I originally started Amanda's OK with the intent of sharing solely about Oklahoma and although I've branched [way] out since then, I think it's important to remember my roots. I love sharing how cool OKC has become / is becoming and I know so many of you have found me via my local posts. I've had a lot of requests on Instagram for more Okie content like OKC date night ideas, tips for moving to OKC or socially distanced weekend getaways in Oklahoma, so that's what I'm going to focus on until I'm able to travel somewhere new again. If you have suggestions or ideas for other Okie content you would like to see, please leave a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram!
Today, I'm here to help you plan an OKC date night! I'm sure it has been a while since many of you have had a proper date night (thank you, covid)....and I think it is time to give it a go! You'll feel so refreshed afterwards... I know C and I did after our first post-quarantine date! I'm going to list out a few of my favorite options for dinner, drinks, desserts and date night activities in OKC so that you can mix and match or pick and choose the ones that sound best to you and your significant other.
Covid note: in my opinion, all of these activities can be done with proper social distancing if you are careful and cognizant of it. I believe the restaurants I listed are (or at least claim to be) taking proper precautions but you can always order food to-go or eat on a patio if you prefer!
Dinner
Frida Southwest - this restaurant is inspired by the cuisine of Oklahoma, Santa Fe and Northern Mexico.... YUM! It is in a really unique building with gorgeous architectural detail and bright white tablecloths that automatically let you know it's going to be a nice meal. Every dish I've had is delicious with just the right amount of flavor. Their cocktail menu is also absolutely fantastic, FYI!
Osteria - if you are in the mood for Italian, this is the place to go! Italian always feels like a good date night meal to me...I blame Lady and the Tramp. I love Osteria's cacio e pepe (best I've had since I was in Rome) - I get it topped with chicken! Pro tip: the salted caramel espressotini is life changing.
The Hall's Pizza Kitchen - forever a favorite! The best pizza in Oklahoma and one of the best I've ever had, I constantly crave it. Ask for extra secret sauce and thank me later. The "Beat the Heat," "Sweetness" and "Sunday Brunch" are my personal favs but every pizza they make is delicious, you can't go wrong.
En Croute - we go to En Croute for a lot of our date nights or special occasions! It has a very European cafe vibe to me and always feels just enough "upscale" without being over the top. It is small and intimate and just feels romantic. They always have an amazing wine menu + rotating cheese and charcuterie boards and their menu is filled with high end ingredients like fois gras and truffles. Yes, please.
Black Walnut - I recently visited Black Walnut for the first time and have been recommending it to everyone since! It is a black-owned business which I love to support, now more than ever. They have really unique cocktails and their menu is packed with bold flavor pairings that are different from any other restaurant in the city. It feels like something you would get in NYC! Everything I've had here is amazing but my favorite is the Honey Lavender Chicken. DROOL.
Drinks
Sidecar - a favorite spot for happy hour drinks or after dinner cocktails. They have a great wine list, beer menu and lots of unique cocktails. I love the Cucumber Cutie or the Toasted Marshmallow. Also, PSA, their cheeseboard is the BEST in the city! There are two locations (Automobile Alley and Chisholm Creek) and both are excellent. Chisholm Creek has a better patio/rooftop setup if the weather is nice, but Automobile Alley is a bit more unique and intimate (although seating is limited).
Social Capital - I love Social Capital's rooftop! It overlooks Scissortail Park and Downtown OKC and is a gorgeous spot to look out over the city. They have around 100 beers on tap, so pretty much something for everyone, plus there are a few cocktails, canned seltzers and mixed drinks available. The rooftop is my favorite place, but they also have a few hidden patio areas that are a bit more quiet.
The Jones Assembly - when the world was "normal," Jones was THE place to meet up with groups of friends! They often host concerts (although I'm not sure when that will pick back up) and have a really good indoor/outdoor bar with a great drink menu. I believe the menu changes seasonally, but the Frozé is forever a winner and always on the menu! Jones also has a good dinner menu, FYI!
Bar Arbolada - the most aesthetically pleasing cocktail bar in town! It is covered in pretty tiles, marble and gold accents with plants hanging from the windows, yes please! This bar can get noisy if it's crowded, so be prepared. They pour a STIFF drink so I usually stick to wine when I go here.
Dessert
Roxy's - my all time favorite ice cream! There are lots of locations around the metro, but I always go the original in the Plaza. All of the flavors are delicious and taste homemade, but my personal favorite is salted caramel, you can never go wrong!
Katiebugs - the CUTEST little sweets shop! Katiebugs started out as a snow cone trailer that served specialty hot chocolate in the winter. Eventually, they grew and opened their sweet shop in a historical house. They always have it decorated for the season and it's so darling, plus the owners (mom and daughter) are genuinely the sweetest ever. Their menu is constantly changing (check their Instagram for the current week's menu), but everything is yummy!
Cafe Disco - the best macarons I've ever had outside of Ladurée in Paris/NYC/LA! Plus it's just really cute and Instagrammable, which is important!
Green Goodies - my personal favorite cupcake in the city! They also have cookies and lots of vegan or gluten free options.
Date Night Activities
Stroll around Scissortail Park or the Myriad Gardens - both parks are located downtown and are so pretty to stroll through or just sit in. You could even get Hall's pizza to-go and have a picnic on the lawn! When covid isn't happening, Myriad Gardens often shows movies on the lawn in the summer and they have ice skating in the winter. Both parks food trucks parked nearby regularly, as well.
Ride the Bricktown Water Taxi or the Wheeler Ferris Wheel - I haven't done either but have always wanted to! Wheeler Park has a lot of hammocks and tables to relax at (plus the occasional food truck).
Get Active - I loved the Bike & Brews tour with Ride OKC and highly recommend it (read my experience here). It's a really fun way to experience the city through a new perspective and they have lots of different "themes" to choose from like a cookie tour or architectural tour, too. Riversport OKC is a great option in the warmer months. They have tons of options like white water rafting, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, zip lines, giant slides and more. I also think Summit Climbing at the Silos would be a fun and something different to try for an active date night.
Walk through a Museum - I'm not a huge museum goer so I don't have much experience to go off of, but here are a few museums that people rave about: OKC Museum of Art, OKC National Memorial & Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The 21c Hotel also has an interesting museum in their first floor. Of course, there is the OKC Zoo, too, which is fun no matter your age!
*When covid isn't happening, you can also go to a game (Thunder Basketball, Dodgers Baseball, Energy Soccer), a concert (Jones Assembly, Chesapeake Arena, Zoo Amphitheater, The Criterion) or see a show (Civic Center, Lyric Theatre)
Date Night Hotel
If you're coming into the city for the night and plan on drinking, be sure to book a room! Here are a few of my favorite boutique hotels that have some romantic charm to them.
The Bradford House - a brand new boutique hotel in a completely renovated historical apartment building. It's REALLY cute, colorful and Instagrammable, plus they have a bakery cafe, bar, and they serve dinner! Honestly I'm looking for an excuse to stay here and I only live a few blocks away haha.
The Skirvin - OKC's historic hotel located downtown! Some say it is haunted, but everyone says it is gorgeous! C and I stayed here after our wedding and it felt so upscale. They also have a great bar on their first floor.
The Ambassador - another boutique hotel in a historical building! I've never stayed here personally but I've heard great things. It is located in Midtown within walking distance to some of my favorite restaurants and shops. They have a bar on the top floor that overlooks the city.
21c - this museum hotel is in the Film Row district. It is super modern with large rooms, gigantic windows and lots of light. Their first floor has a yummy restaurant, a bar and an abstract art museum. We stayed here during an OKC Staycation and really enjoyed it. The building 21c is located in used to be a Ford automobile plant so it also has a cool history behind it.
I hope these ideas help you create a special, romantic evening in the city! If you have any date night favorites that I didn't mention, please drop them in the comments. I am always looking for an excuse to go out on the town with my hottie hubby!
No comments
Post a Comment