Nightlife Venues

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City's Automobile Alley entertainment district is one of the most exciting emerging entertainment neighborhoods in the South — a beautifully preserved automotive dealership corridor from the 1920s that has been transformed into Oklahoma's most vibrant concentration of craft bars, restaurants, and music venues. OKC's extraordinary economic growth (driven by energy industry prosperity and a remarkably business-friendly environment) has created the resources to invest in exceptional entertainment infrastructure.

Automobile Alley, Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Blue Door is Oklahoma City's most intimate and beloved music venue — a small McKinley Avenue room presenting outstanding singer-songwriter and folk acts in an atmosphere of remarkable musical community. Blue Door's extraordinary intimacy (it seats only 100 people) and its remarkable commitment to presenting outstanding acoustic music create a venue of genuine Oklahoma singer-songwriter cultural significance.

2805 N McKinley Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Bricktown is Oklahoma City's most celebrated entertainment district — a beautifully preserved 1890s warehouse district with a canal, outdoor entertainment venues, and the most concentrated bar and restaurant scene in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team's extraordinary impact on civic pride and the Bricktown district's role in OKC's remarkable downtown revival create an entertainment environment that reflects Oklahoma's extraordinary capacity for civic reinvention.

Bricktown, Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The Criterion is Oklahoma City's most important music venue — a beautifully converted Deep Deuce warehouse presenting outstanding rock, alternative, and country acts for Oklahoma City's growing arts community. OKC's remarkable transformation from a sleepy state capital to one of the South's most vibrant cities (the $36 million Bricktown Canal, the Chesapeake Energy Arena, and the extraordinary Devon Energy Center skyscraper represent billions in downtown investment) creates a nightclub of genuine Oklahoma urban renaissance significance.

500 E Sheridan Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Tower Theatre is Oklahoma City's most beloved music venue — a beautifully restored 1937 Film Row theater presenting indie, alternative, and folk acts for OKC's growing creative community. Oklahoma City's extraordinary transformation from a city devastated by the 1995 bombing to one of America's most economically vibrant mid-size cities has been accompanied by a remarkable cultural renaissance that Tower Theatre embodies in its consistent presentation of quality music.

425 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Tower Theatre is Oklahoma City's most atmospherically historic music venue — a beautifully restored 1937 Spanish Colonial theater in the vibrant Uptown 23rd District presenting outstanding concerts. OKC's Uptown 23rd District's remarkable arts community and Tower Theatre's extraordinary architectural character create a music venue of genuine Oklahoma urban arts significance.

425 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Cain's Ballroom is one of the most historically significant music venues in American history — a 1924 Tulsa garage where Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys performed every Saturday from 1935 to 1942, creating Western Swing music and broadcasting it live on the most powerful radio station in Oklahoma. Cain's extraordinary historical significance (it has been called "the Carnegie Hall of Western Swing") and its remarkable contemporary programming (it has presented the Sex Pistols, Arcade Fire, and every important touring act for 100 years) create a music venue of singular American music historical importance.

423 N Main St, Tulsa, OK 74103

Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Vanguard is Tulsa's most important live music venue — a downtown club presenting indie, alternative, and folk acts for Oklahoma's second-largest city music community. Tulsa's extraordinary music heritage (Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma; the Tulsa Sound produced J.J. Cale, Leon Russell, and Eric Clapton's greatest inspiration) creates a music market of profound American roots music significance.

222 N Main St, Tulsa, OK 74103

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Vanguard is Tulsa's most important independent music venue — a Main Street institution in the Blue Dome District presenting outstanding indie rock, alternative, and Americana acts. Tulsa's remarkable musical heritage (it was the birthplace of Waylon Jennings and J.J. Cale, and the city where Leon Russell created his extraordinary musical legacy) creates a nightclub culture of genuine American roots music significance.

222 N Main St, Tulsa, OK 74103