Club Reports: Dexter's, Carlos'n Charlie's, Why Not

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Friends had been telling me about the partying options up in Lake Mary/Heathrow but last night was the first chance I had to check it out. Just west of I-4 at the exit for CR 46A is an area built to look like a traditional American downtown area except nearly everything is either a bar or restaurant. I had been to Dexter's in Winter Park for happy hour before but I was not prepared for this far larger facility with Top 40 music blasting out the doors! I quickly learned that Thursday night is a huge pick-up night here with DJ Michael Knight leading the hits. It's a mix of Seminole County locals and business people staying at the numerous nearby upscale hotels. Knight actually brings in all the equipment including that light bridge. Although you could hardly move in the place, he said that it was only about half the crowd of a normal Thursday night because of the competing NBA final on television. Very impressive, but Thursdays only because Friday/Saturday they have a live band with nowhere near as many patrons.

Nearby is a Florida branch of Carlos'nCharlies, the popular bar/restaurant that along with sister Mexican company Señor Frogs is spread around the Caribbean, usually at cruise ports . It was rather subdued last night but I'm told weekends are crazy in there with conga lines and straight from the bottle drink pours down your throat.....just like in Cozumel. DJ with dancing.

Heading back to Orlando there was time for a visit to the veteran Why Not Lounge located in the Magnuson Grand Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn) in Altamonte Springs. It had already emptied out a bit but got to hear the final set of the band featuring this singer in awesome Lady Gaga boots who could really belt-out the Top 40 and Rock songs she was singing.

Are you home Friday night? Listen to great dance music on Radiodanz.com:

6PM EDT / 11PM GMT - Danz 20 with Maxwell House
9PM EDT / 2AM GMT - DJ Mickey Bono (Orlando)
10PM EDT / 3AM GMT - DJ Smooth (Orlando)
11PM EDT / 4 AM GMT - DJ Joel North (Canada)