Renovated Uptown 23rd District - Premiere Business and Entertainment

   Stretching from Broadway to Pennsylvania on NW 23^rd St., the Uptown 23^rd District has managed in the last decade or so to overcome a long period of decay and evolve into one of Oklahoma City’s premier business and entertainment areas. Located along historic Route 66, this district is home to such iconic landmarks as the Tower Theatre, the Gold Dome, and Oklahoma City University’s gothic towers. It has also been enhanced with the development of such buildings as The Rise and an updated cluster of bungalows that house eateries and other businesses. Following its extensive revitalization, Uptown 23^rd now offers an array of locally owned restaurants, bars, eclectic boutiques and amazing entertainment venues. Visitors to the area can find yoga, Pilates and workout studios, a gym, tattoo and piercing parlors, as well as hairstylists, community and health-oriented organizations, and an assortment of businesses. Whether looking for early-morning fare or late night fun, there’s plenty to be enjoyed in this district. Those interested in breakfast or lunch can savor made-from-scratch biscuits, offered as part of a sandwich or a compliment to an entire plate of food at Hunny Bunny Biscuit Company, where full-service coffee, mimosas and bloody marys are also available. Eclectic and unusual donut flavors are available at Hurts Donut Company, while a nearby Dunkin Donuts provides its well-known classics in both pastries and coffee. Late night visitors can enjoy live music, elevated street food, custom cocktails and the rooftop patio at Guyutes.  Those who are open to an end-of-the-world decor and ambiance, coupled with a DJ booth, retro music, friendly laid-back staff and patrons, as well as a nice selection of craft beer and tasty mixed drinks are likely to find a home away from home at The Bunker Club. While The Pump Bar, located in a renovated Texaco gas station, offers an outdoor patio, signature drinks and such unique fare as okie poutine, fried flatbread tacos and pho rench dip. Foodies about town are known to gravitate to Cheever’s Café for lunch or dinner. A former flower shop, this eatery now uses what once was a flower fridge as the centerpiece to the restaurant where, instead of bouquets, a variety of desserts and wine bottles are now displayed. Other foodie favorites include Tucker’s Onion Burgers; the freshly smoked meats and homemade sides at Back Door Barbecue; the street tacos and other Mexican delights at Big Truck Tacos; and the Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in a wood fire oven handmade in Naples at Pizzeria Gusto. While primarily a seafood restaurant and oysterette, The Drake also offers plenty of land items so even those with no interest in seafood can enjoy a meal there with family or friends. Located in the above-mentioned cluster of bungalows, popular coffee house Cuppies and Joe is considered by some to have the best cupcakes in town and their pie is much-loved as well. A long-standing landmark, the Tower Theatre, which originally opened in 1937, was one of Oklahoma City’s last original movie houses with an intact auditorium and neon marquee. Today this Uptown 23^rd District venue is home to event and gallery space, in addition to offering live concerts and special movie screenings.