Club Reports: Raglan Road, The Edison, STK, Iron Cow, Pour House, Aero Bar

As we approached the No. 2 Bridge to Pleasure Island in Disney Springs last night, the pulse quickened, the forehead perspired, anticipation yearned. Would we be partying at Mannequins or 8TRAX? Nope, both long gone.

But Raglan Road is still there and with this being St. Patrick's Day weekend, it was a must-see stop on our Friday night club hopping adventure.

Their annual "Mighty Festival" is in progress and their outside patio was home to one of three areas of music.

Here we found all-female trio Briste (IRL) playing Irish.

Also outside at the Hole In The Wall stage we found Clan Ui Huiginn (IRL).

Irish music, of course.

We finally made it inside the building where more music was in progress.

Here the Men of Aran (IRL) were preforming more Irish music. Since we were in Dublin this past Tuesday, we felt right at home!

RR has opened this new outdoors bar directly across from Mannequins. It was mobbed. "Mighty Festival" continues today/tonight all all the way through Monday night. Admission is free.

 

We next headed across the Island to The Edison.

The roaring 20's themed Sound Society Radio (USA) show was in progress.

We were hoping to visit with resident DJ Mynd (USA) but he had the weekend off.

That female vocalist though.....wow could she sing!

Many of the tables were occupied but this is nothing like pre-pandemic when they'd clear the tables and chairs and this became a jammed dance floor to DJ-driven music. This would become an empty room by about 11PM last night. Not sure if The Edison management is calling the shots or the Mouse is holding them back. It's sad.

Across West End Plaza from The Edison is STK which is primarily a restaurant but also with a bar scene.

Here we found DJ Marc Sparks (USA) in the booth.

The music a mix of light House and Top 40, played in the background for the diners.

On the sax, Caleb Joel (USA).

He would wander the room serenading the diners.

We next headed to the Milk District and Iron Cow.

The show already in progress, we walked into THIS!

The headliner was already on: DJ Todd Terry (USA).

This legend is noted to be one of the founders of House music, especially the NYC style of House.

He had the dance floor bouncing.

Along with a few of his own hits, his set included a lot of 80's Funk and 90's Soul.

Spotted on the dance floor: DJ Romano Arcaini (D/USA) with friend. Romano plays the early shift tonight at the new Alfie's HiFi and he tells us he will also be playing there this Monday for a special St. Patrick's Day edition.

Spotted in VIP: DJ Kris Kokopelli (USA) with Jackie. Kris is a resident DJ at Oliv Bar uptown.

Spotted by the bar: DJ Lola B. (USA) visiting with DJ Jason Leva (USA) of duo Latenight Society (USA).

Spotted up front: MC Shaggy (USA) with World Famous Shawn Fenn.

Spotted on stage: DJ Tony Touch (USA) who had played earlier.

Dancing in every corner!

The bar stayed jammed all night, even with three bartenders on duty.

There's no school like the Old Skool.

We last saw DJ Todd Terry when he played downtown at Barbarella in 2021 for "Discotheque".

Last night, the lasers were flying.

The shiny disco ball was spinning.

Everybody shufflin'.

We next headed to DTO where the City appears to continue to try to drive bars and clubs out of business. You've heard about them closing city-owned parking lots and garages at 11PM, you've heard about the after-midnight permit requirements, you've heard about the strict noise ordinance. And now Orange Avenue, which used to be blocked from vehicle traffic for the safety of downtown guests, is open to traffic as are all the cross streets. Will it take a New Orleans-type tragedy for the City to come to their senses?

Speaking of putting bars out-of-business, we had heard that Downtown PourHouse was closing later this month. Another one bites the dust.

DJ Liquid (USA) was in the booth during our visit.

The music mostly Hip Hop.

Just a handful at the bar at this later hour.

But there was time for one more stop! Downtown favorite Aero Bar.

With the music delivered by Friday night resident DJ Cliff T. (USA)

Mostly EDM mixed with House.

The dance floor was jammed.

The peeps want EDM!

It gets like this every Friday and Saturday night.

The lasers were flying.

As a rooftop venue, at Aero you're literally "dancing with the stars".

Everybody shufflin'.

The beautiful people party at Aero.

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