Jose F.
Yelp
First of all, I am not from Lawton. I lived here from '98 to '05 and come back from time to time to see relatives and old friends. I was here recently and low and behold, I found this gem. The Side Bar is a true diamond in the rough of what is Lawton, Oklahoma. The owner(s) is definitely not a local and why he would live here is beyond me. BUT the ambiance, decor, and cosmopolitan look is very well done and stands up with any great bar in Deep Ellum or Lower Greenville. It's only when the clientele open their mouths do you realize, "yup, I'm still in Lawton, Oklahoma."
The bartenders are not just cute but actually were attentive (more so than many places in Dallas) and, considering it is Lawton, Oklahoma, know what a Manhattan is as well as an Old Fashioned. Unfortunately they served without rye but I don't hold it against them (looking at you management/owner) because I was immediately told about it. I'm looking forward to asking for a sazerac or a cosmopolitan on my next visit so hopefully they have the goods.
The only issue I had with the staff (IF he is on the payroll) was some idiot who treated the music as his own personal playlist; diverse clientele be damned. Even the bartenders were annoyed at him but he straightened up once the owner was on site. Also, there is a lot of smoke/vaping but I give that a pass since, well, it is Lawton, Oklahoma.
PROS: Atmosphere; diverse crowd; attentive bartenders who knew how to make a drink without googling it; owner seems cool
CONS: CASH ONLY (but there is an ATM just outside); may be out of liquor for classic cocktails; smoking/vaping; idiot wannabe DJ
In closing: I would have given a 5 star if the liquor was stocked (in spite of the idiot dj). BUT I will be back again and have already recommended to the locals I know there