒 Breakout Adventure 🔒

Stealth Escape Rooms’ quest for immersive excitement

Escape rooms have surged in popularity over the past decade, offering a unique blend of entertainment, critical thinking and immersive storytelling. From their early beginnings with simple puzzles in locked environments, escape rooms have developed into multi-sensory experiences. Stealth Escape Rooms in Midwest City is at the forefront of this evolution, combining passion, creativity and dedication to the escape room experience.

The escape room concept has evolved across four distinct generations. First-generation rooms focused on basic puzzles and padlocks, often centered around a simple “escape the box” concept. The second generation introduced electronic elements, secret passages and improved set design, centralizing themes and missions. Third-generation rooms emphasized immersive storytelling, with advanced technology like sensors and programmable puzzles enhancing player interaction. Fourth-generation escape rooms, or “smart rooms,” integrate cutting-edge tech, offering multiple outcomes, self-resetting features and complex narratives that enhance the overall experience.

Stealth Escape Rooms began eight years ago when founders Mel and Sharron Stinnett tried their first escape room challenge, called “Clara’s Diary,” in their hometown of Edmond. This activity ignited a passion that would shape their future. Over the years, they’ve tackled nearly two dozen escape rooms across the country, repeatedly testing their wits and loving every minute. What started as a thrilling pastime soon evolved into a calling — the desire to create their very own escape room, built from the ground up with a vision of excellence.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/stealth-escape-rooms-quest-for-immersive-excitement/

Written & Photos by: Jake Durham

12/26/2024

❄️ ’Tis the Season for Holiday Pop-ups ❄️

Special celebrations for a limited time

In the age of maximalist design and immersive experiences, restaurants and bars are increasingly going all out with holiday decor. A few baubles and garlands are not nearly enough anymore. Nowadays, it’s all about themed holiday pop-up experiences, complete with special menus, and festive parties that go above and beyond the call of eggnog duty. From special holiday events to full-blown pop-ups, here’s what’s on deck for holiday dining and drinking this season in OKC.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/christmas-cocktails-in-okc/

Written by: Matt Kirouac
Photos by: Melissa Hom

12/23/2024

👑 Crowning Glory 👑

Miss Oklahoma City’s legacy of pageant excellence

Before they wore the Miss Oklahoma and Miss America crowns, legends Jane Jayroe and Susan Powell started out by holding the title of Miss Oklahoma City. These women have been the only Oklahoma winners to date who went on to wear all three crowns, but they’re not the only metro area contestants who have received the opportunity to advance to bigger stages.

For many local titleholders, their stories began at the Miss Oklahoma City pageant, which celebrated its 101st anniversary this year. The first Miss America pageant was in September 1921, and two years later, Mary Dean Overby won the first Miss Oklahoma City competition. In 1923, 1924 and 1925, all three Miss Oklahoma City winners went on to win the Miss Oklahoma pageants and ended up placing in the top 10 in the Miss America pageant. The Miss America winner was announced as the most beautiful woman in America.

During Overby’s Miss America competition in Atlantic City, she wore several outfits, including an afternoon dress with a hat, an evening gown, dinner dress and a swimsuit, which a century ago was referred to as a sport suit.

Fourteen Miss OKCs have won the Miss Oklahoma title. Early in the Miss OKC pageant’s history, contestants were judged on swimsuit and evening gown presentation.

During its earliest years, Miss OKC pageants also would often have as many as 100 contestants. Today the average is about 21 competing for the Miss OKC crown and 14 for Miss OKC Teen. Each contestants is judged on a private interview, an on-stage question about her Community Service Initiative, evening gown, health and fitness that includes activewear and talent or her story.

Recently the Miss OKC crown found its way back to a familiar family: Deanne Luckinbill Gibson won the title in 1991, and this year her daughter, Elizabeth Gibson, was crowned Miss OKC 2025. Gibson is a nationally ranked adult figure skater, actress and social media influencer.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/oklahoma-city-legends-jane-jayroe-and-susan-powell/

Written by: Linda Miller
Photos: Courtesy of Oklahoma Historical Society

12/20/2024

🌲 Into the Woods 🌲

Evergreen cuttings branch throughout this seasonal setting

In this Wheeler District home with rustic and modern interiors, cozy furnishings and seasonal decorations combine for an inviting scene. Stylist Alice Decker of Decker8 Designs selected deep green velvet chairs with contemporary lines, a classic wooden table and a striped jute rug as the foundation for a winter-themed dining room. Her goal was to create an “effortless and relatable” feel by mixing greenery with things homeowners may already have on hand: simple dishware, shiny ornaments, antiques and thrift store finds.

Decker brought her own collection of brass candleholders in various styles and sizes for the table centerpiece. The mismatched and randomly placed candles play on the natural asymmetry of the evergreen branches, which were arranged down the center in place of a fabric runner. When asked about designing with fresh sprigs, she advised, “Don’t work toward too much symmetry or any point of perfection. Let your natural materials take on a life of their own and lie how they want to.” Golden drinkware and flatware frame the plaid napkins and leafy napkin rings to round out the place settings.

📚 Read more: https://www.405magazine.com/effortless-winter-style/

Written by: Evie Klopp Holzer
Photos by: Sara Stewart

12/18/2024

✨ Jewel Tones and Nostalgic Notes ✨

An elegant and bright pas de deux design this Christmas

As a former dancer, Mister Robert designer Cassidy Brunsteter knew exactly where to start creating a lush holiday moodboard. “For me personally, and for a lot of people, it’s such a tradition to grow up going to the Nutcracker ballet,” said Brunsteter.

The Mister Robert design team has noticed warm, dressy, inviting and timeless items emerging in both home and seasonal decor. “Jewel tones have been really making a comeback over the last few years, and that gives the same traditional feel,” said lead interior designer Keven Calonkey Carl. This is evident in the statement fabrics, trims and malachite teal and gold display tray and the Olivia Riegel gemstone-studded picture frame as well as the Bauble Stocking hand-stitched needlepoint ornament charm.

The moodboard is rounded out with vintage items and a classic nutcracker from Brunsteter’s personal collection she shares with her young daughter. We welcome the wonder and sparkle as we dance into the holiday season.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/jewel-tones-and-nostalgic-notes-a-holiday-moodboard/

Written by: Julie Partin
Photos by: Sara Stewart
Styled by: Keven Calonkey Carl, ASID, NCIDQ & Cassidy Brunsteter, Allied ASID of Mister Robert Fine Furniture and Design

12/16/2024

🧁 Baking With Vision 🧁

How Lauren Brooks Built Bakery Bling into a Glittering Success

Founded in 2014 by Lauren Brooks, “Bakery Bling” is transforming the baking industry with its luxurious, non-toxic, and fully edible “Glittery Sugar.” What began as an innovative solution for cocktail rimmers quickly grew into a beloved brand, offering whimsical gingerbread houses, designer cookie kits and edible cake toppers. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Bakery Bling operates out of a 100,000-square-foot facility, ensuring all products are nut-free, kosher, and crafted with the highest quality ingredients. Today, Lauren’s vision of creating safe, glittery products for families has become a household name, bringing joy and creativity to kitchens everywhere.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/baking-with-vision-bakery-blings-lauren-brooks/

Written by: Jake Durham
Photos by: Charlie Neuenschwander

12/14/2024

12/13/2024

👜 Belle of the Ballet 👜

Jewel tones and sparkle will make your festive look slay

Tale as old as time, The Nutcracker never ceases to capture the essence of the holiday season. This year, the Oklahoma City Ballet is breathing new life into its rendition of the seasonal spectacular with new sets, choreography, and costumes. As the cast and crew prepare to pull out all the stops, take the time to put yourself center stage with a few notes from the nutcracker himself. Boots are always a must for Oklahoma winters and are ready for any kickline you might find yourself in. Let your jewels reflect the dance of the sugar plum fairies, while your dress and jacket provide clean lines that are always on point. Lastly, tip your hat in homage to the iconic Nutcracker itself. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

1. ALC, Milo Clutch: Edit & Co.
2. Norman Covan, Medium Inside-Out Hoops: Naifeh Fine Jewelry
3. IRO, Belize Dress: Gretta Sloane
4. Bugatti Italy, KISS Nutcracker: B.C. Clark
5. ALC, Eliza Suit Jacket: Edit & Co.
6. Cecelia NY, Noel Woven Boot: Betsy King Shoes
7. Gigi Burris, Samira Hat: Gigi Burris Millinery

📚 Read more in our December issue: https://www.405magazine.com/issues/405-magazine/december-2024/

Written by: Bennett Hill

12/12/2024

🍞 Sourdough Art 🍞

Visual love in every loaf

There’s artistry in every facet of cooking, baking and mixology, from the composition of a dish to the garnish atop a cocktail. But when edible art is on the Christmas list, there’s nothing quite like a creative loaf of bread. With the holidays upon us, parties to attend and supper tables to fill, it’s the prime season for sourdough art.

Quite simply, sourdough bread art is the process in which bakers score and shape their loaves before baking, to create a final product marked by intricate textures and shapes. These can be as simple as a line, designed to control the dough’s expansion in the oven and keep it from cracking, or something more elaborate and original, which accomplishes the same scientific task while also using the dough as a blank canvas for an edible showpiece that would look right at home at the center of a holiday spread.

That kind of edible art is on display at establishments like Edmond’s Twisted Tree Baking Company, which chef/owner Robert Black described as a European-style bakery specializing in hand-crafted, old-world-style breads and pastries. And a big part of that hand-crafted approach is in the art of it all.

📚 Read more: https://www.405magazine.com/fresh-sourdough-in-okc/

Written by: Matt Kirouac
Photos by: Rachel Maucieri

12/11/2024

🩰 The Nutcracker’s New Look 🩰

An exquisite spin on a holiday classic

The holiday season is full of tradition — and for many locals, that includes seeing The Nutcracker performed by Oklahoma City Ballet year after year. Between the incomparable score by Tchaikovsky and the illustrative dancing on stage, audiences of all ages are captivated by the classic story of Clara and her toy nutcracker as they battle the Mouse King.

What is it about Oklahoma City Ballet that has guests returning to see this annual treat? While some may argue that ballet is a stagnant art form, OKC Ballet’s artistic director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye continues to re-imagine this timeless tale. “We’re not merely staging a performance; we’re crafting a warm, wholesome holiday story, and a visually stunning masterpiece for our audience,” said Jolicoeur-Nye.

The focus of the ballet continues to be just that: the incredible ballet dancing of both the professional company and students of the Yvonne Chouteau school. But this year, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Devon Energy and The Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker will look completely different.

Everything from the sets to props and even the lighting design have been updated for the 2024 season, which begins Saturday, Dec. 14 and runs through Monday, Dec. 23. The Nutcracker will feature new choreography by Jolicoeur-Nye, as well as new characters to accompany Clara along her journey to the magical Land of the Sweets. But the most exciting — and impressive — change to this year’s production is likely the new costumes for the entire cast.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/the-okc-nutcrackers-new-look/

Written by: Lavinia Creswa
Photos by: Hannah Hudson and Shevaun Williams

12/09/2024

🎄 Shine On 🎄

There’s no place like this Gaillardia home for the holidays

Even in spaces that are consciously, cheerfully beautiful all year long, the holidays are when some homes truly shine. The McElroy family moved into this stunning Gaillardia home in July of 2022, enlisting Taylor Malone of Dovetail Studio to help them renovate the master suite and kitchen, and select fixtures and furniture — a collaboration that resulted in spaces that are welcoming and traditional with modern twists. Warm oak paneling pairs well with bright white walls; the cozy library is made contemporary with a pair of aqua velvet chairs and a chandelier of glass orbs; and the powder bath’s original black and white floral wallpaper stands out with the addition of a fluted vanity in eggplant purple.

And each November, Malone and her business partner Natalie Turner — they also co-own Millésime House, a home décor shop — outdo themselves in outfitting the McElroy house with Christmas decorations. On the front porch, a lighted evergreen swag frames the archway, and wreaths with velvet ribbons hang atop the double doors, while garlands drape elegantly along the banister and the mantel inside. A mix of faux and fresh greenery brings the best of both worlds: longevity and the crisp scents of evergreen, cranberry and eucalyptus. In the foyer, a round stone table stands ready to hold platters of food, while gold and glass boxes filled with ornaments and topped with ribbons resemble a pile of presents.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/home-for-the-holidays-in-gaillardia/

Written by: Emily Payne
Photos by: Sara Stewart