Soundpony Lounge, Tulsa

Tucked just two doors down from the legendary Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa’s Arts District, Soundpony Lounge is a dive bar with soul-and pedals. Founded in 2006 by friends Mike Wozniak and Josh Gifford, the Soundpony has become a quirky cultural hub for live music lovers, local misfits, and cycling fanatics alike.

Inside, it's equal parts grunge and gearhead heaven. Old bicycles dangle from the ceiling. A bike tire doubles as a disco ball. Jerseys and race memorabilia cling to the walls like sweat-soaked trophies. But don’t let the decor fool you-this place is as much about rhythm as it is about ride.

The Soundpony is famed for its free live shows, karaoke nights, comedy, and trivia. Local bands often get their first break here, and the bar’s commitment to Tulsa’s music scene is unwavering. From indie rock and punk to soul, hip-hop, and jazz, the sound is as eclectic as the crowd-think artists, punks, cyclists, and the occasional off-duty rock star (yes, even members of The Black Keys and Yo La Tengo have been spotted post-show).

The bar’s legacy is more than music-it’s motion. The Soundpony sponsors cycling and soccer teams like the Rainbros and Hungry Buffalos, and it’s deeply entrenched in Tulsa’s alt-sport scene. The name itself? Born from a half-myth, half-joke involving Johnny Rotten, Miles Davis, a horse, and a fever dream of musical fusion.

Affordable drinks, creative energy, and unapologetic weirdness-Soundpony isn’t just a bar, it’s a Tulsa rite of passage.