Any good music hotspots in Orlando?

[Al K]

Hey gang...

I have to spend 4 nights in Orlando this week and am looking for some good live music bars, clubs or just all around fun places to take myself and some clients...besides those places where you're either lookin' at a big rodent or just feelin' goofy (pun intended) can anyone give me some recommendations?

Al

[JuliaD]

Are you certain you don't want to visit the mouse? I've seen some truly great bands in Pleasure Island. And if your wallet can take the hit, Cirque Du Soleil's La Nouba is fantastic.

[Bessieboo]

The House of Blues Orlando is nice, also

The Universal CityWalk has many choices

[MJ]

Al ask Ted - he lives nearer to Orlando than I do

[LC]

Al, if you want a really upscale, fine-dining experience, check out Bern's Steakhouse. It's pricey, but outstanding.... (And if you're a wine aficionado at all, ask for a tour of their wine cellar. They have an amazing selection, including one "collectible" bottle of wine that, as I recall, is worth something like $200,000. Seriously.) Anyway, it's a pretty impressive place....

http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/

It's been around 15 years since I really got around Orlando's music scene while covering a NARM convention, so I'm a bit outdated that way. BUT... the Orlando Sentinel has a useful entertainment section online that allows you to search for upcoming events over the next 7 or 14 days:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/

I also happened upon this site, which might be more useful (click on "Bars & Clubs" or "Music" links):

http://orlando.metromix.com/

Best,

Larry

PS: The optimist in me is hoping you're going to Orlando to scout for the perfect venue for, say, a really tight power-pop band known for killer hooks.... :-)

[Paulie Mississippi]

The optimist in me is hoping you're going to Orlando to scout for the perfect venue for, say, a really tight power-pop band known for killer hooks.... :-)

Now there is a very pleasant thought...

[Bessieboo]

PS: The optimist in me is hoping you're going to Orlando to scout for the perfect venue for, say, a really tight power-pop band known for killer hooks.... :-)

Oooo... that is my wish too, EC's children are so talented and well behaved

that they deserve a trip to the House of Mouse

A concert and family vacation

[Ann]

Al,

I wish I knew some good hot spots around here away from the tourist areas to go listen to some live music. Unfortunately, I don't get out much Too busy with day to day activities.

But if you like country music, there is The Barn in Sanford.

I'm hoping, too, that you're scouting around for venues for this terrific band we all love.

Ann

[MJ]

There are some great venues on the west coast of Florida - if they want to consider them

[mannoman]

Al, I am not into the local music scene so I am not much help. I did do a search of HofB, Hard Rock and Ticketmaster. I can tell you there's nothing I would go see even if it was free. If i were you I'd spring for Cirque du Soleil, as Julia suggested, at the Disney Marketplace..

[Bessieboo]

How about Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville ?

http://www.margaritavilleorlando.com/index.php?page=events

Or

Gloria Estefan Bongo's Cuban Cafe

http://www.bongoscubancafe.com/orlando/index_orlando.html

Both are fun places and very Florida

[JuliaD]

YUK, I didn't like Bongo's at all, the food was overpriced, not very good, and the smell of cigar smoke would knock a buzzard off a sh*t wagon.

I dunno if Frankie and the West End Boys still play at Pleasure Island, they used to be regulars there, but they played different locations, so I couldn't tell you where to look for them, but if you can find them, they're worth seeing.

Frankie