Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
340
in hip-hop, retro hits, techno, and alternative music. Bands occasionally play the house, too.
Open daily from 9pm to 2am.
&
407/363-8000.
Cover charge $7. Must be 21 or older to get in.
Hard Rock Live
The first concert hall to bear the Hard Rock name is next door to
the largest Hard Rock Cafe in the world (p. 162). This building, fashioned to look like
an ancient coliseum, has a 2,500-seat concert venue. The sightlines and the sound system
are great. Recent performers have included Duran Duran, Counting Crows, and All
American Rejects; call ahead to find out what acts will be featured during your visit.
Tickets for big-name performers sell fast. Concerts generally begin about 8pm.
&
407/351-
7655.
www.hardrocklive.com. Tickets $6-$150, depending on concert.
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
Flip-flops and flowered shirts are the proper
apparel here. Music from the maestro is piped throughout the building, with live music
performed on a small stage inside later in the evening. A Jimmy sound-alike strums on the
spacious “back porch of indecision.” True Parrot Heads know the lyrics at least as well as
the singers. Bar-wise, there are three options. The Volcano erupts margarita mix; the Land
Shark has fins hanging from the ceiling; and the 12 Volt, is, well, a little electrifying—I'll
leave it at that. If you opt for dinner among the palm trees, go for the true Key West expe-
rience. Early in the day that means a cheeseburger (in paradise); later, it's conch fritters, one
of many kinds of fish (pompano, sea bass, dolphinfish), and Key lime pie. Open daily from
11:30am to 2am. (See p. 162 for more on the food here.)
&
407/224-2155.
www.margarita
villeorlando.com. Cover $7 after 10pm (waived if you come only to dine on the deck).
Tips
Lounging Around
9
Some of Orlando's most unique nightlife is located in its hotels. Even locals
head to some of these places after dark. Consider any of the following and their
parent hotels, all of which are listed in chapter 4:
Rix
at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort (
&
407/939-3806;
www.disney
world.com), a surprisingly sophisticated un-Disney-like lounge, serves up gour-
met appetizers and signature drinks in a chic and trendy Mediterranean-
inspired atmosphere.
Todd English's bluezoo bar
at the Walt Disney World
Dolphin (
&
407/934-1111;
www.thebluezoo.com) serves up classic cocktails
in a hip and chic atmosphere. At Disney's Grand Floridian (
&
407/824-3000
),
a pianist and band alternate playing time from 3 to 9:45pm in the lobby.
Outer
Rim
at the Contemporary Resort (
&
407/824-1000
) is a trendy nightspot and
close to the monorail.
Kimono's
sushi bar in the Walt Disney World Swan
(
&
407/934-3000
) offers karaoke after 8:30pm, while the entertainment is
purely visual at the
Mist Sushi & Spirits
in the Renaissance Orlando Resort at
SeaWorld (
&
407/351-5555
), which overlooks the huge atrium, glass eleva-
tors, and the new trendy interior.
The Lakeview Restaurant
in the Regal Sun Resort (
&
407/827-6534
) offers a
solve-it-yourself mystery dinner show on Saturdays at 6 and 9pm ($50 adults, $15
kids 3-9).
Auggie's Jammin' Piano Bar
has dueling pianos at 9pm nightly at the
Gaylord Palms (
&
407/586-0000
). Sit back and relax (in velvet chairs, I might add)
at the
Velvet Lounge
at the Hard Rock Hotel (
&
407/503-3700
), where you can
down cocktails while surrounded by rock-'n'-roll memorabilia and music.
