Destination downtown
BY JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT World Scene Writer
Sunday, February 17, 2013
2/17/13 at 6:09 AM
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Just 10 years ago, downtown pretty much rolled up its sidewalks, so to speak, by 5 p.m. on week days.
And you could forget finding anything to do on weekends.
But things have changed - rapidly, even, in the past couple of years - as more opportunities for wining, dining and general playing are available in the heart of downtown, as well as its adjacent entertainment districts: Brady Arts, Blue Dome and Greenwood.
Arguably, the crowning jewel of downtown revitalization is the César Pelli-designed BOK Center, which ranked 17th nationally and 45th worldwide in arena ticket sales in 2012. The BOK Center will host daily weigh-ins for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, with the nearby, recently renovated Tulsa Convention Center holding the Classic Outdoors Expo.
Four hotels have opened up in recent years, including the renovation and reopening of the legendary Mayo, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
So is Cain's Dance Academy, better known as Cain's Ballroom, where Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys broadcast their radio show - and where the Sex Pistols had one of their few American stops.
Cain's - which ranked No. 25 worldwide in club venue sales, by the way - helms the far end of the Brady District. This burgeoning entertainment neighborhood's namesake is home to "the Old Lady on Brady," also known as the Brady Theater, yet another local landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Brady District has experienced explosive growth, with the addition of a hotel, high-rated restaurants (like The Tavern and PRHYME), art galleries, lofts and condos, bars and the new Guthrie Green, an urban garden and performance space. It's also the home of the brand-new Hardesty Arts Center, chief residence of the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa.
To the immediate east is the state-of-the-art ONEOK Field baseball park and the historic Greenwood District, once called "America's Black Wall Street."
And a three-minute walk south of there is the Blue Dome District, another growing entertainment neighborhood, with a variety of bars, shops (Dwelling Spaces is a must-see), and food options ranging from salads and sandwiches to sushi and New Orleans-style seafood.
Myriad flavors and entertainment tastes abound here now - and the sidewalks don't roll up anymore.
Places of interest
BOK Center
200 S. Denver Ave.
One of the world's top-selling arenas and hub of activity during the Bassmaster Classic.
For more, 918-894-4200.
tulsaworld.com/bok
Cain's Ballroom
423 N. Main St.
The legendary stomping grounds of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.
For more, 918-584-2306.
tulsaworld.com/cains
Brady Theater
105 W. Brady St.
Its stage has supported some of the world's most recognizable musical artists.
For more, 918-582-7239.
tulsaworld.com/brady
ONEOK Field
201 N. Elgin Ave.
This state-of-the-art stadium is where the Tulsa Drillers call home.
For more, 918-744-5998.
tulsaworld.com/drillers
Baxter's Interurban Grill
717 S. Houston Ave.
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 4:30-11 p.m. Saturday
Our favorites: Honey Pepper Bacon Burger ($9.99) and Cajun Chicken Pasta ($13.99).
For more, 918-585-3134.
tulsaworld.com/baxters
Billy's On the Square
424 S. Main St
10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday
Our favorites: Mushroom Swiss Burger ($4.49) with fry/ring combo ($1.89).
For more, 918-583-8703.
tulsaworld.com/billys
Billy's On the Square
Inside the BOK Center
Open for all BOK events
Our favorite: Theta Burger ($6.50).
For more, 918-583-8703.
tulsaworld.com/billys
Spaghetti Warehouse
221 E. Brady St.
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Our favorites: Chicken Parmigiana ($12.99) and Spaghetti Pesto Basilica ($8.99).
For more, 918-587-4440.
tulsaworld.com/40meatballs
Juniper Restaurant
324 E. Third St.
11 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday
Our favorites: Seared King Salmon ($28) and Herbed Gnocchi and Bleu Cheese Crème ($16).
For more, 918-794-1090.
tulsaworld.com/juniper
Prhyme Downtown Steakhouse
111 N. Main St.
4-9 p.m. Sunday, 4-11 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Our favorites: Blue Crab Ravioli ($34.50) and USDA Prime 21-day wet aged tenderloin filet ($36.50, 8 ounces).
For more, 918-794-7700.
tulsaworld.com/prhyme
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
410 S. Main St.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
Our favorites: Amaretto truffles ($2.50 each) and English toffee caramel apples ($7.50 each).
For more, 918-299-7623.
tulsaworld.com/rockymtchoc
Atlas Art Gallery and Studio
415 S. Boston Ave.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
You'll find local and Oklahoma artists in this charming gallery, including beautiful works by owner Betty Dalsing.
For more, 918-808-1508.
Elote
514 S. Boston Ave.
11 a.m.-9/9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Our favorites: Smokin' Hot Quesadilla with Free Range Chicken ($8.99) and Fried Avocado Tacos ($9.99).
For more, 918-582-1403.
tulsaworld.com/elote
Classic Cigars & Lounge
118 N. Boston Ave.
12 p.m.-midnight Monday-Friday, 2 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, 12 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday
Attention, cigar aficionados: You'll only find Montecriso Reserva Negra cigars here in all of Green Country.
For more, 918-960-2646.
tulsaworld.com/classiccigars
The Hunt Club Pub & Grub
224 N. Main St.
11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Friday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, 5 p.m.-midnight Sunday
Our favorites: The Yardbird sandwich ($7.49), mac and cheese ($6.49) and Frito Pie ($4.99).
For more, 918-599-9200.
tulsaworld.com/huntclub
Hey Mambo
114 N. Boston Ave.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-11 p.m. Friday; 4-11 p.m. Saturday; 4-8 p.m. Sunday
Our favorites: Dattero Scialle (goat cheese-stuffed Medjoul dates wrapped in prosciutto, $12) and The Center of the Universe pizza (pesto cream, artichoke, spinach, pepper bacon, prosciutto, tomatoes and feta, $25)
For more, 918-508-7000.
tulsaworld.com/heymambo
Teri's Coney
3 E. Fifth St.
10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday
Our favorites: Reuben dog ($1.60), Chicago dog ($2.10) and three-way chili ($5.50)
For more, 918-582-6639.
Tulsa Glass Blowing
19 E. Brady St.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
An open-access studio you can either come and watch or create an art piece out of molten glass ($25-$95).
For more, 918-582-4527.
tulsaworld.com/tulsaglassblowing
Jason Ashley Wright 918-581-8483
jason.wright@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
The Brady District offers many entertainment options, including several bars and restaurants. JAMES GIBBARD/ Tulsa World
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