Tulsa Date Guide

Tulsa Date Guide, Date Ideas for Tulsa, Oklahoma

Uncovering Oklahoma showcases many great places and things to do around Tulsa with friends, but how date-worthy are the places? Here on this page are a collection of suggestions for various fantastic local dates you can only have in Tulsa or surrounding towns. There are ideas for all kinds of couples and types of dates. This isn’t a laundry list of places – it’s a thoughtful collection of eateries, activities, and options with remarks about what special characteristic makes it a good date choice.

Date ideas are sorted in collections of districts, areas, or themes, making it easier to string together an itinerary. For example, start a date at a coffee shop and then walk across the street to the food truck park.

For more date ideas throughout the year, follow Uncovering Oklahoma on social media like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Be sure to come back here as this list will expand and change over time.

THE TULSA ARTS DISTRICT

On the first Friday of the month, the Tulsa Arts District hosts its First Friday Art Crawl. Visit local galleries, studios, and businesses displaying local artists and musical acts. Couples can also experience glass blowing, pottery, even chocolate making. Arrive early and stay late to enjoy the art venues as well as the restaurants, clubs, and retail businesses in the Tulsa Arts District.

Start with a cocktail at one of the patios or bars in the area. The various art venues open at 6 and usually run through 9 pm. Throughout the evening, one can experience the different venues while enjoying dinner before, during or after the exhibit show times. Finish with a night with dancing, bar hopping or a stroll through the new Guthrie Green park space.

The Art Crawl runs 12 months of the year. The only occasional change of date will be if there is a holiday in conflict with the First Friday.

101 East Archer Street, Tulsa

Ahha Tulsa is a place to gather and create. Include visiting their gallery spaces for a date night in the Tulsa Arts District.

2013-08-06 Guthrie Greens-02

111 East Brady Street, Tulsa

Located in the heart of the Tulsa Arts District, this industrial square block was transformed from an old freight yard to an inviting green space.

Guthrie Green is a community town square to celebrate the performing arts. It is a source of health and wellness, ecological awareness, and joyous appreciation of the arts. The greatest feature of the park are the many events it hosts that are free and open to the public, such as concerts, movies, fitness classes, and markets.

307 East M.B. Brady Street, Tulsa

When your date night includes, Living Arts of Tulsa, you can not only experience contemporary art, but also participate in creative workshops, performances, exhibitions, films, demonstrations of current art, lectures, related educational activities and research.

19 East Brady Street, Tulsa

“Anyone can do it,” said Janet Duvall the Executive Director of the Tulsa Glassblowing School. “It is hot so you’ll have to be prepared for that. We have all types of people and all age groups learning how to blow glass and appreciate the art form.”

Glass Experiences (one-time opportunities to create an art piece out of molten glass) range in price from $25 to $95 and are a fun activity to do together. You can catch a free demonstration during the First Friday Art Crawl.

Food and Drinks in the Tulsa Arts District

Glacier Confection for one of the best artisan chocolateries in the state of Oklahoma. First-time visitors are often treated to a truffle or two, after which you will wonder how you ever lived without their delectable Blood Orange & Wild Honey or the Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel. True chocoholics will be interested in the rare, single-origin chocolates available.

Gypsy Coffee House for comfortable seating areas, board games, music, fireplace, Tulsa’s largest selection of loose-leaf and bagged teas, fine deli foods and desserts galore.

THE BLUE DOME DISTRICT
The Max Retropub - photo by Dennis Spielman

114 South Elgin Avenue, Tulsa

Add The Max Retropub to your Blue Dome District date night itinerary. They got fun retro arcade games, cocktails, and all the retro jams. Plus, they host dance parties and gaming competitions. The retro pub is 21 and older to enter.

Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge in Tulsa - photo by Dennis Spielman

211 South Elgin Avenue, Tulsa

Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge is an 8-lane bowling alley in the heart of Tulsa’s Blue Dome District. The 8,000 square foot facility, which includes a lounge, full-service bar, patio and private VIP room with two lanes, is a retro-inspired tribute to the classic bowling alleys of the 1970s.

Food and Drinks in the Blue Dome District

Dilly Diner for breakfast all day, lunch, and late-night dining where freshness is a focus. Also great for weekend brunch dates.

Juniper for a menu that evolves with the changing seasons, with delicious plates with Italian, French, Spanish and American influences. The bar at Juniper is an innovation in mixology, utilizing infused vodkas and gins, flavored bitters and food highlights in cocktail drinks. Great place to impress a date.

BROOKSIDE
Food and Drinks in the Brookside District

Foolish Things Bar & Biscuits – Date night is one of the things Foolish Things prides itself on. Every Thursday night they do a sunset toast, but every night the venue is a comfy, cozy place to come get a drink with your person in a space that’s lively without getting too wild. Watch our episode on Foolish Things.

Shades of Brown – For a relaxing coffee date where you can enjoy local art and board games. Watch our episode on Shades of Brown.

DOWNTOWN TULSA
Center of the Universe - photo by Dennis Spielman
The Center of the Universe

2 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa

The Tulsa Center of the Universe is a worn concrete circle, approximately thirty inches in diameter, within the middle of another circle made up of thirteen bricks. Overall, the center is a little more than eight feet in diameter. When a person stands in the center, whatever they say they will hear it echo while everyone around won’t hear the echo. Of course, the effect works best when there are no trains. The Center of the Universe a fun stop if you’re on a date in Downtown Tulsa.

To find this oddity in Downtown Tulsa, go to the pedestrian overpass along Boston Ave between 1st and Archer Street. Coming from either side of this railroad overpass, you can follow a brick path that goes to a brick circle that is located directly over the tracks. The closest address is 50 South Boston Avenue.

Food and Drinks in the Downtown Tulsa

Foolish Things Coffee – Nothing foolish about a coffee date here.

EAST VILLAGE DISTRICT

502 East 3rd Street, Tulsa

Take a stroll around the Tulsa Boxyard to explore unique boutique shops and restaurants together.

Food and Drinks in the East Village District

Rose Rock Microcreamery for small-batch ice cream to add a bit of sweetness to your date in the Tusla Boxyard.

Open Container for an outdoor bar with top-notch cocktails, bar food, and a view of downtown Tulsa in the Tulsa Boxyard.

PEARL DISTRICT

1416 East Fourth Street, Tulsa

With a focus on “unconventional entertainment,” The Nightingale Theater showcases bold productions sure to entertain or provoke you.

Food and Drinks in the Pearl District

Dead Armadillo Brewery for approachable yet unique interpretations of classic ale beers as well as other styles.

El Rancho Grande for Tulsa’s best Cheese Enchiladas and margaritas.

Ike’s Chili for the same chili recipe that’s been severed to Will Rogers.

Soul City Gastropoub & Music House for food, drinks, and live music along Route 66.

CHERRY STREET

1311 East 15th Street, Tulsa

Throughout Pierson’s multiple galleries, they exhibit and market paintings, baskets, ceramics, drawings, fine art prints, pottery, weavings, jewelry, bronzes, and sculptures, by established and emerging artists of the Midwest and American West with special emphasis on the art of early historic pioneer artists of Oklahoma and art and artifacts of Native American Indians.

Food and Drinks in Cherry Street

Palace Cafe for local, organic cuisine in a romatnic autosphere.

SMOKE. on Cherry Street for local farmers market ingredients, unique daily specials, and a constantly updated menu. SMOKE. also hosts a full-service bar, great selection of draft beers, and an impressive wine selection. For smokers, you can enjoy a fine cigar in their smoke lounge. For non-smokers with friends in the lounge, the ventilation system fully replenishes the air with one hundred percent outside air eight times an hour.

THE KENDALL WHITTIER MAIN STREET

12 South Lewis, Tulsa

The Circle Cinema is Tulsa’s independent and non-profit art-house movie theatre, showing independent, foreign, and documentary films. Their mission is to use film to foster understanding, and appreciation of the diversity of the human experience, and create community among the viewers in the restored historic Circle Cinema.

“The Circle Cinema is an authentic place to come watch an interesting, thought-provoking, entertaining film,” said Chuck Foxen. “I think the Circle Cinema is a great place to bring a date. It’s a locally owned and operated company, non-commercial, and an intimate charming place.”

OTHER TULSA DESTINATIONS

7355 East Easton Steet, Tulsa

While the number of drive-in movie theaters has declined, there’s still some out there. The Admiral Twin Drive-In is a rare drive-in theater with two separate 9-story tall screens, showing a double feature every evening during their movie season. The audio for the movies is broadcast through an FM transmitter and you must have an FM radio in order to hear the movies. They highly recommend bringing a portable radio to hear the movie. If you are going to use your car stereo, be sure that your car battery is strong enough to power your radio throughout the show. They do offer jump-starts, but that would ruin the date night.

2650 South John Williams Way E, Tulsa

Gathering Place is a park unlike none other in Tulsa for everyone to enjoy. Gathering Place is entirely free to the public and is an adventure sure to inspire wonderful moments for an adventured filled date. They have drinks and snacks in their cafe as well as a full-service restaurant.

1526 South Harvard Avenue, Tulsa

Rabbit Hole Improv presents the best in local improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy with regular shows every weekend. Every show is different, making each date a unique experience. For even more fun, be sure to take one of their improv classes together.

1124 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa

The Mother Road Market features the mother of all food choices as Tulsa’s first food hall featuring a wide selection of places to choose from for food. Once you two have decided what to eat, play a round of mini-golf in their Route 66 themed course.

The River view from Blue Rose Cafe - photo by Dennis Spielman

2424 East 21st Steet, Tulsa

With over 26 miles of paved trails, the River Parks have activities for the young and old alike. Eat along the river at Blue Rose Cafe, Elwoods, Waterfront Grill, and more. River Parks is home to the city’s largest collection of outdoor wildlife bronze sculptures, making it a fun bike ride date.

For an outdoor hike together, visit Turkey Mountain for some spectacular views of the river.

Tulsa Botanic Garden - photo by Dennis Spielman

3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive, Tulsa

Go explore the Cross Timbers Trail for a striking mosaic where the eastern hardwood forests meet the western prairies. Walk through the Tandy Floral Terraces signature floral display with seasonal color and year-round interest. While the Tulsa Botanic Garden may still be growing, the collection of bulbs, picturesque scenes, and trails make it worthy for a date idea.

6421 East 36th Street N., Tulsa

Journey to the Tulsa Zoo for a worldwide animal adventure. Spanning 84 landscaped acres with 2,500 animals, you’ll both have a fun time together watching the sea lions playing, the elephants performing, chatting with the otters, riding the tram, and talking about your experience over a meal at the Macaw Landing Grille. Don’t forget to buy a “zoovenir.”

BED AND BREAKFASTS

4501 West 41st Street, Tulsa

Proprietors, Sandi and Randy Dittmann, invite you to enjoy the beauty, history, and legends of Cedar Rock Inn. During their renovation, every effort was made to use recycled and native materials. The inn’s five suites include antique furnishings, full bathrooms, and expansive views of the property. Combining rustic luxury with modern amenities such as high-speed wireless internet access, Cedar Rock Inn is the perfect escape from reality. Couples can roam the property and enjoy the hiking trail, sitting by the pond and the many features of Cedar Rock Inn.

3450 South 137th West Avenue, Sand Springs

For a romantic weekend getaway, Meadowlake Ranch is located 15 minutes west of Downtown Tulsa in a private rural setting, just a short drive to dining, casinos, and entertainment yet a world away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Enjoy your stay in lodging such as their Lakeside Log Cabins with a two-person whirlpool tub, full kitchen, fireplace, and private patio next to a spring-fed lake. Or sleep in an authentic Indian tepee with a chiminea and up to six fold-out sleeping cots.  They are set near one another in a wooded setting by a waterfall. The private modern bathroom has a hot shower, toilet, and sink a few yards away.

A stay at Meadowlake includes the 3-H’s—Hiking, Horseshoes, and Hammocks. Their hiking trails feature jaw-dropping scenery and the hammocks are relaxing.

OUTSIDE OF TULSA

300 Aquarium Drive, Jenks

The Oklahoma Aquarium is famously known for being the home to the largest bull sharks in captivity, seen through a unique tunnel and dome. The aquarium also has hundreds of other fish, interactive touch stations, and feed tanks. With all of the interactives and photo ops, it is worth the admission price for a memorable date.

401 East Broadway Court, Sand Springs

SKATES offers Tulsa’s largest maple wood skating surface at 165×75 feet and houses a 630 square foot arcade. When you two are not staking or play games, stop at the snack bar for drinks, snacks, and hot food.

708 West Kenosha Street, Broken Arrow

“Not every couple is content with candlelit dinners or walking through the farmer’s market. For significant others seeking a little excitement, Xtreme Tulsa offers options that elevate your heart rate: high-speed kart racing, axe throwing, and immersive free-roam Virtual Reality. Every option on the experience menu pairs well with craft beer and wine, and Xtreme has both (putting the BAR in snack bar).

This isn’t based on scientific research, but at Xtreme, we’ve noticed that couples who fight zombies together fight each other less. That something about the satisfying WHAM of an axe splitting its wooden bullseye gets your blood pumping to all the right places. That people with a need for speed tend to find each other, and we’re happy to be their date destination.”


For more date ideas throughout the year, follow Uncovering Oklahoma on social media like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Be sure to check out the Events Calendar too.