These are unusual times, and the state of affairs can change quickly. Please check the latest travel guidance before making your journey. Note that our writers visited pre-pandemic.
Orlando is known for its family-friendly daytime attractions, but there is no shortage of grown-up entertainment once the sun sets and the theme parks close. Although ‘The City Beautiful’ isn’t as overtly clubby as many metropolitan areas, the less frenetic nature of its stand-out evening venues ensure all tastes are catered for, from celebrity-centric dining to sophisticated wine bars, quirky street parties and raucous show lounges. Dance until the early hours, or let world-class entertainers do all the work. Take note, the drinking age in the US is 21 and over, with a valid photo ID, and it is strictly enforced.
Downtown
Wall Street Plaza
Because weekends shouldn’t be contained between four walls, Wall Street Plaza’s raucous Block Parties spill out into the street each Friday and Saturday night, and for special events, with music that runs the gamut of cool jazz with a martini in hand to country-western and a Bud Lite. Menus reflect each venue’s theme (steampunk, sports, Coney Island, Mexican, Hawaiian, metropolitan, and a racy “bordello”) as revellers bar-crawl between seven venues within the city-block sized complex. With cocktails like the Te-kill-ya-rita Tower and special-batch Apple Pie Moonshine, it’s wise to have Uber on speed-dial. Weeknights are more sedate, but only just.
Contact: 00 1 407 849 0471; wallstplaza.net
Opening times: Daily, 11am-2am
Prices: ££
Getting in: No reservations necessary, though weekends are crowded. Turn up in whatever’s comfortable, bearing in mind you’ll probably end up dancing on a cobblestone street
Credit:
MIKE CHEUNG
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Joysticks Arcade Lounge and Retro Bar
Combine pop-culture inspired shooters and cocktails with 1980s arcade games and you’ve got a funky ‘barcade’ where Millennials hang out and Baby Boomers relive their glory days. Memorabilia from such classics as Star Wars, Super Mario, Jaws, The Goonies, and Star Trek create the retro backdrop for sipping moderately boozy libations in colours not found in nature. Favourites include the neon blue Malibu Barbie and Weird Science, served in a lab beaker and swirling with dry ice fog. Food isn’t available, but vintage arcade games are free if you’re drinking.
Contact: 00 1 407 885 3558; joysticksorlando.com
Opening times: Tues-Thu, 7pm-2am; Fri-Sat, 5pm-2am; Sun, 4pm-12am; closed Monday
Prices: ££
Getting in: No reservations required. Ages 21 and up only
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Mathers Social Gathering
Infamous gangster Al Capone would have frequented this joint, were he alive today, for its prohibition-era jazz and speakeasy style. Brick walls, wooden floors and cushy leather couches add to the Roaring Twenties ambiance, as do potent vintage cocktails, creating a convivial environment that begs for a flouncy feather boa or a dapper Fedora. Live jazz bands play at background level, keeping conversation centre stage. Bathtub Gin gets the party going, but those in-the-know want to be seen with a smoked cocktail or a classic with a twist, such as the Blueberry Basil Gimlet. Bar nibbles comprise the limited menu.
Contact: 00 1 407 250 5005; mathersorlando.com
Opening times: Tue-Sat, 4pm-2am; closed Sun-Mon
Prices: £££
Getting in: Smart attire required, though dressy shorts are acceptable in summer. Ages 21 and up only
International Drive
Mangos Tropical Cafe
Gargantuan palm trees, tiki-style bars and over-the-top neon murals combine for a borderline garish Latin flair in this massive, two-storey nightclub on International Drive, smack in the heart of tourist central. The dinner menu’s Mexican, Caribbean, Latin and Italian classics are secondary to the entertainment, but cocktails, such as the six-spirit ‘Sobe’ T, add to the club’s South Beach vibe. Smokin’ hot Latin bands, dancers in little more than feathers and sequins, and celebrity tribute shows take the stage from 6.15-9.45pm, and children are allowed, but it’s strictly ages 21 and up after 10pm, when a cover charge of $5-$20 (£3.80-£15.50) kicks in.
Contact: 00 1 407 673 4422; mangos.com
Opening times: Daily, 6pm-2am
Prices: ££
Getting in: The dress code after 10pm is ‘business-casual with your own flair.’ Reservations are advisable on weekends
Orlando Improv Club
Improv clubs across the country have launched such mega-stars as Bette Midler, Jerry Seinfeld and Robin Williams, which speaks to the quality expected of Orlando Improv’s comedians. Located on the bustling corridor of International Drive, this intimate club attracts holiday-makers and expense-account conventioneers. Tightly arranged tables all have an unobstructed view of the small stage, with its trademark brick-wall backdrop and single microphone stand. Cocktails are suitable for even the most timid drinker, and the menu features standard American bar food, but you’re really here for the show. Think you’re funny enough to be a star? Wednesday is Open Mic Night.
Contact:00 1 407 480 5233; theimprovorlando.com
Opening times: Show times variously from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Box office open Wed-Thu, 6pm-8.30pm; Fri, 6pm-11pm; Sat, 12pm-10.15pm; Sun, 3pm-7.30pm
Prices: ££
Getting in: Ages 21 and up only, reservations essential. Avoid garish attire—unless you want the comedian to give you a merciless mocking!
North Orange
The Imperial Wine Bar
Washburn Imports furniture store by day, swanky wine bar by night, this eclectic shop attracts a sophisticated crowd once retail business concludes. Hundreds of imports act as the wine bar’s décor, for a visual treat that spans Asia, India and the Pacific Rim, and, while locals would prefer this eclectic hang-out remained a secret, its extensive craft beer and wine list, along with a laid-back, neighbourhood vibe, have created a reputation that can’t be contained. Order a flatbread or edamame guacamole, add a suitable tipple to accompany your selection, then kick back and discuss world affairs with fellow intellectuals.
Contact: 00 1 407 228 4992; imperialwinebar.com
Opening times: Mon-Thu, 5pm-12am; Fri-Sat, 5pm-2am; Sun, 5pm-11pm
Prices: ££
Getting in: Although there are plenty of chairs for sale, seating is limited, especially at the bar. Visit early or on a weeknight to avoid waiting
East Central Park
Southern Nights
Orlando’s ultra-inclusive attitude, plus tight security at the door, add up to a safe space that LGBTQ+ party-goers have been frequenting for more than 20 years. On-point DJs, bumpin’ beats and generous pours attract a young, super-chill crowd, and it’s all about social connections on the dance floor – until the drag show starts. Four bars serve standard mixers, sometimes at all-you-can-drink for a tenner and change. Men dominate on Friday nights, Saturday is Girl the Party night, but everyone is welcome on any night. Arrive early for a seat at the shows; they’re the reason this place is usually packed.
Contact: 00 1 407 412 5039; facebook.com
Opening times: Tue, Fri and Sat, 9pm-2.30am; Thu, 8.45pm-2.30pm; closed Mon, Wed and Sun
Prices: £
Getting in: Wear whatever, drop by whenever, and expect to be welcomed like family
Theme Parks
Disney Springs
When you’re after the largest slice of what Orlando does best, Walt Disney World has just about every nightlife base covered, from humble 10-pin bowling and cinema multiplex (with dine-in options) to mainstream concerts at the House of Blues. In fact, Disney Springs has more outdoor live music than anywhere in Florida to go with its scintillating line-up of 22 restaurants. Don’t miss the full-on Irish of Raglan Road, the Latin beat of Bongo’s Cuban Café (as owned by Gloria Estefan) and The Edison, a funky industrial-Gothic restaurant/bar/entertainment venue featuring its own band, dancers and aerialists, plus wildly inventive cocktails.
Contact: 00 1 407 939 6244; disneysprings.com
Opening times: Varies by venue, typically 11am-2am
Prices: £-£££
Getting in: Generally smart casual, but shorts are still acceptable. Nowhere has a cover charge but House of Blues ticket prices are variable by performer
Credit:
Paul Lowell
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Universal CityWalk
Universal Orlando’s nightlife centre features the wickedly funny Blue Man Group, which jostles with clubs, shops, cinemas and restaurants, highlighted by The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium (outrageous milkshakes and desserts), and the sushi-burger fusion (yes, really) of The Cowfish. There’s live music at hip ultra-lounge Red Coconut Club, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom, and Pat O’Brien’s, with its New Orleans-style duelling pianos, plus big-name concerts at Hard Rock Live. Disco fans are well served by The Groove, while The Rising Star, an elaborate karaoke bar with live band and back-up singers, is party central most nights.
Contact: 00 1 407 363 8000; universalorlando.com
Opening times: Varies by venue
Prices: £-££
Getting in: Smart casual; 21 and up only at Red Coconut Club, Bob Marley’s, Rising Star and The Groove
Credit:
PAUL KOLNIK