Beep beep! Oklahoma City’s Auto Alley, known for its storefront holiday lights, has a lot of history. Of course, cars and automobile enthusiasts who live up to the name will thoroughly enjoy a trip to this area. With a Tesla store, Indian Motorcycle in Oklahoma City, and more, you’ll never run out of fun, food, or beer at Automobile Alley.
Carving history:
Automobile Alley dates back to 1889, when it was the site of the original town, and was home to the widest north-south street. According to the district’s official website, the street is rumored to have been just wide enough for a horse-drawn carriage to turn around. From the 1890s to the early 1900s, frame houses began to appear.
In the late 1910s and early 1920s, residential real estate began to be sold and replaced by commercial real estate, most of which was automobile related. Hotels and apartment buildings were also incorporated. The earliest of these buildings were built of brick.
By the 1920s, 52 of Oklahoma City’s 76 car dealerships were located along Broadway Avenue in the Automobile District.
I’ve already arrived, I’m hungry!
Iguana Mexican Grill serves authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine in Automobile Alley. The menu features delicious queso and several taco options, including cheeseburger tacos. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 3pm to 6pm and includes great deals on drinks and food.
If you love pho and banh mi, check out Vietnamese restaurant Hot Chopsticks Kitchen. Their signature menu items are Beef Short Rib Pho, Sesame Chicken, and Orange Chicken. Personally, spring rolls take the top spot. Hot Chopsticks is located inside 8th Street Market.
ListenUpOKC is a lounge and bar for listening to records. While you listen to music and drink, you can shop a selection of records and vintage audio equipment at MonkeyFeet Music in Oklahoma City. If you’re hungry, ListenUpOKC is serving Lebanese food and desserts from SAJ Lebanese Cuisine until 9 p.m.
Drivers need a break!
Automobile Alley is home to several breweries, including Skydance Brewing. Skydance, a Native American-owned company, aims to bring communities together through beer and celebrate heritage in its branding and packaging. Year-round beers include Rez Dog, Fance Dance, and NDN Time, as well as seasonal options and a rotating series.
Prairie Artisan Ales Taproom was founded in 2012, but its first beer was brewed before Oklahoma became a state (though selling and possessing beer was illegal).The Bomb!, Rainbow Sherbet and Slushie Ale top the annual collection
Oklahoma City’s largest taproom is Twisted Spike Brewing, whose interior is built from a converted shipping container and designed to resemble nearby railroad tracks. Events such as trivia night and bingo are also held. Barley & Bees Southern Biscuit Bar hosts bees in its taproom and serves food and brunch.
It’s a wonderful shop, please stop by!
Common Dear was founded to support women-, LGTBQ+-, and BIPOC-owned brands. You’ll find candles, cards, mugs, accessories, the most colorful and cutest pillows you’ve ever seen, and more. You can easily find this stop from the rainbow-colored storefront.
Johnny and June, a new store from the founders of Common Dear, is just around the corner and offers a similar vibe. Johnny & June, which sells a similar set of products (including the most adorable stuffed dinosaurs), also features rainbow detailing on its store shelves.
Plenty Mercantile aims to support sustainability through the careful sourcing of sophisticated products. Here you can get bulk refills and a variety of zero-waste household, pet and family products. Plenty also supports The Venue for all your party hosting needs and has an online store.
Need to stretch your legs?
Factory Obscura is an immersive art experience. The Automobile Alley exhibit is a mixtape, their take on the “classic audio autobiography.” Stop by on your adventure in this district and encounter emotions such as melancholy, love, wonder, joy, anxiety and hope.
The Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center has moved from the State Fairgrounds to Automobile Alley for the first time in 30 years. The center aims to encourage artistic expression through education, exhibition, and performance. Check out shows, take classes, and view current exhibits here.
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