Northwest Oklahoma City

Sunset over Lake Hefner

Northwest district of Oklahoma City is along and on both sides of the Northwest Expressway and includes the Lake Hefner area.

Understand

The area includes the NW 39th Street Enclave sometimes called "The Strip" located off I-44 in Oklahoma City, which is the largest LGBT community in the state. Most of the points of interest are along NW 39th Street between Pennsylvania and May Ave. or in the surrounding area. Once you are in the area it is a short walk (less than a block or two) to most establishments. Some areas might not be accessible to those in wheelchairs.

See

• 1 Lake Hefner Park. Nine-mile walking trail, bike trail, kite-flying, watch the sail boats. Great place to people watch. Enclosed heated fishing dock, restaurants, bars and golf course are located around the lake.  
• 2 Will Rogers Gardens, 3400 NW 36th St, ☏ +1 405-297-1392. Daily 8am-8pm. An arboretum with numerous gardens, water features, and a conservancy. Free. 
• 3 Martin Park Nature Center, 5000 W Memorial Rd, ☏ +1 405-297-1429. Daily 5am-9pm. Scenic and relaxing preserve in which to experience Oklahoma woodland prairie type ecosystem and deer and turtles. Free. 

Do

• 1 Route 66 Park, 9901 NW 23rd (west of Lake Overholser). Oklahoma City's newest recreational area. A map of the entire route is in the plaza. 
• 2 Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery, Norick Art Center, Oklahoma City University, 2501 N Blackwelder, ☏ +1 405 208-5230. M–F 10AM–4PM; Su 2–5PM. Art gallery on the campus of Oklahoma City University. Free. 

Events

• OKC Pride. late June, three days. Annual weekend gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex Pride Parade and Festival. 

Buy

• 1 Canterbury UK Imports, 2913 N. May Ave. The only shop in the area that carries a full line of grocery store imports from the United Kingdom. These imports include: tea, frozen food, canned goods, chocolates, biscuits (cookies), condiments, gifts and many more items that any blue blooded Brit or Anglofile would crave. 
• Guestroom Records, 3701 N Western Ave. Another good independent record store 
• Blue Seven, 7518 N May Ave. Modern furniture, unique gifts, and vintage clothes. 
• Full Circle Bookstore, 50 Penn Pl (North Penn and Northwest Expressway). A great local independent book seller. They have great service and a very decent selection of everything from children's books to the latest news. 
• Wilshire Village. Located on Western, north of 63rd, at the intersection of Wilshire and Western. Has a great variety of shops, such as: 
  • The Learning Tree. Toy store offering lots of educational toys. 
  • Gil's. Hip, modern clothing. Great jeans selection. 
  • The Lingerie Store. Carries good brands of lingerie, very soft bathrobes, and good pajamas. 

Eat

Mexican

• 1 Los Pericos, 4521 N.W. 63rd St. 
• Chelino's Mexican Restaurant, 5900 N. May Ave. 1 of 10 metro locations. 
• San Marcos Mexican Restaurant, 12201 N Rockwell Ave. Includes live music on some Fridays and Saturdays. (updated Mar 2021)
• Ted's Cafe Escondito, 2836 NW 68th St (just off N. May Ave.), ☏ +1 405 848-8337. You may have to wait to get into Ted's, but it is worth the wait. Some of the best Mexican food in Oklahoma City. (updated Mar 2021)

Japanese

• Musashi's Japanese Steakhouse, 4315 N. Western Ave. 
• 2 Shiki Japanese Steakhouse, 14041 N. May Ave. 
• 3 Shogun Steakhouse of Japan, 11900 N. May Ave. 

Indian

• 4 Taj Indian Cuisine, 5801 NW Expressway. 

African

• 5 Queen of Sheba, 2308 N. MacArthur Blvd. Ethiopian restaurant with a great selection of vegetarian options. 

American

• Bunny's Onion Burgers (N.W. 50th & N. Meridian). 
• Ranch Steakhouse, 3000 W. Britton Rd, ☏ +1 405-755-3501. (updated Jun 2015)
• 6 Maggie Moo's, 13419 N. Pennsylvania. 
• Saturn Grill, 6432 Avondale Dr. 
• 7 Beverly's Pancake House, 2115 N.W. Expressway. 
• 8 Elephant Bar, 1845 NW Expressway, ☏ +1 405 879-1700. Has a mix of seafood, Asian, burgers, steaks, and regional favorites. $7-16 
• Chuck House, 4430 NW 10th St. The best chicken fried steak in town. 

Chinese

• Grand House, 2701 N. Classen. A classy and authentic Chinese restaurant in the heart of the Asia District. Features Dim Sum on the weekends. 
• Chen's Buffet. Windsor Hills Shopping Center, N.W. 23rd and Meridian. A full buffet. 

Fine dining

• Castle Falls, 820 N. MacArthur Blvd. 
• The Grill, 2824 W. Country Club Dr. 

Italian

• Papa Dio's, 10712 N. May Ave. 
• Vito's Ristorante, 7521 N. May Ave. 
• Flip's Wine Bar & Trattoria, 5801 N. Western Ave. 

French

• La Baguette Bistro, 7408 N May Ave (between NW 63rd and Wilshire Blvd). (updated Mar 2021)

German

• Ingrid's Kitchen and Delicatessen, 3701 N. Youngs Blvd. 

Greek

• Mediterranean Imports and Deli, 5620 N. May Ave. 
• Zorba's Mediterranean, 4621 N. May Ave. 
• Gyro City Cafe, 7300 NW Expressway. 

Pizza

• The Wedge Pizzeria. 11AM–9PM daily. Gourmet pizza in a brick-oven style. Two locations (NW and downtown). (updated Mar 2021)

Seafood

• Pearl's Oyster Bar, 5641 N. Classen Blvd, ☏ +1 405-848-8008. (updated Jun 2015)

Thai

• Tana Thai Bistro, 10700 N. May Ave. 
• Lai Thai, 7419 NW 23rd St. 
• Thai House, 4548 NW 23rd St. Serves the best crab fried rice in town. 

Vietnamese

• 9 Lang Bakery, 2524 N. Military Ave. #110 (Asia District). 
• 10 Pho Hoa, NW 23rd St (Asia District). You will find this spot crowded with local Vietnamese. 
• 11 Pho Thai Nguyen, 3221 N Classen Blvd (Asia District). 

Ice cream

• Braum's, 4335 NW 23rd St. And throughout city. Get the ice cream; skip the French fries. 

Drink

• 1 Belle Isle Brewery, 50 Penn Mall, ☏ +1 405 840-1911. Microbrewery; free Wi-Fi. 
• 2 Lumpy's Sports Bar & Grill (Lumpy's), 5909 NW Expressway (East end, ground floor, 5909NW office building), ☏ +1 405-728-7000. 
• Hi-Lo Club, 1221 NW 50th. 
• Junior's, 2601 N.W. Expressway St. 
• Edna's, 5137 Classen Cir. Known for their 'lunchboxes' and for the owner's dance moves. 

NW 39th Street Enclave

NW 39th Street Enclave sometimes called "The Strip" located off I-44 in Oklahoma City has the largest LGBT community in the state, and attracts many visitors as they travel along I-35. The area is most popular on Friday nights.

Like most LGBT areas, drag shows are a common staple. See The Boom, Phoenix Rising, and sometimes the Copa.

• 3 Angles, 2117 N.W. 39th, ☏ +1 405 524-3431. Only open on select nights. Cabaret and dance club. (updated Feb 2016)
• 4 The Copa, 2200 N.W. 39th Expy (Located inside the Habana Inn), ☏ +1 405 525-0730. Tu-Su 9PM-2AM. Night club with a large dance floor. Male go go dancers on Friday and Saturday nights. Popular with young crowds. (updated Feb 2018)
• 5 The Finishline, 2200 N.W. 39th Expy (Located inside the Habana Inn), ☏ +1 405 525-2900. Western themed bar with country music and dancing with pool tables and darts. (updated Feb 2018)
• 6 The Ledo, 2200 N.W. 39th Expy, ☏ +1 405 525-0730. 
• 7 The Boom, 2807 N.W. 36th, ☏ +1 405 601-7200. A divided venue with two sides. One a dedicated bar. The other features a stage for dinner theater and drag shows. The Boom is widely known for its weekly Sunday Gospel Brunch shows. Reservations are recommended. (updated Feb 2016)
• 8 Apothecary, 2125 NW 39TH ST, ☏ +1(405)605-4100. Tu-Th 4PM-midnight, F Sa 4PM-1AM, Su 2-10PM. Vintage cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere. pool tables. no smoking. (updated Feb 2018)
• 9 Partners 4 Club, 2805 N.W. 36th, ☏ +1 405 942-2199. (updated Feb 2016)
• 10 Rockies, 3201 N. May, ☏ +1 405 947-9361. 
• 11 Sisters, 2120 N.W. 39th, ☏ +1 405 521-9533. 
• 12 Tramps, 2201 N.W. 39th, ☏ +1 405 521-9888. Strongest drinks on the gay strip (and likely the entire city), with pool, great jukebox and drag shows. Lots of fun! (updated Feb 2016)
• 13 Wreck Room, 2127 N.W. 39th, ☏ +1 405 525-7610. (updated Feb 2016)
• 14 Phoenix Rising, 2120 NW 39th St. M-Sa 4 PM - 2AM, Su 2PM-midnight. Drag shows on Friday nights. Excellent patio garden in the back. (updated Feb 2018)

Cafes

• Cafe Oasis, 1135 NW 25th St. Next to the Super Cao Nguyen Asian grocery. This cafe is really more of a bubble tea house although they serve coffee as well. They also serve a variety of Chinese food. It feels like you are stepping into a modern Japanese hot spot. Free Wi-Fi. 
• Full Circle Bookstore Cafe, 1900 NW Expressway (Inside 50 Penn Place). Nice cafe with free Wi-Fi inside an excellent independent bookstore. 
• The Red Cup, 3122 N. Classen Blvd, ☏ +1 405-525-3430. Funky atmosphere, veggie food and free Wi-Fi. An OKC gem. (updated Jun 2015)

Sleep

• Crowne Plaza Hotel. AAA 4-Diamond, in the NW Business District. 
• 1 Habana Inn, 2200 N.W. 39th Expy, ☏ +1 405 528-2221, toll-free: +1 800 988-2221. Check-out: noon. Self-proclaimed as the largest gay resort in the Southwest, the Habana Inn anchors they 39th District with two bars, a restaurant and piano bar, gift shop, and two large pools. It is common for some guests to leave their doors unlocked or windows open. If you want a quieter night, request a room away from the more promiscious side during check-in. (updated Feb 2018)
• Oklahoma City Marriott. AAA 3-Diamond, One of the NW Business District's finest hotels. 
• 2 SpringHill Suites, 3201 W. Memorial Rd. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Suites with refrigerator, microwave, and internet. (updated Oct 2024)

Connect

• Free Wi-Fi at the following locations.
  • 1 Belle-Isle Brewery & Urban Market Delirds (50 Penn Place/1900 NW Expressway). (updated May 2021)
  • 2 Full Circle Bookstore (1900 NW Expressway/50 Penn Place), ☏ +1 405 842-2900. (updated May 2021)
  • 3 IHOP, 7708 NW Expressway, ☏ +1 405 773-4467. (updated May 2021)
  • 4 Panera Bread, 3321 NW Expressway, ☏ +1 405 840-8222. (updated May 2021)
  • 5 Courtyard by Marriott, 1515 NW Expressway, ☏ +1 405 848-0808. (updated May 2021)