Club Reports: Underground Public House, Avenue Gastropub, Ono Nightclub, Suite B Lounge

First visit last night to check out the newly opened Underground Public House, the British sports pub that seems anything but British inside.

Found DJ Gonzo (Ember, Backstage, Finnhenry's) in the centrally-located DJ booth playing Top 40.

It's a bar rather than a dance club but considering it's brand new, it was crowded.

The televisions were tuned to American football last night but they promise more British fare such as soccer, rugby and cricket as events come up!  Nice place.

We've reported on Avenue Gastrobar previously when it first opened, another new bar with food rather than a club.

At the rear, DJ Mickey Bono (Beat Thrillerz, RadioDanz, Bliss Ultra Lounge, Loft55, K5) spinning Top 40/Dance to the jammed crowd.

This is located where Senso and Zinc Bar used to be but those turned into dance clubs at night but that does not seem to be the direction Avenue is going.

Lots of Gators in the crowd as the SEC Pub Crawl passed through!

Even more changes on Orange Avenue as Ono Nightclub has opened where club 1 South used to be!

In the large booth found DJ Andres R (Senor Frogs, Don Jefe's, The Attic) putting out House, Top 40 & Latin.

The dance floor is large and pretty crowded.

With a fine looking crowd.

Never made it in here during it's prior club life so I can't compare the two but it's a pretty impressive facility inside reminiscent of Tier Nightclub which is right behind it.

There's a large upstairs with good views of the action below.

And an overall good vibe.  Definitely worth a visit.

Last stop of the night to hear some real House music at favorite Suite B Lounge!

Arriving to find DJ's Fobia (Backroom) and Leo Montoya (Dub Radio, Backroom) in the booth doing just that.....House!

Taking turns with DJ's Nastya Mik (RUS) and Anna Tedeschi (HN) and more House!

Lots of people dancing last night!

Largest crowd I've seen in here since Kimball Collins (USA) a couple years ago!

Leo doing the bongos to the beat!

The music was a mix of songs with and without vocals.

Nastya Mik also plays occasionally at the weekly Friday Russian Standard night at Rok Room.

Really fun night.  And a good time was had by all!

Downtown Update

Aiming to keep you updated regarding the downtown scene, only 1 of our 3 updates today actually pertains to downtown Orlando.  First of all, Underground Public House will be arriving soon to Orange Avenue, themed as a British pub.  That will certainly be something new downtown.  They say they'll be featuring numerous beers on tap as well as British pub food and British sports.  Could be fun!  Located where Shakai Sushi Lounge went unnoticed.  Stygma is above on the 2nd floor.

Over at CityWalk, we reported a week ago that Latin Quarter was going to close in August to make way for a Mexican restaurant to be called Don Quixote's.  Many have asked if the new venue will have a dance club at night and they don't know yet.  However, we're told that LQ's Thursday night Ladies Night will be migrating to Red Coconut Club during the construction.

Good news for Electric Daisy Carnival - Orlando which returns to town this coming November.  The first two years were held at Tinker Field & McCracken Field, the two large sports fields adjacent the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.  According to JeffHTG, EDC-Orlando will be moving "into the bowl" this year!  EDC-Orlando has had a capacity limit of 20,000 people per day, something that was reached the second night last year and almost reached the first night.  By moving part of the event into the Citrus Bowl, capacity can be greatly increased which can greatly enhance the event.  The second day last year featured Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Morgan Page, Icey, R3HAB, Cedric Gervais, Hook'n'Sling and many more.

Club Reports: Heat, Club 23, Bliss, I-Bar

Cold night in Orlando last night so I had my doubts that many people would be wandering around downtown Orlando. But I was wrong; downtown clubs were rockin' last night! Yesterday I did an article about the 70's Pub Crawl and I ran into them along Orange Avenue as they crawled from BBQ-Bar to Ember. OMG, there were 400 people taking place in the event and like these ladies above, many were dressed in the appropriate 70's attire! (Although isn't 70's attire pretty much the same as 2011 attire?) I'm told even more people participate when they do the 80's Pub Crawl! Awesome outfits, Ladies!

The much-anticipated new club Heat is open for business and it's a beautiful facility. Dinner tables were being removed during my visit as they shifted from early-evening restaurant to later-evening club.

Apology to DJ Ryan because your picture refused to upload to Blogger. Ryan says he'll be playing House music on Saturday nights and mostly Hip Hop on his Wednesday night gig.

The place reminds me of Blue Martini and Red Coconut Club with a band stage high behind the super busy bar. The DJ said they plan to move the DJ booth somewhere up there as well. This new venue should do well.

Had a difficult time finding the sign for Club 23 so had to settle for this dirty entry rug. Only my second visit to this club located at 23 West Church Street and up a narrow stairway.

DJ John Debo spins House music on Saturday nights to the small but packed club.

Like a lot of clubs downtown, it's hard to discern where the dance floor begins and where it ends so those that are dancing do so where they stand! Very smartly dressed patrons and the room's decor makes Club 23 a good place to bring a first date.

Well enough of that new stuff and time for the familiar. Bliss Ultra Lounge has the best Dance scene in Orlando on Saturday nights!

Problem was that an increasingly impatient crowd was gathering outside as Brazilian teens partied inside. They didn't advertise that the club had a private event booked until 11:30pm! And it was cold out there!

With the delayed start, it seemed that there was no more time to be wasted by DJ Mickey Bono (Beat Thrillerz, RadioDanz.com, Party 95.com, Vain) who went into the best set of House and Dance music I've ever heard from him!

The crowd didn't waste any time either. The usually slow to fill up dance floor was jammed within minutes of the club opening!

It was hard to move in there!

But move I must as it became time to head over to Independent Bar!

Saturday night means DJ Indie John spinning 80's New Wave/Old Wave from the booth high above the floor.

The songs come accompanied with their 80's video as seen on MTV back in the day.

Not sure if that was fog from Friday morning's cold front or just a lot of cigarette smoke!

Spotted: DJ Heavy Grinder's sister CJ (left) dancing with a friend down on the floor!

Like everywhere else last night, I-Bar was jammed!

Downtown Update: Downtown's Irish Bars

 

The Harp & Celt are side-by-side venues on Magnolia near the corner of Pine. The Harp is a bar while The Celt is a bar and restaurant. The latter serves pub grub but there are Irish items such as the Dubliner roast beef sandwich and the Belfast burger. But they also have Cottage Pie and Irish Stew, all in a setting of cozy wood booths.

Lizzy McCormack's Irish Bar, or just Lizzys, is located on Orange Avenue near the intersection with Washington Street. It's downtown's oldest Irish bar and they feature many Irish drinks. They say they celebrate St. Patrick's Day here every day but they'll be especially active tomorrow beginning at 8:30AM. Details here.

Previously known as The Other Bar, this Wall St. Plaza locale switched to the Kevin O'Ryans name early last year and is known at "the other Irish bar". The entire Plaza will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day featuring Corned Beef and Cabbage, Bangers and Mash and Fish and Chips. It's called their "Get Lucky" party!

I've heard House, Breaks & 70's in Embassy Irish Bar but have yet to experience any Irish music. That should change tomorrow as they celebrate St. Patricks Day with $5 Car Bombs, Irish Whiskey and Puddin Shots. Irish flags will be flying!

Last but not least, Irish Shannon's is a bar/club located along Church Street where Antigua used to operate. I've only seen live bands here but they do feature a number of Irish whiskeys and Irish brews. They'll have specials all evening tomorrow.