Club Reports: Universal CityWalk

Not having visited since May, the Blog returned to CityWalk last night. Located at Universal Orlando Resort, CityWalk is the only local venue that closely resembles Pleasure Island in concept. There are multiple nightclubs available with a $12.77 Party Pass or you can visit a single club of your choice for $7.00. 

We began at the top of the escalator at Red Coconut Club. The vibe here is 1960's Rat Pack coolness.

Long-running Herb Williams Band was playing Top 40 hits during my visit.

This place is usually packed but last night there were just a few people on hand. DJ Chris Craze (USA) was playing between band sets and after the band ended.

Bob Marley's is next door and the theming is Jamaican/Caribbean, of course.

Another long-standing band, Chain Reaction, plays mostly Reggae here.

New Orleans is the theme at the next club, Pat O'Brien's.

The indoor section is dueling pianos, something never offered at Pleasure Island but is still available currently at Disney's Boardwalk Resort at Jelly Rolls and on International Drive at Howl at the Moon.

The outdoor patio was abandoned last night. This is that transition time of the year where the summer tourists have largely gone home and the winter tourists are a few months away yet.

One of the most popular venues in CityWalk is Rising Star.

This place is all about karaoke!

Like other karaoke bars you get your 4 minutes of fame. But unlike other karaoke bars, this one has a live band to play your song!

And on weekend nights, live dancing girls!!

Always packed! And during breaks, it gets even crazier as they have a DJ spinning and everyone comes out of their seats to dance!

Latin Quarter ft. DJ Leony (USA) is now long-gone, and sorely missed. It was replaced by Mexican restaurant Antojitos which does not normally offer DJ music like LQ did.

Finally, it was time for The Groove, CityWalk's main dance club!

With Friday night resident DJ Chino (USA).

The music last night was 90% Hip Hop hits with brief moments of EDM.

Beginning early in his set with "The Wobble".

One piece of good news since our last visit. The roped-off VIP section that had been placed over here for the past couple years has been eliminated! You're now free to move about the dance floor!

As it got later, it got jammed!

Spotted: Dawn doing the Breaks with a crowd circled around her. When I'm at Atlantic Dance Hall, Dawn is there! When I'm at The Edison, Dawn is there! Not sure how she does it.

TG mostly resembles club Motion at Pleasure Island.

You can never go wrong with Go Go girls!

And at Universal CityWalk last night, a good time was had by all!

Friday Funny

DS Update: Lemon Garage Progress

Last week we posted a video of this new pedestrian bridge being installed across Buena Vista Drive. It begins here between World of Disney and Basin in Disney Springs Marketplace.

And connects to what I've read elsewhere will be the Lemon Garage, although I've seen nothing official about that name.

Makes sense though; the other two garages are named Orange and Lime. And Grapefruit is already used as a name for a surface lots by Disney Springs West Side. Link.

I'm holding out for Kumquat.  The garage is on the south side of Buena Vista Drive adjacent I-4.  A ramp can be seen here on the back side of the garage along the interstate.

Looking back the other way from the garage towards Marketplace.

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY AUG 23
The official opening of Grape & The Grain in the Mills/50 District takes place tomorrow afternoon and into early evening and DJ Leony (USA) will be there to help celebrate!  Open Format.

FRIDAY AUG 24
This regular event has been growing bigger and bigger crowds so you'll want to check out "Beats" ft. DJ Agni (IS / USA) on Friday night at Peek Downtown!  House / Progressive House.

SATURDAY AUG 25
The event of the weekend is the return of DJ Audien (USA) to Gilt Nightclub on Saturday night. Will be packed for sure! Progressive House / EDM.

SATURDAY AUG 25
DJ Carlos Mendoza (USA) introduces "Shade" this Saturday night at Vinyl Arts Bar and if you like Techno, this is the place to be. With veteran DJ Elias R (USA).  Techno.

SUNDAY AUG 26
Don't let these photos fool you; the only reason to go to a pool party is for the music! So check out DJ duo Cocodrills (USA) this Sunday afternoon/evening at Aloft Hotel downtown.  House.

DS Update: Restaurant Progress

There are so many great celebrity-inspired restaurants in Disney Springs but more are on the way. And where the Blog once questioned where all the mouths were going to come from to support so many restaurants, they clearly found them and they keep coming!

As we recently reported, Chicken Guy has opened. As one of the few cheaper eating options in Disney Springs, there has always been a queue here each time I've passed by.

Right across from it, progress is rapid at the new Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill.

The former Wolfgang Puck restaurant has undergone heavy renovations and will eventually open as Jaleo featuring the cuisine of mainland Spain.

Not opening until 2019, NBA Experience will be a monster-sized building when it's done!

Bongo's Cuban Cafe is still in business though and we've not heard any new rumors about it.

Lastly, Polite Pig has a new outdoor bar with umbrella seating and will be adding an outdoor dining area soon as well. Come on out and see it all for yourself!

PI Update: Gatsby Evening Coming To Edison

If you've ever had the desire to dress in Roaring 20's attire and dance to a live band at the same time, check out "A Gatsby Evening" taking place on Sunday, September 2nd at The Edison on Pleasure Island!  The $75++ charge gets you admission only; dinner and drinks are extra. For more details and to book your spot, click here.  I'm sure it will be a sell-out.

Trip Report: SS Badger Wisconsin To Michigan

Saturday was spent doing one of those bucket list trips!

The S.S. Badger is the last of what was at one time many steam ships operating on the Great Lakes.

Traveling between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan twice daily in each direction during the summer, the S.S. Badger was built in the 1950's and looks its age!

Manitowoc, Wisconsin is a quaint town near Green Bay and served as the starting point of my journey. Anheuser-Busch has a large brewery here with tours available.

I was one of the youngest passengers on board so that will give you an idea of who this attracts! Actually, there were quite a few college students on board too. The crossing takes 4 hours each way and cabins are available for an extra charge. There is a snack bar, small cafeteria and Badger Bingo to pass the time but no music.

On approach: the white gold cliffs of Dover Michigan!

And sailing from Lake Michigan into Ludington harbor.

I had less than 2 hours to explore the town but I'd recommend over-nighting in one of the many hotels and motels available here. The S.S. Badger is a ferry so you can also bring your car!

Bar-hopping is definitely an option in Ludington. Fusion Bistro has a cool rooftop.

A live band would be playing later on Saturday night at Sand Bar.

I bet the DJ at Alley Bar would have been a lot of fun last night!

Jamesport Brewing Co. had a large crowd inside!

The nicest place seemed to be Ludington Bay Brewing Company which had a crowded outdoor patio. The tourist season is relatively short this far north but the summers are so pleasant compared to our "3 months of misery" in Florida!

Soon it was time to re-board for the nighttime sailing back to Wisconsin.

And a good time was had by all!