Club Reports: Fredster's, Barbarella 2.0

The Silly Grape in Maitland is now called Fredster's and they feature live bands. Our sister website Orlando Entertainment News checked it out last night. The article is here.

Club Reports: Pups Pub, Neon Beach

Blog-favorite DJ Suzy Solar (USA) was in Orlando last night and sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there to see her. The pictures can be found here.

Friday Funny

EDC-Orlando 2022 Lineup Announced

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE 

More details and a ticket link can be found here.

This Weekend In Techno Town

July has 5 weekends this year! Who knew?

THU 29JUL     GILT CONCERT VENUE     DJ Luke Alexander (USA)

FRI   29JUL     NEON BEACH     DJ Suzy Solar (USA)

FRI   29JUL     ELIXIR     DJ Guti (RA)

FRI   29JUL     CELINE     DJ duo Walker & Royce (USA) 

FRI   29JUL     VANGUARD     GTA (USA) and JST JR (USA)

FRI   29JUL     IRON COW     DJ Atnarko (USA)

SAT  30JUL     RAYN     DJ Chino (USA)

SAT  30JUL     REVOLUTION (FTL)    Rabbit in the Moon (USA), DJ Icey (USA)

SAT  30JUL     BARBARELLA 2.0     DJ Rob (USA)

SUN 31JUL     AMWAY CENTER     DJ trio Swedish House Mafia (S)  CANCELLED

 

CW Update: What's Going On Over There?

Our friends at Theme Park Shark shared some of their content with us today, providing us with an update on what is going on with Universal CityWalk's club operating hours. Check out our article with their photos on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

PI Update: Enzo's What A Waste

This is Maria & Enzo's restaurant on Pleasure Island. The aviation-themed Italian restaurant is huge yet it sits idle a lot of the time.

When it was being constructed we thought for sure Disney was going to bring a dance club back to the Island. The shape of the interior along with a walkway that stretched from the front along both sides screamed overlook above a dance floor. Sadly, it was not to be and it remains a restaurant only with hours until 11PM during the week and until 11:30PM on weekends. I've never been by there at those late hours but its hard to imagine many diners there that late. They could easily close the place around 9PM and reopen from 10PM to 2AM for a DJ format with cover charge and make a lot more money selling alcohol. But I guess not.

Concert Report: Summer Skool (Ace Cafe)

DJ Huda Hudia (USA) was just one of the legendary DJ's that played 90's Classics at last night's "Summer Skool" show at Ace Cafe. The pics are finally posted to Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Club Report: Atlantic Dance Hall

It was a mini Pleasure Island reunion of sorts last night at Atlantic Dance Hall. See all the pictures on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

Friday Funny

If I'm going to listen to good music, everybody is going to listen to good music!

 

DS Update: Lettuce Entertain You

This is the lot in Disney Springs West Side where Bongos Cuban Cafe used to stand before it was demolished pre-covid.

Work below the ground had taken place for replacement restaurant Beatrix when covid19 hit and  construction came to a halt. But even two years later, nothing ever happened. But recently it was announced that Beatrix plans were axed.

And Summer House On The Lake was coming instead. Opening in 2023, SHOTL is a concept operated by the same company as Beatrix, Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group.

This Weekend In Techno Town

Just a handful of international-class DJ shows this fourth weekend of July:

SAT  23JUL     ACE CAFE     Summer Skool ft. Huda Hudia (USA), DJ Sandy (USA)

SAT  23JUL     VANGUARD     DJ Audien (USA) & DJ Arty (RUS)

SAT  23JUL     ELIXIR     DJ Oscar G (USA)

SAT  23JUL     RAYN     DJ Chino (USA)

SUN  24JUL    ELIXIR     DJ Golf Clap (USA)

SUN  24JUL    SUNDOWN SUNDAYS @ THE PATIO     DJ duo Meen (USA)

MON 25JUL   HEIST LOUNGE     Torque ft. DJ LTJ Bukem (GB) & DJ Circle K (USA)

TUE  26JUL   ROOM 22     DJ Tyro (USA)

 

DS Update: The Vacant Spot Filler

During our recent visit to Disney Springs and specifically to the Town Center, we were surprised to find a shop called Rustic Cuff occupying this spot opposite Frontera Cocina. Apparently they use Rustic Cuff as a spot-filler when someone else vacates a spot and until someone more permanent comes along. From the Disney Springs Guidemap, it appears it replaced a Kipling store that was previously here.

In early 2021 we found Rustic Cuff on the main pathway through the Town Center. Not positive but it appears a Kiehl's was located here previously.

 

Rustic Cuff's initial appearance in Disney Springs was here on the Island when it took over the Erwin Pearl Jewelry spot when it closed in 2020. Prior to them, PI Live Bar occupied this corner. Come check out the bracelets at Rustic Cuff.....while they're here!

DS Update: Salt & Straw Photos

First visit to Disney Springs since Salt & Straw opened on the West Side.

Ample Hills Creamery was supposed to occupy this place but that fell through so we get Salt & Straw instead. Something Silver previously occupied the space followed by popup Amazing Pictures.

Lots of Disney Springs' restaurants already serve ice cream and there are a couple other venues specific to ice cream as well. Our favorite remains Vivoli il Gelato on the Island.

Concert Report: 80's Freestyle After Party (High Tide)

Twice As Nice (USA) aka The Babalu Bad Boyz were just part of the fun at last night's 80's Freestyle After Party at High Tide (formerly Latitudes). All the pictures can be found on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Club Reports: Parlay, Celine, Iron Cow, Bellhop

DJ Technasia (HK/F) was playing downtown last night at one of our 4 stops and a good time was had by all. You can see the Friday night pics on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

Friday Funny

 

DS Update: Everglazed VS Voodoo Doughnuts

Disney Springs has Everglazed while Universal CityWalk has Voodoo Doughnuts. Which is better? They're actually both pretty amazing and they both have advantages. Everglazed can be accessed at anytime during regular business hours; you just need to make a trip to Disney Springs where parking is always free.  But if you're headed to/from a Disney theme park, then Eveglazed is out of the way.

Meanwhile, Voodoo Doughnuts in CityWalk has some unique selections too and if you're headed to/from a Universal themepark, Voodoo is right along your path. The disadvantage of Voodoo is that if you're not going to a theme park, then you really can't get to it during the day without paying for Universal parking. But after 6PM when Universal parking becomes free (except during special events), then it's pretty easy to go to Voodoo and enjoy. So which is better, Everglazed or Voodoo?  We recommend you visit both and decide for yourself!

This Weekend In Techno Town

Concert activity increases a bit this weekend!

THU 14JUL     GILT CONCERT VENUE     DJ Shane Codd (IRL)

FRI   15JUL     CELINE     DJ Technasia (HK/F)

FRI   15JUL     Discothèque  @ IRON COW     DJ Francesca Lombardo (I)

FRI   15JUL     Bellhop     DJ Phoenix Jagger (USA)

SAT  16JUL     AMWAY CENTER     Freestyle Explosion ft. Exposé (USA) & More

SAT  16JUL     HIGH TIDE     Freestyle Afterparty ft. DJ Jimmy Joslin (USA) & DJ KJ (USA)

SAT  16JUL     GRUMPYS     DJ Spark-D (USA), DJ Solstice (USA) & More

SAT  16JUL     ELIXIR BAR     DJ duo Cocodrills (USA)

SUN 17JUL     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Ranger Trucco (USA)

Concert Report: New Kids On The Block (Amway Center)

"New Kids On The Block had a bunch of hits" and they played them Sunday night at Amway Center. Concert pics are on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

DS Update: Aerophile Jacks Up Prices

Aerophile, operator of the tethered helium balloon ride in Disney Springs, has raised prices again. In particular, the $10 before 10AM special they used to have is now $15 before 10AM and the prior price included tax while the new price is plus tax, making it $15.98.  This is close to a $6 price increase!

We think it's still a decent value for the approximate 10 minute ride. There are great views of Disney Springs and off in the distance, views of structures within EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. And of course, the price is round trip!

When the ride opened as Characters In Flight in 2009, the regular price was $16 including tax. This was raised to $18 including tax in 2011, $20 including tax in 2017 and $25 including tax in 2021. While the base price is still $25, it is now plus tax which makes it $26.63 total and thus another price increase. Next thing you know they will add a Passenger Facility Charge, TSA Security Fee and Baggage charges!

Club Reports: House Party, Barbarella 2.0, Grumpys Underground

Miami's DJ Robotic (USA) had the dance floor jammed last night at Grumpys Underground, the third stop of the evening for our sister website Orlando Entertainment News. The pictures are here.

 

Club Reports: Pups Pub, Ember, Aero Bar, Neon Beach

There's a new dog bar downtown and it was stop number one last night for our sister blog Orlando Entertainment News. Check it out here.

Friday Funny

I've been too and can confirm this!

PI Update: The Crossroads Of Fun

Ten years ago, in July, 2012, Pleasure Island was still the crossroads of fun. Although the clubs had closed four years earlier and Celebrate Tonight had arrived and crashed, PI's return was still speculated and numerous rumors came and went about some kind of club life returning.  Of course, as we now know ten years later, it never happened. Indeed, the DJ night life component that was added on the Island (originally to 2AM and later to 1AM) still has not returned post-Covid19 even though Disney allows their theme parks to operate packed. We just don't know what's up with that.

This Weekend In Techno Town

It's summer and concert activity has slowed down! Clubs will be open though.

SAT  09JUL     GRUMPY'S     DJ Robotic (USA)

SUN 10JUL     CELINE     DJ duo Chapter & Verse (GB)

SUN 10JUL     AMWAY CENTER     New Kids on the Block (USA)

Trip Report: Fenway Park (Boston)

During our visit to Boston this weekend we got to take in a Major League Baseball game at the famed Fenway Park. We were guests of the Boston Red Sox and out tickets required entering the stadium via Ford's Clubhouse which is a bar and restaurant on the stadium's ground level.

Taking place on Independence Day, the military was present for several honoring ceremonies as well as the National Anthem.

Here to see the Tampa Bay Rays take on the home team.

Unfortunately, the Red Sox won 4-0 but it still was great experience from these amazing seats behind home plate. Big thanks to the Boston Red Sox for the hook-up!

Fenway Park has very limited parking garages nearby and the lots we saw were priced at $50-$60 to park. Thus, the best way to get to and from the game is via the T which is Boston's transit system.

The Kenmore subway station is about 2 blocks from the stadium which makes for a great (and cheap) transportation option!

Club Report: Cheers (Boston)

Wandering around Boston yesterday and came across the actual Cheers bar. Like its television namesake, it is located down a flight of stairs into the lower level of a hotel building. The place was packed so we did not wait around for a seat at the bar or at a table.

The bar has a large logo store in another room at the rear but with them charging $10 for a magnet and $38 for a t-shirt, we said no thanks and moved on. Some of the vendors out on the nearby Boston Common had Cheers tees for $18 which is much more reasonable.

Friday Funny