So what really makes this bar unique? It is big time cycling-themed. I mean, from jerseys to old race numbers to several bikes hanging on the walls, it’s just really clear that the owners dream about sprockets and derailleurs. I freaking love that.
This is also a great place to catch music — both local and touring acts. These bands vary widely in style — I’ve seen bluegrass, punk, hip hop, and jazz groups play here. If you’re thirsty for different music, this is the place to catch a show at.
The Downside:
This place is literally attached to Cain’s Ballroom (at opposite ends of the building.) If Cain’s is having a big show, it may slow service down a little. This is an extremely popular bar right now, so it gets busy as it is.
McNellie’s
I doubt anyone would argue that McNellie’s is the most well-known bar in Downtown Tulsa. It’s a two-story building with a full-blown pub vibe. The food and service are excellent here, but people know McNellie’s for something else: the largest on-tap beer selection in Tulsa at over 350 beers.
Elliot Nelson, the owner of McNellie’s, fell in love with the Irish pub culture while studying for a semester in Dublin. Upon returning to Oklahoma, he tried to find bars that simulated the pub feel, but none of them felt right to him.
In 2004, Elliot decided to build a pub how he wanted it and opened up McNellie’s on 1st and Elgin and many will say that it was one of the embers that ignited the rebirth of Downtown Tulsa in the early 2000s.
Fun Fact: If you drink every beer that they have on tap, they will make you a custom beer mug with your name on it.
The Downside:
This is another popular bar. That’s not a bad thing at all, but you can expect this place to be pretty busy any time that they’re opened.
Saturn Room
This little bar is a fun one. Situated at 209 N Boulder, the Saturn Room is one of the newer bars in the Brady District.
What sets this hip little spot apart from other bars is the fact that the Saturn room is the quintessential tiki bar. I mean, it’s like the owners sat down, had a meeting about all the things that make a tiki bar a tiki bar, then went 150% in on the execution of those things.
And I don’t mean that in a cheeky way; the Saturn Room is just that impressive from a conceptual point-of-view.
Drinks are number one here, though — this is a bartender’s bar. With a rum selection that would make Hunter Thompson spin in his grave, the Saturn Room has no shortage of brand options. If you’re a rum drinker, it doesn’t get better than this in Tulsa.
Their extensive list of tropical-style cocktails that they offer is impressive, too. There are absolutely no corners cut with regard to drink quality.
The Downside:
Not cheap, but it’s worth it. Quality costs money — that’s all there is to it.
The Max Retropub
This place is a jawdropper to those who enter its doors for the first time.
Nestled into the Blue Dome District (between 1st and 2nd on Elgin), The Max stands out in two different ways: this place is 1980s-themed (they knocked that effort out of the park) and it’s home to dozens of arcade games, making this place a complete BLAST any night of the week.
They have a lot of cool specials. What’s our favorite thing about this arcade blast from the past? We love hitting up The Max during the weekdays between 4 and 6pm for free tokens. This might be one of the most therapeutical happy hours in Downtown Tulsa for 20- and 30-somethings.
We’ve had lots of fun playing NBA Jam and NFL Blitz here over there years with co-workers!
The Downside:
This place is a party zone. It is full of people having lots of fun on the weekends. If you prefer quieter company, you might have trouble with this place.
Lot No. 6
Lot No. 6 is our Pearl District favorite for this list. There are a couple of other good places to get a drink on 6th street, but this one has a really cool schtick: it’s part art gallery, part bar. These folks feature art shows every month — and we’re totally in love with that concept.
Showing off some of Tulsa’s most brilliant artists — musically and graphically — this is a great place for a person to take in a drink and get a little better acquainted with Tulsa’s art scene.
Friendly bartenders and patrons make this bar an easy place to like.
The Downside:
It’s a little secluded (very relatively speaking) from Cherry Street and Downtown bars, but it’s worth stopping in. We’ve never left this place with anything less than a good time.