Where to Drink in Old Town
Head east on Douglas Avenue into Old Town, Wichita's established drinking district, where a cluster of bars and lounges occupies the blocks around Rock Island Road. This is where you'll spend your evening—a neighborhood with enough options to drift between venues without leaving the immediate area.
- The Brickyard sits at 129 N Rock Island Rd, a cornerstone spot in the district.
- Emerson Biggins Old Town anchors 808 E. Douglas with its own draw.
- Barleycorn's, at 608 E. Douglas, handles live music bookings and is worth checking ahead for what's on.
- Club Rain operates as a café and lounge at 518 E Douglas, offering a different tempo for the evening.
The district's walkability means you can sample different atmospheres without much planning—move from one bar to another as the night unfolds, gauging the energy and crowd at each stop.
Festivals Worth Timing Around
Two annual events give you reason to coordinate your visit with the calendar. Riverfest, held in late May or early June at 444 E William St, is Wichita's largest festival, drawing crowds with live music, food vendors, and activities spanning all ages. If you're an animal lover, Woofstock happens in early October at Sedgwick County Park (6501 W 21st Street North) and serves as the Kansas Humane Society's largest fundraiser of the year, running from 9:30AM to 3PM with admission between $10–25 (children under 12 enter free).
Evening Venues Beyond the Bar
When you want something other than a drinking establishment, several venues host evening entertainment. The Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center at 225 W. Douglas Ave offers a diverse selection of performances and events. The INTRUST Bank Arena downtown (500 E. Waterman St) hosts the Wichita Thunder minor league hockey team and occasional basketball games, creating natural gathering points for sports-focused evenings. If live baseball appeals, the Wichita Wind Surge, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, plays at Riverfront Stadium (300 S Sycamore St).
A Late Evening Option: The Drive-In
For an unconventional night out, the Starlite Drive-In at 3900 S Hydraulic Ave operates as the only drive-in theater in the Wichita area. Most nights cost $12 per car regardless of occupancy, and the venue runs three current box-office movies back-to-back on two large digital screens, with audio through your car's FM radio. Outside food and drinks are allowed, though an on-site snack bar sells popcorn, drinks, and funnel cakes. The Starlite closes seasonally during winter; call ahead at +1 316 524-2424 to confirm it's operating and check current pricing and showtimes.
Start with Old Town's bar crawl, anchor your trip around Riverfest or Woofstock if timing allows, and treat an evening at the drive-in as the kind of experience that distinguishes a trip from routine tourism.