First let me make it clear the scope of this thread is all late night businesses... the existing threads are more or less food-focused and I was hoping to start a new thread covering broader topics.

So if you've read the latest Kevin Durant interview again outsiders are complaining that there isn't enough to do here late at night. Rather than perpetuate the "no there isn't / yes there is," I wanted to try and identify things that people do in other cities that you might like to do here. Also, if there are late night dining or entertainment options already available this would be a good thread to discuss those in.

Dining - I think we all agree that we have many breakfast-serving late night options. We also have one or two sushi restaurants that are open and serving until midnight (Sushi Neko, In the Raw), and there are lots of bars open until 2 a.m. that serve a "late night menu" (e.g. fried foods) from midnight to about 1:30 a.m. What other options do we have? Is the Chinese place on 15th in Edmond that does Karaoke until like 4 a.m. still there? I guess there's Pita Pit. I have been to cities that had 24 hour Jewish delis, sushi, even fine dining. Anyone know of any options like this?

Gambling - No we're not Vegas, but you know often times people completely ignore the fact that we have several Vegas-like casinos (including restaurants) in the metro which are open 24/7. For someone flying in, they might actually have fun going someplace like this. I wonder why it is never mentioned... it's almost as if city leaders and politicians view them as the city's dirty secret.

Movies - I used to visit friends in Chicago and we would go to these late-night (after midnight) movie festivals all the time. Nothing bad, although I'm sure those were to be found somewhere too. More like anime festivals, weird cult classics, true classic movies and so on. Most of these places served beer and liquor. I know of only the Warren that serves alcohol and I am not aware of any theaters in the metro that run shows past midnight (except the occasional Warren or AMC showing that goes late, or special new blockbuster release). Do we have those? What about cultish movie theaters? Are they open late?

Arcades - Well we have Dave and Busters now, they are open until midnight, 1:00 a.m. on the weekends. There's Hey Day but that is more little kid focused and it isn't open that late. At one time there were many pool halls around the metro but there don't seem to be many left now... but maybe someone knows of some that are open late whose clients don't look like something out of Zombieland. Yes I realize there are bars which happen to have pool tables in them around town. What about nostalgic 80's arcades like Einstein's in Austin? Do we have anything like that here, and is it open late? I hear Norman used to long ago.

Other Entertainment/Live Shows - Excluding strip clubs, are there any performances, poetry readings, or live music venues that operate after 2 a.m.? I guess the new "burlesque" place in Bricktown is open until 1:30ish like everything else down there. What else do we have?

Museums - Anything remotely like a museum open past 10 p.m. in the metro? When I've been to LA I know that I have been to many weird places late at night along the Hollywood strip, including a wax museum. Anything at all here?

Bars/Clubs - I think we have that one covered in Oklahoma. Although it is surprisingly hard to find "bottle service" here compared to other metropolitan areas and just generally upscale stuff.

Lively Districts - In Illinois, Florida, California, actually even in Texas, I have been out long past midnight and there are districts that are absolutely alive and bustling with people, there are food vendors everywhere, there are trinket shops and record stores open, etc. Do we have anything like this after 2 a.m., or even after midnight? Bricktown is sort of a valid answer, but only really on weekends... sort of. Midtown has bars and places open, but it seems like there are never people walking around, they're all inside drinking. The Paseo is sometimes like this, but very infrequently and usually just following an art show night. Any places regularly like this?

Bookstores/weird coffee shops/etc. - I know at one point we had some of these. I am guessing there must be at least some coffee places that are open very late in the OCU area. What are they?


I wanted to start this thread because it seems like, with the NBA now here, we are constantly seeing articles about how there is nothing to do in OKC late at night. I also see city leaders or just randoms constantly saying we have things to do you just have to look harder. So I am taking a hard look. I agree we have bars and some restaurants open late. So let's talk about everything else. It'd be great if there are some hidden gems out there that I and others are not aware of... let's talk about them here.

Cactus Jacks for arcades. I think it's still around. It's off of 10th and Council.

I'm interested in this thread for my own personal use as well. The last few years of arch school have really screwed up my sleep schedule, so my prime-time is pretty much around 10 pm-3 am. The only North American places I've been lately where that is really accommodated are Austin and Vancouver. I bet Dallas, too..haven't "been out on the town" there in a long time though.

I mentioned this in another thread but the presumption is that places in OKC close earlier than in bigger cities. I don't think that is necessarily true; I think it's more the case of in bigger cities there are simply more places, so while the percentage of places staying open late isn't higher, the raw number is -- which is hardly a revelation.


Having said that, Red Pin Bowling is open until 11PM on Thursday and 1AM on Fri/Sat.



And there are lots of food / hang-out options such as:

McNellie's is open until 2AM every night of the week.

Not sure about the new location on 9th but the S&B on N. May is open until midnight on the weekends.

Iguana's site says they are open at least until 10PM on weekdays and 11PM on weekends.

And what about the late-night food truck event on Hudson?

These are great, keep them coming.

I've been talking to some friends about the H&8th food truck event but as I understand it, the thing is on hiatus until spring.

I bet Dallas, too..

It seems like many of their fun areas have sort of declined recently. It's hard to say precisely how. It's just not what it was.

Harkins Theater has some 11PM start times on Fri and Sat. They also premier some blockbusters at midnight on Thursday.

This hardly gets mentioned but the old Kamps (Kamps Lounge) at 25th & Classen has raging dance parties Wed through Saturday -- our own Ed Crunk spins Robotic Wednesday. The place is packed and people stay very late.

Angles on 39th used to be really busy on certain weekdays (and always on the weekends) but I'm not sure about what is happening there now. It's always been a pretty mixed crowd as opposed to strictly gay.

There are also various raves that move around; I know they've done them at the old Farmer's Market and elsewhere. Ed would know more.

BTW, Republic is open every night until midnight and until 1AM on Thu - Sat.

In addition to food, drinks and hanging out, it's a great sports bar with a soon to be expanded patio.

You know, it occurred to me that when I was a young adult in OKC, throughout the 80's my friends and I never had a shortage of places to go late at night.

Back then, we'd usually start at the T-Bar or the Sunset Serenade at the Waterford maybe have dinner at Tony's Italian Specialties, Mamasita's or similar, then move on to one of many clubs, like Dax, Russell's at the Marriott, Confetti or even The Varsity. I don't ever remember running out of options... And there are literally hundreds more places now versus then.

Michael Murphy's Dueling Pianos is open until 2AM Thu - Sat.

Starbucks in LB is open until 10:30PM every night and 11PM Fri/Sat.

Toby Keith's is open until midnight Fri/Sat.

Baker Street has karaoke every Monday until 1:30AM.

Russell's has karaoke as well but their website seems to be down.

The Fox & Hound is open every night until 2AM and has a bunch of pool tables (I'm sure there are bunch of other places that fit this category as well).

The Bobo's Chicken food truck is open at least until 3AM on Fri/Sat at NE 23rd & Hood.

VZD is open every night until midnight and 2AM Fri/Sat. They have a lot of live music and have even done movie screenings in the past.

The Loony Bin has 10:30PM shows Fri/Sat (as well as 8PM) and a 9PM show on Sunday. Wed/Thu shows are 8PM.

In addition to all the dance clubs and live music venues, I noticed that the Blue Note routinely has shows on Sunday that start at 9:30PM and feature multiple acts.

On Sundays at 10PM, the Drunken Fry features the Oh No Variety Show which is part sideshow, part comedy, part magic.

They also have Punk Rock Tuesdays starting at 10PM.

For those who like to wear boots late at night, Grahams is open until 2AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Cowboys/Club Rodeo is open until 2AM on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Harkins Theater has some 11PM start times on Fri and Sat. They also premier some blockbusters at midnight on Thursday.


The last show actually starts 12:30am or later on Friday and Saturday nights at Harkins. They've gone as late as 1:00am starts (but that's not often).

1492 serves until 11 on friday and Sat night .. and louies midtown is open until 2 every night but sunday (12) also ludivine bar is open until 2 6 nights a week

Jamil's on N Lincoln is open until 10 pm Mon-Thu and open until 11 pm on Fri & Sat.

Turns out several places in Campus are now open until 4 a.m.

Like someone else mentioned Harkins has movie premier's late Thursday nights/ Friday mornings at 12am. Now Tinseltown, AMC Quail Springs, and Warren Theatre also does this.

I think that the problem is that Bricktown gets way too much attention nationally. I know that the city is trying to turn Bricktown into "the spot", but honestly its still gonna take a few more years for it to transition away from it's slow-paced family fun image. Even the chains (Hooters, Falcones, Zios, etc...) are so much worse in Bricktown than their sister locations. I always tell my out of state friends that you really need to get out of Bricktown to have fun here.

Sorry for the rant, I just heard the Bill Hader/Bill Simmons podcast on ESPN and he was talking about how everyone told Simmons that Mickey Mantles is the only place open after the game. But It's good to hear that restaurants in Bricktown are starting to stay open later now.

Anyways, Most of the places on Paseo stay open late, but I know for sure Picasso's stays open till 2 on weekends. The Paseo District is a seriously underrated area. It's totally designed for late night hangouts.

Side thought, if anyone's a really good web designer, it would be pretty cool to turn all this info into a cool website. Like an unbiased, unabridged reference of things to do in OKC.

Anyways, Most of the places on Paseo stay open late, but I know for sure Picasso's stays open till 2 on weekends. The Paseo District is a seriously underrated area. It's totally designed for late night hangouts.

From what I remember when driving through the Paseo a while back (last year sometime) looking for a new neighborhood to move to, we didn't see a coffee shop in the Paseo district itself. Did we miss them or are there any in the Paseo (not nearby, but actually in the district)?

Bill Simmons of ESPN was interviewing Bill Hader on his podcast and Simmons was making fun of how after Thunder games everyone has to go to Mickey Mantle's because it's the only place open. Not good publicity.

Side thought, if anyone's a really good web designer, it would be pretty cool to turn all this info into a cool website. Like an unbiased, unabridged reference of things to do in OKC.

This. If you make it easy for people to find good places to go then maybe the stereotype would subside.

This. If you make it easy for people to find good places to go then maybe the stereotype would subside.

I agree, but that's only true for people who spend extensive time in OKC. The truth is that OKC is not a long term or final destination for most travelers and visitors. For every forum that provides positive feedback, there are 10 more with people just venting how bored they are here. And also not being pedestrian friendly, I wouldn't expect someone to run into Paseo on accident, or take a chance and randomly drive 15 miles north or south to find edmond or norman.

Unless you have a really good tour guide, you'd probably just google it and unfortunately most of the "what to do in OKC" sites are made by the city and tell you to follow the sky-scraper. Anyway, just a thought, maybe I'll take a shot at it.

And Sauced used to make great coffee, but from what I've heard, it changed a lot and really declined in quality, but my favorite coffee place (Cuppies and Joe) and another good shop (Red Cup) are pretty close to Paseo. They don't stay open very late anymore though.

And Sauced used to make great coffee, but from what I've heard, it changed a lot and really declined in quality, but my favorite coffee place (Cuppies and Joe) and another good shop (Red Cup) are pretty close to Paseo. They don't stay open very late anymore though.

Isn't there another Sauced location?

Isn't there another Sauced location?

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=28626

This. If you make it easy for people to find good places to go then maybe the stereotype would subside.


Actually. I might just tackle this idea. Anyone interested in helping me out or giving some ideas?

Since this is a late night spot website, I would try to contrast it from any of the other Chamber of Commerce sites. Dark but bold colors. Something that screams night life.

Not sure exactly how committed you feel to this, but the best thing would be to get some great high quality pictures to go with each spot. A cool thing would be to add some local music (Denver Duncan, Jabee, Sean Johnson, etc...) to play in the background once you visit the site. I'm a musician whose studio is currently in a box while I'm between permanent residences, but I'd like to submit some music later on if you wanted.

Also it would probably be good to separate each place by region (Bricktown, Memorial, Edmond, Norman, South OKC).

Other than the mention of Harkins doing some midnight openings, do any local theaters still do "Midnight Movies?" I remeber back in the mid-80's, we would often go to the midnight movies at the theater next to Quail Springs. They usually had Rocky Horror showing in one and at least one or two other options. If I can remember correctly through the haze of time, the Rocky Horror crowd seemed to be of drinking age, and the other options drew the younger crowd. Similarly, the theater right off campus in Norman next to Mr. Bills had midnight movies on the weekends too.

I still see this when I'm travelling around, for instance, E-Street cinema in DC does two midnight movies every Friday and Saturday night. (Of course, they also sell beer, wine and coffee drinks in their general seating areas as well...)

Other than the mention of Harkins doing some midnight openings, do any local theaters still do "Midnight Movies?" I remeber back in the mid-80's, we would often go to the midnight movies at the theater next to Quail Springs. They usually had Rocky Horror showing in one and at least one or two other options. If I can remember correctly through the haze of time, the Rocky Horror crowd seemed to be of drinking age, and the other options drew the younger crowd. Similarly, the theater right off campus in Norman next to Mr. Bills had midnight movies on the weekends too.

I still see this when I'm travelling around, for instance, E-Street cinema in DC does two midnight movies every Friday and Saturday night. (Of course, they also sell beer, wine and coffee drinks in their general seating areas as well...)


I don't know of anyone regularly showing Rocky Horror-type cult classics late night, but, again, Harkins doesn't just have midnight openings on Thursdays. They regularly show movies starting as late as 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Mike - thanks for the offer! We're in the middle of designing the website as well as trying to figure out how to structure it appropriately. We can definitely look into the music idea at a later time.

High quality photos and content are definitely a must! I'd love to get feedback from you guys once we have something going!

... Harkins doesn't just have midnight openings on Thursdays. They regularly show movies starting as late as 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.

I dinna realize that. I thought the only place starting movies in the wee hours was Winchester Drive-in on the weekends. Not that I have any real hankering for being in BT at 3 am these days.

All the bars close down at 2AM here in other places around the country they stay open till 4 or 5 AM.

Does anyone know of somewhere to go after 2AM other than a house party??

Also you think one could make a living giving drunks and their vehicles a ride home from downtown??

Why not bring in a real retro diner? These are extremely popular in other cities. Upon moving to OKC I was very surprised something like this wasn't already here because I thought every major city had at least one.

http://www.modulardiners.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/StarlitePremierphoto.jpg.w560h336.jpg

Why not bring in a real retro diner? These are extremely popular in other cities. Upon moving to OKC I was very surprised something like this wasn't already here because I thought every major city had at least one.

There is one in Mustang, so it must be a major city ?

Are you guys sure there are no 24 hour places in OKC? I've always had a hard time believing that when people mention it here.

Late Night Eating Out in Oklahoma City: OKC Restaurants (http://okclatenight.blogspot.com/p/okc-restaurants.html)

5 of the places on the 24 hour list I linked are local spots.

The narratives that some people continue to stick is so odd.

Are you guys sure there are no 24 hour places in OKC? I've always had a hard time believing that when people mention it here.

Late Night Eating Out in Oklahoma City: OKC Restaurants (http://okclatenight.blogspot.com/p/okc-restaurants.html)

5 of the places on the 24 hour list I linked are local spots.

The narratives that some people continue to stick is so odd.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe IHOP is pretty much it for the urban core. Beverly's Pancake House is probably "the" 24-hour diner in OKC but it's way out on NW Expressway. I think if there isn't a market for a locally owned diner with character in the core yet there soon will be.

There are several new late-night dining places and more to come.

Personally, I don't care about eating at 3 or 4AM. As long as there are places serving to 1AM (and they are increasing), there are tons of options open very early in the morning.

The Denny's on Meridian just north of Reno is 24/7. I know the owner, and he's a really nice guy. It's a good Denny's. Maybe a ten-minute drive from downtown, if you are wanting/needing a middle-of-the-night meal.

The Denny's on Meridian just north of Reno is 24/7. I know the owner, and he's a really nice guy. It's a good Denny's. Maybe a ten-minute drive from downtown, if you are wanting/needing a middle-of-the-night meal.

Really? In a city that tries to bill itself as a "city on the rise" I would expect a little more than a Denny's 15 minutes from downtown by car. Sorry but this comment really shows how far this city has to go.

Really? In a city that tries to bill itself as a "city on the rise" I would expect a little more than a Denny's 15 minutes from downtown by car. Sorry but this comment really shows how far this city has to go.

This is THE measure of where OKC's at. Compelling stuff.

Agree bchris

BChris, once again you're being condescending. You have no idea who I am, or what tax bracket I'm in. All I was doing was putting it out there that there's a good Denny's that's open 24/7. Nobody's making any kind of statement about OKC or where it's at. Just naming the places people can get food in the middle of the night. Wasn't that what somebody was asking about? And frankly, there's nothing wrong with eating at Denny's. It's a freaking Denny's. So what?

I will say that there might possibly be something wrong with somebody who feels they have to make arrogant comments about a person who happens to like a particular Denny's. Snotty, snotty, snotty. Nouveau Riche wannabe, much?

(Damn it, I said I wasn't going to get adversarial here on OKCTalk, but I guess I just did...)

Really? In a city that tries to bill itself as a "city on the rise" I would expect a little more than a Denny's 15 minutes from downtown by car. Sorry but this comment really shows how far this city has to go.

Was just pointing out another option in addition all those mentioned.

I am not trying to be condescending. Also nothing wrong with liking Denny's but it isn't any substitute for a real 24-hour diner downtown. Also, a real diner is usually pretty low-cost, many times cheaper than Denny's or at least the ones in Charlotte were. Sorry if I came off as condescending and it wasn't personal at all.

The Denny's on Meridian just north of Reno is 24/7. I know the owner, and he's a really nice guy. It's a good Denny's. Maybe a ten-minute drive from downtown, if you are wanting/needing a middle-of-the-night meal.
If you like Denny's, next time you're in Dallas check out the one at Preston and Plano Parkway. It's almost like a five star joint. Really really nice and upscale. I know the manager and he is really cool.

:)

I am not trying to be condescending. Also nothing wrong with liking Denny's but it isn't any substitute for a real 24-hour diner downtown. Also, a real diner is usually pretty low-cost, many times cheaper than Denny's or at least the ones in Charlotte were. Sorry if I came off as condescending and it wasn't personal at all.

Thank you. Just remember that the same people who enjoy and frequent the trendy in-spots can certainly coincide with those who enjoy the chains. It happens. We like to call it diversity. :)

Waffle House would kill it down there.....

Possibly a 24 hour establishment like Waffle House. IHOP 24hrs, (E. California Ave.,) has made an established presence along with McDonalds & Sonic.

Wouldn't be surprised to see a few more fast food restaurants like Chick-fil-A, Whataburger, Steak 'n Shake &/or a dual combination of YUM brands--KFC-Taco Bell-Pizza Hut-Long John Silver's and A&W Restaurants.

OKC has some great fine dine restaurants established on the canal, you don't want to kill it with too many fast food restaurants in the area.

Bring back a Dairy Queen if you want to see something really take off.

Waffle House would kill it down there.....

Would like to see a similar concept but locally owned. OKC needs a locally-owned 24-hour diner. Something like this.

http://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/969529/size/tl-horizontal_main/5-great-24hr-spots-to-satisfy-your-late-night-cravings

Bricktown needs to avoid having fast food restaurants with drive throughs. There definitely is a place for fast food, but it can't be their standard format.

As more housing comes in that is more likely. It really wouldn't quite work yet.

As more housing comes in that is more likely. It really wouldn't quite work yet.

Bricktown would be perfect for it. Those kind of establishments are very popular with clubgoers after the clubs let out.

As more housing comes in that is more likely. It really wouldn't quite work yet.

Denton, Texas -- a city with a population of 125,000 (albeit a college town) -- has a 24 hour diner on the Square. A well run one would survive in the core of OKC.

Denton, Texas -- a city with a population of 125,000 (albeit a college town) -- has a 24 hour diner on the Square. A well run one would survive in the core of OKC.

Weatherford, Oklahoma -- a city with a population of 12,000 (albeit a small college town) -- has a 24 hour diner downtown as well.

I won't claim that Jerry's is a poster child for great food, but I do remember spending quite a few drunken college nights in that place.

College towns are a completely different breed of cat.

When I was at OU, there were a couple of all-night places, don't know if any remain.

When I was at OU, there were a couple of all-night places, don't know if any remain.

It's called Waffle House, Denny's, or IHOP.... Which is something Jerry's, mentioned above, in Weatherford isn't competing against.

Not saying a 24 hour diner serving better than good food couldn't, and wouldn't, make it here, but they do have some competition in the area where the bar closers already congregate.

I would love a local 24 diner .. something like Magnolia café which has several locations in Austin.. or Café Brazil in Dallas which also has several locations but not sure how many are 24 hours.
also 24 Diner in Austin is top notch and more than just late night drunk food.

I wonder how well IHOP does between 2AM and 6AM, especially during the week?

Otherwise there are 24-hour places outside of downtown and a bunch of places that serve until 2AM or start at 6AM.

We have Hatch, Sunnyside Diner and Nic's Diner all opening soon and none of them are going to open 24 hours; in fact the first two will not even be open for dinner.