Being single in the winter doesn’t have to be a bummer—especially with a drink in your hand and prospects nearby.
If dating apps are the top way to meet someone in 2025 —which The Knot data says they are—what’s the alternative? The marriage site’s findings also show that meeting through mutual friends and chance encounters are in the top five. These events are, let’s face it, made easier with some social lubricant and the right atmosphere.
Tulsa’s array of watering holes provides ample opportunities to make connections. Though I’m not unattached, these are places I’d frequent (even more) if I were, spots to find interesting people or meet up for a first date in no-pressure environments. (And my single friends concur.)
Best for Cocktails: Valkyrie
Arts District
I’m always on the hunt for a good cocktail in any city I’m in. Even better is a good cocktail and a vibe that fosters conversation and creativity. For some extra swank this winter, head to Valkyrie. It’s dark and moody, and there are usually people sitting at the bar on their own, not just couples or groups. But it does fill up, especially on the weekends.
Valkyrie bartenders can easily make you a drink of their choice based on your tastes and preferences for cocktails. But you can also choose the normal order-from-the-menu route, and their selection always features interesting seasonal blends. If you’re feeling adventurous, just tell them what you usually like, and they’ll whip up a customized concoction in an adorable little glass that fits the style of drink.
Best for Music: Mercury Lounge
SoBo District
You probably don’t need much introduction to Mercury Lounge, which hosts shows every day of the week. The venue—a converted gas station—brings in national acts and local favorites like the groove-based, guitar-driven Paul Benjaman Band, who I had the pleasure of seeing one Thursday night for a free show. It’s easy to relax while listening to something that feels so very Tulsa. Don’t forget to check out Bluegrass Brunch on Sundays with Johnny Mullenax, which is also free.
The bartenders work quickly when it’s packed, so be ready with your order when they look your way. Patrons are open and friendly at Mercury—within a few minutes of getting my drink, a couple sitting in a booth came over to say I could share it with them if I didn’t feel like standing. I love music people.
Best for Brews: American Solera
Pearl District
Tulsa has lots of great breweries, but American Solera serves something special. The beer is reliably good, even if experimental, and there’s a wide variety for your tastes—lagers to sours to IPAs to hazies and then some—as well as some in-house wines. The brewers are known to play with flavors, so you may want to try a sampling with a flight.
The old manufacturing space is classy and open, with tables and bar seats and more relaxing places to talk, which are perfect for casual meetups. It’s a lively place with plenty of outdoor seating in nice weather and opportunities to bump into someone new. Their trivia nights on Tuesdays get packed, too, and they offer burgers from Bub’s, American Solera’s food concept.
Of course, as a brewery, even weekend nights shut down by 10:00 pm, but it’s the perfect space for groups, getting a beer solo, or meeting your next Tinder date for a chill environment and a good pint.
Best for an Activity: The Max Retropub
Blue Dome District
While heading out to a bar is centered around imbibing, it can help break the ice even more to have something else to do. Board game bars tend to require a group, but a place like the Max Retropub, an arcade bar in the Blue Dome District, doesn’t require much except some money to spend on tokens and drinks.
Whether you go solo, with your wing person, or on an app date, the place is set up to interact. Play some pinball, ski ball, and Pacman and grab a beer in between at the bar, decked out with ‘80s and ‘90s relics everywhere. The Max is known for its playful, nostalgia-infused shots and cocktails like the Breakfast Club, Donkey Kong, or Rainbow Bright. The vibes are old-school and people from all walks of life and age groups appear.
Best for Everything: Tina’s
SoBo District
We all have those go-to bars in our cities that, when all else fails, are reliable when we need to feel at ease or impress someone. In Tulsa, that’s Tina’s, nestled near homey Maple Ridge, its warm lights inviting you in from the cold. What’s great about Tina’s is its simplicity. The design is clean, with sharp edges and minimalistic styling, suffused with moody red lighting. The checkered floors almost make it feel diner-esque, except cooler.
I observed lots of dates happening on a weeknight recently, no doubt because the place is a comfort. Angel Olsen and Courtney Barnett played through the speakers at just the right volume so you and your date can actually hear each other, all speaking to the 30s-to-40s crowd that seems drawn to this bar. The drinks cover all the classics, from the Last Word to a Manhattan, some with a twist, and the bartenders are knowledgeable. There’s shuffleboard, too. Oh, and if you’re hungry, you can order a burger and fries and pick it up at the back counter. What’s not to love?
