OKC’s The Boom listed in top 200
by Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief
Oklahoma City’s own, The Boom, was recently named one of the “200 Greatest Gay Bars in the World.” Although the award came from another publication…none-the-less, we’re proud of The Boom, a great venue in the OKC gay bar scene.
“I had no idea it was happening,” said John Gibbons, co-owner of The Boom. “I got a text from one of our bartenders saying ‘congrats for being one of the top 200 in the world’ and I thought what is he talking about?”
Gibbons said the bartender then called him and said, “You just won this ‘Greatest Bar’ contest.”
“By the time I got back to the house, I went to the Boom Facebook page and it [the article] was there,” added Gibbons. “It took me a while to comprehend what this meant for us, where we began ten years ago and what a process this has been from over there to where we are now.”
“Over there” refers to when the Boom was located in the early years on 36th near May. They built and relocated to their current location on 39th St. in 2009.
Gibbons said he was totally shocked when he heard they won this award.
“I was also very surprised. I did not see that coming,” added Kitty Bob Aimes, co-owner with Gibbons. “I think it is quite an honor and it’s nice after ten years to be recognized by someone on the outside. We have great things said by our patrons, other business owners, and so forth…but on a worldwide level.”
The two said they have no idea how we were selected or who nominated them. One of their bartenders knew that ‘a guy’ from Out Magazine had been there, but they don’t even remember when.
The writer said of The Boom: The Boom's resident drag star Renee Hilton and her drag queen sisters are some of the best in the city, but you can only go to one event here, make sure it's this restaurant/bar's gospel Sunday brunch.
Kitty Bob writes all the scripts for Sunday Gospel Brunch as well as doing most of the costuming for the shows performed at The Boom. She writes quizzes, children’s sermons, the heavenly thoughts and spends about six to seven hours a week on just the Sunday Brunch script. She gets help from a news source where she gets ideas on current ‘nutty’ events.
The Boom has many special shows throughout the week including Tuesday Night Karaoke with Angela “Supa Stud,” Kitty Bob & Ginger’s Dinner Show on Wednesday, Trashy Thursday, a Drag Show every Friday, The Boom Girl’s Review on Saturday, Sunday Gospel Brunch and a variety of special events (they’re closed Monday’s).
The Boom is located at 2218 NW 39th. Visit their Facebook page for weekly updates about the shows.
August 25, 2013