Ultimate Guide to Nightlife | The Presley Apartments

Oklahoma City’s nightlife has something for just about every kind of night out. You can grab cocktails at a hidden speakeasy, bowl a few frames with friends, listen to live music, find a rooftop with a view, dance to a DJ, or keep things casual over local beer.

Midtown and Automobile Alley are two of the best places to start. Located next to each other near Downtown Oklahoma City, these districts put a wide variety of bars, restaurants, lounges, and entertainment within a relatively compact area. Venture just a little farther into the surrounding downtown districts, and there are even more options to explore.

Living at The Presley puts many of these popular Oklahoma City entertainment districts within easy reach. When you are ready to plan your next night out, here are some of the best nightlife spots near Midtown, Automobile Alley, and Downtown OKC.

Nightlife in Midtown OKC

Located on the northern edge of downtown and just west of Automobile Alley, Midtown is one of Oklahoma City’s go-to areas for an evening out. The neighborhood has everything from low-key cocktail bars to lively group hangouts, making it easy to find a spot that fits the night you have in mind.

Lunar Lounge

If you like finding places that feel a little hidden, Lunar Lounge deserves a spot on your list. Tucked away in Midtown Plaza Court, this celestial-themed speakeasy offers specialty cocktails in a more intimate setting.

Even finding the entrance is part of the experience. Look for the moon-shaped button that leads the way inside.

Lunar Lounge is a great choice for date night, cocktails with friends, or the first stop before heading somewhere livelier later in the evening.

Fassler Hall

For a more social atmosphere, Fassler Hall is one of Midtown’s longtime nightlife staples. The German-inspired beer hall offers plenty of room for groups, a large beer selection, food, happy hour specials, and regular weekly events.

Depending on the night, you may find trivia, bingo, live entertainment, or simply a crowd gathering for drinks. Its communal atmosphere makes it especially easy to choose when you are planning a night out with a larger group.

Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge

Right downstairs from Fassler Hall is Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge, a retro-inspired bowling alley with 12 lanes and a full bar.

The vintage atmosphere makes it a fun alternative to a traditional bar night. Grab a group of friends, order a round of drinks, and see who can actually remember how to keep score without a screen doing it for them.

It is also easy to combine Dust Bowl and Fassler Hall into one night without having to go anywhere else.

O Bar

For drinks with a view, head to O Bar at the Ambassador Hotel. The rooftop bar overlooks the city and offers cocktails, wine, small bites, and a more elevated atmosphere.

It is a good option for date night, happy hour, or starting the evening somewhere a little more relaxed. O Bar also regularly hosts Music Over Midtown, bringing live music to the rooftop on select evenings.

Nightlife in Automobile Alley

Head east from Midtown and you will quickly find yourself in Automobile Alley. The historic stretch of North Broadway Avenue has become one of Downtown Oklahoma City’s most recognizable districts, with restaurants, local businesses, breweries, cocktail bars, and late-night destinations filling its former automobile showrooms and surrounding buildings.

Shots on Rocks

If you are looking for a livelier night out, Shots on Rocks brings a lounge and nightlife atmosphere to Automobile Alley.

The bar pairs cocktails and food with live DJs and an upscale lounge setting. It is open late and serves late-night food Thursday through Sunday, making it a good choice when dinner turns into a full night out.

It is also designed with celebrations and groups in mind, so it can be an especially fun option for birthdays, weekend plans, or meeting up with a larger group of friends.

The SoundBar

Music lovers should add The SoundBar to their list. This vinyl listening lounge combines cocktails with a carefully curated music experience, giving it an atmosphere that stands out from a typical bar.

Guests can listen to records while enjoying a drink and even browse a selection of vinyl and vintage audio gear. It is a great choice when you want somewhere social but still relaxed enough to actually have a conversation.

Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar

Sidecar is another Automobile Alley option for cocktails, wine, and drinks with friends. Its lounge-style atmosphere makes it an easy destination for happy hour, a date, or drinks before heading somewhere else downtown.

If your ideal night out is more about good cocktails and conversation than a packed dance floor, Sidecar is worth adding to the rotation.

Prairie Artisan Ales

Oklahoma has built a strong craft beer scene, and Prairie Artisan Ales has become one of its most recognizable names. Its Automobile Alley taproom gives beer fans the chance to explore Prairie’s creative lineup in a casual setting.

It is an easy choice for an after-work drink or a laid-back night with friends, especially if your group would rather try a flight of local beer than order cocktails.

Worth the Short Trip: More Nightlife Near Downtown OKC

One of the best parts about going out around Midtown and Automobile Alley is that you are already close to several other Oklahoma City entertainment districts.

If you are willing to venture a little farther, there are even more nightlife destinations worth checking out.

The Jones Assembly

Located in the West Village District, The Jones Assembly combines a restaurant, bar, live music venue, and outdoor patio into one destination.

You can make an entire evening out of dinner and drinks or plan your visit around a concert. The venue hosts local and touring artists throughout the year, making it one of the better options near Downtown OKC when live music is the main event.

Even without a show on the calendar, the bars and patios make The Jones Assembly a popular destination for a night out.

Truck Yard

Truck Yard brings a laid-back, outdoor hangout to the OKC nightlife scene with food trucks, drinks, live music, and plenty of space to gather with friends. The large indoor-outdoor venue has a casual backyard feel, making it an easy choice for everything from an afternoon drink to a night out.

With a rotating lineup of food trucks, regular live music, games, and plenty happening throughout the week, there is usually something different to check out each time you visit.

FlashBack RetroPub

A bar filled with arcade games from the '80s and '90s? That is exactly what you will find at FlashBack RetroPub in the West Village.

The retro arcade bar combines drinks with a huge collection of classic games, including arcade cabinets and old-school gaming consoles. The games are set to free play for patrons, so you can grab a drink and spend the night challenging your friends without stocking up on quarters.

It is an especially fun option for groups or anyone looking for something more interactive than sitting at a traditional bar.

Planning Your Night Out in OKC

The best part about nightlife near Midtown and Automobile Alley is that you do not have to stick to one type of experience.

Want something casual? Start with local beer at Prairie or Fassler Hall. Planning date night? Try cocktails at Lunar Lounge or take in the skyline at O Bar. Going out with a group? Bowl at Dust Bowl, play arcade games at FlashBack, or head somewhere with a DJ. If live music is more your style, check the calendars at The Jones Assembly or Tower Theatre.

You can also mix and match destinations throughout the evening. Start with dinner, move on to an activity, and finish the night with cocktails without having to venture far from Downtown Oklahoma City.

Keep in mind that hours, events, live music, specials, and entertainment schedules can change, so check with individual businesses before heading out.

Explore More of Oklahoma City Near The Presley

A great location makes it easier to experience more of the city you call home. The Presley’s location on N. Lincoln Boulevard puts residents near Midtown, Automobile Alley, Uptown 23rd, Downtown OKC, the Paseo Arts District, and other popular areas for dining, entertainment, shopping, and nightlife.

That means your plans do not have to look the same every weekend. Catch a concert, find a new cocktail spot, meet friends for a game of bowling, discover a local brewery, or explore another OKC district.

When some of the city’s best places to eat, drink, and spend an evening are nearby, there is always something new to add to your list.