Club Reports: Alfie's HiFi, Manikins, Oliv Bar, Aura Nightclub

Located in the Mills/50 District, Alfie's HiFi is the new must see and be seen in club in Orlando. This set of photos were actually taken Wednesday night after the Kraftwerk (D) concert when we could actually get inside the place. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night, prepare for a long line outside to get in.

There was a contingent on the dance floor when we first arrived but this was nothing like weekend nights when it's hard to move about the place.

During our visit, we found DJ Just Jason (USA) in the booth flanked by DJ duo No Por Na' (USA). The music was light House during our visit. Jason is also part of DJ duo Latenight Society (USA) and they play tonight here at Alfie's. All the music at Alfie's is off vinyl. No laptops or thumb drives allowed here.

They have this cool color-changing light fixture above the bar in the front room.

 

Just remember at Alfie's, the DJ's are selecting the music and there are no requests.

So last night, we headed first to Manikins in downtown Sanford where the Goths come out at night.

Led by the Head Goth, the legendary DJ Paul Vaine (USA).

We arrived particularly early so just a few people on the dance floor at this hour.

The music on Friday nights a mix of Industrial, Dark Wave, New Wave, Alternative and more.

Activity was picking-up.

The club is jammed with mannequins throughout. In the darkness and fog, it's often hard to tell the difference between a mannequin and a club patron!

Indeed, I can recall during my first visit to Manikins a few years back, I was chatting-up this chick for close to ten minutes before I realized she wasn't real.

Paul Vaine is best-known in Orlando club history for his long-running shows at Visage and later at Venue 13.

Team photo!

You've got to come check this place out!

We next headed to uptown Orlando and Oliv Bar.

Here we found DJ Dani Orieta (BOL/USA) in the booth playing House.

We've seen this place packed but last night it was more on the empty side.

Even though it's a small venue, they have a full liquor bar.

Always love listening to Dani Orieta sets.

DJ Kris Kokopelli (USA) then played a b2b set with.....

DJ Sachin Talikot (IND/USA)

Team photo!

Dance floor got populated.

Approaching 1AM so time for one more stop, Aura Nightclub downtown. Aura is located upstairs where The Woods previously operated.

In the booth, DJ Elias R (USA).

The music, loud-booming Techno. The place was absolutely packed!

The hard beats had the club bouncing.

Over the years we've seen Elias R perform numerous times but our favorites remain when he played at EDC-Orlando in 2021 and when he opened for DJ Roger Sanchez (USA) at Celine in 2023.

Everywhere we went last night, a good time was had by all.