VISIT OKC’S URBAN HEART RIGHT ON ROUTE 66

Oklahoma City’s Uptown 23rd is a thriving urban district bustling with history, culture, and one-of-a-kind experiences. A key thoroughfare on the initial alignment of historic Route 66 from its birth in 1926, Northwest 23rd Street continues to serve as an essential entertainment and shopping destination for locals and global travelers.

Offering diverse nightlife, delicious dining, and the best of OKC’s music scene, Uptown 23^rd is a can’t-miss stop on the Mother Road.

A LIVE MUSIC UTOPIA with NIGHTLIFE TO SPARE

Perhaps every visit to Uptown should include the venerable hub of live music in Oklahoma City, the Tower Theatre.

Uptown’s iconic landmark was built in 1937 on Route 66 and gracefully revitalized in 2017. Now, international touring acts from every musical genre grace its stages, drawing concertgoers from throughout the region. In addition to a full calendar of monthly shows, the Tower hosts film nights and other cultural events. towertheatreokc.com.

Adjacent to the Tower lobby, Ponyboy has been an Uptown nexus of social convergence since its debut, which coincided with the Tower’s rebirth. The lively bar serves craft cocktails and a slew of local brews downstairs. Upstairs, a second bar greets patrons along with a stage showcasing OKC’s up-and-coming indie acts. Weekends at Ponyboy typically begin with live music and culminate in dance parties. ponyboyokc.com.

Just north of 23^rd Street on Robinson, Oklahoma City’s legendary (and recently spiffed up) Blue Note Lounge brings raucous crowds looking for live music, strong drinks, and a good time. The self-labeled dive bar attracts punk, hip-hop, and Americana acts, among other genres. Famously, Blue Note has hosted numerous musical luminaries over the years, including hometown heroes The Flaming Lips, who performed their first public live show there in 1984. Beyond music, Blue Note hosts the occasional drag performance and themed brunches (Example: Bluegrass Brunch).okcbluenote.com.

Immediately west of the Tower Theatre, Bunker Club delights with retro nuclear-age vibes and Atomic-era inspired beverages, served with a punchy post-punk soundtrack. Complimentary happy hour hot dogs for bar patrons add joyful sustenance. OKC Thunder NBA games are always on. bunkerokc.com/menu.

If the night’s young and you’re still feeling the vibe, check out Yours Truly to see and be seen (and dance, if inclined).yourstrulyokc.com.

DESTINATION DINING AND LATE-NIGHT BITES

If you’re craving more than bar food, Uptown offers a veritable food paradise ranging from celebrity chef cuisine to artisan tacos.

The grande dame of Uptown restaurants, Cheever’s Café wears the crown for casual, upscale dining in the district. The converted former flower shop consistently lands on every “best of” list of OKC dining establishments. Famously, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt chose Cheever’s to host the domestic doyenne, Martha Stewart, for dinner there. Despite its impressive wine list and daily seafood specials, Cheever’s is probably best known for its chicken-fried steak with jalapeño gravy. (Visit Uptown’s Route 66 Centennial Monument, located in the Cheever’s parking lot at NW 23^rd Street and Hudson.) cheeverscafe.com.

Big Truck Tacos still carries the torch for sit-down or take-out tacos in OKC, rivaling the most beloved taco trucks around the city. The housemade OMG and OMFG sauces perfectly accompany favorites like The Rancher, The Guardian, and Flaming Lips tacos. Don’t sleep on the Green Chile Pork tacos. The breakfast tacos are the best in OKC, but if you want them, get there before 10:30 a.m. Feeling frisky? The Fifth Amendment taco is a daily surprise, and no, they will not disclose what’s in it, no matter how persistent you are. If you’re patient, the Fifth Amendment ingredients are dutifully mentioned the next day on social media. bigtrucktacos.com.

Before the bars are signaling last call, late-night hunger pangs are satiated at the Phish-themed restaurant and bar, Guyutes. Eaters seeking vegan and gluten-free options will be rewarded with an expansive and creative menu. The rooftop patio with a second bar is a popular spot to take in the view. guyutes.com

Newly opened SER (to be, in Spanish) is an elevated taco destination in OKC and a sister concept to Guyutes. This cozy newcomer boasts a front-facing patio overlooking NW 23^rd and a Mex-Mex menu highlighting cochinita pibil tacos, moles, and more. Craft margaritas and a robust selection of Mexican beers round out the casually sophisticated environs.

Food Network mainstay Kevin Lee, the Oklahoma City celebrity chef who has now bested Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli twice on her namesake show, Alex vs. America, recently opened his Korean-inspired steakhouse concept, MAHT, to rave reviews. It anchors the prime corner of NW 23^rd and Walker. mahtokc.com.

For an OKC spin on the internationally famous El Reno onion burger, Tucker’s has been drawing crowds since its opening in 2011. The original location is at NW 23^rd and Hudson, but Tucker’s now boasts five locations. Foodies appreciate the hand-cut fries, regionally sourced beef, and fresh-made shakes.tuckersonionburgers.com.

Formosa Street Food & Bar, tucked between the Bunker Club and the Tower Theatre, offers diners a delectable array of shareable street dishes from owner Ivan Wong’s native Taiwan. The low-key, casual atmosphere is a go-to spot for Tower Theatre denizens pre-gaming or seeking an after-concert bite. Asian beers, sake, and creative cocktails complement the food menu. formosaokc.com.

No dinner should be complete without dessert, and Boom Town Creamery is always the answer. Just west down the block from MAHT, this artisan small-batch ice cream shop has built an obsessive following since opening in 2021. Boom Town insists on using as many local ingredients as possible and features rotating seasonal flavors. Non-dairy options are available. boomtowncreamery.com.

SHOPPING, TATS, AND MORE

Beyond dining, entertainment, and nightlife, Uptown is a hub for vibrant local businesses and unforgettable experiences.

23rd Street Body Piercing opened in 1995, and multiple generations of Oklahomans — and Route 66 visitors — have been queuing up to get bejeweled there since. More than a decade later, tattooing became street legal in Oklahoma, and 23^rd Street Body Piercing became one of the most beloved locations to get inked. There’s almost always a line, which is all you need to know. 23rdstreetbodypiercing.com.

Money Ruins Everything brings unique street wear and skateboards to the people. moneyruinseverything.com.

ABOUT THE UPTOWN 23^rd STREET MONUMENT

This Route 66 Centennial Monument, dedicated on November 26, 2024, marks a milestone in preserving the history of this iconic highway. Located at the corner of NW 23rd and Hudson, the monument is the sixth to be installed nationwide and the first in an urban district.

Scan the QR code on the sign to explore more about the history of Route 66 and discover all that Uptown 23rd — and monument destinations across the country — have to offer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Uptown 23^rd District: uptown23rd.com

Visit OKC: visitokc.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Uptown Route 66 Centennial Monument was made possible by the generous support of local donors and the tireless efforts of the Uptown 23rd District Association and the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission. Your contributions ensure that the legacy of Route 66 and Oklahoma City’s Uptown 23rd District will be celebrated for generations to come.