Club Reports: Downtown Update, Alfie's HiFi, Oliv Bar

Let's begin our Friday night in downtown Orlando. The former Shots Orlando spot at the corner of East Pine Street and Magnolia Avenue is back open. There is no sign posted so we're not sure what name they're operating under. Under the former regime it was a Hip Hop joint but last night we heard Top 40 coming out of there so we'll have to check it out when we have more time.

 

Also on East Pine Street, Aloha Beautiful has said its last goodbye. It will now be known as Phoenix Jazz Club. Interesting.

On West Pine Street, Allure is on final approach before opening for business as a bar and restaurant. This is in the spot that once housed famed Orlando nightclub Blue Room. Since then it has been home to close to a dozen different venues so we hope they fare better.

Things have gotten bleaker than they already were along Church Street. 1-Up has closed. Not sure if it was a game room with a bar or a bar with a game room, it was colorful and highly-themed.

Upstairs above it, the Alice In Wonderland-themed High T has also closed. These two Church Street venues were about the only two bars/clubs still remaining on Orlando's former partying street. We described the sad state of affairs in this "Nightmare on Church Street" OEN article last December. LINK

One piece of good news. YAZ is opening along Orange Avenue in the spot where The Courtesy once operated. The space has been vacant for several years since they relocated to Winter Park. We'll check the place out to find out what niche they're going after.

Alfie's HiFi has been the hottest ticket in town since they opened late last year.

Located in the Mills/50 district, this was the queue outside when we first arrived. Long lines are the norm here.

The bar is located in the front room and they have this cool light fixture above it.

The DJ booth is located in the middle room and it was here we found DJ Justin Davis (USA) on the controls.

Dance floor was getting crowded.

The music at Alfie's is completely off vinyl. You won't find any thumb drives or laptops here.

The club has well-stocked shelves of music but the DJ's typically bring their own crates of records as well.

During our visit last night the music was mix of light House and 80's Funk. But more-current House and even 70's Disco is not uncommon here.

There is no real dress code here. The guys are in tees, jeans and sneakers while the ladies are typically much better dressed. Alfie's HiFi is in the former St. Matthews Tavern spot but I don't think SMT ever had crowds like this. There is no parking so you'll have to find free street parking somewhere in the residential neighborhoods nearby.

Another newer venue on the scene is Oliv Bar located uptown along Magnolia Avenue about a block north of Colonial Drive.

In the foyer of what appears to be an office building is this high-ceiling nightclub.

We arrived at shift-change time with DJ Jerry "The Reverend" Johnson (USA) turning the controls over to DJ Dave Cannalte (USA).

We know Dave Cannalte from the annual AAHZ Reunion shows as well as being the Thursday night resident DJ at Mannequins Dance Palace at Disney's Pleasure Island.

When we first arrived the bar was busy.

But the dance floor wasn't.

They have a full liquor bar here.

All of a sudden Cannalte dropped a couple bangers and the dance floor got busy.

House music along with some turn-of-the-century Classic Dance.

The Reverend came back on and played more of a Progressive House set.

Joined by DJ Scot Marc (USA).

A good time was had by all.