If you've ever tried to park in Bricktown on a sold-out concert night, you already know how it goes. The surface lots within two blocks of the venue fill up before the opener hits the stage. The Bricktown Parking Garage at 222 E Sheridan — the main nearby structure — posts a 7-foot maximum vehicle height, which rules out any charter bus or full-size party bus before it even reaches the entrance.
And when the house lights come up at The Criterion (500 E Sheridan Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73104) and 3,500 people spill out onto E Sheridan at once, rideshare surge pricing turns a five-minute ride into a 20-minute wait. One Oklahoma City party bus or charter bus rental swaps all of that for a curbside drop at the main entrance, a bus staged nearby for the return trip, and no one scrambling for a parking spot they paid event rates for five hours ago.
This guide covers exactly how group transportation to The Criterion actually works — where buses drop off and stage, what nearby parking actually costs and what the lots don't advertise, how the OKC Streetcar factors in, and which vehicle fits your headcount. The Criterion opened in March 2016 and has grown into the premier mid-size concert room in Oklahoma City, with a capacity that swings from roughly 2,000 seated to around 3,500 for fully standing general admission shows, a second-level mezzanine that holds up to 1,300 on its own, and three full-service bars. The shows sell out.
The parking doesn't hold. A bus does both things the lot can't.
Why Rent a Bus to The Criterion in Oklahoma City?
The Criterion's location in Bricktown is both the draw and the logistical problem. It's a walkable entertainment district — which means every restaurant, bar, ballpark, and concert venue is sharing the same cluster of surface lots and one parking garage on the same Friday and Saturday peak window. The lot directly west of the building is the closest pay-to-park option, and on a big-name show night it's at capacity well before doors.
The Bricktown Parking Garage at 222 E Sheridan Ave has a posted 7-foot height limit, so a standard charter bus or full-size party bus can't enter at all. Groups that drove separately spend half the night stacked in a surface lot a few blocks over, then add a post-show rideshare surge on top of the $15 event-rate parking they already paid.
An Oklahoma City concert bus rental collapses all of that into one transaction. Your group boards together from a single pickup point, gets dropped at the curbside in front of 500 E Sheridan, and has a staging plan already in place for the ride home. Nobody draws straws for who stays sober to drive back.
Nobody pays four separate lots and still ends up walking three blocks. The math on per-person cost often surprises groups — split a 25-passenger party bus across 25 people and you're frequently paying less than everyone would have paid separately between parking and rideshare, while arriving as one group instead of a scattered caravan. Request a quote through Partybusinoklahomacity.com or call 405-493-6563 any time — pricing for your specific show date takes about a minute to pull up.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at The Criterion
Bus drop-off at The Criterion is curbside on E Sheridan Avenue in front of the main entrance at 500 E Sheridan Ave. The venue's own published guidance points rideshare pickup and drop-off to this same address — it's the designed passenger flow point for the front of the building. For a charter bus or party bus approaching from downtown OKC, the standard route is E Sheridan Ave eastbound, pulling to the right-hand curb directly in front of the venue entrance to unload, then moving off E Sheridan to stage on a nearby side street or adjacent surface lot while your group is inside.
Check the official Criterion parking and directions page before your visit for any updated access guidance.
The detail that catches first-timers off guard: the Bricktown Parking Garage at 222 E Sheridan Ave, which is the nearest parking structure to The Criterion, has a maximum vehicle height of 7 feet. A standard charter bus runs 12–13 feet tall. Sending a full-size coach to 222 E Sheridan expecting to pull into the garage won't work — the clearance bar stops it before the entrance.
Surface lots in the surrounding Bricktown blocks are the practical staging alternative for oversized vehicles. Confirm the approach and staging plan at the time of booking so there's no guesswork on the night of the show.
Bus drop-off at The Criterion is curbside on E Sheridan Ave at 500 E Sheridan. The Bricktown Parking Garage directly nearby has a 7-foot height limit — a charter bus or full-size party bus physically cannot enter it. Surface lot staging in the surrounding Bricktown blocks is the standard solution for oversized vehicles.
Parking Near The Criterion: What It Actually Costs Without a Bus
The parking landscape around The Criterion breaks down into a few distinct options, and each one has a catch that doesn't show up in the rate sign.
The lot directly west of the building is the closest pay-to-park option and the first to fill on concert nights. It's convenient if you arrive well before doors — and essentially a non-option by showtime on a sold-out date. The venue itself acknowledges it as the nearby pay lot without guaranteeing availability.
The Bricktown Parking Garage (222 E Sheridan Ave, (405) 232-2432) is the main nearby structure. It's a short walk to the venue entrance. The limitation is that posted 7-foot height ceiling — passenger cars and Sprinter vans fit fine; charter buses and full-size party buses do not.
For groups in regular vehicles who want the closest garage, this is the practical choice if you arrive early.
Bass Pro Shops, two blocks south of The Criterion, is the free parking option The Criterion's own guidance points to. The lot costs nothing and the walk north to 500 E Sheridan is manageable — a reasonable fallback for groups that drove separately and want to meet at the venue without paying event-rate parking. On a sold-out night after the show, that walk back through Bricktown with 3,500 other fans is its own adventure.
EMBARK operates five downtown Oklahoma City parking garages with event-rate parking. EMBARK's off-street parking page has current rates; a useful bonus is that each paid receipt covers two free rides on the OKC Streetcar all day. Regular rates run $2 per hour or $10 for the day; event rates vary.
For a 30-person group driving separately — 15 cars minimum, 15 lot payments, 15 post-show moments of trying to find the same exit — the math against one bus rental is usually not close.
The OKC Streetcar and The Criterion: What You Need to Know
The OKC Streetcar's Bricktown Loop stops at East Bricktown Platform 1, adjacent to The Criterion, Bass Pro Shops, and the eastern end of the Bricktown Canal. The Bricktown Loop is a 2-mile, 9-stop route running every 12–15 minutes, connecting Myriad Gardens and central downtown to East Bricktown along Reno and Sheridan avenues. If part of your group is staying at one of the three hotels within one block of The Criterion — AC Hotel Bricktown, Hyatt Place Bricktown, or Springhill Suites by Marriott — the streetcar is a genuinely practical hop to the entrance.
Per Visit OKC's streetcar guide, the Bricktown Loop runs Fridays from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rides are free through August 20, 2026; after that, single-use tickets are $1 and a day pass is $3. Parking at an EMBARK downtown garage also covers two free streetcar rides for the day from the same receipt.
Where the streetcar hits its limits for a large concert group: it runs on a fixed schedule that won't hold for a straggler, there's no guarantee your whole group boards the same car when the loop is crowded, and when The Criterion's show ends at 11 p.m. on a Saturday with 3,500 people heading for the same exits, the platform at East Bricktown is packed. An Oklahoma City party bus or charter bus rental stages nearby and departs on your timeline — no crowded platform, no waiting on the next loop, no split group.
What Size Bus Does Your Group Need for The Criterion?
The Criterion draws everything from intimate 500-person industry showcases to standing-room-only 3,500-person headliner nights, which means the group sizes booking buses here span the full vehicle range. Here's how the vehicle lineup maps to the Criterion runs that come in most often.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | VIP groups, corporate outings, birthday dinners before the show | Premium leather, USB charging at every seat, privacy windows |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Mid-size work groups, friend groups, hotel-block shuttles to the venue | Reclining seats, powerful A/C, overhead storage |
| 25-passenger party bus | Up to 25 | Birthday groups, bachelorette groups, friend groups who want the pre-show energy on the ride | LED lighting, Bluetooth sound system, flat-panel TVs |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Large fan groups, company outings, multi-stop Bricktown nights | Reclining seats, climate control, undercarriage storage, onboard restroom, WiFi, power outlets |
For most Criterion concert runs, a 25- to 40-passenger party bus is the most common request — large enough to keep a solid group together, with the built-in sound system and LED lighting that makes the ride part of the night rather than just a commute. For larger corporate or fan groups making a full Bricktown evening of it, a 56-seat charter bus handles the headcount and the undercarriage storage. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — flag it when you request your quote so the right vehicle gets matched to your group.
Oklahoma City Party Bus & Charter Bus Rental Prices for Criterion Shows
Party bus and charter bus rental prices in Oklahoma City shift based on vehicle type, the number of hours your group needs, and the specific show date. To give you a planning sense of ranges: a 15–35 passenger minibus typically runs $200–$275 per hour on weekends; a 25-passenger party bus runs $275–$375 per hour on weekends; and a 40–56 passenger charter bus generally runs $200–$350 per hour. The exact price for your specific date and itinerary moves with demand and the show's calendar position — the quote you pull through Partybusinoklahomacity.com is built around your exact trip, not a generic estimate.
The per-person math is worth running before you assume driving is cheaper. A 25-passenger party bus at a mid-range weekend rate for a 4-hour Criterion night totals roughly $1,100–$1,500, which comes to about $44–$60 per person across a full bus — often competitive with what each person would separately spend on event-rate parking plus rideshare there and back, while the group arrives together and leaves on a set schedule instead of hunting for their car at midnight. Check the Oklahoma City party bus prices page for the full breakdown, or call 405-493-6563 any time for a fast quote at no obligation.
Know Before You Go: The Criterion's Venue Policies
A few things from The Criterion's published FAQ page that every group planner should pass along before the night of the show:
Bag policy. No bag larger than 14" x 14" x 6" is allowed inside. Backpacks of any kind are prohibited — zero exceptions.
Small purses are fine. Bag searches and walk-through metal detectors are used at every entrance. On a sold-out night with 3,500 people filtering through the same checkpoints, build extra arrival time into your group's plan for the security line.
Cash-free venue. As of April 16, 2025, The Criterion no longer accepts cash at the bar or the box office. Debit and credit cards only.
Tell your group ahead of time — it saves a scramble at the bar when the opening act hits.
No outside food or beverages. Glass containers are also not permitted inside. The venue has three full-service bars but no food service; the good news is that Bricktown has dozens of restaurants within walking distance for a pre-show dinner.
Re-entry and ID. Re-entry is permitted until the posted exit time on your ticket. Shows with an 18+ door require a valid government-issued photo ID — a state ID card, passport, or military ID all work.
Venue contact. The Criterion's direct line is (405) 840-5500. Email lost-and-found or after-show questions to info@criterionokc.com.
The box office is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on event days from 2 p.m. until showtime.
Getting to The Criterion from Around Oklahoma City
The Criterion sits at the eastern edge of downtown OKC's Bricktown district, easily reachable from most of the metro in under 30 minutes under normal conditions. The complications arrive when major events stack on the same night — Paycom Center hosting a Thunder game six blocks west, a Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark doubleheader a few blocks north, and a 3,500-person Criterion headliner all share the same parking footprint and the same surface streets on and off E Sheridan Ave. Here are approximate drive times from common pickup zones off-peak:
| From… | Approx. distance | Typical drive time (off-peak) |
|---|---|---|
| Midtown OKC / Automobile Alley | ~2 miles | 5–10 minutes |
| Edmond | ~20 miles | 25–35 minutes |
| Moore / South OKC | ~15 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Norman | ~20 miles | 25–35 minutes |
| Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) | ~9.4 miles | 15–25 minutes |
| Yukon / West OKC | ~15 miles | 20–30 minutes |
For groups flying in for a major Criterion date, the airport-to-venue run is one of the cleanest group bus itineraries in OKC. One pickup at the curb outside baggage claim at Will Rogers World Airport, one straight run northeast into downtown, and your group arrives at 500 E Sheridan together — no one navigating OKC's one-way grid for the first time, no rental car, no splitting into three rideshares with different ETAs. The Will Rogers Airport OKC shuttle guide walks through the airport pickup logistics in detail.
What's Playing at The Criterion in 2026
The Criterion runs a full calendar year-round, booking acts that regularly push the room toward capacity. The current shows schedule includes Jesse & Joy (August 19, 2026), Indigo Girls (October 17, 2026), Ryan Bingham with The Texas Gentlemen (November 1, 2026), Daughtry (November 4, 2026), and Switchfoot (November 13, 2026) — among others running through the end of the year. The room sells out quickly for major touring acts; when capacity approaches 3,500 standing, Bricktown parking becomes exponentially harder.
The busiest stretch for Criterion bus rentals in Oklahoma City tends to run September through December, when the fall concert calendar stacks alongside Thunder home games at Paycom Center a few blocks west. On nights when both venues have events, every surface lot between E Sheridan Ave and the arena fills by late afternoon. For any fall or holiday show, booking your bus 4–6 weeks ahead is the right window — available vehicles in the network get claimed quickly on busy Bricktown weekends.
Call 405-493-6563 as soon as your date is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at The Criterion?
Drop-off is curbside on E Sheridan Avenue at the main entrance — 500 E Sheridan Ave. The venue points rideshare pickup and drop-off to this same address, making it the standard passenger flow point for the front of the building. Charter buses approach eastbound on E Sheridan, pull to the right-hand curb at the entrance, unload the group, then stage on a nearby side street or surface lot while the show runs.
Can a charter bus park in the Bricktown Parking Garage?
No. The Bricktown Parking Garage at 222 E Sheridan Ave has a posted 7-foot maximum vehicle height. A standard charter bus or full-size party bus runs 12–13 feet tall — it physically cannot enter the structure. Surface lots in the surrounding Bricktown blocks are the staging option for oversized vehicles.
Confirm the staging plan at the time of booking.
How much does parking cost near The Criterion on a concert night?
The pay-to-park lot directly west of the building fills early on sold-out nights. The Bricktown Parking Garage at 222 E Sheridan is the main nearby structure (cars only — 7-foot height limit). Bass Pro Shops, two blocks south, is the closest free option The Criterion's own guidance recommends.
EMBARK operates downtown garages with event-rate pricing; parking receipts there include free streetcar rides for two. For a group of 20-plus people driving separately, coordinating across multiple lots and paying event rates adds up on both money and post-show time. Check EMBARK's off-street parking page for current garage rates before your visit.
Is the OKC Streetcar a good option for getting to The Criterion?
It can be, especially for groups already staying in Bricktown. The Bricktown Loop stops at East Bricktown Platform 1 adjacent to The Criterion, running every 12–15 minutes. Rides are free through August 20, 2026; after that, $1 per single-use trip or $3 for a day pass.
The loop runs Fridays until 2 a.m. and Saturdays until 2 a.m., covering most Criterion show times. For groups of 10 or more, the timing and post-show platform crowding on a big night makes a private party bus the more reliable option.
What is the bag policy at The Criterion?
No bag larger than 14" x 14" x 6" is permitted. Backpacks of any kind are prohibited. Small purses are allowed.
Bag searches and walk-through metal detectors are in use at all entrances — build extra time into your group's arrival for the security line on sold-out nights.
Does The Criterion accept cash?
No. The venue went fully cashless at the bar and box office as of April 16, 2025. Bring a debit or credit card, and let your group know ahead of time.
How far in advance should I book an Oklahoma City concert bus rental for The Criterion?
For major headliners and sold-out dates, 4–6 weeks ahead is the right window — and sooner is always better. The fall season (September–December) is the busiest stretch, when multiple Bricktown venues draw on the same vehicle pool on the same weekends. For any show where you already have tickets, book the bus when you buy the tickets.
Call 405-493-6563 for a same-day quote with no account required and no obligation.
What is The Criterion's capacity?
The Criterion's venue info page describes accommodating over 3,000 guests. Capacity ranges from roughly 2,000 for fully seated configurations to approximately 3,500 for fully standing general admission shows. The second-level mezzanine holds up to 1,300 guests on its own.
Can the bus wait during the show and pick us up after?
Yes. The bus is reserved as a block of hours, which covers the ride to the venue, the time the group is inside, and the post-show return. Set your pickup window in advance so the bus is staged and ready when The Criterion's show ends — your group walks out to the bus instead of standing in a rideshare queue on E Sheridan with the rest of the crowd.
Are there hotels within walking distance of The Criterion?
Three hotels are within one block: AC Hotel Bricktown, Hyatt Place Bricktown, and Springhill Suites by Marriott. Groups staying at any of these can walk to the venue or catch the OKC Streetcar Bricktown Loop directly to East Bricktown Platform 1 adjacent to the entrance.
What happens if Paycom Center has an event on the same night?
Every surface lot between E Sheridan Ave and the arena fills by late afternoon when both venues have shows. If your Criterion date coincides with a Thunder home game or a Paycom Center concert, budget extra lead time for parking and expect elevated rideshare demand across all of Bricktown. This is exactly when a bus staged at your group's designated pickup point beats every alternative — the bus doesn't compete for a parking spot.
Book Your Criterion Party Bus or Charter Bus Today
The Criterion is one of the best mid-size concert rooms in Oklahoma City, and a sold-out night there is worth getting right from the start. An Oklahoma City concert party bus rental means your group arrives at 500 E Sheridan Ave together, on time, without anyone circling Bricktown for a parking spot that doesn't exist — and leaves the same way. Whether you need a 14-passenger Sprinter limo for a small VIP group, a 25-passenger party bus for a birthday night, or a 56-seat charter bus for a company outing, Partybusinoklahomacity.com makes it easy to compare vehicles and pricing from a large network of bus companies serving Oklahoma City.
Fill out the quick online form or call 405-493-6563 any time — pricing for your specific show date takes about a minute, no account required and no obligation.
If your Bricktown evening includes more than one stop, the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark guide covers Comets game-day transportation just a few blocks from The Criterion — useful for groups making a full Bricktown night of it before the show.
