Orlando Restaurants & Bars

[spenser1058]

But that can't be! We don't have nearly enough bars downtown!

[smileguy]

Don't worry - I am sure 2 or 3 will spring up to replace it.

[spenser1058]

Don't worry - I am sure 2 or 3 will spring up to replace it.

Well, Walgreens' Duane Reade stores started offering small kegs of beer in NYC - maybe if they open a 24-hour drugstore downtown they could fake it as a bar. And then we could get Ace Hardware to stock items and offer lessons for building barstools or maybe a still. Perhaps we just need to get creative to get actual retail downtown!

[steve_o]

Downtown South: Chili Daddy on Michigan appeared to be closed when I drove by Monday 1/23. "Restaurant for Sale" sign in the window.

"Chili Daddy" is closed Sunday and Monday.

[prahaboheme]

New nightclub to bring ‘Miami posh,’ ‘NY chic’ to downtown

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2012/02/new-nightclub-to-bring-miami-posh.html

[mrh3]

Those guys can spend all the money they want, but you can't take the Orlando out of Orlando. The real problem has less to do with venues themselves than it does with the lack of population density, disposable income, and safe transportation options home after a night of boozin'.

[mrh3]

But that can't be! We don't have nearly enough bars downtown!

Spencer,

I counted 46 bars on the Downtown Orlando website alone. That's some pretty heavy density. It might even meet or exceed what we have Downtown Manhattan in some spots...

Update: I did the math and there are 36 bars per square mile in Manhattan. I used the New York Magazine Bar and Club Search and the total square mileage of the island including land and water. Using land only it goes up to 58.

Edited February 4, 2012 by mrh3

[jgardnerucf]

It's just Icon, with new ownership. Nothing new, except paint and lights probably.

[klstorey]

While the Burger Bubble has been discussed in some detail on Orlando Sentinel and the Business Journal these restaurants are just the beginning of a whole wave of new and growing restaurants in the Central Florida region. With the burger joints numbers alone there should be at least 100 new restaurants opening in Central Florida in the next few years.

I wrote a two part series on all the new and growing restaurants around Central Florida.

Coming Soon: Restaurants, Restaurants everywhere

In part 1 I cover

• Boardwalk Burgers
  
• BurgerFi
  
• Burger21
  
• Shula's Burgers
  
• Hardee's
  
• Mooyah Burgers
  
• Union Burgers
  
• Smash Burgers
  
• Sunshine Diner
  
• Panera Bread (throughout Central Florida)
  
• The Club at NBA City
  
• Barley House on Church St
  
• and a few other rumors and tidbits of local restaurant news and rumors.
  
  
  In Part 2 coming Wednesday I'll cover
  • Mills/50 Kobe
    
  • Anthony's Pizza
    
  • Ethos Vegan Kitchen
    
  • Jersey Mike's
    
  • McDonald's on Orlando Ave
    
  • 4 Rivers Winter Park
    
  • Cask and Larder
    
  • Spice on Park
    
  • Galopin Cuisine
    
  • Miller's Ale House Winter Park
    

  Let me know if I missed any or if any the news I mention has been updated.

[FLheat]

Let me know if I missed any or if any the news I mention has been updated.

The Fifth on Orange across from the Plaza has it's Grand Opening this week.

[Jernigan]

Is your reference to Winter Park Ale House referring to the one by Full Sail or the one that has a "coming soon" sign at Lee & 17-92?

[klstorey]

I'm referring to the one coming to Lee and 17-92. It will hopefully break ground soon.

[prahaboheme]

New downtown bar called The Fifth (looks like a sleek build out):

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_food_blog/2012/05/the-fifth-in-downtown-orlando-readies-for-grand-opening.html

[klstorey]

Did a bit of a summary on some downtown drinking establishments including;

Coming Soon: Downtown Drinking Establishments

• Bliss (Closed)
  
• Heat Space (?)
  
• Cheyenne Salon (Ale House?)
  
• The Fifth (Opened)
  
• Pine/Orange (3 story slide building?)
  
• The Courtesy (Opening soon, Zimmerman's mixology place)
  
• Magnolia south of Central bar (?)
  
• 111 (Tastings)
  
• World of Beer (Lee Lakeside?)
  

Any others coming or closing creating news?

[Pete C]

Did a bit of a summary on some downtown drinking establishments including;

Coming Soon: Downtown Drinking Establishments

• Bliss (Closed)
  
• Heat Space (?)
  
• Cheyenne Salon (Ale House?)
  
• The Fifth (Opened)
  
• Pine/Orange (3 story slide building?)
  
• The Courtesy (Opening soon, Zimmerman's mixology place)
  
• Magnolia south of Central bar (?)
  
• 111 (Tastings)
  
• World of Beer (Lee Lakeside?)
  

Any others coming or closing creating news?

Bliss closed? I'm disappointed. That was one of the only true large dance clubs downtown that was actually pretty nice.

Do you think Church St is trying to push to be more upscale and appeal to a more mature crowd what with the arena there and upcoming Mad Cow and DPPAC? It's going to be hard to achieve that as long as Antigua, Mako's, and Chillers are there.

Edited June 13, 2012 by Pete C

[spenser1058]

Bliss closed? I'm disappointed. That was one of the only true large dance clubs downtown that was actually pretty nice.

Do you think Church St is trying to push to be more upscale and appeal to a more mature crowd what with the arena there and upcoming Mad Cow and DPPAC? It's going to be hard to achieve that as long as Antigua, Mako's, and Chillers are there.

I think Tastings also closed recently.

[Jernigan]

Anthony's Pizza on Mills/50 is starting to physically make the move (the big sign came down Saturday) to a few doors east on Colonial.

Much easier to get to now by foot, or by car!

[klstorey]

I think Tastings also closed recently.

Yeah, this is where One Eleven is going. The sign for One Eleven is up now.

[spenser1058]

Scott Joseph reviews The Fifth : he's impressed by the ambience and loved his burger but wonders if meatloaf fits the mood:

http://www.scottjosephorlando.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1827:the-fifth&catid=51:american&Itemid=208

[tennis32801]

Didnt realize that urban flats downtown closed and will reopen on Church st at the old Heat space. Anyone know what will take it place at the plaza location?

[klstorey]

I think Tastings also closed recently.

Yeah, this is where One Eleven is going. The sign for One Eleven is up now.

[spenser1058]

Thanks for that - they got a replacement rather quickly. I have to admit I'm surprised because that has always struck me as a location waaaay ahead of its time. When I walk over to the post office, I almost never see anyone around as I pass by. But here's hoping I'm wrong.

[Pete C]

I think Tastings also closed recently.

Tastings has been closed for a year now.

http://scottjosephor...news&Itemid=100

Edited June 15, 2012 by Pete C

[Captain.Metro]

Saddened by the closing of the Dessert Lady on Church Street, what other venues do you think could make great use of the space? I personally found the Euro-Bohemian style of the venue to be cozy and distinct to the area. Perhaps an upscale cocktail & craft beer venue with a combined gallery (an upscale version of XL) could do well in the space?

As for other restaurants and bars in the Downtown/Thornton Park area, does anyone know the timeframe for:

Benjamin French Bakery & Café at 716 E. Washington (former Marie France clothier). Buildout looks to be complete and opening impending. I'm personally looking forward to this one!

DTA- Don't Tell Anyone Modern Speakeasy in 101 Eola, facing Church Street. Buildout seems to be moderately progressing. Other than the name and poster out front, I don't know much about this business.

Aura Restaurant & Bar in 101 Eola at the corner of Eola and Church. Quite possibly the longest buildout in restaurant history, buildout seems to be speeding up a bit. Anyone have an anticipated opening date for this one?

Hooch (formerly The Globe) at Wall Street Plaza. This craft liquor and beer house should be opening soon if not already. Young Jewish Professionals Monthly Happy Hour (as made famous by MTV's The Wake Brothers) is planned for this venue in early September.

Loft 55. No information on this--- Buildout Progress?

Barley House- No details.

The Club at NBA City in Amway Center made its offical announcement last week. Though on the far end of the Amway Center, if anything like other NBA City locations, the atmosphere and food ought to be promising. The challenge will be getting patrons to that side of Church Street on non-game days, much less that end of the Amway Center.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Captain.Metro

[Scooter77]

Saddened by the closing of the Dessert Lady on Church Street, what other venues do you think could make great use of the space? I personally found the Euro-Bohemian style of the venue to be cozy and distinct to the area. Perhaps an upscale cocktail & craft beer venue with a combined gallery (an upscale version of XL) could do well in the space?

As for other restaurants and bars in the Downtown/Thornton Park area, does anyone know the timeframe for:

Benjamin French Bakery & Café at 716 E. Washington (former Marie France clothier). Buildout looks to be complete and opening impending. I'm personally looking forward to this one!

DTA- Don't Tell Anyone Modern Speakeasy in 101 Eola, facing Church Street. Buildout seems to be moderately progressing. Other than the name and poster out front, I don't know much about this business.

Aura Restaurant & Bar in 101 Eola at the corner of Eola and Church. Quite possibly the longest buildout in restaurant history, buildout seems to be speeding up a bit. Anyone have an anticipated opening date for this one?

Hooch (formerly The Globe) at Wall Street Plaza. This craft liquor and beer house should be opening soon if not already. Young Jewish Professionals Monthly Happy Hour (as made famous by MTV's The Wake Brothers) is planned for this venue in early September.

Loft 55. No information on this--- Buildout Progress?

Barley House- No details.

The Club at NBA City in Amway Center made its offical announcement last week. Though on the far end of the Amway Center, if anything like other NBA City locations, the atmosphere and food ought to be promising. The challenge will be getting patrons to that side of Church Street on non-game days, much less that end of the Amway Center.

DTA & Aura: I live in 101 and on my way to and from church st through our side entrance i've kept up with the build-out inside these spaces. they are taking forever but most recently i've seen framing and drywall going up and tiles being laid. also saw a table full of sample stemware/ dishes/ glasses/ etc in the aura space- probably picking out what they'll have. was told they had a change of design/layout recently and had to go through repermitting or whatever. looks like it's still coming along seems to be workers in there at least daily M-F.