9 of the Best Local Taprooms in OKC
Hey, y’all! Full disclosure: I am not a beer expert but as part of my mission to find the coolest things to do in OKC, breweries are at the top of my list. There are SO many breweries and taprooms in OKC and so much variety between them all. Depending on what part of OKC you are in, you may be able to hop to multiple breweries in an afternoon, if that’s your style. We do have a streetcar that can take you safely to several destinations in the downtown area so that’s a good plan IMO.
Anyway, this list is my personal opinion based on 3 factors:
1. The quality of the beer
2. The *vibes* of the taproom
3. The location in proximity to other places to visit
So let’s talk about the top taprooms in OKC!
9. Equity
I love this brewery’s beer, food, and vibes, but it’s at the bottom of my list because it is probably the farthest from central OKC on this list. It’s located in Norman, which is about 20-30 minutes from downtown OKC. Norman is home to the University of Oklahoma, and being one of the few breweries in that area, the space surely gets a lot of traffic, but not from me.
I love that this brewery is owned by women (girl power), their beer is really good and they have an in-house kitchen which is surprisingly rare among taprooms in OKC. Check out their website here.
8. Core4 Brewing
Core4’s taproom is one of the smaller taprooms in OKC, but I actually like the cozy vibes they’ve created here. Their beer is pretty good, but really I enjoy the atmosphere and the location (near Downtown).
They have local art displays, board games, and a nice variety of beer and wine on their menu. They also do a lot of philanthropic work for the community so that’s always a plus in my book. Check out their website here.
7. Stonecloud Brewing Company
Stonecloud is (what I would call) an OKC staple. It’s one of the smaller taprooms, but what they lack in space, they make up for in FLAVOR. They are always coming up with unique combinations of ingredients, and the beer names are usually pretty funny (Chug Norris – really?).
Their staff is super friendly and helpful in suggesting beers as well! They are located just west of Downtown OKC so while not a super walkable distance from shops, still a good location overall. Check out their website here.
6. Roughtail Brewing Co.
Roughtail is actually lower on the list because of the location only. It’s out in the middle of North OKC and while there’s quite a bit to do from a drivable distance, you can’t walk to anything nearby. They absolutely redeem themselves with their beer though.
As I mentioned in my exhaustive list of breweries in OKC, they have one of the largest spaces in the area which means they are trying new stuff all the time. They have some realllllly good signature beers, but their small-batch stuff is super fun.
And because they are in the middle of nothing else, they have a ton of room inside and outside so even when it’s busy, it doesn’t seem crowded. Check out their website here.
5. Frenzy Brewing Company
Frenzy is located in Downtown Edmond, which is the northern suburbs of OKC so it’s a bit of a drive depending on where you’re staying or where you live. There are a ton of things to do in the area though, so points for that IMO.
They have the most delicious lager called Lake Life. And I can’t even describe how downright drinkable it is. Just picture sitting on a porch on a warm summer day with the lake just steps away and a crisp, cold beer in your hands. This beer transports you to that place with one sip.
They are set up in an old building which is really cool if you’re into history and whatnot. Check out their website here.
4. The Big Friendly
One of the most fun things about this brewery is how it started. This brewery used to exclusively serve out of an old bus. And not in a creepy way, but in a cool, millennial hipster way.
Now, they have a really great taproom (along with the bus!) in the Wheeler District, which is a site to see itself. The taproom has a great patio and a cute little play area/understairs nook for the kiddos. And not in a Harry Potter way.
Their beer is not flashy but it is DELICIOUS. Check out their website here.
3. Prairie Artisan Ales
Prairie is one of the OGs. You may recognize a Prairie Bomb as one of their signature beers. I’m a big fan of sours, so I really like that they are always brewing up new sours and releasing at least 1 new beer each week.
They have a great taproom, but it is on the smaller side, and because of its location and popularity, it gets real crowded and loud sometimes. That’s really the only reason it’s not higher up on my list.
The location is great with a ton to do in the Downtown area. Check out their website here.
2. American Solera
OKC folks may come for me for this one. If you aren’t from here, Tulsa and OKC have a bit of a rivalry and American Solera is actually a Tulsa-based company. But I can’t help that it’s SO. DANG. GOOD.
They are in this cute little center with multiple restaurants, outdoor seating, and a playground so it’s really great for families.
It is, however, another one that is located in Edmond (about 20 minutes from Downtown OKC) so if you’re not in the area, it may be hard to convince you to trek that far north. Check out their website here.
1. Skydance Brewing Co.
And finally, we have my fave. It hits all the boxes for me. It’s located in Downtown OKC, within walking distance from tons of restaurants, shops, and other breweries, and their beer is LEGIT.
I am partial to this company as a Native American (because it’s Native-owned) and they frequently commission local Native artists to create their beer labels.
They have a great indoor-outdoor space, host lots of events and fundraisers, and again, their beer is LEGIT. Check out their website here.
That’s it. That’s the list.
Each of these breweries brings its own unique twist to the taproom and its beers, so you should really try to hit each one if you want the full OKC experience. What are your faves? Let me know in the comments below!
