51st Street Speakeasy in Oklahoma City: A Craft Cocktail Bar with Period Atmosphere and Local Whiskey Focus
51st Street Speakeasy is a craft cocktail bar located in the Midtown/Uptown corridor that centers its program on American whiskey and prohibition-era drink recipes, with a design scheme built around repurposed wood, dim lighting, and vintage bar fixtures that conveys 1920s aesthetic without kitsch.
What 51st Street Speakeasy Actually Is
The bar occupies a roughly 2,000-square-foot space and seats approximately 40 people across a central bar, high-top seating, and a handful of tables. The bartender staff consists of four to five core mixologists who rotate shifts; at least one has attended advanced spirits education certification. The venue operates as a full-service cocktail bar with no food service beyond bar snacks. It does not function as a nightclub, dance venue, or live music space, and it is not positioned as a high-volume sports bar.
Signature Drinks and Pricing
Cocktails are priced at $12 to $15 per drink. The house recipe list includes a Sazerac, a Whiskey Smash, an Old Fashioned built with Oklahoma-produced whiskey, and a rotating seasonal specification that changes every four to six weeks. Spirits cost reflects the whiskey program: well whiskeys run $3 to $4 per pour, while premium selections (rye, bourbon, and wheat whiskey from producers like Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, and Four Roses) anchor the mid-shelf tier. The bartenders will build custom drinks to order if a customer describes a flavor profile or requests a spirit-forward drink in a given style.
How It Compares to Other Oklahoma City Cocktail Bars
Parlor OKC, located downtown near Bricktown, emphasizes seasonal ingredients and modern cocktail technique with pricing in the $13 to $16 range. The Loaded Bowl, while primarily a restaurant, operates a cocktail bar with a lighter spirits program and lower price point ($10 to $12). The Criterion, also downtown, focuses on vodka-based and contemporary mixed drinks with a higher cover clientele. 51st Street differentiates itself through whiskey specialization and an interior that reads as historically grounded rather than trend-driven; choose it if you prefer American spirits and a bar experience centered on classic recipes, and choose Parlor if you want contemporary plating and vegetable-forward ingredients.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
The bar suits whiskey drinkers, cocktail enthusiasts interested in prohibition-era drinks, and patrons seeking a quieter environment for conversation. It does not suit customers seeking high-energy nightlife, dance space, or food-focused experiences. It is not wheelchair-accessible via the main entry; confirm accessibility details before visiting. It is not ideal for large groups (tables seat four to six comfortably at most) and does not take reservations.
What the First Visit Involves
Walk in during operating hours, approach the bar or wait to be seated at a table. The bartender will present the house cocktail menu (printed or verbal) and ask your spirit preference or flavor preference. If you are unfamiliar with the menu, the bartender typically asks whether you prefer sweet, sour, strong, or spirit-forward profiles and builds accordingly. Drinks arrive within five to eight minutes during standard occupancy. Cash and card are accepted. Tipping is expected (15 to 20 percent standard).
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
51st Street Speakeasy is located on 51st Street in the Midtown area. Hours are typically 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Saturday and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday; the bar is closed Mondays. Verify current hours before visiting, as seasonal and staffing adjustments occur. Street parking is available on 51st Street and surrounding blocks; no dedicated lot exists. The nearest public transit is limited; personal transportation (car or rideshare) is the practical approach. The space has a single-stall restroom not suitable for accessibility needs.
51st Street Speakeasy fills a specific niche in Oklahoma City's cocktail landscape: a spirits-focused bar that prioritizes recipe integrity and whiskey education over novelty. For visitors in Midtown seeking a quieter drink with substance, it is a consistent choice.
