Valentine’s Day in Oklahoma City: LGBTQ+ friendly date spots

Oklahoma isn’t known for being a queer-friendly state, especially considering the influx of anti-LGBTQ+ bills the state saw during the 2023 legislative session.

Still, Oklahoma City is home to many queer-owned restaurants, providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ community members to dine.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, here are some queer-owned, queer-friendly restaurants to take your partner during the holiday of love.

HumanKind Hospitality

HumanKind Hospitality Services is a partially queer-owned collection of independent bars and restaurants in Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District. With options ranging from pizza, brunch and Mexican food, here are queer-friendly restaurants from HumanKind Hospitality:

OSO Paseo

Located at 603 NW 28th St., OSO Paseo is a destination taco shop and tiki bar. The restaurant is the perfect queer-friendly date spot if you and your valentine are looking for open-faced tacos and cocktails served in whole coconuts.

FRIDA Southwest and The Daley

FRIDA Southwest is a new American and Southwestern restaurant located at 500 NW 28th St. With dinner and brunch options, the restaurant also features a whisky bar and lounge called The Daley.

Picasso Cafe and The Other Room

Picasso Cafe, located at 3009 Paseo St., is a queer-owned restaurant featuring new American-style food and more than 20 vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. Located next door is its laid-back bar called The Other Room.

Sauced on Paseo

Looking for coffee and pizza in one location? Sauced on Paseo, located at 2912 Paseo Dr., has the best of both worlds.

84 Hospitality

84 Hospitality Group is a queer-owned restaurant group that describes itself as “a group of passionate young people hell-bent on furthering the social dining/late-night food scene.” Whether you’re looking for ramen, pizza or a burger, this restaurant group has you covered:

Empire Slice House

Empire Slice House is a pizza restaurant and bar featuring dozens of pizzas, beer, wine and cocktails. It’s Oklahoma City location is at 1804 NW 16th St. It also has locations at 15 W 1st St. in Edmond, and at 417 N Main St. in Tulsa.

Goro Ramen

Goro Ramen, located at 3000 Paseo St., is a contemporary Japanese noodle house and bar.

Burger Punk

Burger Punk is a punk-themed burger restaurant and bar with two locations in Oklahoma City, one at 3012 N Walker Ave., and another at 915 Britton Rd.

Remix Ramen

Located at 23 W 1st St, Suite 120 in Edmond, Remix Ramen puts a modern spin on classic Japanese cuisine.

OKC’s ‘Gayborhood’

Looking for a queer-friendly place to stay with your partner on Valentine’s Day? Or maybe just a nightcap? OKC’s 39th Street District is the city’s LGBTQ+ epicenter, featuring 45 locally-owned businesses.

Apothecary 39

Apothecary 39, located at 2125 NW 39th St., is a laid-back lounge with vintage and contemporary cocktails, beer and wine.

The District Hotel

The District Hotel, formerly known as Habana Inn, is a dynamic LGBTQ+ hotel and club experience. The hotel is located at 2200 NW 40th St.

Indigo Lounge

Located at 2215 NW 39th St., Indigo Lounge is a family-owned bar and lounge that welcomes all members of the LGBTQ+ community.