Tulsa's Celebrity Restaurant Closes Permanently After Reopening For Holiday Season

A Tulsa restaurant that has been known for its fine dining for almost six decades said farewell Thursday night.

Celebrity Restaurant near 31st and Yale reopened this holiday season so guests could enjoy eating there one more time. While the owners are still trying to figure out the future of the restaurant, one thing is for sure: This place means so much to so many people.

News On 6 was there as some of the last people dined at Celebrity. Linda Ree said she remembers her first time here when the restaurant opened in 1963.

"You had to bring your own bottle, you had to know somebody, and we were working for him and he got us all in," recalled Ree.

Ree really enjoyed this last visit to the restaurant with her family.

“It's part of my life,” said Ree. “I don't want it to close."

Johnna Hayes, Co-owner of 3 Sirens Restaurant Group, said closing Celebrity is what is best for the company.

Hayes said the group bought the restaurant in 2019, did a quick remodel, opened for a few months and then the pandemic hit.

Hayes said most of the restaurant's clientele and employees are older, and many chose to stay home.

"Between staffing and getting enough people in here, we just thought it was best to close down until this season and then do this," explained Ree.

Employees, like Gloria Byrd who has been here 15 years, said they are grateful for the extra time to make more memories.

"On anniversaries, birthdays, special occasions, and it's a part of me as well,” said Byrd. “So, I just want to say ‘thank you’ because they've helped me in my life."

As for what's next with the business, Hayes said the property and the restaurant name and rights could be sold separately to the right person.

"The future is whatever the public wants it to be,” said Hayes. “If somebody wants to swoop in here and get it, I think that would be great."

Perhaps these rooms will be full of chatter and the halls will be decked again one day.