Lubbock Looks Dead to Outsiders — But They’re Not Seeing What We See

Comedian Tom Segura played to a packed house at Lubbock’s Buddy Holly Hall last night, and while his set was hilarious, one of his comments hit home — and hit a nerve. He joked about how dead downtown Lubbock looked. And honestly? He’s not wrong. But he also didn’t get the full story.

That’s the frustrating part about being from here — people swing through, stay downtown in one of our shiny hotels, walk around a few blocks, and think they’ve seen Lubbock. They haven’t. Not even close.

Visitors Are Missing Out

Downtown is still finding its rhythm. Yes, we’ve got gorgeous spaces like the Buddy Holly Hall and a few standout restaurants and bars — but between them? Empty buildings, construction zones, and ghost signs from a different era. The city’s been working hard to breathe life back into the area, but it’s slow going.

The Real Picture

Meanwhile, the real heart of Lubbock is pulsing a few miles away. Drive toward the Tech campus and you’ll find the nightlife, the incredible local food, and the people who make this city feel alive. Places like Broadway, 19th Street, and University are buzzing with students, families, and longtime locals. You’ll find artists playing on patios, comedians cracking jokes in tucked-away clubs, and food trucks serving up the kind of flavor that doesn’t make it into any travel guide.

Read More: Bizarre Home Discoveries From Lubbock Residents Reveal Quirks 

Some Visitors Really Go Out Searching For Life

Long ago, Sinbad put on a show in Lubbock. My morning show partner, Wes Nessman, said that while he was here, he took his limo all over town, talking to people and really getting a glimpse of what our city was actually like. Instead of immediately talking at his show about it being Lubbock being beaten to death and ghastly (without doing any research whatsoever), he actually got the big picture. He ate at the local restaurants. He talked to the people. He stepped outside of downtown and actually visited with the nearly 300,000 people who are thriving here.

Common Misconception

When someone visits and says, “There’s nothing to do in Lubbock,” I can’t help but laugh. You just didn’t look in the right places, bud. You got the Lubbock sampler, not the main course.

The Best Of Lubbock

The truth is, Lubbock’s best side isn’t on display in a single block of downtown. It’s in the mom-and-pop cafes, the dive bars near campus, the music pouring out of The Blue Light, the depot district, and the late-night drive-thru lines full of locals who know each other by name.

We're Working On It, Folks

We’re not perfect, and we know downtown needs love — but we’re more than broken buildings and quiet streets. We’re a community that’s constantly evolving, even if visitors don’t always stick around long enough to notice.

So if you’re coming to Lubbock for a show, stay an extra day. Wander past the hotel lobby and see what this town’s really about. You’ll find out fast that we’re a lot more alive than we look from your hotel window.

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