Tulsa’s Thriving Drinking Scene

This year, as the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma is getting a stirring reboot on Broadway, Tulsa, the second-largest city in the show’s namesake state, is experiencing a resurgence of its own. Compact and easy to navigate, it’s perfect for a weekend getaway. With its diverse offerings and creative locals, all set against the backdrop of the American prairie and Route 66, you may find yourself wanting to extend your stay.

Tulsa’s Resurgence

The Gathering Place, a $465 million public-space-meets-community-center-meets-theme-park developed by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, opened in 2018. Around that time, the foundation launched Tulsa Remote, a program offering $10,000 annual grants to encourage relocation and remote work in Tulsa. Artists and tech professionals from around the U.S. have embraced this opportunity, bringing food and drink culture along with them.

In recent years, the local drinking scene has boomed, with unique and varied experiences that might even make larger coastal cities like Boston or Seattle take notice. Interestingly, despite its central location in the United States—surrounded by prairies and interstates—Tulsa is evolving into a vibrant metropolis.

Valkyrie

On any given evening at Valkyrie, a bartender meticulously stirs a Manhattan while another scales a ladder, Spiderman-style, to retrieve a bottle of bourbon from a high shelf. The dimly lit bar, adorned with a pressed tin ceiling and exposed-brick walls, was buzzing with patrons—from tattooed creatives to professionals fresh from the office.

This whiskey-focused cocktail bar mirrors the trendy watering holes found in Brooklyn or San Francisco’s Tenderloin, yet it stands out in Tulsa’s increasingly hip Arts District, approximately one mile from the iconic Route 66.

Hodges-Bend

However, Valkyrie is not the only place crafting exceptional cocktails. Hodges-Bend, nestled in the East Village and a short stroll from Drillers Stadium, boasts vast windows, exposed-brick walls, a marble bar, and vintage charm. The drink menu features imaginative options like the Tobacco Old-Fashioned (rum, tobacco bitters, orange peel) and the Tiger Lilly (turmeric-infused mezcal, lime, honey, cilantro).

During the day, Hodges-Bend transforms into a cozy café, attracting locals for espresso drinks crafted with their exclusive house blend, as well as cold brew and other delights. A bistro-style menu accompanies the coffee.

Cirque

Cirque exemplifies the dual-concept café and bar very well. Located in the trendy Pearl District just east of downtown, this high-ceiling industrial-chic venue features an on-site roastery.

During daytime hours, patrons can enjoy single-origin coffee, creamy oat milk draft lattes on nitro taps, and unique creations like espresso with homemade tonic and sparkling water. The “Your Hair Looks Good Like That” is a must-try, combining nitro cold brew with an intriguing mix of spices and garnished with a flamed rosemary sprig.

As the sun sets, the menu transforms, rich with cocktail history and a diverse selection of both classic and original drinks.

Saturn Room

No drinking destination would be complete without a strong tiki bar presence. Saturn Room, a moody island-themed paradise in the Arts District, offers a rum-centric tiki drink menu. The custom-made “Golden Driller” tiki mugs are a delightful highlight of the experience, making it worth the trip to Tulsa.

Tulsa Brewery Hotspots

Unquestionably, breweries play a crucial role in Tulsa’s drinking culture. The city’s brewing community prioritizes quality and originality over sheer numbers. American Solera, which has received national accolades, specializes in oak-aged beers crafted over periods of up to 18 months. While the original tap room is located in South Boston (Sobo), a stunning new brewery is in development within The Pearl District.

Heirloom Rustic Ales, situated in the historic Kendall Whittier neighborhood, features an airy, sunlit taproom. This brewery is celebrated for its innovative brews and poetic descriptions, such as the kolsch referencing nostalgic memories associated with Ouija sessions and VHS tapes.

Ultimately, if that doesn’t capture Tulsa’s electrifying creativity, nothing will.