Club Reports: Independent Bar, Native Social Bar, Sandwich Bar

What a lousy weekend weather-wise in Orlando with heavy rain Friday night followed by brutal cold (40's) Saturday night!  But bundled-up, my mission continued beginning with a quick visit to Independent Bar!

Saturday nights at I-Bar means 80's New Wave delivered by resident DJ Indie John.

There actually was a larger crowd than pictured here, a surprise to me considering the weather!

Next stop Native Social Bar where the NLP DJ group was hosting a Breaks party with free admission!

DJ Scotty Fraser of DJ duo Pimp Squad had the music cranked-up when I arrived!

Followed by DJ Rich Doss.

A lot more people than I anticipated here too!

DJ Supagroover taking over after 12:15AM.

Spotted on the stairs: Jim M.

Spotted in VIP: Marybeth & Cheryl

Spotted on the mezzanine: Amanda & Devon

Spotted by the both: Christina and DJ J-Dub

Spotted in VIP: Mandie with DJ CD Mack

Spotted high speed dancing: DJ NaViTas

J-Dub taking control!

Followed by DJ Matrix!

Great music and a great crowd made this quite the spot last night!

Last stop Sandwich Bar.

DJ Kimball Collins (T) already playing when I arrived!

The small venue was packed!

Club celebrating their 6th anniversary this weekend!

Kimball went quite Progressive on us last night!

Spotted by the booth: Dana with DJ Jerry "The Reverend" Johnson.

Spotted on the dance floor: Ashley & Carrie

Spotted out back: I don't know. They just wanted their picture taken!

Great Kimball music and a good time was had by all!

DS Update: Balloon Change

With the Characters In Flight balloon 2 now dismantled, tomorrow is the day new balloon 3 is brought in and inflated. We were previously told they needed volunteers to assist with getting the balloon raised but Aerophile Site Manager Daniel Langston informs the Blog they now have all the help they need. You're certainly able to go out and watch. The change also includes renovations to the look of the CIF ticketing building, formerly the West Side ticket sales location for Pleasure Island.  

Club Reports: Joysticks, Shots Orlando, ISHTA, Peek Downtown

Pine Street in downtown Orlando has suddenly become the hot spot for new drinking options! Following the success of Player 1 Video Game Bar in Lake Buena Vista, East Pine Street has the newly opened Joysticks Arcade Bar upstairs across from The Attic Nightclub.

Long line last night waiting to get in to play 80's video games amid funky decor!

Meanwhile on the ground level, Shots Miami is opening a Shots Orlando!

Located at the corner of East Pine Street at Magnolia, this long-vacant spot still has a ways to go before it opens.

Switching to West Pine Street, ISHTA is a new club located where 57 West, Syn Nightclub & Epic Nightclub once operated.

DJ Young Smitchell in the booth playing Hip Hop.

The place looks really good with renovations giving the the club an upscale look which covered up the grunge-era warehouse style of its predecessors.

Good memories in this space with DJ Joey Beltram playing here for 57 West in 2010, DJ's Heavygrinder, Icey & Meaux Green playing here for Syn in 2013 and the legend Derrick May playing here for Epic in 2015!  Good luck ISHTA.

Over to Magnolia Street for some Breaks at Peek Downtown.

Another legend, DJ Versa-Style (USA) in the booth breaking things down!

With a cold front trying to pass through Orlando and heavy rains at times, just not a lot of people downtown last night.

The dance floor did have its busy moments though!

And a good time was had by......all.

DS Update: Final Shows This Weekend!

The Starbright Holidays drone shows at Disney Springs are scheduled to end this coming Sunday night. Since there are two shows per night, that means there are only 6 shows remaining involving 300 computer-controlled drones in the skies above Village Lake. The shows are free and have been generally well-received. Don't miss!

 Speaking of shows, it just dawned on me yesterday that the Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special shows did not take place this year at Disney Hollywood Studios. This had started to become an annual tradition at DHS as it was a good way to keep large numbers of holiday guests occupied for awhile. CW fans of course loved it too as it involved original cast.

PI Update: Tunnels Down Under

The Blog had been posting since at least 2014 of the existence of a project called The Tunnels. Later in September, 2015, writer Scott Joseph and his Orlando Restaurant Guide published the name "Neverland Tunnels".  But since then, nothing. Yes, something is being constructed down there, but what?

From the Hub, Hill Street began its climb past 8TRAX & Adventurers Club and reached the open plaza of the West End Stage. That area was on top of Pleasure Island offices and an employee snack bar and was hidden to guests. Still located beneath West End Plaza between The Edison Orlando and STK, this is where this construction is taking place. We just don't know what it's going to be because Disney has made no official announcement.

In this file photo, a look at the hidden site beneath the West End pedestrian corridor.

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY JAN 5
DJ duo Cazzette (S) returns to Orlando tomorrow night at Venue 578 with beautiful DJ FoxForce005 upstairs!  EDM.

FRIDAY JAN 6
Sandwich Bar is celebrating their 6th anniversary as the home of Techno and House music. Live Rock bands early followed by DJ's beginning at 11PM and running into the wee hours!  House / Techno.

The amazing DJ Versa-Style is in the booth Friday night at Peek Downtown for "Breakin The New Year".  With Jellybean, Flash & more!  Breaks.

SATURDAY JAN 7
Don't miss out on DJ Kimball Collins (T) before he returns to Bangkok, this Sat night at Sandwich Bar!  Progressive House.

It's always a special treat when the NLP DJ group puts on a show and it's even better when it's free. DJ's Matrix, Supagroover, J-Dub, Jason Brown, Kemper and many more! With the lovely MC Marybeth. All at Native Social Bar. Did someone say free!  Breakbeats.

On the 7PM sailing of Victory Casino Cruises from Port Canaveral, Club V has an 80's/90's video night featuring DJ David Ziemba!