Orlando Nightlife - A Diverse Mix of Hot Spots for Cool Evenings

Clubs & Bars am International Drive
By day, International Drive is a bustling street with not-to-be-missed attractions, shopping and restaurants. By night, the bright lights of I-Drive shine for an evening of vast entertainment options. Pointe Orlando, a large shopping and entertainment complex down the street from Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, is a one-stop shop for nighttime entertainment. Begin the evening at one of the many restaurants, including LuLu’s Bait Shack, famous for its tasty fishbowl drinks, or Adobe Gila’s Margarita Cantina, with outdoor seating, top-shelf margaritas and live music. Or choose XS Orlando with two stories of fun, mixing high-tech video games, a delicious restaurant and the hottest tunes. End the evening at Matrix or Metropolis, two of the trendiest nightclubs on I-Drive. Step into the plush deco environment of Metropolis and play pool, relax on one of the oversized velvet couches or dance to retro or Top 40 music. Sophisticated light shows and high-energy techno-alternative music make the scene at Matrix.

The Mercado, Cricketer’s Arms,& Backstage
Down the street is The Mercado, a Mediterranean-style marketplace featuring more than 30 specialty shops and six restaurants. Free, live entertainment starts nightly at 7:30 p.m. along cobblestone streetscapes. Or, stop in The Cricketers Arms, a relaxed pub featuring British fare with 17 beers on tap and nightly entertainment. Several other hot spots dot International Drive. Backstage at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, dubbed Orlando’s “original” dance club, opens its doors with live bands and DJs playing hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and today. The Lucky Leprechaun Irish Pub offers a friendly atmosphere with imported brew and cider specialties. Bahama Breeze is a restaurant and bar with a large outdoor area that serves up an endless menu of tropical drinks and appetizers along with the sounds of steel drums.

Downtown Disney & Disney’s Boardwalk
Walt Disney World Long after the theme parks have closed for the evening, the nightlife options at Walt Disney World are still going strong. At night, guests can club hop at Downtown Disney, a shopping, dining and entertainment complex with a big city feel in the heart of Walt Disney World. Downtown Disney Pleasure Island (P.I.) offers eight clubs for the price of one. With entertainment ranging from rock ‘n’ roll to hip hop to jazz and an impressive New Year’s Eve fireworks show 365 nights a year, P.I. keeps guests dancing the night away. Enjoy a sophisticated dinner or take in some live blues at Downtown Disney West Side. Sample the wood-fired pizza at Wolfgang Puck Café or get some Latin flavor at Bongo’s Cuban Café. For those with music in mind, enjoy an evening in the bayou at House of Blues, which hosts big-name rock stars and rising local bands. Disney’s Boardwalk is a waterfront village with the charm and excitement of the 1930’s Mid-Atlantic Coast. Atlantic Dance Club guests sway to the hottest Top 40 dance tunes, while a stop at Jellyrolls unveils guests singing along to the comedic dueling pianos. Stroll around the Boardwalk, play one of the carnival games or have your future told.

Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks thrill guests by day, but when night falls the thrills get even bigger at Universal CityWalk, an entertainment complex that offers a wide variety of dancing and dining options. CityWalk is home to the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Live Orlando, showcasing some of the biggest musical acts in the business as well as up-and-coming local bands. Other venues offering live music include Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, a relaxed restaurant and bar paying tribute to everybody’s favorite parrothead with specialty margaritas and nightly Jimmy Buffett music. CityJazz’s nightly live music includes funk, R&B, soul and rock ‘n’ roll in a setting displaying musical antiques and personal belongings of jazz legends. Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom transports guests to a re-creation of Marley’s home in Jamaica with its live reggae performances in an open-air gazebo and authentic Caribbean cuisine. Celebrate Mardi Gras year round at Pat O’Brien’s, an exact replica of the famed bar in New Orleans that serves up its famous Hurricanes. Dancers can lose themselves in the groove with the thumping beats, light shows and sophisticated themed rooms. At Latin Quarter, guests are exposed to authentic food and entertainment from all 21 Latin American nations. Next door to Hard Rock Live, NBA City offers an upstairs bar with excellent fare and oversized leather couches to relax after a day in the parks or have a cocktail before a concert.