10 New Venues in Orlando for Summer Meetings and Events

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress recently completed a $65 million renovation project that included updates to the lagoon pool deck, which can be reserved for private functions. The pool sits along an expansive white sandy beach that is part of the resort’s 1,500-acre property near Walt Disney World. Rocks bar, located on the pool deck, has been expanded and can be used as a gathering space for groups. The renovations touched nearly every aspect of the property, including rooms, meeting space, recreational amenities.

SeaWorld Orlando's newest attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, opened May 24 and is available for meetings and special events. The attraction combines close-up animal encounters with interactive rides, all in a frozen environment. The area can accommodate 750 people with the option for more by using other areas of the park. The reception menu includes a variety of miniature sliders, pasta, seafood, and a nacho bar.

The Alfond Inn is scheduled to open in August in Winter Park. The hotel, owned by Rollins College, will have 10,000 square feet of event space, including a boardroom that can be used for corporate retreats or dinner meetings. There will also be a 5,000-square-foot ballroom that can be divided into five spaces, plus a 2,000-square-foot meeting room. The 112-room hotel will also have a full-service restaurant and bar.

As of April 18, Capital Grille has taken over the space formerly occupied by McCormick & Schmick’s at Mall at Millenia. The 8,100-square-foot restaurant has a wine room that seats 24 people. There is also a covered patio with seating for 30 guests. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner seven days a week with a focus on dry-aged steaks.

Twin Peaks restaurant chain opened its first Florida location June 4 on International Drive. The company describes the concept as “the ultimate man cave in a mountain-lodge setting.” The 9,000-square-foot restaurant has seating for 300 people, including a semiprivate room that has 150 seats. There’s also an outdoor bar with seating for 125 people.

Hash House a Go Go opened its first Florida location April 16 on International Drive. The concept is “farm-fresh food with a funky, modern twist.” The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving items such as chicken pot pie, crab cakes, and one-pound stuffed burgers. The restaurant has seating for 275 people, included two private rooms that each seat 35.

Mitchell’s Fish Market in Winter Park Village has added a private chef’s table that can accommodate as many as 12 guests. The restaurant has also redesigned its outdoor seating with a wraparound patio that has booths and community tables. The lunch, dinner, private dining, and bar menus have been updated, as well.

The event space at East End Market is available for rentals beginning August 1. The 1,500-square-foot East End Event Hall is on the second floor of the market and will offer goods from 10 vendors, demonstration kitchens, a restaurant, and retail space. The hall will accommodate 150 people and will be decorated with reclaimed wood and antiques. Catering will be available through Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine & Events or by the market’s merchants.

Rock-shrimp ravioli will be on the menu at Lotus when it opens in mid-July in Eola Square, in the space formerly occupied by Prickly Pear. The 6,500-square-foot restaurant will have seating for 265 people and a large patio. There will also be private dining space for 75. Lotus will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily with a focus on farm-to-table fusion cuisine.

The menu at Honey, scheduled to open in mid-July, will feature foods that are supposed to have aphrodisiacal qualities, such as lobster poached in olive oil with an herb-lime vinaigrette. The restaurant will occupy the space in Eola Square that used to house Nick’s Italian Kitchen. It will have seating for 112 people, a 60-person private dining area, and a patio. The restaurant will be open for dinner only.