Oklahoma City: Route 66, Dive Bars, and a Lunchbox
Sometimes a city gives you only one day. That was Oklahoma City for us: one night, a hotel near the action, and just enough time to see what kind of local stories we could find along and near Route 66.
Our experience
We started at Tramps, a friendly, no-frills gay dive bar on Northwest 39th Street. Established in 1972, Tramps is recognized as Oklahoma's oldest gay bar and the oldest operating LGBTQ+ bar on Route 66.
It had the kind of comfortable, relaxed feeling we always hope to find on a road trip: a friendly bartender, an easygoing crowd, and no need to pretend you are anything other than travelers looking for a good stop.
We were there fairly early, so it was not crowded yet. Still, it was easy to tell that Tramps probably has a very different energy later in the evening. It is one of those places that feels lived-in, in the best possible way. The kind of bar where regulars know one another, newcomers are welcomed, and the atmosphere does not need fancy décor to make an impression.
Our next stop was Edna's, located conveniently across from our hotel.
Edna's is an Oklahoma City institution and the birthplace of the city's famous Lunchbox cocktail. If you have never heard of a Lunchbox, it is a drink that sounds a little unusual at first: Coors Light, orange juice, and amaretto, traditionally served in a frosty mug.
A friendly customer bought us one as a welcome to the bar, so of course we had to give it a try.
We expected it to be a novelty drink. Instead, it was actually pretty good.
The orange juice and amaretto soften the beer and give it a sweet, citrusy flavor that is surprisingly easy to drink. The name fits, too: there is a little bit of everything packed into one frosty mug.
There is probably no better way to feel like you have truly arrived in Oklahoma City than accepting a Lunchbox from a local.
We finished our Oklahoma City evening at 51st Street Speakeasy, a casual neighborhood spot with a patio, live music, cocktails, and satisfying bar food. We liked it enough that we ended up there twice, once for lunch and again for dinner. That is always a good sign.
For a city we had only briefly visited, Oklahoma City gave us a warm welcome: friendly people, memorable drinks, comfortable bars, and a reminder that some of the best road-trip stops are not always the major attractions.
Sometimes they are a conversation with a bartender, a strange local cocktail, and a patio where you decide to stay just a little longer.
By the end of our stay, we felt refreshed, well fed, and ready to roll west toward the next adventure. Our short visit had given us plenty to remember.
The Lunchbox cocktail was created at Edna's and became one of Oklahoma City's best-known local drinks. The combination sounds unlikely — beer, orange juice, and amaretto — but that is part of the fun. What started as a local bar creation became something visitors now specifically seek out when they come to Oklahoma City. And then there is Tramps. Open since 1972, it adds another piece of local history to a stretch of Route 66 already filled with stories.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Tramps — stop at this friendly, no-frills LGBTQ+ dive bar on Northwest 39th Street for an easygoing introduction to a different side of Oklahoma City and Route 66.
- Edna's — visit this Oklahoma City institution and birthplace of the Lunchbox cocktail.
- Try the Lunchbox — Coors Light, orange juice, and amaretto may sound like an odd combination, but when in Oklahoma City, this is one local tradition worth trying.
- 51st Street Speakeasy — settle in for cocktails, bar food, a patio, and live music when it is on the schedule.
- Explore the Route 66 corridor — Oklahoma City has plenty of history and personality along and near the Mother Road, so leave some room in your itinerary for stops you did not plan.
- Talk to the locals — one of our most memorable drinks came simply because a friendly customer decided we needed to try a Lunchbox.
Our pro tip
If you only have one night in Oklahoma City, staying near the places you want to explore can make a short visit feel surprisingly full. We were able to experience three very different local spots without turning the evening into a complicated itinerary.
If Oklahoma City is the beginning of a longer road trip, having your own vehicle makes continuing west much easier. Compare your rental options before leaving the city, especially if you plan to continue along I-40 toward western Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.
And wherever you go, leave a little room for the unexpected. Sometimes one day is enough to give you a reason to come back.
If your schedule gives you some extra time in Oklahoma City, sports fans can check the schedule and book an Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game at Paycom Center through Klook.
If you are beginning a longer road trip in Oklahoma City and want your own vehicle, compare rental options at Oklahoma City Airport through QEEQ. International travelers can arrange a United States eSIM through Airalo before arriving, so mobile data is ready for maps, directions, and finding the next stop along Route 66.