Here's a look at new Orlando/Central Florida eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this fall. The new and renovated Orlando/Central Florida venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fund-raisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, teambuilding activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Situated along the boardwalk, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort has long been a destination for events. Now, on the heels of renovations to the guest rooms and dining facilities, the 1,190-room hotel has finished a convention center expansion that includes the spacious Newport Ballroom. Measuring 16,000 square feet, the ballroom is part of an expansion that adds 28,000 square feet to the convention center, bringing the total square footage to nearly 100,000. The ballroom, like the resort itself, has a subtle nautical theme reminiscent of Newport and Nantucket in the late 1800s with blue undertones as well as gold and white accents. The 4,600-square-foot Newport Lobby & Gallery gives way to the addition that includes three pre-function areas, two networking rotundas, eight breakout spaces, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, and other amenities. The ballroom has 22-foot ceilings with moldings and holds 2,300 people for receptions; 1,584 for theater-style events, and nearly 1,300 for banquets.
Tampa’s Julian B. Lane Park sits along the Hillsborough River, and now its River Center is available for indoor-outdoor events with water views. Sporting an urban, contemporary look, the 2,800-square-foot interior has floor-to-ceiling windows, a wooden floor, and an industrial ceiling with simple hanging lights. There's also a 2,000-square-foot covered terrace. The venue holds 190 guests for a seated dinner or 300 theater-style or for receptions. Rates include as many as 300 Chiavari chairs, two bars, a green room, and round, rectangle, or bistro tables. The venue has a list of eight approved caterers.
This summer, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando-Airport debuted renovated event spaces, as well as redesigned public areas and guest rooms with a nature-inspired color palate. The 174-suite hotel has 3,000 square feet of event space spread across five meeting rooms; the largest, the Earhart Ballroom, covers 1,841 square feet and holds 170 guests in a theater-style set up. In-house catering is available. The hotel offers a shuttle to nearby Orlando International Airport and has amenities including a business center, outdoor pool, fitness center, restaurant, and bar.
Shuffle, an indoor shuffleboard venue and a bar and grill in Tampa Heights, opened in April serving craft beers and elevated concession foods. Buyouts of the 4,500-square-foot venue can accommodate 99 guests. Groups have use of all four regulation-size courts plus the café and bar seating area. Soups, salads, oversized housemade pretzels, and more are available, as are taco, hot dog, or nacho bars. DJ equipment is available, or planners can opt for the venue's own playlist.
Hilton Orlando has expanded its pool area, adding a 13,000-square-foot deck that’s large enough to hold 500 people for outdoor events. Alternately, it seats 240 for seated meals when used with the pool deck wings. Arranged with bars in the center near the fire pit and cascading fountain, the space holds about 140 guests. The tropically outfitted venue is in addition to the hotel's existing 236,000 square feet—all located near the Orange County Convention Center. The space includes staging for bands or a DJ, as well as eight furnished cabanas and assorted tent and sun canopy options. The hotel's banquet department provides catering.
House-brewed beers, a relaxed look, and a strong sound system make Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. an event venue for those seeking an unfussy local business. The taproom and brewery, with partial lake views, resides within a newly built rectangular building in Orlando’s trendy Ivanhoe District. It has rustic decor touches such as reclaimed wood walls, and hand-crafted silver maple tabletops over red oak bases. The beers are named in tribute to neighborhood pioneer George Russell and past area attractions, including tobogganing in the lake. Roughly 50 attendees can gather in the 1,400-square-foot taproom, another 50 on the 1,200-square-foot patio, which has a 25-foot awning; larger parties can also use the parking lot. Groups can request beer tastings as well as hire a caterer or food truck for snacks or meals. It opened this summer.
Bites & Bubbles is an intimate restaurant, tapas spot, and wine bar in Orlando’s edgy Mills 50 District. The space, which opened in July, is ideal for low-key gatherings for groups of about 45 guests, with two-tops, four-tops, and a high rectangular communal seating area within its 1,600 square feet. The space has a rich, dimly lit appeal with dark woods, deep red walls, purple backlighting, brick behind the long bar, and a series of elegant glass chandeliers—plus a large painting of a festive champagne glass. The chefs will customize the extensive menu, which includes caviar offerings, and print it with corporate logos. A flat-screen TV and audiovisual equipment are available.
Terralina Crafted Italian is a sprawling lakefront restaurant designed to look like a time-worn Italian villa. Groups can gather within the dining area or in semi-private and private rooms. Among those are the Alcove, the Conservatory, and the Wine Cellar, each seating 24 guests. Groups can also buy out the whole restaurant, which seats 250 guests or holds 350 for receptions. Semi-private dining is available for as many as 130 guests. The Levy Restaurant offers family-style and plated meals as well as chef stations. James Beard-winning chef Tony Mantuano oversees menu development and meets with select groups upon request. For larger events, Terralina will offer “Block Party” events for up to 1,500 people together with neighboring seafood restaurant Paddlefish, another Levy facility.
An outdoor space suited for live music, corporate functions, or weddings, the Veranda opened in March in downtown Orlando’s Thornton Park neighborhood. At 4,000 square feet, the festively lit function space can hold 400 people for a show, 300 for a cocktail reception, or 200 for a seated dinner. The courtyard is surrounded by leafy green trees illuminated with twinkling lights, plus outdoor furniture such as chic sofas, benches, and round day beds. There's also a 12- by 20-foot stage, portable LED TVs, sound system, and microphones.
Stone, wood, and modern geometric lighting fixtures create an intimate yet trend-forward feel at the new 2,500-square-foot Thornton Park Jinya Ramen Bar. The 400-square-foot rear seating area seats 33 guests total at booths and a communal table. Semi-private dining options also are available. Groups can buy out the 300-square-foot patio, which seats 25 people or holds 40 standing. Menu staples, including rice and ramen bowls, are available in smaller versions for events. Beer and sake flights, and cocktails created to match an organization’s colors, are available. The TV bar can be hooked up to a laptop for presentations.
