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Orlando
Guide
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Restaurants
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| Nightlife
| Tours | Shopping
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NightLife
Places to have fun! |
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Nothing
more exciting that Orlando at night with or without a date... |
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Kit Kat
Club
Decadent atmosphere
draws in the trendy crowds as well as more artsy individuals.
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17
Wall St
Orlando, FL 32801-2420
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Phone
(407)422-6990
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Trendy
Yet Comfortable
A lazy description of the Kit Kat Club would be to simply tag it a
trendy Edwardian pool hall, but that would only be half of the
story. The dimly lit lounge's oil paintings of voluptuous nudes
and velvet pool tables provide a sophisticated, yet comfortable
setting. While many do come to play the tables, the Kit Kat's
decadent atmosphere draws in the trendy cigar-smoking crowds, as
well as more artsy individuals.
Weekday Getaway
There's a main room with a stage for live bands, a central bar and
the Leopard Room--a hidden lounge with plenty of couches and
chairs. Your best bet is during the week, where drink specials are
plentiful and the crowds are manageable, as the weekend-warrior
contingent turn this into a claustrophobic and smoky experience.
Jukebox Baby
The jukebox gets special mention as having the most eclectic mix
in town--the Chemical Brothers, James Brown, the Clash, and
Morphine all share the limelight. |
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Latitudes
A rooftop bar complete
with a killer view.
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33
W Church St
Orlando, FL 32801-3301
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Phone
(407) 649-4270
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See,
Smell, Hear
This rooftop's bar is done in an obvious tiki/Key West motif with
bamboo decorations, wood-planked walkways and the usual
"island" trappings. The smell of kerosene points to the
torches which outline the bar's perimeter and there are plenty of
four-top tables scattered about. Top 40 music blares from
strategically placed loudspeakers, making conversation difficult
at times.
Viewpoint
Though views like this one may well be common in other cities,
there just aren't too many like this in Orlando, especially
downtown. The best view is the one facing the SunTrust tower and
Church Street below; great for people watching or some serious
daydreaming. The bar's backside view is less attractive as the
angle affords only other rooftops and alley ways.
Corona with a Twist
Latitudes offers the standard domestic and import beer selections
(as well as a full liquor service), though a Corona with a twist
of lime is recommended to get you in the mood. The massive
crowds--even during the week--can make getting to the bar an
uncomfortable process, so make those stops strategic. |
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Ybor's
Martini Bar
Sample some vintage
Scotch, smoke a fine cigar or try one of the many decadent martinis.
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41
W. Church Street
Orlando, FL 32801-3301
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Phone
(407) 843-5825, ext. 312
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Modern,
Sensual Feel
Even though Ybor's is technically on ultra-touristy Church Street,
it's doubtful many out-of-towners will find the bar's alley
location. The upscale lounge took its namesake and atmosphere from
the Ybor City section of nearby Tampa known for its cigar
factories. The lounge's dimly lit, plush surroundings give it a
modern, sensual feel.
Connoisseur's Delights
The extensive menu of martinis, single-malt Scotch, cognac,
brandy, bourbon, beer, wine and cigars should satisfy even the
strictest connoisseur. There a quite a few reasonably priced
options to try and as many ones that will break the bank. Just be
sure to bring the 'ol ATM card just in case.
Special Events
The schedule of events at Ybor's is constantly changing, so a
phone call is recommended. However, live music has been a constant
as well as the Friday happy hour. Also, quarterly art showings are
being scheduled as well. |
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Tabu
Night Club
South Beach-style club
aims for an upscale audience.
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46
N Orange Ave
Orlando, FL 32801
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Phone
(407) 648-8363
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Cross
streets
Washington |
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The Scene
Located on Orange Avenue in the dead center of downtown, Tabu
attempts to repent for its previous life as the uber-cheesy Zuma
Beach Club and restore some of the glory to this former location
of the historic Beacham Theatre. However, a beach theme of sorts
is still in effect as Zuma's played-out '80s surfer dude attire
has been retired for a South Beach emulation. The renovation makes
creative use of the venue's expansive interior—there's a main
floor and a fairly large upstairs lounge—with a stylized art
deco-meets-Egypt concept throughout.
The Music
Weeknights mainly spotlight mainstream house/dance and hip-hop,
while weekends feature underground DJ talent. Special events
include national superstar DJs, live bands and celebrity
appearances.
Upscale Extras
Sushi menu. Cigars. Extensive champagne, beer, martini, scotch and
fine wine selection (with bottle service). Separate VIP areas for
the beautiful people. The Bonkerz Comedy Club is also located
here. |
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Adobe
Gilas
The bar casually swims
in rivers of tequila and lazy Southwestern surroundings.
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9101
International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819-8129
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Phone
(407) 903-1477
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The Scene
Inside, the bar's high ceiling and dim lighting make it a perfect
place to while away your worries with a stiff drink. Outside, the
bar epitomizes Southwestern laziness, with plenty of wooden tables
and stools, flimsy umbrellas and lots of open spaces. When the sky
is clear, few places in town are more relaxing for listening to
music or casual conversation.
The Drinks
Friendly bar maids and bartenders are more than happy to offer
recommendations. Tequila is the spotlight ingredient, so nearly
every drink includes it. If you prefer tart drinks, try the Adobe
Lobo, a tasty top-shelf margarita. If you're looking for a
fruitier cocktail, order the Gila Grande an enormous "mega
margarita" made with a variety of fruit juices. Plus, there's
more than 65 varieties of tequila, from cheap stuff to sublime
oak-aged Anejo--all for surprisingly affordable prices. |
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Metropolis
at Pointe Orlando
Mingle with O-Town's
sexy set at this upscale nightclub.
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9101
International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819
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Phone
(407) 370-3700
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The Scene
Metropolis creates a slick, sophisticated ambience with plush
velvet love seats, stylish couches, hanging curtains and crystal
chandeliers. Don't be surprised to see a celebrity or two shakin'
their stuff on the enormous dance floor or shooting stick at one
of the seven Victorian billiards tables. Subdued lighting and
candlelit tabletops make it one of the more romantic clubs in
town.
The Music
Hips get swinging Sunday nights with salsa and merengue, plus
specials on margaritas and Corona beer. Don those platforms,
bell-bottoms and gold medallions on Trash Disco Tuesdays and
you'll get in for free. Ladies can get their groove on every
Wednesday. |
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Alpha
Bar
One of the latest
entries into Orlando's crowded bar/nightclub-hybrid category.
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102
N Orange Ave
Orlando, FL 32801
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Phone
(407) 841-6544
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The Scene
Though the rather cramped space used to be home to the grunge-era
watering hole Skinny's, Alpha is pursuing the electronic dance
crowd. The "bricks and steel" interior features the
prerequisite red lighting and contains two bars: a
chain-link-fence-surrounded DJ booth and a cool lounge area
complete with eight airline seats. Not much space to dance, but
the concept here is pretty much "grab a drink and
chill."
The Music
Nightly DJ-based/themed events featuring underground dance music
from deep house and trance to breaks and drum and bass.
The Bar
Import beer, wine and full liquor. A rather inexpensive drink of
Red Bull and Absolut Mandarin ($6.75) would have been a value if
not for its meager size. However, the $4.50 Tucher was right on
the money. |
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Spatz
Deli & Billiard Liquor
Though technically in
the city limits of Winter Park, rest assured that this is not some uppity,
yuppie watering hole.
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1025
W. Fairbanks Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789-4718
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Phone
(407) 647-3354
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Colorful Neighbors
This neighborhood bar hosts a colorful cast of regulars and
features a battery of pool tables and live entertainment. The wood
paneling, hotel carpeting and Budweiser signs suggest that this
place is in a late-'70s time warp, but that only adds to the
atmosphere. The main room contains six pool tables and a long,
wall-length bar that serves domestic and imported beer, wine and a
full assortment of liquor and cocktails.
Classic Grub and Rock
A second room contains a small stage that features live bands
Thursdays through Saturdays and dozens of tables for the somewhat
older crowd, that sometimes includes families. A variety of food
is served until closing, including sandwiches, subs, barbecue,
chili and soup. A jukebox full of classic-rock hits provides a
fitting soundtrack for this non-sophisticated but comfortable bar.
Not Winter Park
Spatz offers nightly weekday and weekend drink specials, as well
as a daily happy hour. And though it's technically in the city
limits of Winter Park, rest assured that this is not some uppity,
yuppie watering hole. |
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c Bar
Cool "sound
lounge" with the decor and prices to reflect their upscale
aspirations.
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13
South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801-2605
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Phone
(407) 246-1755
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Art
Damage
While it definitely takes its design cues from the San
Francisco-style sound lounges, Zinc's Art Deco-meets-techno damage
aesthetic adds a few new wrinkles to downtown's developing scene.
The full-service bar stretches halfway down the left wall and a
row of booths line up against the right wall, while velvet-draped
curtains and abstract paintings exist on others. A chandelier
overlooks the medium-sized dance floor where DJs spin downtempo,
ambient and harder-edged dance music.
It's Money
There is also a small room on the other side of the dance floor
with plenty of red velvet couches to enjoy. The usual array of
imported and domestic beer, wine and liquor is available, though
bring plenty of cash because the prices reflect the bid to impress
Orlando's pseudo-upscale urban crowds.
What Goes On
Zinc offers nightly entertainment themes with resident DJs and
drink specials, including the smooth house sounds of DJs Daisy
and Robbie Clark on Saturday and international music on
Tuesday. |
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