Unleash yourself on Orlando's nightlife

Unleash yourself on Orlando’s nightlife

By Patty Enrado, Editor

ORLANDO, Fla. –Your days and your evenings may be jam-packed with education sessions, exhibit hall tours, meetings and company dinners, but the excitement of HIMSS08 and reunions with old friends may keep you looking for fun things to do into the night.

Whatever part of the city in which you happen to be, Orlando has nightclubs and bars to entertain you right up to the wee hours of the morning – or the next breakfast meeting.

Walt Disney World isn’t just for kids – especially when the sun goes down. For the price of one, you can bar hop across seven clubs (8Trax, the BET Soundstage Club, Mannequins Dance Palace and Motion) at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island (407.939.2648, Lake Buena Vista). At Downtown Disney West Side, well-known rock stars and up-and-coming local bands can be found at the House of Blues (407.934.2583, 1490 East Buena Vista Dr.). The temperate weather may keep you outside, strolling around Disney’s Boardwalk (407.824.4321, Lake Buena Vista), a waterfront village reminiscent of the Mid-Atlanta Coast circa 1930s.

At Universal Orlando Resort, you’ll find more than theme parks when the moon is out. The entertainment center Universal CityWalk boasts the biggest Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Live Orlando (407-351-7625, 6050 Universal Blvd.) in the world. If you prefer live music in a more relaxed atmosphere, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville (407.224.2155, 6000 Universal Studios Plaza) is legendary. Of course, you’ll have to order its specialty margaritas.

Sports fans may want to have cocktails at NBA City’s upstairs bar (407.313.2048, 6068 Universal Blvd.), and race fans may relish the NASCAR theme of the NASCAR Sports Grille (407.224.7223, 6000 Universal Blvd.)
The weather is always perfect for drinks and Caribbean cuisine in an open-air gazebo at the Bob Marley — A Tribute to Freedom (407.224.2262), which recreates Marley’s home and lush garden in Kingston, Jamaica.

Orlando’s Church Street features a three-level complex spilling over with bars. Start off at ground level with specialty frozen drinks, a DJ and Top 40 music at Chillers (407.649.4270, 33 West Church Street). Then move up a floor to Big Belly Brewery for lots of beer to wash down the barrels of peanuts. Save room for the rooftop bar, Latitudes, and dance to live reggae music against a backdrop of the Orlando skyline.

If its laughs you want, Church Street offers the Improv Comedy Club & Restaurant (321.281.8000, 129 West Church Street), where you’ll find a mix of seasoned and newbie comedians. Wayne Brady is one of the famous alums of the nearby SAK Comedy Lab (407.648.0001, 380 West Amelia Street), which is actually what it is – a training spot for green comedians.

In addition to highly rated restaurants, International Drive delivers a treasure trove of nightlife venues. If you want to stay in one spot but sample various bar and clubs, head on over to Pointe Orlando (407.248.2838, 9101 International Dr.), a large shopping and entertainment complex near the Orange County Convention Center. There you’ll find BB King’s Blues Club (901.544.9103), which serves Southern cooking along with live music.

Down the street on the 9700 block, check out Destiny Nightclub (407.996.1787), the largest nightclub in the City. If you’re looking for an interactive time, drop in at the Howl at the Moon Orlando (407.354.5999, 8815 International Drive), where dueling piano players assist karaoke-lovin’ patrons to pop and rock ‘n roll songs of the past. Talented singers need only apply. It’s only fitting that after laughing and singing, you finish off at the Bahama Breeze (407.248.2499, 8849 International Drive), a restaurant and bar with an expansive outdoor area. Toast your tropical drink to the sound of steel drums.