OKC by the Districts: Automobile Alley

OKC Blogger Amanda Martin's Guide to Automobile Alley District in Oklahoma City
Black Tank Dress | Hair Scarf | Tory Burch Sandals

Hi, what's up, hello! I'm back with another OKC by the Districts post - today we are talking about the Automobile Alley district. You can view my other OKC-specific posts here! I spent most of the last month on-the-go traveling to Paris and London with my mom and then jetting over to Miami for a work trip. Let me tell you.....it has been SO NICE to spend a few weekends in home-sweet-homa. I love to travel and explore new places, but home is definitely where the heart is.

In the 20s, Automobile Alley was home to over 50 car dealers (hints the name). The area kind of declined in the 70s and 80s but has since been revitalized. Today, some of the old vintage dealerships signs are still present which I think is so cool!

Below I'm rounding up some of my favorite spots in Automobile Alley from coffee to cocktails and everything in between. You could spend a whole day going from place to place! I love Automobile Alley because it is super walkable. It is right next to Midtown and just north of downtown - it more or less connects the two. I will mention that a lot of the restaurants in the area are closed on Sundays so keep that in mind!

OKC Blogger Amanda Martin wearing a hair scarf and LBD in Automobile Alley

Breakfast & Brunch
Hatch - if you like "early mood food" and appreciate a wide variety of pancake flavors, benedicts coffees and cocktails, Hatch is the place for you! They are open every day at 6 am but take note, they get BUSY on weekends so plan to get there early or utilize the no-wait app.

Coffee Slingers - some of the best quality coffee in town is from Coffee Slingers! I love their almond milk lattes and Americanos. If I were still a student, I would be here regularly! Their huge window lets in a ton of natural light and would be the perfect place to study.

Almond Milk Lattes from Coffee Slingers in Oklahoma City's Automobile Alley District
Coffee Slingers

Lunch & Dinner
Cultivar - I legit CRAVE Cultivar's white queso and house made tortilla chips! They seriously have the best tortilla chips I've ever tasted. Cultivar is my go-to spot for craft tacos and bowls! They have a "build your own bowl" line where you can choose what you want. It is ideal for people trying to track their macros or eat healthy (that is, if you skip the chips and queso haha).

Broadway 10 - a great place for a romantic dinner date! Their steaks are good but their sides are GREAT (smoked gouda mashed potatoes, anyone?). The aesthetic is very upscale and modern, which I love!

S&B Burger Joint - S&B was one of the first restaurants in OKC that wow'd me. It was opened at the start of Oklahoma City's growing food scene and was one of the first non-chain restaurants to make it's mark on the city. Their burgers are SO good and their toppings are unique and fun (as are their milkshakes and smothered fries). My go-to order when I'm treating myself is King burger (with peanut butter and bacon!!) and an order of peanut butter and bacon fries. Clearly I like peanut butter.

Nashbird - for some reason I just adore Nashbird's patio! They are located in a little old house that has been transformed into a restaurant with a front yard patio and I LOVE IT. The hot chicken sandwich is suhhh good.

Hideaway Pizza - Hideaway started in Stillwater (where I went to college) so it is basically a part of me now. I will always love it and crave it! I always smell it when I leave the gym and my oh my, my tastebuds start to dance and my stomach growls. It is dangerous in the best of ways. The Big Country pizza will forever be a favorite - it's basically a meat lover's pizza but better!

Desserts
Katiebugs - the CUTEST mint green historical house is now the yummiest snow cone and hot chocolate stand! Yes, snow cones and hot chocolate. Two delicious things for year-round tastiness. Why don't all snow cone stands turn into hot chocolate stands in the winter?? Katiebugs does have other tasty treats, sips and sweets, though, so be sure to stop by and give them a try!

Wine and cheese at Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar in OKC's Automobile Alley District
Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar

Drinks
Breweries - Twisted Spike, Prairie, Vanessa House are all located in Automobile Alley. Breweries and taprooms are a bit of a new thing in OKC and have been popping up everywhere. It is so fun to try local beers and have them all within walking distance of one another! Pro tip: Twisted Spike has an AMAZING Christmas beer.

Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar - some of my favorite cocktails in town are at Sidecar! And my all time favorite cheese plate, YUM. The Toasted Marshmallow cocktail is amazing if you're fan of a slightly burnt s'more. Sidecar is a great place to come for happy hour drinks. It's small (like, really small) but they often have their big glass garage door open so that it is to the street.

• The Yard - an "Urban Beer Garden" in the heart of the city made out of shipping containers! I love coming to The Yard when the weather is just right for patio drinks. They have bistro lights strung over the tables, food trucks parked in the lot and an amazing beer special.

Beyond Studios in Automobile Alley
Beyond Studios 

9th Street Barking Lot Doggy Day Care in Automobile Alley OKC
9th Street Barking Lot

Services & Activities
Beyond Studios - one of the best fitness studios in town! I used to teach here and still try to attend classes regularly. They offer traditional pilates as well as a "PHIT" class - pilates hybrid interval training. It is kind of like Orange Theory but with a pilates chair as a part of the strength circuit and a self propelled treadmill (aka a Woodway or "curve").

Four Star Fitness - where I do my cardio days!

• 9th Street Barking Lot - if you have pups that are left alone at home alone all day and need some playtime and attention while you're at work, this is the best place for doggie day care!

822 Broadway Salon - this is where I go to get my spray tans by Paxton of Get Naked Tans!

Shop Good in OKC's Automobile Alley District
Shop Good

Shopping
Shop Good - one of the best stores in town for OKC themed apparel and gifts!

Plenty Mercantile - a really fun and unique gift store with items you don't see every day. They have an amazing rooftop, too, that you can rent for events!

OK Runner - the longest running local running store in town! They offer all the best running shoes and apparel and their staff is SO nice and helpful.

Tin Lizzie's - I'm not even sure how to describe this eclectic store in a nutshell but I LOVE IT. It is a gift shop and home decor store with everything from lawn ornaments to homemade candles and boutique clothing. It is so fun to prowl around - you find something different every time!

Pro Tip: During the holidays, Automobile Alley has a fantastic light display! They cover every building with different colors of lights and it is so beautiful! One of my favorite parts of the city during Christmastime.



Fellow Oklahomies, what is your favorite spot in Automobile Alley? There were a few major places I didn't mention (like Red Prime Steakhouse, Kamps 1910 or the store Siempre Viva) because I've never been! I'd love to hear your suggestions. If you're a fan of any of the restaurants I mentioned, let me know what your favorite thing to order is so I can give it a try next time I'm there.

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know in the comments which OKC district you'd like me to cover next.

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