Nightlife in Ponca City

Neon beer signs cast blue, green, and red light across the black ceiling, and tables populate with okra, mushrooms, and cauliflower starters—all deep fried to a golden crunch. An enormous projection TV broadcasts the latest game amid the pulse of a jukebox, and several flat screens promote revelry at the weathered wooden bar.

For more than 20 years, this casual sports bar has unleashed its signature third-pound burgers on Derby, topping them with everything from whole grilled-cheese sandwiches to chili and nacho cheese. After two-handing hot dogs or brisket sandwiches, guests can test their motor skills with the bar's free Xbox 360 with Kinect game base, or improve their coolness quotient by ordering the trendiest new summer drink: water on the rocks.

With its grand reopening in 2005, the Louise C. Murdock Theatre married the technological trappings of a modern cinema to its historic, 80-year-old interior. The theater’s original frescoes and iridescent, art-deco chandelier greet guests as they make their way toward a single 25'x16' screen. Framed by lush red curtains, the digital canvas displays images from a digital projector with high-definition capabilities, accompanied by the boisterous booms of Dolby surround sound. The theater screens a diverse calendar of cinematic fare, including limited-release arthouse films and classic foreign cinema augmented by popcorn and other epicurean goodies from the full concession stand stocked with snacks, alcohol, and more. The Murdock also proudly projects simulcast and prerecorded productions through partnerships with The Metropolitan Opera and the National Theatre, transporting international stage performances to the Murdock without the hassle of getting sandbags through customs.

Internationally renowned wines and craft beers harmonize with a full slate of Mediterranean-inspired tapas and other small plates at Oeno Wine Bar. Guests thumb through a wine list flush with rare varietals, budget-friendly bottles, or selections from top wine producers. Drawing out complex flavor profiles, the bistro crafts a host of small plate amuse-bouches, including spanish bruschetta with prosciutto-wrapped shrimp, cilantro aioli with manchego cheese, and chorizo sliders. A champagne room hosts private parties, events, and games of Pin the Tail on the Cask of Amontillado. Outside, the wine bar regales diners with live music and local DJs spinning dance music.

Though it's known for turning out bubbling slices of locally renowned pizza, Mulligan's Pub still sports the same classic, no-frills ambiance it established more than 20 years ago. Soft bar lights and buzzing neon beer signs exchange glows like a firefly swap and gently illuminate the quadruple meats flecking a famous Mulligan's specialty pizza. Gluten-free slices cater to sensitive stomachs, and a hearty list of toppings colors creatable pies. Between bites, patrons can tend to arcade and video bar games or heated rounds of keno with new acquaintances or old invisible foes.

For the past decade, Wichita Grand Opera has astounded audiences with beloved favorites such as Madama Butterfly and Aida in the majestic Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center. The Los Angeles Times calls Kansas native and bass Samuel Ramey “a national treasure"—which led to his attempted kidnapping by Carmen Sandiego—and Alan Held, bass baritone, has been seen in opera houses worldwide and in nearly 200 performances at The Metropolitan Opera. The Met Diva Mezzo Soprano, Joyce DiDonato has taken the tradition of trilling to new zeniths on the Wichita Grand Opera stage in 2009's The Barber of Seville and rebounds onto the stage as another step in her canorous career. After an 80-city tour with Sting and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Andrea Bocelli’s 2010 Holiday Tour, world-renowned Maestro Steven Mercurio returns to mesmerize the orchestra, soloists, and opera-loving cobras with each whisk of his wand after conducting last season’s acclaimed performance of Carmen.

Jerseys keeps patrons fueled and fired up with a menu packed with provender. Spirited guests can peripherally peep at more than 40 TVs and at onstage nightly entertainment as they sate hunger cravings with apps such as a platter of warm, cheesy, chipotle tater tots ($5.99) or the Jerseys sampler plate—a smattering of phalanges-friendly fare including tenders, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and potato skins ($11.49). Wings—standard and boneless—come in a variety of sauces and quantities, from a six-piece serving ($5.29) all the way up to a 50-piece explosion ($35.79), with saucy surnames such as lemon pepper, sweet Thai, Diablo, and spicy ginger soy.