Sizzling Orlando Nightlife Beckons Business Travelers
You may be in Orlando for business, but that doesn't mean you have to sit alone in your hotel room each night. The city's booming nightlife scene, with distinctive bars and clubs, provides plenty of exciting options for business travelers.
What's New
The Red Coconut Club is the latest addition to Orlando's nighttime scene. Step back into the confident cool of a throwback Vegas, where tropical meets trendy and the nightlife is always hot. Orlando's newest lounge is perched high atop Universal CityWalk, where you can take in the stars on the balcony, mellow out inside at intimate tables, or mix with lively crowds around the bars. The club features exotic specialty drinks, delicious tapas appetizers, music, dancing and an exclusive upstairs lounge.
Blue Martini, an upscale martini lounge located at The Mall at Millenia, is one of the area's hottest new hangouts for singles. Live jazz music begins at 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1 p.m. on weekends. The nighttime music mix, which lasts until 2 a.m., ranges from classic hits of the 70s and 80s to R&B and contemporary hits. The lounge's highlights include a martini list with 29 specialty drinks and a light-fare menu with items such as sushi, seared ahi tuna and fruit and cheese. The Blue Martini also hosts Ladies Night every Wednesday. From 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., women will enjoy a complimentary cocktail upon arrival and discounted drink specials.
Everyone's favorite "celebutante" has put her name on Orlando's club scene. Club Paris, designed by heiress Paris Hilton, is a hot spot to see and be seen in trendy downtown Orlando. Look for Paris in club's VIP section - she has been known to visit on occasion.
At its new International Drive location, Howl at the Moon Orlando promises a howlin' good time, as patrons sing their favorite oldies and rock 'n roll hits along with the club's dueling piano players.
GLO Lounge Orlando offers a glowing ambiance along with its tasty cocktails and billiard tables, while Club Hush caters to upscale clientele with an Asian sake bar, Moroccan lounge and private VIP room.
Todd English's bluezoo lives up to its name with its fashionable blue illuminated bar and signature zooberry cocktail. The restaurant has an extensive appetizer list and raw bar and has received awards for its unique design. Make sure you dress to impress when you visit this trendy nightspot!
Attraction Corridor
Backstage at the Rosen Plaza Hotel is International Drive 's original nightclub featuring live bands playing hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. The lounge also offers nightly drink specials.
A night at Downtown Disney® Pleasure Island is a great option for those who can't decide whether to relax with a cocktail or dance til dawn. With seven clubs to choose from, you're sure to find something to suit your taste. If you're looking for a blast to the past, check out 8Trax, where you'll find lava lamps and mirror balls along with hits from the 70s. Mannequins Dance Palace features a spinning dance floor and the Rock 'n Roll Beach Club plays a variety of music from the 60s to the 90s on its three levels.
Orlando nightlife wouldn't be complete without Universal CityWalk. With 30 acres of dining, events and entertainment, you'll never run out of things to do. Especially popular is the lively music at The Latin Quarter and karaoke at CityJazz. Live piano music can be heard at Pat O'Brien's and the groove has mainstream dance music every night. If a relaxing atmosphere is more your thing, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is the place to kick back. The restaurant's patio bar offers specialty drinks and live music nightly.
If you happen to be staying at one of the onsite hotels at Universal Orlando Resort, be sure to ask your concierge about Velvet Sessions, a prestigious invitation-only rock & roll cocktail party held the last Thursday of each month at Velvet Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort. Each "session" features a different beverage theme, along with great food and live entertainment from top names in the music industry, including Cheap Trick, Uncle Kracker, Loverboy, Joan Jett and Quiet Riot.
Downtown Orlando Offerings
Downtown Orlando offers more than a dozen nightclubs, all within walking distance of each other along Orange Avenue, Central Boulevard and Church, Magnolia and Pine streets. Try the stylish Ybor Martini Bar or laid-back Wall Street Cantina, or for live music head to The Social or The Lodge. Hip Sky 60 has a South Beach vibe with cabana-style booths, Room 3 Nine has an eclectic-casual vibe and Latitudes features live reggae. Both rooftop clubs have a great view of Orlando's skyline. A unique hideout is Eye Spy - look for a British telephone booth on Washington Street (that's the front door). Live comedy is on tap at Orlando Improv on Church Street and at the nearby SAK Comedy Lab, a training ground for new comedians.
Popular Locals Hangouts
To get your Latin groove on, check out Samba Room Latin Café's Dance Club Nights on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the restaurant brings in a Latin DJ and offers Salsa lessons starting at 10 p.m. On Saturday, put your newly acquired dance skills to the test when a latin band takes to the stage and you hit the dance floor.
To experience one of the hottest spots in town, be sure to visit HUE - A Restaurant. With one of the most extensive happy hours in downtown and tasty appetizers, this chic restaurant is perfect if you're looking to relax and enjoy a tasty cocktail.
Seasons 52 contains one of the area's trendiest lounges. With a piano bar featuring live entertainment and an extensive wine list consisting of 140 selections (more than 70 which available by the glass), the restaurant is a great place to enjoy a drink and one of Seasons 52's famous flatbread appetizers.