Downtown Tulsa is known for its vibrant community of artists, especially our music. If you love live music, we have the best venues to experience everything from country ballads to the latest and greatest in hip-hop. We have it all, from big-ticket concerts and major headliners performing at the BOK Center to local jazz bands at LowDown and more. Downtown Tulsa's music scene loves supporting local musicians. Here is our list of the best music venues!
Cain's Ballroom
Built in 1924, Cain’s Ballroom has gone from a garage, a dime-a-dance joint and a dancing academy until it became what is known by artists and patrons alike as one of the top performance venues in the world today.
Cain’s Ballroom was especially significant for popularizing a new sound of western music called western swing, a form of country and western that combined jazz, hillbilly, boogie, blues, big band swing, rhumba, mariachi and jitterbug music. Today you can catch a show every week from new and emerging artist to veterans of the industry.
BOK Center
With more than 565,000 square feet for sports and entertainment events, the BOK Center has grown its reputation and lineups since opening in August 2008. Bringing in national sporting events like NCAA Division 1 Wrestling, this venue continues to host some of the biggest name's music.
The Vanguard
Have you ever sat in a HUGE music venue and looked down on the stage from a distance that made your favorite band look like toy soldiers? Doesn’t it make you think to yourself “I wish I had seen them in a small venue before they got so big.” That’s what the Vanguard is all about. The word Vanguard means to be in front on the edge and that’s what you’ll find there. Bands, DJs, and everything in between that are at the forefront of today’s music scene. Artists that are on their way up and great independent artists that like playing intimate venues. This is the place you can catch the next big thing, before they’re so big you can’t get a seat within 200 yards. At the Vanguard every seat is great whether you’re on the floor right in front of the band or comfortably seated in the balcony where you can still see what the band looks like. The Vanguard is not just another bar they only open when they have shows.
LowDown
One of Tulsa’s favorite live music venues is back and better than ever! LowDown is a contemporary live music venue and cocktail bar located in the historic Archer Building in the heart of the Tulsa Arts District. Formerly known as Duet Jazz Club, is opening its doors to live music, comedy, community jam sessions, open mic nights, and more.
Tulsa Theater
Completed in 1914, Tulsa Theater was designed as a municipal auditorium and convention hall by the architectural firm of Rose and Peterson of Kansas City, KS. The building was known as Convention Hall from 1914 – 1952. When the facility officially opened, it was billed as the largest hall between Kansas City and Houston. In 1930, world-renowned architect Bruce Goff was hired as designer of a major interior remodel. He had thirty days to transform the barn-like interior into an elegant showplace. The Art Deco style remodeling included draperies and seats, vertical wall panels of white plaster decorated with thin gold dividers, gilded air conditioning grilles, and acoustic ceiling tiles painted green, blue, white, and gold. Five massive green and white pendant light fixtures were installed centrally in the auditorium.
Some of the greatest names in show business have graced this historic stage. The venue’s impeccable acoustics and reputation for the incredible layout which makes every seat in the house a great seat keep people coming back time and again.
Tulsa Performing Arts Center
Built by the City of Tulsa and funded by the people of Tulsa, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center opened its doors in March 1977 as the City’s new municipal theatre. The first concert took place on March 19, 1977, featuring the Tulsa Philharmonic and jazz great Ella Fitzgerald.
The building itself occupies half a city block in Tulsa's historic downtown and is the design of Minoru Yamasaki, architect of the former World Trade Center towers. Housing four theatres, a studio space and a large reception hall, the TPAC has long played host to Broadway tours, nationally recognized artists, local talent and city functions. Catch classical and jazz music, as well as the finest musical performances in the world.
The Soundpony
Located in the Tulsa Arts District, The Soundpony is a raucous bar with a cycling theme and funky decor hosting comedy shows, trivia nights, and live music. In addition to being a vibrant venue that hosts live music, they also have their own cycling team and sponsor cycling and other sporting events.
The Hunt Club
Located on Main Street in the Tulsa Arts District, The Hunt Club is a great place to find new artists sharing their music, often for the first time. This historical spot is a lively, casual bar and serving up the most delicious empanadas from MASA, plus regular live music and a rooftop patio.
Hodges Bend
If you are looking for a regular jazz spot Hodges Bend is your place! You can catch a jazz ensemble every Monday night from 9PM - midnight, featuring local jazz musicians. Hodges is a bespoke cafe and bar experience featuring locally-roasted coffee, signature and classic cocktails, hand-picked wines, and New American dishes, from morning 'til night seven days a week.
There are several Downtown locations that have open mic nights like Mi Tea Lounge, Foolish Things Coffee Co., Chimera, Eerie Abbey Ales, Fassler Hall, and more. Tulsa just loves live music!
Mentioned in this Post
Cain's Ballroom
423 N Main Street
BOK Center
200 S Denver Avenue
The Vanguard
222 N Main Street
LowDown Tulsa
108 N Detroit Avenue
Tulsa Theater
105 Reconciliation Way
Tulsa Performing Arts Center
110 E 2nd Street
Soundpony
409 N Main Street
The Hunt Club
224 N Main Street
Mi Tea Lounge
427 S Boston Avenue
Foolish Things Coffee Company
1001 S Main Street
Chimera
212 N Main Street
Eerie Abbey Ales
507 S Main Street
Fassler Hall
304 S Elgin Avenue