Orlando Nightlife

For those of who you actually have the energy after a day at the parks and simply can’t call it quits, Orlando has plenty of after-dark venues suitable for a night out on the town. That said, even if you’re Orlando veterans, and not first-timers (the ones most likely to overdo it), if you try to go-go-go from morning until night, you will be completely exhausted after only a few days and will end up needing a vacation after your vacation.

Admit it; some of you know the feeling. You’re hard-core partiers who aren’t willing to give it up after a long day in the parks. You want the after-hours adventure as well. The good news: Orlando’s certainly willing to accommodate you, offering a wide array of entertainment options to satisfy your cravings.

The success of Universal’s CityWalk, a district filled with a variety of clubs, shops, and themed restaurants, shows that many visitors have the pizzazz to withstand life after a day of schlepping around the House of Mouse. But don’t think Downtown Disney West Side, Pleasure Island, and The Marketplace (each filled with their own unique lineup of shops, themed restaurants, and attractions) are hurting for business. The clubs may have closed (while a re-imagined Pleasure Island, slated to include upscale shops and trendy eateries, is under construction in order to widen its appeal); the shops and restaurants found throughout Downtown Disney are typically filled to capacity as well.

Check the “Calendar” section of Friday’s Orlando Sentinel for up-to-the-minute details on local clubs, visiting performers, concerts, and events. It has hundreds of listings, many of which are online at www.orlandosentinel.com. The Orlando Weekly is a free magazine found in red boxes throughout Central Florida. It highlights the more offbeat and often more spur-of-the-moment performances. You can see it online at www.orlandoweekly.com. Another good source on the Internet is www.orlandoinfo.com, operated by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Free Ride

A free public transportation system called Lymmo (tel. 407/841-2279; www.golynx.com) runs in a designated lane through the downtown area. But because Lymmo stops running at 10pm (midnight on Fri-Sat), it may stop moving before you do. Stash enough cash for a taxi if you’re going to party late into the night.

First-Run Films

Orlando has a number of movie multiplexes in the mainstream tourist areas. Most theaters offer discounted ticket pricing for children younger than 12 and discounted matinees (though, really, who’s going to sit in a movie theater instead of the theme parks?); some also offer discounts to students and seniors (bring ID).

Some of the top draws include: AMC 24 at Pleasure Island (tel. 407/298-4488); Cinemark 20 Festival Bay on North International Drive (tel. 407/352-1042; www.cinemark.com); Muvico Pointe 21 Theatres at Pointe Orlando on International Drive (tel. 407/926-6850; www.muvico.com), which also sports an IMAX screen; and Universal Cineplex 16 (tel. 407/354-5998; www.amctheatres.com) at CityWalk.

Lounging Around

Some of Orlando’s most unique nightlife is located in its hotels. Even locals head to some of these after dark. Consider any of the following and their parent hotels:

Rix at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (tel. 407/939-3806; www.disneyworld.com), a surprisingly sophisticated un-Disney-like lounge, serves up gourmet appetizers and signature drinks in a chic and trendy Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere. Todd English’s bluezoo bar at the Walt Disney World Dolphin (tel. 407/934-1111; www.thebluezoo.com) serves up classic cocktails in a hip and chic atmosphere. At Disney’s Grand Floridian (tel. 407/824-3000), a pianist and band alternate playing time from 3 to 9:45pm in the lobby. Outer Rim at the Contemporary Resort (tel. 407/824-1000) is a trendy nightspot and close to the monorail. Kimono’s sushi bar in the Walt Disney World Swan (tel. 407/934-3000) offers karaoke after 8:30pm, while the entertainment is purely visual at the Mist Sushi & Spirits in the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld (tel. 407/351-5555), which overlooks the huge atrium, glass elevators, and the new trendy interior.

The Lakeview Restaurant in the Regal Sun Resort (tel. 407/827-6534) offers a solve-it-yourself mystery dinner show on Saturdays at 6 and 9pm ($50 adults, $15 kids 3-9). Auggie’s Jammin’ Piano Bar has dueling pianos at 9pm nightly at the Gaylord Palms (tel. 407/586-0000). Sit back and relax (in velvet chairs, we might add) at the Velvet Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel (tel. 407/503-3700), where you can down cocktails while surrounded by rock-‘n’-roll memorabilia and music.

Ghostly Experience

Orlando Ghost Tours (tel. 407/247-0452; www.hauntedorlando.com) puts a different spin on the city’s nightlife with 2-hour walking tours that explore the downtown’s spookier side. The tours include narratives (some funnier than others) on Florida history and folklore followed by a chance to use “ghost-finding” equipment in a haunted building. It’s good fun for those into the supernatural and ghost stories. The cost is $25 adults, $20 for seniors and college students, and $15 kids 7 to 12. Tours run Monday through Saturday at 8pm.

Unsportsmanlike Options

Disney’s BoardWalk has a few options for folks searching for off-the-field nightlife. Street performers sing, dance, and do a little juggling and magic most evenings on the outdoor promenade.

Atlantic Dance (tel. 407/939-2444 for limited recorded information) features top-40 and ‘80s dance hits Tuesday through Saturday. It’s open to everyone 21 and older (though most of the clientele tend to be of the business traveler variety). Hours are from 9pm to 2am, and admission is free.

The rustic saloon-style Jellyrolls (tel. 407/939-5100) offers dueling pianos and a boisterous crowd. Strictly for the over-21 set, it’s open daily from 7pm to 2am, though it’s busiest on weekends. There’s a $10 cover.

If you’re looking to hoist a pint, the Big River Grill & Brewing Works (tel. 407/939-5100) serves microbrewed beer as well as steaks, ribs, chicken, fish, sandwiches, and salads. Prices range from $9 to $27. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 11:30am to 1am; Friday through Sunday from 11:30am to 2am. It’s near Atlantic Dance.

Disney’s BoardWalk can be a cheap night out if you enjoy strolling and people-watching (and if you stay out of the restaurants and clubs). It has something of a midway atmosphere reminiscent of Atlantic City’s heyday.