These new bars, lounges, and nightclubs in Orlando have indoor, outdoor, private, and semiprivate spaces that can accommodate groups small and large for events, meetings, product launches, holiday parties, presentations, and other types of entertaining.
1. Dave & Buster’s, which opened on International Drive on July 18, bills itself as an entertainment destination, but the venue also has a large bar available for guests, whether they play some of the 170 games or not. Just inside the entrance, the lounge area has seating for 40 at the bar and about 150 more at high-top tables (two of them come with built-in taps to dispense beer from kegs attached below). For sports viewing, there is a 103-inch flat-screen TV and 16 smaller TVs mounted above the bar.
2. One of the newest bars in downtown Orlando is Frank & Steins, which opened in June. As the name indicates, the menu is focused on beer (300 options) and a creative mix of hot dog combinations (the Italian Stallion comes topped with diced tomatoes, sliced capicola, and Parmesan, with basic pesto spread on the bun). There’s also wine and sake. The bar can accommodate 125 people, and private groups of no more than 20 can use a small mezzanine at the top of a spiral staircase.
3. The Abbey is a 7,500-square-foot live entertainment venue that opened in April in downtown Orlando’s South Eola area. The space can accommodate a total of 367 people in two distinct areas: a bar and lounge to the left and a stage and seating area to the right. Private groups can use the box office near the entrance for ticketed events.
4. It was bound to happen: a nightclub concept based on the use of digital touch-screen technology. Touch on Church Street is filled with tables embedded with touch-screens that allow users to order drinks, send drinks to other customers, and play games. The 5,000-square-foot venue opened in March and is divided into three areas—the main club downstairs, an upstairs room known as the Bridge, and the intimate Hush Room. Private groups can customize the setup since none of the furniture is fixed to the ground. A spokesperson said they intend to add food service in the near future.
5. The management of Whiskey Dick’s describes the venue as “an all-American bar that serves above-average bar food.” In downtown Orlando and open since February, Whiskey Dick’s has 2,500 square feet inside and a 600-square-foot patio. For sports viewing, the bar offers a 120-inch flat-screen TV. The entire venue is available for buyout.
6. Rocks, the bar inside the new tower at the Peabody Orlando that opened in September 2010, brings a South Beach vibe to International Drive. The 6,000-square-foot space is filled with contemporary furniture and architectural lighting. A large square bar with seating for 24 is surrounded by several other groupings of lounge chairs and sofas. For private events, Rocks can accommodate 320 people inside and on a small patio overlooking the pool. The bar offers live music nightly.
7. High atop the spire at the new Amway Center—180 feet above ground, to be exact—sits One80 Grey Goose Lounge. The upscale lounge has 3,600 square feet of space, split about 50-50 inside and out with bars in both areas. The terrace offers unobstructed views of downtown. For private events, the furniture can be moved to make room for a dance floor or stage. One80 has a full kitchen, and a catering menu is available. It opened in February.
8. Brick House Tavern & Tap on International Drive has nearly 7,500 square feet inside and another 1,800 outside, with 32 TVs throughout the space. True to its promise of offering “man cave essentials,” the restaurant has a section with eight leather recliners in front of wide-screen plasma TVs. The chairs are equipped with cup holders and TV trays. The restaurant, open since January, has seating for 328 and groups of six or more can reserve tables.
9. True to its name, at World of Beer in the Dr. Phillips area, customers can choose from more than 500 beers from around the world. The venue opened in December and has 3,500 square feet inside and 1,200 on a wraparound patio overlooking Sand Lake Road, with two dozen TVs throughout the space. World of Beer does not have a kitchen, but several restaurants in the area will deliver food free of charge.
10. One of Orlando’s largest nightclubs is Vain, with 10,500 square feet that can accommodate nearly 1,000 people. The emphasis here is on the music, and the club brings in a rotating mix of national and international DJs. The interior space is divided into three sections: the main floor, an interior balcony, and a private room that can accommodate 40 people. In nice weather, a 1,000-square-foot rooftop patio has two additional bars. The club has been open since November 2010.
