Downtown Update

Nothing new to report from downtown Orlando's club scene this month so instead we'll take a look at the downtown parking scene and give some tips on how you can save money parking your car!  There are basically 3 main options downtown.  There is free street parking, there is city parking and there is private parking.

So what do the two signs below have in common?  Believe it or not, they're both leading to the same parking garage....at the same time!  Yes, the private Wells Fargo Bank garage has two entrances and they both charge different prices at the same time.  Enter from Central Blvd (across from Ember) and you'll pay $10.  Drive around the block and enter from Washington Street and pay $5.  Both entrances lead into the same garage!  Here's what you should know about parking downtown.  So don't be a fool!

STREET PARKING:  Parking meters are free after 6pm so if you're arriving downtown early then there's a great chance you can find a spot on the street.  There's even a decent chance up until 10pm.  After that, highly unlikely unless you happen to drive by someone just pulling out.  Luck increases the further north you go away from the downtown core but that must be balanced with how far you're willing to walk!

CITY PARKING:  These are absolutely the worst deal downtown.  All City of Orlando lots downtown have a flat evening rate of $10 except the lots adjacent Amway Center which cost $20 during events.  City lots include those under I-4 and the large lot adjacent I-4 between Central and Pine.  At these lots you have to locate the nearest kiosk and pay with cash or credit card and then take the issued ticket and place it on your dashboard.  One plus is credit card use which other lots don't offer; nearly every lot downtown is cash only.  There is also a multi-story City parking garage on Central across from Ember that charges $10.  

PRIVATE LOTS:  The closer you are to Church Street, the more you're going to pay.  Many private lots along Church Street, Pine Street and Central Blvd will be charging a $10 flat rate.  Washington Street is the name to remember because parking lots along that street are nearly always $5 flat rate.  Streets north of Washington Street will also be charging $5.  Save by parking at surface lots and garages here.

PI Update: West Side Story

Beautiful afternoon, beautiful Island.

But this day we're going to remain on the West Side.  This is the area called the "Park Stage" where Pleasure Island's evening entertainment has migrated to.

With demolition walls now up around Comedy Warehouse and Laffers Cantina, it was necessary to move the various bands performing on the Island.  Hope to make it out here soon to see actual performances.

Splitsville management informs us that Thursday night's "castmember night" is doing well and that it's currently the only night to find a DJ playing there.  You'll recall that when SV first opened they had DJ's on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.  But that was short-lived.  (Maybe because the music wasn't very good.)

Disney recently filed more permits with Orange County for additional construction office trailers to join this one out in the Q-Lot.  While Hyperion Wharf resulted in the demolition of two dance clubs but no new construction, Disney Springs is most definitely coming.  What's coming in the way of adult entertainment remains to be seen!

Club Report: Eye Spy

Fun night at Eye Spy last night because the music format has changed!

Resident DJ Parry was playing an incredible EDM set!  During prior random visits the music was always Hip Hop but such is apparently not the case any longer.

The peeps want techno.  The outdoor dance floor was wall-to-wall with people dancing to Top 40/Dance/House!

It used to be if you wanted this kind of music at Eye Spy you'd have to head to the small rear room where a DJ might be playing it.  Well they've swapped it around.  The DJ in the back might be playing Hip Hop, but the front is all EDM!

DJP putting out a Trap song!

Spotted: Wearing short shorts and tall boots, Orlando upper one-percenter CJ dancing with friend Renee (Live and Leather Bracelets).

Eye Spy is unique in town with their mostly outdoor format which is great 75% of the year.  On hot muggy summer nights or when it rains, not so great.

But last night, a good time was had by all!

Club Reports: The Silly Grape, Studio 0.00054, The Lodge, Syn Nightclub, Backbooth

Another birthday party weekend and a great place to begin the celebration was with happy hour at The Silly Grape in Maitland.

Birthday girl rocking the stage!  Although DJ Vitamin C often plays here on Thursday nights, other evenings feature light music that does not interfere with you chit-chating with friends and coworkers while you enjoy a frosty cold one.

The place can get surprisingly crowded since it's located near numerous office complexes.

The Silly Grape is soon to be joined by The Silly Philly and The Silly Deli. And since wings and homemade french fries will be featured, I'm already hooked!

Many readers will recall when Sirius/XM invited me to the one night reopening of iconic dance club Studio 54 in New York City a couple years ago.  Well right here in Orlando, for this week only, we are fortunate to have the "world's smallest disco", Studio 0.00054!

Small club indeed!  But when the red velvet rope was lifted and we were ushered in, size didn't matter!

DJ Matt on the decks spinning House and Dance!

The dance floor stayed jammed during our visit.  The cover is just $1 and they have beer!  Interestingly, we're told that PI is part of the club.  Apparently the donation bin (not pictured) where you pay your $1 is sitting on a stand made out of the letter "A" from the Comedy Warehouse sign!

Can't visit downtown anymore without stopping at The Lodge!

DJ Yardian playing a broad range of mostly 80's with some 70's and 90's mixed-in.

A bit larger than our previous stop but equally crowded....on a per square foot basis!

And everyone sings loudly to the songs while dancing.  

You can never go wrong with Go Go girls!

Next stop Syn Nightclub.

DJ Meaux Green (Firestone, Vain, Roxy) working the boards from a position downstairs adjacent the dance floor.  The music was Dubstep and some very hard Progressive House.

Big crowd in the place on this Friday night.

The dance floor was.....interesting.

But you can never go wrong with Go Go girls!

Last stop was Backbooth for their "Footloose 80's" night which takes place every Thursday night beginning at 11:59pm.

DJ Adam Wright in the booth playing a broad range of 80's hits.

Upper and lower dance floors jammed here too.

Populated by the young and not so young!

The music includes a lot of New Wave like you hear at I-Bar on Saturday nights but also can include Michael Jackson, George Michael, etc.  All with videos.

Happy Birthday!

And a good time was had by all!

Club Report: The Fifth (Throwback Lunch)

If it's the third Thursday of the month, that means it's time for what I call the disco lunch at The Fifth downtown.  They play music from a specific decade and if you dance to one full song you get 50% off your meal!

Wearing his boogie shoes, DJ Trainwreck was in the booth spinning 70's Disco!

 Doing the Soul Train Line, this group was dancing for their dinner during my visit as V-Group Marketing Manager Nique and Server Jimmy looked on!

KC & The Sunshine Band, Bee Gees, Heat Wave, AWB, etc. The music reminded me of a night in 8TRAX!

A delicious charbroil burger, the menu includes wraps and awesome looking chicken'n'waffles!

 Where else can you go dancing at lunch time?

  And a good time was had by all!

DJ Ferry Corsten Coming To Orlando

Returning to Orlando for the first time since Electric Daisy Carnival 2011, DJ Ferry Corsten (NL) will be performing on Thursday, June 27th at Roxy Night Club.  The #22 DJ in the world per DJMag readers, he's a fan favorite because of his always-friendly rapport with the crowd and awesome Trance/House sets!  A lot of his songs got played at Mannequins! And there are few venues where you can get as close to the DJ as Roxy.  Don't miss it! Tickets are $15 here.

This Weekend In Techno Town

Another action-packed weekend of EDM in O-Town!

THURSDAY MAY 16
I call it the Disco Lunch but the official name is the "Throwback Thursday Lunch", held downtown at The Fifth.  Come in and enjoy lunch while the DJ spins music from a specific decade.  Dance to one song completely and get 50% off your meal including your drinks! UPDATE: THIS MONTH IS 70's DISCO!
(FREE)

Thursday night at Firestone Live they have DJ/Producer Flux Pavilion (GB) in the building and likely destroying it with Dubstep!  Thursdays are packed to the rafters so arrive early.
($10)

New venue Syn Nightclub has DJ Meaux Green (Vixen, Vain, Roxy) this Thursday night for the first time, playing Breaks, Progressive, etc!  A protege' of DJ Icey, he's had some bigger name DJ's play his productions such as the Whistle Song.
(FREE)

First Thee Grotto received their full liquor license and then they've teamed up with DJ Rob (Independent Bar) to create "Redrum Thursdays" with Goth, Industrial & Nuwave!  Thursday nights.
(FREE - $5)

SATURDAY MAY 18
Back in Orlando for the first time since Electric Daisy Carnival, Cedric Gervais (F) will be at Firestone Live on Saturday night.  Hopefully he won't beat that Molly song to death again like he did at EDC!
($15)

A new weekly "Sextacy Saturdays" at Syn Nightclub has guest DJ Alex Poxada in town from Miami, with DJ Loco Aragon opening.
($10)

Meanwhile over at Roxy Nightclub, DJ/Producer Seven Lions first visit to Orlando!  Interestingly, he'll be performing at Electric Daisy Carnival - New York earlier Saturday night and then hopping a plane to Orlando to play here!  He's best known for his collaboration with Tritonal on the Trance/Dubstep song "Still With Me" ft. Cristina Soto.  Awesome!
($10-15)

And back in Backroom, spotted last weekend but playing this weekend, DJ's Chris Fortier & John Debo spinning real, pure House!
(FREE)