Club Reports: Palm Tree Club, Shark Bar, Sports & Social, Houndsmen Lounge, PBR Cowboy Bar, Ice Bar

Last night was the 4th of July and we wanted to stay as far away as possible from downtown Orlando. So we headed to Live! At The Pointe along International Drive. Having opened late last year, Live! is a complex of several nightclubs located on the second level of Pointe Orlando. We began the evening at Palm Tree Club which is all new construction rather than a replacement for a former venue.

They had just opened for the evening when we arrived so no one really here yet.

We found DJ Alfred Michael (USA) in the booth.

House music was the order of the evening. 

Palm Tree Club has a couple of large monitors up on the ceiling displaying various changing patterns.

Their large always-open windows assure a cool evening breeze passes through the open-ceiling venue. Last winter during our initial visit it was actually a bit too-chilly breeze.

People began to arrive and populate the dance floor. There is no cover charge on most nights unless a big name DJ is playing. For instance, DJ duo Cat Dealers (BR) played here Thursday night and that was a ticketed event. Upcoming ticketed events include DJ Danny Avila (E) on July 25th and DJ Mark Knight (GB) on August 1st. Advance tickets here. 

DJ Maha Fourar (USA) took over at 11PM.

Continuing with a House set.

As more people arrived.

Shark Bar took over the spot of former bar/restaurant Adobe Gilas'. 

It just wasn't very busy last night.

But we did find DJ ET (USA) in the booth playing light Hip Hop hits.

We first met DJ ET when he was a resident DJ at The Groove in Universal CityWalk.

Prior to Shark Bar opening it was advertised as being a retro beach bar playing Retro music. We don't think that ever happened so the place has little identity and we're sadly not really sure what niche it fills.

We did spot these beauties on the dance floor.

Sports & Social does know its niche. It's a restaurant and sports bar located where B.B. King's Blues Club was once located.

When customers are looking for live sports, they know they can come here. And it was jammed last night.

The Chelsea vs Palmeiras Club World Cup football match was being played. When Chelsea scored the initial goal, the place went crazy. After the match, a DJ did play Top 40 music.

Another new venue is Houndsmen Lounge which is located where Hooters once operated.

Lots of dark wood and dark lighting.

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

He was playing some great EDM hits last night.

There was one large group over in the corner but the place was otherwise empty.

Although quite beautiful, this is another Live! venue that doesn't seem to have a niche. 

Notwithstanding Palm Tree Club, the most popular venue in the complex is PBR Cowboy Bar. It's located where Lafayette Music Hall previously operated and Lulu's Bait Shack prior to that.

It was the only club with a cover charge last night ($5) and a long queue to get inside. The music is American Country for the most part and girls get to wear their new cowboy boots. We didn't go in.

We ended the evening at Icebar Orlando. It's not part of Pointe Orlando but just a short walk away so why not.

Here we found DJ Ray Love (USA) in the booth.

He was playing a lot of 90's classics during our visit.

DJ Astylez (USA) would give Ray Love a break.

Team photo.

Admission to Ice Bar is typically free. They do have an actual frozen ice room with an admission charge. That price is as low as $15 including fur coat & gloves. Check the details here.

A good time was had by all.