Gay bars near the havana oklahoma city

As travelers came through in droves, the necessity for lodging and entertainment steadily arose, beginning with the opening of the Habana Inn in Now called The District Hotelthe property was marketed as a gay hotel — a first of its kind for OKC and a pioneer on a national scale. Not just fun and frivolity, gay businesses were pivotal sources of solidarity and inclusion, during a time when homophobia ran rampant.

Follow the Rainbow to Oklahoma City 39th Street District

For instance, the infamous Stonewall Riots in New York City took place the year after the Habana Inn havana, signaling a sea change for queer communities across the world. Angles still reigns as a wildly popular weekend nightclub, joined by a spree of other bars and clubs, like The BoomApothecary 39 and the newly minted Indigo Lounge.

The Habana Inn was rebranded and renovated in into the District Hotel, with a whole new slate of on-site bars, two outdoor pools, and regular festivals and events that draw visitors from near and far. Today, 39th Street has come oklahoma long way from its humble roots as a Route 66 stopover.

Although 39th Street is now teeming with bars, each one has its own distinct gay and style. For nightlife, Angles is still the end all-be near. The sprawling, multi-level club has enough late-night dance parties and over-the-top energy to make it feel like something out of Miami — albeit with a much cheaper cover charge.

Just around the corner, Apothecary 39 is a far more subdued watering hole, with a quieter setting and an emphasis on craft cocktails in a space that feels like an eclectic parlor. Across the the, Phoenix Rising is perhaps the most popular bar for drag shows, with an indoor performance floor and a cute patio out back.

The Boom, perched atop a hill on 39th Street, is known for its drag brunch and drag dinner shows, performed in an ample theater space behind the main bar. On non-show days, it has more of a casual vibe, complete with a huge front patio and recurring features like trivia night and karaoke. New to the district is Indigo Loungean inclusive and welcoming bar that feels a tad more upscale and elegant than its proximal cohorts.

The decor is whimsical and chic, the owners routinely make the rounds to welcome guests, and unique cocktails include pineapple martinis and spicy margaritas. The latest business to join the party is Rainbow Bistroa much-needed restaurant in a bar-filled enclave. The late-night spot, which should come in handy on a night of bar-hopping, features casual sandwiches and snacks, like charcuterie pretzel boards and beer cheese, along with saucy sandwiches like The Hot Mess, with salami, ham, mozzarella, provolone, tapenade and toasted focaccia.

As the neighborhood continues to expand and evolve, new non-bar businesses are arriving as well, like Whips n Furs Costume, a fun all-season costume and vintage store, where you can find anything from a makeshift Captain Hook ensemble to thrifted ponchos and fur coats. Spring through fall, both the west and east pools are open for guests to swim and lounge on bright Adirondack chairs, complete with al fresco bars slinging cold beer and boozy seltzer.

Along the way and all weekend long, the district also features drink tents, food, vendors, live music stages and events galore. Year after year, 39th Street continues to grow and expand, both in terms of businesses and Pride, and in terms of reputation. Matt Kirouac is a travel writer and a bar transplant to Oklahoma City after two and a half cities of RV living.

Where to Go Although 39th Street is now teeming with bars, each one has its own distinct vibe and style.