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NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019
Florida Group Publisher Graham Jarrett Editor in Chief Jessica Bryce Young
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Editorial Staff Writers Jenna Lyons Calendar and Film Editor Thaddeus McCollum Music Editor Matthew Moyer Digital Content Editor Dave Plotkin Contributors Peg Aloi, Rob Bartlett, Jen Cray, Jason Ferguson, Maisie Haney, Liv Jonse, Holly V. Kapherr, Faiyaz Kara, Seth Kubersky, Bao Le-Huu, Anthony Mauss, Cameron Meier, Richard Reep, Leah Sandler, Steve Schneider, Madeleine Scott, Nicolette Shurba Editorial Interns Christian Casale, Clarissa Moon, Annabelle Sikes Advertising Director of Sales Jeff Kruse Senior Multimedia Account Execs Dan Winkler, Matt Whiting Multimedia Account Exec Scotty Spar Classified and Legal Rep Jerrica Schwartz Sales Department Administrator Rachel Gold Marketing and Events Senior Marketing and Events Manager Jessica Pawli Events & Promotions Coordinator Kelsey Stidham Marketing and Sales Coordinator Nathaniel Frecks Creative Services Art Director Melissa McHenry Production Manager Daniel Rodriguez Graphic Designer Justin “SKIP” Skipper Business Director of Operations Hollie Mahadeo Business Specialist Allysha Willison Circulation Circulation Manager Collin Modeste Euclid Media Group Chief Executive Officer Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers Chris Keating, Michael Wagner VP of Digital Services Stacy Volhein Director of Digital Strategy Colin Wolf Regional Digital Director Fran DiCarlo Senior Marketing and Events Director Cassandra Yardeni Digital Operations Coordinator Jaime Monzon Controller Kristy Dotson euclidmediagroup.com National Advertising: Voice Media Group 1-888-278-9866, vmgadvertising.com Orlando Weekly Inc. 16 W. Pine St. Orlando, Florida 32801 orlandoweekly.com Phone 407-377-0400 Fax 407-377-0420 Orlando Weekly is published every week by Euclid Media Group Orlando Distribution Orlando Weekly is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Copyright notice: The entire contents of Orlando Weekly are copyright 2019 by Euclid Media Group LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher does not assume any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, materials, or other content. Any submission must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be mailed to the address listed above. Subscriptions: Six-month domestic subscriptions may be purchased for $150; one-year subscriptions for $240. Periodical Postage Pending at Orlando, FL POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Orlando Weekly, 16 W. Pine St., Orlando, FL 32801.
Cover Illustration by Betsy Garcia of Bloomwolf Studio
8 Other Orlando Weekly Special Issues 11 Welcome to Orlando!
Our annual look at Orlando from the viewpoint of a Central Florida neophyte
13 Map A mostly accurate map of Orlando’s neighborhoods and districts 15 Cool Annual Events
There are great events happening in Orlando all year round
19 Neighborhoods
Old favorites and new classics in each of the area’s main hubs
23 My day in coffee
Jessica Bryce Young confesses to a perhaps unhealthy caffeine intake
25 Let’s get a drink
29 Live and let live
49 Super Like
31 Sunday (or Saturday, or Monday … whatever) Funday Jenna Lyons dishes on the best meal of the week: brunch
51 Page turners
Clarissa Moon recommends a dozen Orlando vegan restaurants where you can eat out without eating animals
33 Freedom of choice
A few places that offer plenty of food choices under one roof
35 Dank days in Orlando
If you partake, our anonymous stoner friend has some suggestions on how to make the most of it in the City Beautiful
39 Down in front!
Maisie Haney reveals her favorite venues to the budding Orlando gig-goer
43 Be the change you wish to see
Thaddeus McCollum gives you a quick primer on some of the area’s most potent potable purveyors
Ida V. Eskamani gives pointers for a better civic life in Orlando
26 Old (but make it) fashion
Maisie Haney ticks off a list of can’t-miss gallery spaces in town
Jenny De Witt on where to find the best vintage clothing in Orlando
27 Plant parenthood
Raising and housing our little green friends isn’t always easy
45 Sheer art attack
47 Art date!
Whether it’s a friend date or a romantic one, art openings are a much better hang than Netflix
Jenna Lyons can’t get you a date, but she’s got suggestions for good places to go if you have one Dedicated bookworm Annabelle Sikes reveals all the secret spots for turning pages – and some of the local writers whose work you should be enjoying
55 Stage? Right!
There’s something for everyone in Orlando’s theaters
57 Buy the ticket, take the ride
Get the best out of our world-famous parks and attractions with Seth Kubersky’s recommendations
61 Outside guide
We have sunshine all year round here, and Jenna Lyons lists the best places to enjoy it
65 Pools
Six unbelievably luxurious hotel pools you should definitely not sneak into
67 Fantastic worlds
Our picks for the best in comics and conventions in Orlando
69 Orlando obsessions
Why is all that stuff on the cover? This is why
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NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019
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Read Orlando Weekly to stay informed on news, opinion and happenings around the city.
If you enjoy the Newcomers Guide you’re reading right now, be sure to pick up our print issue every week – it’s available in more than 1,000 shops, restaurants, bars and newsstands around town. Check out our website, orlandoweekly. com, for new stories every day, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Other useful special issues (like this one!) include:
CITY GUIDE Our in-depth guide to the neighborhoods of Orlando comes out every April.
BITE Our detailed annual guide to Orlando’s dining scene is stuffed full of chef interviews, capsule reviews, and food news. It comes out in June.
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BEST OF ORLANDO Every August, this giant issue drops. Our annual Readers Poll will tell you who, what and where is most popular with Orlando residents in 178 different categories, while our Writers’ Picks unearth hidden gems you might not know about.
FALL GUIDE Our gigantic guide to autumn arts, music and more comes out in September.
SHOP LOCAL GIFT GUIDE In late November look out for our annual Gift Guide, chock-full of holiday shopping ideas.
Illustration by Daniel Rodriguez
Hello! Newcomers Guide is Orlando Weekly’s annual look at Orlando from the viewpoint of a Central Florida neophyte. We hope it’s useful and entertaining whether you just moved here yesterday, or you’ve been here for years. Use the handy-dandy color tabs to navigate through the guide as indicated above.
PLACES TO GO:
STUFF TO DO:
13 Orlando map 15 Cool annual events 19 Neighborhoods
39 How to hear live music in Orlando 41 Where to hear live music in Orlando 41 Newer Orlando bands you should hear(t) 43 Activism: Get involved! 45 See art: museums, galleries and more 49 Super like: dating 51 Litlando: Orlando authors and where to read them 55 Drama club: theater 57 Theme parks and other attractions 61 Outside guide 65 Fabulous hotel pools you should definitely not sneak into 67 Comics, cosplay and cons
THINGS TO CONSUME: 23 Coffee all day 25 Drinks every night 26 Shopping: vintage clothing and houseplants! 29 Vegan restaurants 31 Sunday Funday: best brunches 33 Food halls: sort of! 35 Weed isn’t legal, but if you’ve got your MMJ card …
NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019
Welcome to Orlando!
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NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019
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NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019
JANUARY Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl Jan. 1, 2020; Camping World Stadium, 1 Citrus Bowl Place; buffalowildwingscitrusbowl.com The Citrus Bowl plays host to one of the BCS games every New Year’s Day.
Winter Park Weekend of the Arts February 2020 (dates TBA); multiple locations, Winter Park; cityofwinterpark.org A weekend highlighting music, theater and art in spaces across Winter Park. Florida Strawberry Festival February-March 2020 (dates TBA); Florida Strawberry Festival, 2209 W. Oak Ave., Plant City; 813-752-9194; flstrawberryfestival.com
Central Florida Scottish Highland Games Jan. 18-19, 2020; Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Drive, Winter Springs; flascot.com
One of the biggest agricultural fairs in the state routinely brings in big names for concerts, along with all the rides and festival food you can handle.
Annual weekend of caber tossing, axe throwing, sheep-herding, drinking, eating and dancing.
MARCH
Otronicon Jan. 17-20, 2020; Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St.; 407-514-2000; osc.org
Arab Festival Orlando March 2020 (dates TBA); Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St.; 407-246-4484; aaccflorida.org
Showcase of cutting-edge technology from industry leaders, providing a glimpse of the not-too-distant future.
Zora! Festival January 2020 (dates TBA), downtown Eatonville, Kennedy Boulevard, Eatonville, zorafestival.org Eatonville’s most famous writer gets a festival in her honor every year featuring live music, arts and educational activities.
FEBRUARY Indie-Folk Fest February 15, 2020; Mennello Museum of American Art, 900 E. Princeton St.; 407-2464278; mennellomuseum.org The Mennello hosts this daylong outdoor concert in the sculpture garden with food and drink vendors every Valentine’s Day weekend.
Lunar New Year Dragon Parade February 2020 (date TBA), Fashion Square Mall, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, centralfloridadragonparade.org Formerly taking place in Mills 50, this Lunar New Year celebration got so big that it had to move to the Fashion Square Mall in 2015.
Orlando Chili Cook-Off February 2020 (date TBA); Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.; orlandochilicookoff.com This event brings the heat with more than 100 different types of chili to sample, the World Chili Eating Championship competition, live music and more.
Try plenty of Middle Eastern food while seeing live performances on the bandshell stage.
Central Florida Fair March 2020 (dates TBA); Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive; centralfloridafair.com Showcasing the best in midway rides, live entertainment, livestock and fried foods.
Gasparilla Music Festival March 2020 (dates TBA); Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa; gasparillamusic.com
Mount Dora; thunderingspiritfamily.com
floridafilmfestival.com
Annual Native American culture festival with drumming, dancing, crafts and food.
Whether you’re a fan of dramas, comedies, documentaries or shorts, the Florida Film Festival has it all.
Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival March 2020 (dates TBA); Central Park, Winter Park; wpsaf.org Browse through booths from tons of artists and vendors at one of the country’s oldest, largest and most prestigious juried art festivals.
MAY Orlando Fringe May 12-25, 2020; Loch Haven Park, 777 E. Princeton St.; orlandofringe.org
APRIL
Thespians from all over the world descend on the theater complex at Loch Haven for two weeks of performances.
Spring Fiesta in the Park April 4-5, 2020; Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St.; 407-855-0606; fiestainthepark.com
Beer ’Merica May 2020 (date TBA); Gaston Edwards Park, 1236 N. Orange Ave.; orlandoweeklytickets.com
This biannual block party brings vendors, entertainment, food and more to downtown’s Lake Eola Park.
Celebrating American Craft Beer Week, this daylong beer festival on the shore of Lake Ivanhoe spotlights more than 100 varieties of American craft brews, along with live music, games and giveaways.
MegaCon April 16-19, 2020; Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive; megaconorlando.com Central Florida’s largest comic and media convention brings in big names from the worlds of television, film, comics and more for a huge celebration of pop culture.
Florida Film Festival April 17-26, 2020; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; 407-629-1088;
JUNE Bite30 June 1-30, 2020; multiple locations; bite30.com A monthlong celebration of the best food Central Florida has to offer, with special prix fixe menus at each participating restaurant.
One of Tampa’s biggest annual festivals draws big names and Florida favorites alike to downtown’s Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
Orlando Caribbean Festival March 2020 (dates TBA), Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive; centralfloridafair.com Celebration of Central Florida’s Caribbean connections, with live music, DJs, food, dancing and more.
Orlando Holi Festival March 2020 (dates TBA); Bill Frederick Park, 3401 S. Hiawassee Road; 407-814-7501; facebook.com/ indianhorizonoffloridainc Celebrate the Hindi spring festival with dancing, music and plenty of colored powder to throw at each other.
Thundering Spirit Pow Wow March 2020 (dates TBA); Renninger’s Antique Center, 20651 State Highway 441,
Orlando Beer Festival
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Cool Annual Events
There are fun events happening in the Orlando area year round. To help you find your faves, we’ve put together a quick guide to some of the ones that happen around the same time every year. Note that this guide gets published at the end of July 2019, so the dates you’ll see from January through July will be for 2020. Have fun; we’ll see you out there.
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NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019
“forgets” to charge anyone to attend.
Creative City Project: Immerse Oct. 18-19, 2019; Downtown Orlando; creativecityproject.com
Multicultural celebration in downtown Orlando that features an array of aromas, sights, sounds, tastes, textures and films that represent the diverse origins and ethnicities of the community.
The Creative City Project offers up a whole weekend of live performing arts scattered throughout public spaces in the heart of downtown Orlando.
Central Florida Veg Fest Oct. 26, 2019; Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.; cfvegfest.org Chow down on some cruelty-free cooking at this event for vegetarians, vegans and open-minded omnivores. Learn about veg living and get an upclose look at some of the animals spared when you opt for a salad instead of a Baconator.
NOVEMBER
Electric Daisy Carnival Photo courtesy EDC
Bite Night June 2020 (date and location TBA); bitenightorlando.com
Best of Orlando Aug. 21, 2019; The Beacham, 46 N. Orange Ave.; orlandoweekly.com
Bite Night is a foodie wonderland, featuring samples from more than 20 of Orlando’s best-loved chefs and restaurants.
Annual party in honor of Orlando Weekly’s Best of Orlando winners. If you snag a ticket to this exclusive party, congratulations: We like you.
Big Gay Weekend June 4-June 7, 2020; multiple locations; onemagicalweekend.com, girlsinwonderland.com
SEPTEMBER
Two of the biggest LGBTQ+ gatherings in the country convene on the first weekend in June, along with associated events, parties and more.
JULY Fireworks at the Fountain July 4, 2020; Lake Eola Park, North Eola Drive and East Robinson Street; orlando.gov Nothing says patriotism like the “oohs” and “ahhs” elicited by the choreographed firework and light show at Lake Eola each year.
Tacos & Tequila July 2020 (date and location TBA); tacosandtequilaorlando.com Peak-taco deniers get to try dozens of takes on everyone’s favorite Tex-Mex one-handed treat – along with plenty of tequila and cerveza.
AUGUST Sick ’n’ Wrong Film Festival Aug. 9-11, 2019; CityArts, 39 S. Magnolia Ave.; sick-n-wrong.com This film festival is open to shorts, features, live action or animation from around the world, as long as they induce a state of WTF in the audience. It’s more fun than that sounds.
Halloween Horror Nights Sept. 6-Nov. 2, 2019; Universal Studios, 6000 Universal Blvd.; halloweenhorrornights.com This year’s Halloween Horror Nights features a Stranger Things house, and that’s probably all you need to know.
Orlando Taco Week Sept. 20-29, 2019; multiple locations; orlandoweekly.com Restaurants across the area offer takes on their favorite taco recipes at reduced prices, and you get to try them all!
OCTOBER Come Out With Pride Oct. 12, 2019; Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St.; comeoutwithpride.com
Fall Fiesta in the Park Nov. 2-3, 2019; Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St.; 407-855-0606; fiestainthepark.com This biannual block party brings vendors, entertainment, food and more to downtown’s Lake Eola Park.
Orlando Greek Fest Nov. 1-3, 2019; Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1217 Trinity Woods Lane, Maitland; 407-331-4687; orlandogreekfest.com Enjoy authentic Greek food, music and dancing, along with a huge indoor market for Greek goods, including imported olives.
DECEMBER Sweet and Savory Dec. 5, 2019; location TBA; orlandoweekly.com
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A night of desserts, drinks and delicious dishes, served up by top local and regional artisans.
Christmas in the Park Dec. 5, 2019; Central Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; morsemuseum.org The Morse Museum decorates Central Park with stained glass windows and the Bach Festival Choir performs a Christmas concert.
Holiday Matsuri Dec. 13-15, 2019; Orlando World Center Marriott, 8701 World Center Drive; holidaymatsuri.com An adorably holiday-themed anime convention with unique programming, tons of vendors and late-night parties.
Grandma Party Bazaar December 15, 2019; Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road; stardustie.com Handmade crafts from local artisans and live music from local bands make this our favorite stop for holiday shopping.
Electric Daisy Carnival Nov. 8-10, 2019; Tinker Field, Camping World Stadium, 1 Citrus Bowl Place; orlando.electricdaisycarnival.com The premiere EDM festival makes a stop at historic Tinker Field every year to showcase the best in contemporary dance music, otherworldly scenery and psychedelic lightshows. Even if you don’t attend, you’re likely to hear it if you’re anywhere near downtown.
Orlando Beer Festival Nov. 16, 2019; Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.; orlandobeerfestival.com
Our favorite downtown parade party celebrates the LGBTQ+ community.
Orlando’s only large-scale legitimate craft beer festival that attracts brewers and guests from all over Florida.
Big Gay Brunch Oct. 12, 2019; The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive; orlandoweekly.com
Florida Blue Florida Classic Nov. 23, 2019; Camping World Stadium, 1 Citrus Bowl Place; floridaclassic.org
Before the big gay parade, come eat and drink with Orlando Weekly and check out surprise performances at our big gay brunch.
Annual football game between BethuneCookman University and Florida A&M.
Orlando Film Festival Oct. 17-24, 2019; Cobb Plaza Cinema Café, 155 S. Orange Ave.; orlandofilmfest.com
FusionFest Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2019; Seneff Arts Plaza, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.; fusionfest.org
NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019
The Orlando Film Festival has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, and now brings hundreds of independent films and filmmakers downtown for a week of screenings, panels and parties.
Tom & Dan Bad at Business Beerfest Nov. 23, 2019; West End Trading Co., 202 S. Sanford Ave.; tomanddan.com Every year, local podcast “A Mediocre Time With Tom & Dan” throws a huge beer festival in Sanford and conveniently
Creative City Project: Immerse, Red Bull B-Boys Photo by Michael Alfonso
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Bored? Wanna explore a new neighborhood? Doing move-in research? Dating someone in a different part of town? Here’s our speed-round version of Orlando’s main neighborhoods, a one-two punch of old and new that will show you the true nature of every nabe. DOWNTOWN
THORNTON PARK
MILK DISTRICT
Culture, “culture” and cocktails. Lots of cocktails. For all its foibles – snarled traffic, lack of retail, weird smells in the summer – downtown is still where the non-Disney magic happens, whether you’re feeling classy – taking in a ballet at the Dr. Phillips Center, for example – or trashy – gargling tequila until you paint the sidewalk with your lunch, say. They say it takes all kinds, and boy does downtown ever take ’em.
A walkable-yet-wild district packed with bars and restaurants is home to gay, straight, young, old and generally accepting, all living side by side in some of Orlando’s best-maintained historic bungalows.
In a sequestered neighborhood just east of Thornton Park is the Milk District, a short-but-sweet spot in town known mostly for its Tuesday food truck gatherings but named for its proximity to the cow-topped T.G. Lee Dairy. On this strip you’ll find clever themed bars, inventive snacks, vintage clothes and darts aplenty.
Old favorite: Independent Bar, 70 S. Orange Ave. The dance club at the corner of Orange Avenue and Washington Street has gone through several identities over the years – the Beach Club, Barbarella – but those looking for a spot that plays mostly retro, alternative and new wave (and one that has plenty of secluded corners to discover) have kept “I-Bar” chugging along for years now. New classic: CityArts, 39 S. Magnolia Ave. We’re cheating a little bit with the “new classic” label, as CityArts as an institution is far from new, and the Rogers-Kiene building in which it’s housed is one of the oldest standing buildings in Orlando. But the partnership is new, as CityArts moved into the building that formerly housed the Gallery at Avalon Island last year when the owner of the building donated it to the city. Stop in every third Thursday of the month to see new collections of cuttingedge art, or keep an eye out for avant-garde musical performances between shows in the well regarded InBetween Series.
MILLS 50 Don’t get us wrong: Cool stuff happens all over Orlando. But the neighborhood just northeast of downtown seems to pack it in a little tighter than some areas. You won’t find a more diverse neighborhood for cheap multicultural eats, and the walkability factor is super-handy if you’re out to sample the bohemian side of Orlando’s nightlife. Old favorite: The Strand, 807 N. Mills Ave. The retrostyle sign out front may scream “diner,” but chef-owners Joseph and Alda Rees’ Mills 50 kitchen is devoted to fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farms and outstanding takes on both classic and modern American fare. If the dinner prices scare you off, note that the lunch menu is a lot more affordable, and the food just as good. New classic: Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors, 1001 N. Mills Ave. When Wally’s closed last year after more than half a century in business, a great wail rose up from the dedicated drinkers of the city. But new owners were able to swoop in and purchase the building. The resulting renovations and changes – more room, weaker pours, nicer décor, no smoking, no jukebox – have not been without controversy, but former patrons (and brand-new ones) should form their own opinions on this new take on an old classic.
Old favorite: Soco, 629 E. Central Blvd. Soco’s executive chef and partner Greg Richie’s résumé includes working with celebrity chefs like Emeril Lagasse (Tchoup Chop) and Roy Yamaguchi (Roy’s Restaurant). But his Thornton Park creation blends his love of Southern favorites with contemporary cuisine. From chicken-fried cauliflower “steak” to macaroni, bacon & three-cheese cassoulet, you’ll find dishes that take classic Southern ingredients and styles and blend them with haute cuisine trends. Good luck walking by the outdoor patio without gawking at the dishes on diners’ plates. New classic: The Greenery Creamery, 420 E. Church St. I scream, you scream – even lactose-intolerant vegans scream – for the ice cream at the Greenery Creamery. The dairy is sourced from local Florida grass-fed cows and turned into creative flavors – lemon-oregano-blueberry, anyone? – and topped with colorful garnishes. And their soft-serve is made from a soy-coconut blend for those who can’t or won’t consume dairy.
Old favorite: The Bull & Bush, 2408 E. Robinson St. Milk District before the Milk District was the Milk District, the Bull & Bush British Pub has been slinging the best Guinness in town since 1987. Popular with darts players, soccer (sorry, “football”) fans and comedians – their Shit Sandwich comedy showcase on first and third Saturdays is one of the centerpieces of the local comedy scene – the Bull & Bush has a pretty devoted following. Plus, both of the main bartenders are named “Scott,” so you only have to remember one name. New classic: MX Taco, 207 N. Bumby Ave. Yep, another taco spot. But this one stands out with its focus on using authentic ingredients (no flour tortillas here, hombre) and recipes inspired by pre-Colombian Mayan culture. Plus, Mexican delights like esquites, micheladas, pozole, helado and horchata round out the menu for those who have ascended past mere tacos.
COLLEGE PARK
SODO
College Park is one of those Orlando neighborhoods that feels like Pleasantville – for being so close to downtown, it has a remarkably old-fashioned, old-Florida appeal. It’s mostly a residential cluster of cozy bungalows, but along Edgewater Drive, the kind of small businesses you only expect in small towns – a clock repair shop, a vacuum store – are interspersed with restaurants and boutiques.
No other part of Orlando has changed so quickly as SoDo. South of the 408 and along Orange Avenue and Michigan Street, this nascent area was struck hard after the mass shooting at the gay nightclub Pulse. Visitors from all around the world have flocked to SoDo’s quiet streets to pay homage to the victims at the site. Despite the grief, SoDo took this newfound attention in stride, reinforcing ties within the old-Orlando community and cementing it as a source of inspiration.
Old favorite: Shakers American Café, 1308 Edgewater Drive. While the rest of the country is still in the throes of a severe brunch addiction, College Park restaurants stay committed to the most important meal of the day: breakfast. Shakers has been serving omelets, pancakes, waffles and benedicts for more than 25 years. They’re named for the extensive collection of salt and pepper shakers on the wall, but unless you’re lucky, you may not ever see that collection as inside seating fills up fast, especially on the weekends. Thankfully, there are plenty of outside tables where you can quaff your coffee and crunch your bacon with nary an avocado toast in sight. New classic: Café Linger, 2912 Edgewater Drive. Don’t take the “Linger” in this coffeeshop’s name lightly: They want you to stick around. Along with the menu of locally roasted coffee, tea, soups, salads and sandwiches, Café Linger is appointed with homey tables, chairs and couches, inviting you to sit for a spell and take a breather. And parents will flip the fudge out when they discover that the café has set aside an area for kids to play in so parents can finally get to enjoy their coffee in peace like they’ve been complaining about for the past four years.
Old favorite: Freshfields Farm, 400 E. Compton St. SoDo has had a number of new supermarkets pop up over the last few years – Lucky’s Market, Earth Fare – but Freshfields Farm remains a favorite for both professional and amateur chefs. Featuring meat, produce and cheese sourced as directly from the farm as possible, Freshfields is praised by those looking for fresh, organic or local ingredients. New classic: Rockpit Brewing, 10 W. Illiana St. We’ve got plenty of microbreweries and taprooms in town, but none are quite as pretty as the recently opened Rockpit Brewing in SoDo. Inspired by Appalachian coal country, nearly everything in the bar – the tables, the walls, the bar itself – was handmade using repurposed wood and metal, lit by the warm glow of faux Edison bulbs. The house-made beers come in a wide variety of styles – no IPA-only menus here – and to top it all off, the food on the menu comes from Cecil’s Texas Style Bar-B-Q next door.
NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019
NEIGHBORHOODS
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21 21 Our Our most most historic historic neighborhood neighborhood is is also also the the site site of of some of some of our our newest newest developments: developments: the the Amway Amway Center, Center, the Orlando Orlando City City Soccer Soccer Stadium Stadium (now (now Exploria) Exploria) and and the the the Creative Creative Village Village are are all all part part of of a a slow slow flowering flowering of of business business and and art art that that may may transform transform what what was was once once troubled ground. ground. troubled Old Old favorite: favorite: Re-Runz Re-Runz Records, Records, 310 310 S. S. Orange Orange Blossom Blossom Trail. Trail. Owner Owner Ed Ed Smith Smith opened opened this this version version of of Re-Runz Re-Runz Records in 2016, but throughout the 1990s, he Records in 2016, but throughout the 1990s, he ran ran the the similarly named named Re-Runs Re-Runs Records Records storefront storefront during during similarly Orlando’s Orlando’s “electronica” “electronica” heyday. heyday. The The bins bins are are full full of of gems gems for for dedicated dedicated cratediggers, cratediggers, with with a a special special focus focus on funk, soul and hip-hop. If you find yourself in on funk, soul and hip-hop. If you find yourself in a a situation where where you you absolutely absolutely need need a a James James Brown Brown situation 45 45 right right away away – – and and who who hasn’t hasn’t been been there? there? – – this this should should be be your your first first stop. stop. New New classic: classic: Stonewall Stonewall Bar, Bar, 741 741 W. W. Church Church St. St. Stonewall has Stonewall has been been around around a a little little too too long long to to really really be be considered considered a a “new “new classic,” classic,” but but the the past past couple couple of of years years have have seen seen a a real real renaissance renaissance at at the the LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+ bar. Thanks Thanks to to its its close close proximity proximity to to Exploria Exploria Stadium, Stadium, bar. the spot spot has has become become a a hit hit with with thirsty thirsty soccer soccer fans, fans, the and and the the music music booking booking under under former former Spacebar Spacebar owner owner Tommy Tommy Mot Mot has has made made it it a a hot hot spot spot for for underground underground post-punk, disco disco and and goth goth nights. nights. And And we we can’t can’t even even post-punk, begin to to describe describe the the boundary-pushing boundary-pushing drag drag nights nights begin from from Black Black Haüs. Haüs.
WINTER WINTER PARK PARK
Well-heeled Well-heeled but but wide-ranging, wide-ranging, our our neighbor, neighbor, Winter Winter Park, can’t can’t be be called Park, called a a neighborhood neighborhood – – it’s it’s its its own own city, city, made made up up of of neighborhoods neighborhoods just just like like Orlando Orlando is. is. There’s There’s the the swanky swanky commercial commercial strip strip of of Park Park Avenue, Avenue, the up-and-coming up-and-coming Hannibal Hannibal Square, Square, and and various various the homey pockets pockets long long loved loved by by locals. locals. Park Park Avenue Avenue is is homey the the place place to to start, start, though: though: Packed Packed with with restaurants restaurants and and boutiques, boutiques, it’s it’s anchored anchored at at its its tree-lined tree-lined north north end end by by the renowned renowned Morse Morse Museum Museum of of American American Art. Art. the Old Old favorite: favorite: Kraft Kraft Azalea Azalea Garden, Garden, 1365 1365 Alabama Alabama Drive, Drive, Winter Winter Park. Park. Two Two of of the the things things Winter Winter Park Park is is known for – lush landscaping and the Winter known for – lush landscaping and the Winter Park Park Chain of of Lakes Lakes – – can can be be enjoyed enjoyed from from this this park park on on Chain the the south south shore shore of of Lake Lake Maitland. Maitland. A A popular popular wedding wedding and and photography photography spot, spot, the the secluded secluded lakefront lakefront offers offers a a gorgeous gorgeous view view of of wildlife, wildlife, boats boats and and really really expensive expensive houses just just across across the the lake. lake. houses New New classic: classic: Reel Reel Fish Fish Coastal Coastal Kitchen, Kitchen, 1234 1234 N. N. Orange Orange Ave., Ave., Winter Winter Park. Park. Taking Taking over over the the former former location location of of local culinary culinary kingpin kingpin the the Ravenous Ravenous Pig Pig is is a a daunting daunting local exercise, but but Reel Reel Fish Fish Coastal Coastal Kitchen Kitchen + + Bar Bar has has exercise, succeeded succeeded by by focusing focusing on on offering offering fresh fresh seafood seafood inspired inspired by by Southern Southern fish fish camps. camps. Their Their regular regular menu menu has plenty plenty of of old old favorites, favorites, but but keep keep an an eye eye out out for for has their frequent frequent specials specials that that offer offer up up serious serious bargains bargains their on on New New England-style England-style steamed steamed lobster lobster and and clams, clams, the the Italian Italian Christmas Christmas tradition tradition of of the the Feast Feast of of the the Seven Seven Fishes and and more. more. Fishes
AUDUBON AUDUBON PARK/BALDWIN PARK/BALDWIN PARK PARK
The The bird bird streets streets are are home home to to the the hippest, hippest, most most organically organically developed developed neighborhood neighborhood in in town town – – and and they butt butt right right up up against against planned planned community community Baldwin Baldwin they Park. Audubonnies Audubonnies appreciate appreciate Baldwin’s Baldwin’s amenities amenities Park. (grocery, (grocery, drug drug store, store, gorgeous gorgeous multi-use multi-use trails trails around around
the the lake) lake) but but Baldwin Baldwin revels revels in in Audubon Audubon Park’s Park’s entertainments entertainments – – restaurants, restaurants, bars, bars, bakeries bakeries and and cool cool shopping. shopping. Old Old favorite: favorite: Lake Lake Baldwin Baldwin Park, Park, 2000 2000 S. S. Lakemont Lakemont Ave., Ave., Winter Winter Park. Park. Formerly Formerly known known as as Fleet Fleet Peeples Peeples Park Park – – and and bo-ho-hoy bo-ho-hoy are are we we not not getting getting into into why why that name name change change came came about about – – Lake Lake Baldwin Baldwin Park Park is that is the place place to to bring bring your your pup. pup. The The massive massive dog-friendly dog-friendly the park park not not only only offers offers plenty plenty of of shade shade for for you you to to enjoy enjoy while while your your dog dog runs runs around around making making new new friends friends (and (and hopefully not not being being a a dick dick and and embarrassing embarrassing you), you), hopefully but the the dogs dogs get get to to run run around around a a sandy sandy beach beach on on the the but shores shores of of Lake Lake Baldwin, Baldwin, getting getting as as filthy filthy as as they they want. want. There’s There’s even even a a nice nice trail trail through through the the woods woods if if your your best friend friend needs needs a a little little time time away away from from all all of of the the best excitement. Make Make sure sure you you bring bring some some dog dog shampoo shampoo excitement. and and a a towel, towel, because because the the bath bath stations stations near near the the gate gate offer offer the the best best self-service self-service dog dog grooming grooming opportunity opportunity in town. town. in New New classic: classic: Bem Bem Bom Bom on on Corrine, Corrine, 3101 3101 Corrine Corrine Drive. Drive. After After running running the the successful successful Bem Bem Bom Bom food food truck truck for for years, years, the the owners owners finally finally opened opened a a brick-andbrick-andmortar location location in in Audubon Audubon Park Park recently. recently. The The menu menu mortar focuses focuses on on Portuguese Portuguese and and Mexican Mexican dishes, dishes, like like piri piri piri piri chicken, chicken, mango-painted mango-painted fish fish tacos tacos or or their their highly highly recommended lamb burger. Leaving without trying recommended lamb burger. Leaving without trying their house-made house-made Portuguese Portuguese egg egg custard custard tarts tarts might might their be be a a literal literal sin. sin. Don’t Don’t take take the the chance. chance.
IVANHOE IVANHOE VILLAGE VILLAGE
Once Once an an unassuming unassuming stretch stretch of of old old Orlando Orlando lakefront loaded lakefront loaded almost almost exclusively exclusively with with old old Orlando Orlando furnishings-stores, the the recent recent rehab rehab of of Antique Antique Row Row furnishings-stores, into into something something organically organically (yet (yet cleverly) cleverly) fashionable fashionable has has been been nothing nothing short short of of revolutionary revolutionary – – an an urban urban planner’s dream. dream. planner’s Old Old favorite: favorite: The The Matador, Matador, 724 724 Virginia Virginia Drive. Drive. Though Though it it started started out out as as a a downtown downtown bar, bar, the the Matador Matador was was a pioneer pioneer in in transforming transforming Virginia Virginia Drive Drive into into a a strip strip a that people people drove drove to to and and not not through. through. It’s It’s got got a a dark, dark, that romantic romantic atmosphere atmosphere perfect perfect for for dates dates – – or or just just not not being being seen seen – – and and the the cocktail cocktail program program here here is is top top notch. Drink Drink here here often often enough enough and and you’ll you’ll notice notice notch. that it’s it’s the the spot spot that that a a lot lot of of other other bartenders bartenders get get that a a drink drink at at on on their their nights nights off, off, which which is is as as ringing ringing an an endorsement endorsement as as any any bar bar could could get. get. New New classic: classic: Grape Grape and and the the Grain, Grain, 1110 1110 Virginia Virginia Drive. Drive. One of One of the the latest latest additions additions to to the the Virginia Virginia Drive Drive corridor corridor is is this this wine wine bar bar with with a a lovely lovely outdoor outdoor patio patio with with comfortable comfortable furniture furniture under under a a Tuscan-inspired Tuscan-inspired pergola. Live Live music music and and art, art, trivia trivia nights nights and and food food pergola. truck truck guest guest appearances appearances aren’t aren’t uncommon. uncommon.
CURRY CURRY FORD FORD WEST WEST
Yes, Yes, we’re we’re all all calling calling it it “the “the Hourglass Hourglass District,” District,” but but the official official name the name of of this this Main Main Street Street District, District, centered centered on the the intersection intersection of of Bumby Bumby Avenue Avenue and and Curry Curry Ford Ford on Road, Road, is is technically technically Curry Curry Ford Ford West. West. The The popularity popularity of of the the area area has has exploded exploded after after recent recent redevelopment redevelopment efforts have have brought brought in in new new restaurants, restaurants, a a food food hall, hall, a a efforts new brewery brewery and and more. more. new Old Old favorite: favorite: Roque Roque Pub, Pub, 3076 3076 Curry Curry Ford Ford Road. Road. Formerly known Formerly known as as “Rogue “Rogue Pub,” Pub,” this this Curry Curry Ford Ford craft craft beer bar bar offers offers up up an an extensive extensive menu menu not not just just of of beers beers beer
from from around around the the world, world, but but also also events events like like trivia, trivia, live live music, music, paint paint nights nights and and themed themed parties. parties. New New classic: classic: Forever Forever Naan, Naan, 4205 4205 Curry Curry Ford Ford Road. Road. It’s hard hard to It’s to believe, believe, but but up up until until Forever Forever Naan Naan opened opened earlier earlier this this year, year, it it was was nearly nearly impossible impossible to to get get a a curry curry on on Curry Curry Ford Ford Road. Road. Proprietors Proprietors Pooja Pooja Patel Patel and and Jasmeet Kaur Kaur make make their their veg veg and and non-veg non-veg sauces sauces from from Jasmeet scratch, using using recipes recipes passed passed down down by by their their families, families, scratch, and and serve serve them them with with plenty plenty of of rice rice and and naan. naan.
UCF UCF
The The University University of of Central Central Florida Florida serves serves 66,000 66,000 students, but students, but it it doesn’t doesn’t really really feel feel that that way way in in this this close-knit close-knit community. community. Despite Despite being being a a diverse diverse bunch bunch with with interests interests ranging ranging from from engineering engineering affordable affordable prosthetics for for children children to to creating creating art art on on the the global global prosthetics refugee crisis, crisis, the the one one thing thing that that unites unites Knights Knights is is refugee extreme extreme school school spirit. spirit. And And while while local local restaurants restaurants and and coffee coffee shops shops do do cater cater to to overworked overworked and and overovercaffeinated college college students, students, they’re they’re still still very very much much caffeinated worth the the drive drive from from Orlando’s Orlando’s downtown downtown core. core. worth Old Old favorite: favorite: The The Cloak Cloak & & Blaster, Blaster, 875 875 Woodbury Woodbury Road. Road. Geeky Geeky bars bars are are a a real real thing thing in in Central Central Florida, Florida, though most most of of them them are are focused focused on on the the video video gaming gaming though subgenre of of nerdery. nerdery. Waterford Waterford Lakes-area Lakes-area Cloak Cloak & & subgenre Blaster, focuses on a Blaster, however, however, focuses on tabletop tabletop gaming. gaming. Grab Grab a beer beer from from the the extensive extensive tap tap menu menu with with some some friends, friends, pick out out a a game game from from their their even-more-extensive even-more-extensive pick game library, library, then then spend spend hours hours kicking kicking in in doors doors and and game looting looting the the room room in in Munchkin, Munchkin, saving saving humanity humanity from from the the plague plague in in Pandemic, Pandemic, or or just just sinking sinking each each other’s other’s battleships. Frequent Frequent special special events events are are worth battleships. worth keeping keeping an an eye eye on. on. New New classic: classic: The The Pinball Pinball Lounge, Lounge, 376 376 E. E. Broadway Broadway St., St., Oviedo. While a dime dime a a dozen, dozen, Oviedo. While video video game game bars bars are are a anyone who’s who’s ever ever looked looked into into buying buying a a pinball pinball table table anyone will will tell tell you you that that it’s it’s the the more more expensive expensive hobby hobby to to maintain. maintain. Oviedo’s Oviedo’s Pinball Pinball Lounge, Lounge, just just off off of of Alafaya Alafaya Trail, features features more more than than 30 30 different different tables, tables, both both Trail, classic and and cutting-edge, cutting-edge, up up for for grabs, grabs, plus plus a a full full food food classic and advantage of of frequent frequent all-youall-youand bar bar menu. menu. Take Take advantage can-play can-play specials specials to to get get the the most most value value out out of of your your quarters. quarters.
I-DRIVE I-DRIVE
It’s funny funny how how Orlando’s Orlando’s biggest biggest industry industry is is also also It’s the bane bane of of every every resident’s resident’s existence. existence. For For many, many, the International Drive Drive is is strictly strictly a a workplace workplace – – and and there’s there’s International little room room to to hang hang out out among among the the millions millions of of tourists tourists little who clog clog the the tourism tourism district district every every year. year. But But avoiding avoiding who this area area of of Orlando Orlando means means missing missing out out on on a a whole whole lot lot this of hidden hidden gems, gems, even even if if they they are are stuck stuck between between two two of different dinner dinner theaters. theaters. different Old favorite: favorite: Orlando Orlando Improv, Improv, 9101 9101 International International Drive. Drive. Old Sure, it’s it’s a a chain, chain, but but the the Improv Improv keeps keeps its its schedule schedule Sure, packed with with recognizable recognizable comics comics every every weekend weekend – – and and packed fosters local local comedians’ comedians’ growth growth during during the the week. week. fosters New classic: classic: Andretti Andretti Indoor Indoor Karting Karting & & Games, Games, 9299 9299 New Universal Blvd. Blvd. Featuring Featuring the the world’s world’s longest longest indoor indoor Universal go-kart track track and changes, Andretti Andretti go-kart and the the most most elevation elevation changes, is a a paradise paradise for for go-kart go-kart enthusiasts enthusiasts (and (and those those who who is enjoy things things like like not not being being out out in in the the blazing blazing heat). heat). enjoy Along with with the the racing, racing, families & drink, drink, Along families can can enjoy enjoy food food & gaming, virtual virtual reality, reality, laser laser tag, tag, bowling bowling and gaming, and more. more.
NEWCOMERS NEWCOMERSGUIDE GUIDE2019 2019
PARRAMORE PARRAMORE
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NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019
Jessica Bryce Young confesses to a perhaps unhealthy caffeine intake Confession Confession time: time: II drink drink a a lot lot of of caffeinated caffeinated beverages beverages –– II always always have, have, since since my my freshman freshman year year of of college college –– and and II don’t don’t apologize apologize for for it. it. (There (There are are worse worse extreme extreme behaviors behaviors out out there, there, y’know?) y’know?) Whatever Whatever that that liver liver enzyme enzyme is is that that metabolizes metabolizes coffee, coffee, II must must have have double. double. It’s It’s probably probably genetic, genetic, because because my my mom mom drinks drinks even even more more coffee coffee than than II do. do.
WHERE Craft & Common
47 47 E. E. Robinson Robinson St., St., craftandcommon.com craftandcommon.com
Credo
multiple multiple locations, locations, downtowncredo.com downtowncredo.com
Deeply Coffee
111 111 N. N. Magnolia Magnolia Ave., Ave., facebook. facebook. com/deeplycoffeeco com/deeplycoffeeco
Foxtail Coffee Co. multiple multiple locations, locations, foxtailcoffee.com foxtailcoffee.com
The Heavy
Anyway, Anyway, I’m I’m extremely extremely lucky lucky to to live live in in Orlando, Orlando, which which is is bursting bursting with with good good third-wave third-wave coffee coffee these these days. days. II was was in in Brooklyn Brooklyn recently recently and and was was actually actually disappointed disappointed by by the the selection selection around around where where we we were were staying. staying. I’m I’m also also very very lucky lucky that that II can can start start each each day day with with aa pour-over pour-over made made by by my my boyfriend, boyfriend, who who is is aa coffee coffee wizard. wizard. II try try to to support support his his passion passion however however II can, can, to to the the point point that that we we have have aa lot lot of of coffee coffee paraphernalia, paraphernalia, but but II assure assure you you it’s it’s not not at at all all selfish! selfish! Just Just supportive! supportive! He He buys buys beans beans from from Lineage, Lineage, of of course, course, but but also also from from Deeply Deeply Coffee Coffee and and recently recently the the Heavy, Heavy, both both of of which which carry carry aa lot lot of of smallsmallbatch batch roasters roasters from from out out of of town. town. (King (King State, State, available available at at Deeply, Deeply, has has aa way way with with Yirgacheffe Yirgacheffe that that II really really enjoy.) enjoy.) So So II fill fill up up my my 16-ounce 16-ounce Zojirushi Zojirushi thermos thermos –– Zojirushi Zojirushi is is the the best; best; their their thermos thermos will will keep keep coffee coffee hot hot overnight overnight –– with with that that and and take take it it to to work. work. But But sometimes sometimes II want want something something to to drink drink during during my my commute commute that that isn’t isn’t hot, hot, so so I’ll I’ll go go for for an an iced iced drink. drink. If If I’m I’m feeling feeling virtuous, virtuous, it’s it’s probably probably an an iced iced oat oat milk milk lavender lavender latte latte from from New New General. General. If If I’m I’m feeling feeling like like oh oh what what the the hell, hell, it’s it’s aa 24-ounce 24-ounce iced iced nitro nitro cold cold brew brew from from Foxtail Foxtail with with aa good good splash splash of of coconut coconut milk. milk. II use use aa glass glass boba boba straw straw for for maximum maximum suck-down-ability. suck-down-ability. Then Then II get get to to work work and and II savor savor my my pour-over pour-over throughout throughout the the day, day, poured poured bit bit by by bit bit from from the the thermos thermos into into aa little little teacup teacup made made by by local local ceramicist ceramicist Koozeh Koozeh Pottery Pottery that that II got got at at the the Daily Daily City City Orlando Orlando Flea. Flea. (Hashtag (Hashtag double double local local name-drop.) name-drop.)
La Kuma Coffee
II work work downtown, downtown, so so II really really miss miss the the old old Credo Credo counter counter in in the the Church Church Street Street Exchange Exchange building, building, but but it’s it’s aa short short walk walk to to Craft Craft & & Common Common or or Deeply, Deeply, both both of of which which serve serve coffee coffee cocktail-type cocktail-type things things that that are are very very refreshing refreshing in in the the late late afternoon. afternoon. II had had “The “The Mule” Mule” at at Craft Craft & & Common Common recently: recently: cold cold brew, brew, ginger ginger beer, beer, bitters, bitters, lime lime and and mint. mint. Excellent. Excellent.
Lineage Coffee Roasting
On On weekends, weekends, aa trip trip to to La La Kuma Kuma is is in in order: order: Longwood Longwood is is too too far far to to drive drive on on aa work work day, day, but but the the trip trip is is worth worth it it for for one one of of Justin Justin Xiong’s Xiong’s pour-overs pour-overs or or Japanese Japanese cold-brews. cold-brews.
New General
My My favorite favorite dessert dessert is is of of course course caffe caffe affogato affogato –– aa hot hot cup cup of of espresso espresso (Lineage’s (Lineage’s 431 431 blend) blend) with with aa scoop scoop of of vanilla vanilla ice ice cream. cream. Sleep? Sleep? No, No, as as long long as as II have have access access to to the the “This “This American American Life” Life” podcast, podcast, II have have no no problem problem sleeping sleeping whatsoever. whatsoever.
1152 1152 Harmon Harmon Ave., Ave., Winter Winter Park, Park, theheavywp.com theheavywp.com
840 840 E. E. State State Road Road 434, 434, Longwood, Longwood, facebook.com/ facebook.com/ lakumacoffee lakumacoffee
East East End End Market, Market, 3201 3201 Corrine Corrine Drive, Drive, also also 1011 1011 E. E. Colonial Colonial Drive, Drive, lineageroasting.com lineageroasting.com
155 155 E. E. New New England England Ave., Ave., Winter Winter Park, Park, newgeneral.us newgeneral.us
NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019
My day in coffee
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NEWCOMERS GUIDE GUIDE 2019 2019 NEWCOMERS
From Fromdive divebars barsto tospeakeasies, speakeasies,craft craftcocktails cocktailsto tomicrobrews, microbrews,Orlando Orlandoloves loves its itsdrinks. drinks.Don’t Don’tcall callititaadrinking drinkingproblem; problem;we’re we’rejust justenthusiasts. enthusiasts.But Butwith withour our level levelof ofsprawl sprawl(that’s (that’sthe thereal realproblem), problem),you youmight mightbe bewondering wonderingwhere whereto toeven evenstart start to toget getaafeel feelfor forOrlando’s Orlando’snightlife nightlife––and, and,let’s let’sbe behonest, honest,daylife daylife––culture, culture,particularly particularlyifif you’ve you’velanded landedon onthe theeast eastside sideof oftown, town,which whichat atfirst firstglance glanceappears appearsto tobe bedominated dominated by byone-size-fits-all one-size-fits-allcollege collegebars barslike likethe theKnight KnightPub Puband andKnight KnightLibrary. Library.Not Notthat thatthere’s there’s anything anythingwrong wrongwith withthat, that,but butcollege collegebar barculture culturecan canbe bemonolithic monolithicand andyou’re you’reon onthe the hunt huntfor forauthenticity, authenticity,right? right?
IfIfyou’re you’reinto intobeers beers––the thefancier fancierthe thebetter better––there’s there’sno nobetter betterplace placeto tostart startyour your tour tourthan thanat atRedlight RedlightRedlight. Redlight.This ThisAudubon AudubonPark Parkcraft craftbeer beeremporium emporiumhas hasbeen been championing championingthe thecause causeof ofsmall smallbrewers brewersand andspecialty specialtyimports importssince sincethe thedays dayswhen when “craft “craftbeer” beer”meant meantKillian’s. Killian’s.And Andififyou’re you’retoo tooyoung youngto tounderstand understandwhy whythat thatjoke jokeisis funny, funny,you’re you’rein inluck; luck;the thestaff staffat atRedlight Redlightwill willhappily happilyanswer answerany anyquestions questionsyou youmight might have haveabout aboutthe thedifferences differencesbetween betweenporters portersand andsours, sours,why whypeople peoplego gonuts nutsfor forBelgian Belgian beers, beers,or orwhat whatgoes goesinto intothe thebrewing brewingprocess. process. Once Onceyou’ve you’vegotten gottenan aneducation education––or orififyou youalready alreadyhave haveone oneand andare areready readyto toskip skip ahead ahead––you youcan canvisit visitplenty plentyof oflocal localbreweries. breweries.That’s That’saasentence sentencewe wecouldn’t couldn’thave have honestly honestlywritten writtenfive fiveyears yearsago, ago,but butthere’s there’sbeen beenan anexplosion explosionin inlocal localcraft craftbrew brew recently. recently.You’ve You’vegot gotTen10 Ten10Brewing Brewingand andIvanhoe IvanhoePark ParkBrewing Brewingover overin inthe theMills Mills50/ 50/ Ivanhoe IvanhoeVillage Villageoverlap. overlap.Castle CastleChurch ChurchBrewing BrewingCommunity Communityand andEllipsis EllipsisBrewing Brewingdominate dominate the thebeer beerscene sceneon onthe thesouth southside sideof oftown, town,while whileLongwood’s Longwood’slauded laudedHourglass HourglassBrewing Brewing recently recentlyopened openedaamore moreconvenient convenientlocation locationin inthe thenewly newlyrebranded rebrandedHourglass HourglassDistrict. District. There Thereare areplenty plentymore, more,but butwe wecan’t can’tfit fitthem themall allhere. here.(Please (Pleasedon’t don’twrite writeus usany anymore more angry angryemails, emails,brewers brewersof ofCentral CentralFlorida.) Florida.) Looking Lookingfor formore moreefficiency efficiencyand anddecor decorfor foryour yourdrinking drinkingdollar? dollar?Let’s Let’stalk talkcraft craft cocktails. cocktails.Downtown Downtownhas hasthe thehighest highestconcentration concentrationof ofpricey priceydrinks drinksout outof ofany any neighborhood, neighborhood,with withHanson’s Hanson’sShoe ShoeRepair, Repair,the theWoods, Woods,Mathers MathersSocial SocialGathering Gatheringand and Courtesy CourtesyBar Barall allwithin withinstumbling stumblingdistance distanceof ofeach eachother. other.Mills Mills50’s 50’scocktail cocktailscene scenehad had been beendominated dominatedby bythe thedynamic dynamicduo duoof ofLil LilIndies Indiesand andthe theGuesthouse, Guesthouse,but butthe therecently recently resurrected resurrectedWally’s Wally’shas hasadded addedcraft craftcocktails cocktailsto toits itsmenu menuin inaacontroversial controversialmove movethat that may mayseem seemridiculously ridiculouslyuncontroversial uncontroversialto toanyone anyonewho whojust justmoved movedhere. here. Even Evenwith withthe theupgrades, upgrades,Wally’s Wally’sisisstill stillpretty prettyhigh highup upon onour ourmental mentallist listof ofplaces places that thatkeep keepititsimple simpleand andkeep keepititcheap, cheap,but butthat thatlist listisisgetting gettingsmaller smalleras asthe theyears years go goby. by.Thankfully, Thankfully,Will’s Will’sPub, Pub,just justup upMills MillsAvenue, Avenue,will willprobably probablyoutlive outliveus usall. all.Stop Stopin in here heresometime sometimeto tograb grabaadrink drinkand andhang hangout outon onthe thepatio patioand andyou’ll you’llquickly quicklysee seewhy why it’s it’ssometimes sometimesconsidered considered“Orlando’s “Orlando’sliving livingroom.” room.”Down Downin inThornton ThorntonPark, Park,Burton’s Burton’s maintains maintainsan anold-school, old-school,no-frills no-frillscharm charmin inaaneighborhood neighborhoodthat thatisisincreasingly increasinglyanything anything but. but.Finally, Finally,we’ll we’lllet letyou youin inon onaalittle littlesecret secretthat thatwe’ve we’vebeen beenkeeping keepingunder underour ourhats hats for foraafew fewyears: years:George’s George’sHideaway, Hideaway,way wayup upon onEdgewater EdgewaterDrive, Drive,isisaawonderland wonderlandof of unpretentious unpretentiouspleasures pleasuresfor forthose thosewho whoappreciate appreciatethe thepresence presenceof ofpool pooltables, tables,pinball pinball and andcheap cheappitchers pitchersof ofbeer. beer.
WHERE WHERE Burton’s Burton’sThornton ThorntonPark Park 801 801E. E.Washington WashingtonSt. St.
Castle CastleChurch ChurchBrewing Brewing
6820 6820Hoffner HoffnerAve., Ave., castlechurchbrewing.com castlechurchbrewing.com
Courtesy CourtesyBar Bar
114 114N. N.Orange OrangeAve., Ave., thecourtesybar.com thecourtesybar.com
Ellipsis EllipsisBrewing Brewing
7500 7500TPC TPCBlvd., Blvd., ellipsisbrewing.com ellipsisbrewing.com Photo by by Felipe Felipe Ponce Ponce Photo
George’s George’sHideaway Hideaway
Hourglass HourglassBrewing Brewing (Hourglass (HourglassDistrict) District)
2500 2500Curry CurryFord FordRoad, Road, hourglassbrewing.com hourglassbrewing.com
Ivanhoe IvanhoePark ParkBrewing Brewing Company Company
1300 1300Alden AldenRoad, Road, ivanhoeparkbrewing.com ivanhoeparkbrewing.com
Knight KnightLibrary Library
11448 11448University UniversityBlvd., Blvd., knightlibrary.com knightlibrary.com
The TheKnight’s Knight’sPub Pub
5507 5507Edgewater EdgewaterDrive Drive
3910 3910N. N.Alafaya AlafayaTrail, Trail, knightspubucf.com knightspubucf.com
The TheGuesthouse Guesthouse
Lil LilIndies Indies
1321 1321N. N.Mills MillsAve. Ave.
Hanson’s Hanson’sShoe ShoeRepair Repair
27 27E. E.Pine PineSt., St.,twitter.com/ twitter.com/ hansonsshoeshop hansonsshoeshop
1036 1036N. N.Mills MillsAve., Ave., willspub.org willspub.org
Mathers MathersSocial SocialGathering Gathering 30 30S. S.Magnolia MagnoliaAve., Ave., mathersorlando.com mathersorlando.com
Redlight RedlightRedlight Redlight
2810 2810Corrine CorrineDrive, Drive, redlightredlightbeerparlour. redlightredlightbeerparlour. com com
Ten10 Ten10Brewing BrewingCompany Company
1010 1010Virginia VirginiaDrive, Drive, ten10brewingcompany.com ten10brewingcompany.com
Will’s Will’sPub Pub
1042 1042N. N.Mills MillsAve., Ave.,willspub. willspub. org org
The TheWoods Woods
49 49N. N.Orange OrangeAve., Ave., thewoodsorlando.com thewoodsorlando.com
25 25 NEWCOMERS GUIDE GUIDE 2019 2019 NEWCOMERS
Let’s get a drink!
Thaddeus Thaddeus McCollum McCollum gives gives you you aa quick quick primer primer on on some some of of the the area’s area’s most most potent potent potable potable purveyors purveyors
26 NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019 Photo by Jessika DeWeese
Old (but make it) fashion Jenny De Witt on where to find the best vintage clothing in Orlando The vintage clothing market grows as each day passes. More and more people are beginning to open their eyes to the environmental benefits of slow fashion, the pleasure of having a truly unique piece and the superior construction of the garments. It’s worth mentioning that these items have all stood the test of time. How often do you buy something new from your typical mall store only to be disappointed when it starts falling apart three washes later? How tired are you of everyone and their mother (often quite literally) wearing the same exact outfits?
Orlando has a great selection of brick-and-mortar shops that you can visit on just about any given day and find something amazing. Some of these shops even have multiple vintage vendors under one roof, which is amazing because you can basically shop multiple stores in one visit. Whether you’re shopping for items for your everyday wardrobe or a piece for a special occasion, regardless of your preferred price range or personal style, there is absolutely something out there for everyone. Happy hunting!
WHERE Déjà Vu Vintage Clothing and Accessories 1210 Michigan Ave., Winter Park Echoes of Retro 619 Virginia Drive, facebook.com/echoesofretro Etoile Boutique 2424 E. Robinson St., etoileboutique.com The Lovely Boutique 2906 Corrine Drive, facebook.com/ thelovelyboutiquemarket Orlando Vintage 1500 Formosa Ave., Winter Park, orlandovintage.com The Owl’s Attic 3106 Corrine Drive, theowlsattic.com Paris Market Vintage at Adjectives Market 460 Orlando Ave., Winter Park, facebook.com/shopparismarket Retromended Vintage 930 N. Mills Ave., retromended.com
VINTAGE VS. THRIFT Sometimes people use thrift, secondhand, resale and vintage interchangeably. While there isn’t anything fundamentally wrong with this, there is in fact a bit of a difference. Vintage clothing signifies items that are at least 20 years old. Thrift/ secondhand/resale shops sell pre-loved items of any age, so while these stores absolutely sell vintage items in their mix, not all will be true vintage. In short, not all secondhand items are vintage but (almost) all vintage is secondhand. That said, there are a couple of noteworthy resale shops in the area that should not be overlooked because while they’re not necessarily known for vintage, they regularly carry great vintage pieces as well.
Avalon Exchange 745 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park, instagram.com/avalonexchangeflorida Dechoes Resale 2525 E. Colonial Drive and 2110 Edgewater Drive, dechoesresale.com
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The Heavy Photo by Daniela Mikheal
Plant parenthood Raising and housing our little green friends isn’t always easy, but Jenny De Witt says it’s worth the struggle Hi, I’m Jenny, and I kill houseplants. Ferns, ficus, succulents and cacti have all sacrificed themselves and gone to their deaths to avoid my plant-motherhood. I actually gave up on an orchid one time and flung it into someone’s side yard, only to see it over there gorgeous and blooming just a few months later. I’ve tried. I really have. I’ve noticed that in the past year or so that something has happened to Orlando (and the rest of America) that has me wanting to try plant fostering again. My friends have all become plant parents, embracing greenery from the tiniest of air plants to the largest fiddle-leaf fig trees. They have dedicated themselves to keeping these small green beings alive. Instagram can’t be the only reason why everybody’s suddenly becoming plant people. Maybe it’s what you learn to take care of successfully before getting a pet or having a baby. Maybe it’s that they provide oxygen, and wellness is big business right now.
Since 2016, plant sales have actually increased 50 percent, to $1.7 billion, according to the National Gardening Association. Fun fact: Most of the growers are here in Florida – because we can grow year round. Our greenhouses are packed and lovely while the rest of the country suffers through something called seasons. My dream has always been to be a goat farmer, but before jumping onto that path maybe I should start with something smaller. I could start with a succulent for my windowsill. I could … if I didn’t kill houseplants. My picks for the best places to find houseplants and ceramics in Orlando: Porch Therapy is one of the best resources for not just houseplants or succulents or gardening, but landscaping too. If you’re thinking backyard oasis, get with these people. You can also pick up home goods, containers and gardening accessories. Palmer’s Garden & Goods is a beloved Orlando
plant palace. Super duper cool and you can host events here too. Drive by at night to see market lights and dreamy garden parties happening within its fence. At Palmer Feed Store you can buy flats of peeps (baby chicks), a telephone pole, or vegetable plants and seeds. They can also tell you what types of pest control are safest to use around pets and best for your houseplants and gardens. It’s Florida, y’all, nature is b-r-u-t-a-l here. Florida Cactus Inc. is up in Apopka, which is a teeny bit of a drive from Orlando. Maybe 40 minutesish. But SO worth it. Their greenhouses have zero competition around here. The colors and selection will blow your mind. Hello Happy Plants does online sales only, though she’s based here in Orlando. She makes the funniest planters with messages that stick. Put on sunglasses and head to this website, unless you have no sense of humor. Last but not least, Orlando Pottery Studio. You can actually learn to make and fire your own ceramics here in Orlando, and they also have sales a couple of times a year. Coolest of all, it’s owned and operated by the city!
WHERE Florida Cactus Inc. 2542 Peterson Road, Apopka, floridacactus.com Hello Happy Plants hellohappyplants.com Orlando Pottery Studio 363 N. Parramore Ave., orlando.gov Palmer Feed Store 912 W. Church St., palmerfeedstore.com Palmer’s Garden & Goods 2611 Corrine Drive, palmersgarden.com Porch Therapy East End Market, 3201 Corrine Drive, also The Heavy, 1152 Harmon Ave., Winter Park, porchtherapy.com
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LIVE AND LET LIVE Clarissa Moon recommends a dozen Orlando vegan restaurants where you can eat out without eating animals. You don’t need to eat animals (meat) or even animal products (cheese, eggs, etc.) to have a good meal. Orlando is filled with tons of vegan-friendly restaurants, whether they’re completely vegan or a little more flexitarian. From bowls and wraps to classic American comfort food, pizza, burgers, Asian food, smoothies and baked goods, these restaurants offer vegans more than just salads to eat.
Proper & Wild Photos by Rob Bartlett
Dandelion Communitea Café 618 N. Thornton Ave., dandelioncommunitea.com Dandelion Communitea Café’s completely vegan and organic menu includes sandwiches, burritos, bowls and wraps, each for under $10. Their super-garlicky hummus is a local fave.
Market on South 2603 E. South St., marketonsouth.com Market on South is the home of Valhalla Bakery and Dixie Dharma, whose vegan menu includes twists on classic American comfort foods such as spicy cashew mac & cheese and “cheesy homies,” a version of home fries that might just convert a carnivore.
Humbl 5845 Winter Garden Vineland Road, humbl.com This newly opened restaurant near Windermere High School offers vegan burgers, pizza and ice cream. The truffle toast, sourdough toast with truffle butter, mushroom confit and agave-ginger tomato jam, is a total umami bomb.
Leguminati Vegan Eatery 2401 Curry Ford Road, bean-team.com
DaJen Eats
Leguminati’s completely vegan offerings include some tongue-incheek items like breakfast nachos and their take on Taco Bell’s Crunchwrap,
which is every bit as much junk-food heaven as the original.
Proper & Wild 155 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, properandwildwp.com Sip on sake-based cocktails at this finedining spot while nibbling chickpea fries slicked with pistou and vindalooalmond aioli, kale-and-artichoke dip, or beet tartare capped with a turmericcashew “yolk.” It’s beautiful stuff.
DaJen Eats 323 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville, dajeneats.com Chef Jenn Ross specializes in Jamaican flavors like ackee and “saltfish” and vegan ox tail (“hoax tail”), but the notso-Jamaican Buffalo chick’n biscuit is totally epic too.
Loving Hut Vegan Cuisine 2101 E. Colonial Drive, lovinghut.us The Loving Hut’s vegan menu includes classic Asian dishes like stir-fries and soups. Try the super-tasty “curry BBQ,” an addictive dish of barbecue-sauced soy curls over bright-yellow curry rice.
The District Market at Mills 50 1221 N. Mills Ave., facebook.com/districtatmills At this vegan marketplace several local vendors sell breakfast sandwiches, burgers, pastries and coffee.
Ethos Vegan Kitchen 601 S. New York Ave., Winter Park, ethosvegankitchen.com Ethos’ completely vegan menu of American classics offers everything from pizza to pasta to “meatloaf” and shepherd’s pie.
The Vegan Hot Dog Cart 14 E. Washington St., facebook.com/theveganhotdogcart This cart posts up outside the downtown bars at night selling vegan hot dogs with mountains of delicious toppings. You want this.
Valkyrie Doughnuts 12226 Corporate Blvd., valkyriedoughnuts.com Their classic vegan square-cut, yeastraised doughnuts are accompanied by vegan milkshakes and soft-serve, and Oreo bombs if you’re lucky.
The Sanctum Cafe 715 N. Fern Creek Ave., thesanctumcafe.com Sanctum’s menu includes breakfast and brunch items, as well as veggie bowls and pasta, all incorporating mountains of different vegetables. They also serve cold-pressed juice mimosas, wellness shots, and several different espresso and matcha beverages.
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Photo by Felipe Ponce
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First Watch Super Foods Bowl Photo courtesy First Watch
The Stubborn Mule
Sunday
(or Saturday, or Monday … whatever)
Briarpatch
First Watch
Funday
Jenna Lyons dishes on the best meal of the week If there’s something we millennials love more than ruining already defunct industries and drowning in student loan debt, it’s treating ourselves to a nice brunch to forget we probably won’t have Social Security when we’re older.
LIQUID BREAKFAST:
“breakfast menu” runs from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and their waffles are the real deal. So yeah, it’s brunch. The silver lining is it’s daily so you don’t have to wait for the weekend.
Brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. serving the perfect mix of hangover food. There’s everything from funnel cake fried chicken (!) to brunch nachos (!). Bottomless mimosas are $15 if you’re dining, and $25 if you decide not to eat. Their brunch even has its own hashtag (#stubbornbrunch).
This one’s not boozy but a solid, Florida-based chain. The breakfast, brunch and lunch menus are available daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If you like pancakes this place has good – and really big – ones, and if you’d like to cleanse your liver from all the drinking you’ve been doing, they have “morning meditation juices” with flavors ranging from turmeric to agave nectar.
Keke’s Breakfast Café Cue the Drake reference. Here’s another chain with good food but no booze. They technically don’t call it brunch, but their
Another daily brunch menu: You could swelter in line for an hour on a weekend for Briarpatch’s stuffed raspberry and brie brioche French toast, or the pork belly waffle with sunny-side-up eggs – they’re one of the area’s most popular brunch spots. Or, you could walk right in, sit down, and have coffee on the table in minutes on a weekday.
Linda’s Winter Park Diner Broke millennials aren’t supposed to rack up a $50 bill for a Saturday morning meal. If you’re feeling the pinch, Linda’s is your budget-friendly bet. You can get a short stack of pancakes for $5, eggs benny for $8, or a cheese omelet for $5.50.
Bloody Marys and mimosas are the classics, of course.
and, of course, orange juice mimosas. On top of that, you get a full glass of whichever one you liked the most.
If there were a mimosa Olympics, Eola Wine Co. would be going for gold. Brunch is Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it’s also the only time of the week you can get their mimosa flight: For 10 bucks, you get a flight with raspberry, peach, banana
More of a Bloody Mary fan? The Hammered Lamb across from Lake Ivanhoe is arguably Orlando’s most extensive Bloody Mary bar. Try not to be overwhelmed when you’re faced with the choice between Tito’s or a vodka infused with either herbs,
WHERE Briarpatch
252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, thebriarpatchrestaurant.com
Eola Wine Co.
430 E. Central Blvd., eolawinecompany.com
First Watch
Multiple locations, firstwatch.com
The Hammered Lamb
1235 N. Orange Ave., thehammeredlamb.com
Keke’s Breakfast Café Multiple locations, kekes.com
Linda’s Winter Park Diner
1700 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, winterparkdiner.com
The Ravenous Pig
565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, theravenouspig.com
The Stubborn Mule
100 S. Eola Drive, thestubbornmuleorlando.com
peppers, pickles, citrus or bacon, plus the roughly 75 items you can put in your drink including shrimp, veggies, cheeses and local hot sauces. If you’re after stronger stuff (and a festive communal vibe, because brunch is all about the crowd), the Ravenous Pig serves a special Brunch Punch – but order early; when it’s gone for the day, that’s it.
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Photo by Felipe Ponce
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Orlando doesn’t have giant food halls on the lines of
L.A.’s Grand Central Market or the James Beard Public Market in Portland, but we do have a few places that offer plenty of choices under one roof. Plans are brewing for at least five more that we know of – check back next year and this page might be a lot fuller.
À La Cart Photos by Rob Bartlett
À La Cart
East End Market
Orlando has had several “permanent food truck parking” spots over the years, but À La Cart is doing it better. Located in the Milk District, À La Cart hosts mobile food vendors every day, and the bar features a rotating draft list of 15 taps of beer, wine, cider and cold brew. Of the five slots, three are permanently occupied by PokeKai, Steak It Easy and Viny & Kory. A fourth slot is split between SwedeDish and Adao Pastel Gourmet; and the fifth features a daily rotating vendor.
Our first and so far our finest, East End Market houses about a dozen local vendors slinging artisanal, organic, locavore tastiness. Try Farm-Haus for breakfast, Lineage for coffee, Olde Hearth for freshly baked bread, Skyebird for coldpressed juices and artful raw dishes, La Femme du Fromage for fancy cheese to take home or the best grilled cheese sandwich you’ll ever sink your teeth into. Plus there’s Bird of Paradise, a restaurant serving locally sourced, seasonal small plates, sandwiches and bowls; Domu, probably Orlando’s hottest ramen-and-cocktail bar; and Hinckley’s Fancy Meats, a meat shop selling smoked meats, terrines, rillettes and pâtés, and some mighty fine sandwiches. At East End, you’ll find literally the best of what’s around.
Boxi Park Picture a food truck park, but instead of food trucks, giant cans. Well, sort of. Trendily housed in repurposed shipping containers, Boxi Park is 30,000 family-friendly square feet of counter-service restaurants and bars, volleyball courts, a fenced-in dog park and a performance stage. In addition to all the ice cream, lobster rolls and margaritas you can handle, enjoy DJs, live bands and sand volleyball matches. Just don’t forget your card (or phone); Boxi Park is strictly cashless. Open Thursday to Sunday.
Boxi Park
WHERE À La Cart 609 Irvington Ave., alacartorlando.com
Hourglass Social House
Boxi Park
This house is home to a Foxtail Coffee for all your caffeination needs, along with beer and wine; Leguminati, serving cheeky vegan handhelds; Tamale Co.’s luscious Mexican street food; and Le Ky Patisserie, a French-Vietnamese bakery. Community markets and pop-ups are common, so keep an eye on their social media.
6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., boxiparklakenona.com
East End Market 3201 Corrine Drive, eastendmkt.com
Hourglass Social House 2401 Curry Ford Road, facebook.com/hourglasssocialhouse
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FREEDOM OF CHOICE
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Dank days in Orlando
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If you partake, our anonymous stoner friend has some suggestions on how to make the most of it in the City Beautiful Editor’s note: Medical marijuana is legal in the state of Florida, but recreational marijuana is not. The city of Orlando passed an ordinance in 2016 effectively decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana – police officers may issue citations rather than make arrests – but if you’re new to Orlando, bear in mind the risks may be different here than in your hometown. For a list of local doctors and dispensaries, go to knowthefactsmmj.com. Most local stoners will attest that if they have a full day of zero commitments, they would likely prefer to spend their day at home chillin’ out in the AC. Rigorous activity might consist of a dip in the pool or local swimming hole … naked, preferably. But there’s plenty to do in Orlando with a mild buzz.
Wake and bake Start off the day with a big toke off an artisanal water pipe. Take a shower, slather some of Dr. Duffy’s pain-relieving CBD cream on that elbow that’s all fucked up from too much typing, and don’t skip the SPF. Pick up a coffee from New General, Café Linger or Gratitude Coffee – all offer CBD as an add-in.
Mid-morning Before the heat of the day sets in, bike out for some nature spectating – but first, breakfast: grab a quick CBD-infused açai bowl or smoothie at the Purple Ocean truck in Lake Ivanhoe. Then visit Leu Gardens, Mead Botanical Garden or even the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey (visit some baby owls!). Take a quick vape hit to keep the juices flowing.
Midday Hunger sets in; keep it fresh and easy. East End Market provides local, fresh options (and more amazing coffee), though it may be tough to make up your mind between the various food stalls. This is a great time to put those THC/CBD tinctures to good use. Add a little to your cold-pressed juice, local kombucha or water. Check out Park Ave CDs and pick up a new find for later listening. Head home for a quick snooze after the busy morning.
Happy hour A solitary morning and a disco nap; now it’s time to get social. Smoke a bowl and put on your new vinyl while you get dressed, then head out for friend time. Bike or Uber over to Mills 50 for a chill happy hour that’ll complement your buzz – we like the Sunroom, which is filled with natural textures and houseplants to zone out on, plus amazing craft cocktails. If you’re feeling generous, share some weed gummies with your pals.
Dinner After a day of being faded, dinner is time for Netflix and gluttony. Order in tacos, barbecue, ramen or any of Orlando’s other culinary delights that will satisfy the munchies. Whatever you get, douse it in Happy Hempy Hot Sauce from local hot sauce queen Poca’s Hottest. Wind down in a leisurely bath with a locally made CBD-infused bath bomb from Naked Bar Soap Co., reflect on the day, and relax into a great night of sleep.
Mead Botanical Garden
WHERE Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
Leu Gardens
Park Ave CDs
1920 N. Forest Ave., leugardens.org
2916 Corrine Drive, parkavecds.com
Mead Botanical Garden
Poca’s Hottest
2912 Edgewater Drive, cafelinger.com
1300 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park, meadgarden.org
Purple Ocean
East End Market
Naked Bar Soap Co.
3201 Corrine Drive, eastendmkt.com
1520 Edgewater Drive, nakedbarsoapco.com
Gratitude Coffee
New General
1307 Edgewater Drive, sipgratitude.com
155 E. New England Ave., Winter Park, newgeneral.us
1101 Audubon Way, Maitland, cbop.audubon. org
Café Linger
pocashottest.com 1620 N. Orange Ave., purpleoceansfb.com
The Sunroom 1321 N. Mills Ave.
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Will’s Pub Photo by Maisie Haney
Down in front! Maisie Haney reveals her favorite venues to the budding Orlando gig-goer
Though initially hard to navigate for the City Beautiful newcomer, the live music scene in Orlando offers a myriad of unique experiences, especially once you dig a little deeper than the arenas and bigger halls. Now, larger venues may have actual tolerable sound and serve my touring band needs, but my favorite venues generally invite the notion of possibly illegal activity in the bathrooms. Here are a few spots you owe it to yourself to visit to experience live music on a more personal scale.
The Abbey The Abbey has a less regular event calendar than many other local venues, but what they lack in quantity, they make up for in convenience: The scale allows you to get up-close-and-personal with artists on stage and it has seating for concertgoers who like a more low-impact gig.
The Nook on Robinson The former Sandwich Bar spot is slowly but surely regaining its place as a live music destination. Shows are free, staff is friendly, and on any given night you can see punk, indie, folk or even experimental jazz augmented by duck calls.
Stardust Video & Coffee I love a venue with many places to wait around in between sets, and Stardust promotes a healthy
walking regimen for restless rockers. The music on offer tends toward the louder and/or the more experimental.
Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall I admire venues that do not have stages. Uncle Lou’s sports a well-used floor-as-stage space, and they are cash-only, but I find myself there every day of the week to see anything and everything.
Will’s Pub Going to show at Will’s is like taking a bubble bath in its homeyness, though not necessarily its relative cleanliness. The venue does, however, sport three bathrooms, which is amazing. Will’s is also just large enough for an individual gig to really transform the space – seeing Firewalker back in March especially made me realize that Will’s is so malleable.
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WHERE TO SEE LIVE MUSIC IN ORLANDO
Amway Center 400 W. Church St., amwaycenter.com The Beacham 46 N. Orange Ave., thebeacham.com Bombshell’s Tavern 5405 Edgewater Dr., facebook.com/ bombshellsorl
Celine Orlando 22 S. Magnolia Ave., celineorlando.com Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 445 S. Magnolia Ave., drphillipscenter.org The Geek Easy 114 S. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, facebook.com/ thegeekeasy
Grumpy’s Underground Lounge 1018 N. Mills Ave., facebook.com/ grumpysunderground Hard Rock Live 6050 Universal Blvd., hardrock.com/live Henao Contemporary Center 5601 Edgewater Drive, henaocenter.com
House of Blues 1490 E. Buena Vista Drive, Disney Springs, houseofblues. com/orlando Iron Cow 2438 E. Robinson St., facebook.com/ironcowcafe
The Social 54 N. Orange Ave., thesocial.org Soundbar 37 W. Pine St., soundbaror.coml
Stardust Video & Coffee 1842 E. Winter Park Road, The Nook on Robinson 2432 E. Robinson St., facebook. facebook.com/stardustie com/thenookonrobinson Stonewall Bar Orlando 741 W. Church St., The Plaza Live facebook.com/ 425 N. Bumby Ave., stonewall.orlando plazaliveorlando.org
Timucua 2000 S. Summerlin Ave., 321-234-3985, timucua.com Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall 1016 N. Mills Ave. Whiskey Lou’s Lounge 121 N. Bumby Ave., facebook.com/ whiskeylous
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Addition Financial Arena 12777 N. Gemini Blvd., additionfiarena.com
Will’s Pub 1042 N. Mills Ave., willspub.org
Red Rodeo at Grumpy’s Photo by Maisie Haney
CATCH THESE BANDS Keep your ears open to these crucial local groups Spoon Dogs Seemingly out of nowhere, this young group of garage rock freaks have elbowed their way to the front of the local pack. Their recent tour kick-off show at Will’s was pure hysteria from start to finish.
The Nightmare The Nightmare serve as a sort of fulcrum for the younger end of the underground punk scene here, hosting national bands touring through, and also crafting an exhilarating, raw explosion of punk riffs and d-beat chaos.
Timothy Eerie Nomadic young psych-rocker Eerie has
returned to Orlando, though who can say for how long – so you’d do well to take in his sundazed anthems on local stages while you can.
OhTwo Mod local hip-hop trio OhTwo are revelatory live, all restless, explosive energy and smart attire. Their recordings – two cassettes on Illuminated Paths and a CD on their own – evince keen pop instinct and an eye toward the future.
Mother Juno Minimal-synth/EBM berserker Mother Juno came into his own in a big way this year. He’s hit his stride musically with raw, energetic and angular dancefloor fillers, and turned heads supporting national
industrial and electronic acts.
Channel 83 The art-damaged, Devo-cannibalizing punk of Channel 83 started off as a solo endeavor, but is now a full band. The live results are stunning, inspiring a sweaty mix of moshing, dancing and even (gasp) pogoing??
Tidepools Very new shoegaze and dream-pop band Tidepools are a late entrant to this list, but this project from Laura Reyes is already impressing with that ethereal goodness.
Cathedral Bells Speaking of shoegaze, Cathedral Bells, the musical dreamweapon of Matt Messore, is on a high right now with the critical
plaudits given to their recent eponymous EP and a successful West Coast tour completed.
ACP PRO Relentless and restless local synthwave duo are the go-to support for likeminded touring acts, and with their increasingly cinematic beatscapes and pulpy VHS obsession, it’s not hard to see why.
430 Steps Local hardcore ensemble’s music mainlines the best of 1980s punk and HC, keeping it lean and (very) mean. And though they gig relentlessly on the regional circuit supporting the likes of Iron Reagan, the band made big moves with an East Coast tour earlier this year.
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Be the change you wish to see
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Ida V. Eskamani gives pointers for a better civic life in Orlando Welcome to Orlando, the center of the political universe. Narrowly won and lost statewide elections are decided right here in the City Beautiful, our surrounding suburban enclaves, and our massive colleges and universities. Beautiful as our town may be, Orlando sits at the juncture of countless struggles. We run on a low-wage economy, we lack public transit infrastructure, we are in the midst of an affordable housing crisis and on the frontlines of gentrification, and our immigrant, LGBTQ+ and Puerto Rican communities fight constant battles. Orlando sits at the intersection of it all, and as an Orlandoan, you can make a difference that will ripple well beyond our city boundaries. Here’s how:
Support immigrant communities. As Donald Trump doubles down on his demonization and detainment of our immigrant communities, organizations like the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) are on the front lines educating our undocumented communities on their constitutional rights. You can join the fight. FLIC needs volunteers to pick up shifts for their immigrant hotline. They’ll provide all the training you need to be on call to serve immigrant families.
Honor them with action.
Orlando City Hall Photos courtesy city of Orlando
On June 12, 2016, the Pulse nightclub, a sanctuary for the queer community in Orlando, was attacked by a man armed with an assault weapon. Forty-nine beautiful souls were lost, dozens physically injured, and thousands traumatized. Mostly LGBTQ+ and people of color, the victims and survivors of Pulse were already marginalized members of our community. QLatinx is an organization born as a response to this tragedy, seeking to empower the most marginalized members of our community, establish affirming and supportive healing spaces, build a strong and united community, and work toward a society free of fear, violence, and hate. The organization hosts regular meetings, runs local
campaigns and honors those lives lost with action.
Fight alongside working families. Organize Florida is a movement of community leaders coming together to fight for real, lasting change across the state of Florida, holding our government accountable, and finding and training the next generation of great leaders. A statewide organization headquartered right here in Orlando, they’re on the frontlines of the fight for affordable housing, climate justice, reproductive justice and Puerto Rican liberation.
Protect reproductive freedom. As national and state officials work to repeal the fundamental right to safe and legal abortion access, Planned Parenthood continues to keep their doors open. Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida offers numerous volunteer opportunities, including campus organizing, patient escorting, community outreach, and, yes, even condom crawls in downtown Orlando!
those who live in the city of Orlando, the City Council meets Mondays at 2 p.m. at Orlando City Hall; sessions are also live-streamed. The Orange County Commission meets most Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at the Orange County Administration building; videos are archived on the Orange County website. Every meeting is an opportunity for you to address your elected representatives on the issues that matter to you.
WHERE Florida Immigrant Coalition floridaimmigrant.org Orange County Government orangecountyfl.net Organize Florida orgfl.org Orlando City Council cityoforlando.net/council
Get to know your local elected officials – and vote, vote, vote.
Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-southwest-central-florida
Your local elected officials are here to serve you. Update your voter registration and get engaged! For
QLatinx qlatinx.org
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45 NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2019 Kara Walker, “Exodus of Confederates From Atlanta,” part of the Alfond Collection at CFAM
Sheer art attack Maisie Haney ticks off a list of can’t-miss gallery spaces in town
Orlando is not rich in famed art pieces like New York City, Chicago or Washington, D.C. – though a Kara Walker lives in the permanent collection of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. And while the Orlando Museum of Art may hold the attention of most Orlandoans as perhaps the most important museum space we have to offer, there are smaller and more accessible galleries in town that put on engaging and innovative shows. Further, the more interaction with and focus on local artists, the better for you as you get to know Orlando and the people who make it vibrant and viable.
Cornell Fine Arts Museum Everyone who runs this museum are the coolest of cats, and I am particularly fond of the Education Department’s programming for children (head out to a CFAMily Day, if you can). Former curator Amy Galpin’s approach to including more installation and video works was awe-inspiring, and this is something I hope will continue during Gisela Carbonel‘s curatorial tenure.
Henao Contemporary Center The five senses do not stand alone, and the Henao Center hints at the possible relationships and bridging gaps between the fairly traditional visual world of wall-hung art and live music.
Mills Gallery The unusual composite of apartment complex lobby, gallery, and gym are a fascinating complement to the overall eccentric vibe of the Mills Gallery. The Anna Cruz and Adam Lavine exhibition Heaven Is a Place on Earth was a definite highlight
of the year. And there is something very special about viewing Cruz’s “Leaving Eden” to the soundtrack of someone running on a treadmill.
Orlando Museum of Art OMA is the go-to local spot for larger touring exhibits and also their popular 1st Thursday soirees. The museum has hosted Nick Cave and Purvis Young, and once a year they really shine with their alwaysunique Florida Prize group exhibition and contest.
Snap! Orlando Snap! is a swanky space (or two) for photographic and other contemporary works, and the Colonial Drive location is conveniently next to one of the best coffee joints in town, the lovely Lineage. The star-studded Chuck Stewart photography exhibition – which included iconic snaps of Aretha Franklin and John Coltrane – was absolutely jaw-dropping.
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Art and History Museums – Maitland 231 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, artandhistory.org
ART DATE! Whether it’s a friend date or a romantic one, art openings are a much better hang than Netflix. Keep an eye on Orlando Weekly’s calendar (both in print and online) for openings, especially the big Orlando Museum of Art exhibitions
Alfond Inn 300 E. New England Ave., Winter Park, thealfondinn.com CityArts 39 S. Magnolia Ave., facebook.com/cityartsfactory Cornell Fine Arts Museum 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, cfam.rollins.edu
(always very swanky) and Snap (always full of interesting people). If you’ve got a dog, the Mennello Museum is extremely pup-friendly –
Henao Contemporary Center 5601 Edgewater Drive, facebook.com/henaocenter
not only do they hold regular yappy hours and dog brunches in their sculpture garden, they even sell pet memberships. For a day with a bit more chill, check out the Alfond Inn
Loud Gallery 1907 N. Orange Ave., loudgallery.com
in Winter Park. Rotating selections of contemporary art hang throughout the hotel; they offer guided tours, or you can just have a drink in the lobby surrounded by beauty.
Mennello Museum of American Art 900 E. Princeton St., mennellomuseum.org Mills Gallery 1650 N. Mills Ave., theartgalleryatmillspark.com Morse Museum of American Art 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, morsemuseum.org Orlando Museum of Art 2416 N. Mills Ave., omart.org Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens 633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park, polasek.org
Jacoub Reyes, “Two Figures,” from his show Beyond Good and Evil at the Mills Gallery
Snap! Orlando 1013 E. Colonial Drive; also 420 E. Church St., snaporlando.com
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WHERE
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Enzian Theater Photo courtesy Enzian Theater
SUPER LIKE Jenna Lyons can’t get you a date, but she’s got suggestions for good places to go if you have one
Sorry, these aren’t tips on how to meet someone. If they were, I wouldn’t be a perpetually single millennial refusing to use dating apps. These are, however, suggestions on where to go for a nice date. Get a drink at Mathers Social Gathering. It’s a 1920s-themed bar so if you are both history nerds fascinated with the Prohibition era, you can get cozy here. There’s nice mood lighting, and the cocktails are super fancy. So fancy that, if you’re on a budget, I recommend going during their happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m.
Get a drink and learn something at Orlando Science Center. A date off the beaten path: after hours at the science museum. Yes, the Orlando Science Center hosts Science Night Live, an evening 21 and up with “adult beverages.” If you’re into, like, science and stuff, hit the place up.
Get some dessert at Better Than Sex. I mean, it’s pretty much all right
there in the name. Here’s a dessert restaurant with no reservations. In the other sense, though, you should definitely make a reservation. Enjoy cheesecake, pies, truffles, all that sweet stuff. Then maybe afterward see if the name checks out.
See a good movie at Enzian Theater. If you and your date like artsy cinema, check out the Enzian. You can grab a drink before on their cute patio outside, then head in for the film. It’s a dine-in theater, too, so you can order a whole meal while you watch an independent movie that cleaned up at Cannes that none of your friends have heard of.
Do the theme parks-lite at Disney Springs. If you’re not sure about this person yet, spending the money on a full-day pass might be too risky. So try Disney Springs, a part of the park that caters more to adults. There are bars, restaurants, plenty of paths to wander hand-in-hand (annoying the family groups behind you) and a beach area with fireworks at night.
WHERE Better Than Sex 1905 N. Orange Ave. betterthansexdesserts.com
Mathers Social Gathering 3 Phoenix Building, 30 S. Magnolia Ave. mathersorlando.com
Orlando Science Center 777 E. Princeton St. osc.org
Enzian Theater 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland enzian.org
Disney Springs 1486 Lake Buena Vista Drive disneysprings.com
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Dedicated bookworm Annabelle Sikes reveals all the secret spots best for turning pages – and some of the local writers whose work you should be enjoying As Plato said, “Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” Whether it’s cozying up with a book for pleasure, slaving away through a textbook studying, or getting wrapped up in a poem, reading allows us to step into another world. And sometimes you need another world in which to enjoy those words, away from your home or school library. Here are some perfect spots for all kinds of readers. Before you head out to your ideal reading spot, you need a book: grab new and used books at Brightlight Books or Writer’s Block Bookstore, trade with others through PaperBackSwap, or check out books from the Orange County Library System – with your library card, you can borrow ebooks or physical copies, and they’ll even deliver right to your door.
Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter Hidden away in Oviedo is an outdoor garden full of monarch butterflies where you can take a seat while enjoying your newest novel – or, for the braver of hearts, enter the heat of the butterfly nursery to get a closer look.
Dickson Azalea Park If you are looking to become one with nature, head over to Dickson Azalea Park’s winding paths, beautiful birds and flowing brook. There are numerous benches for literary lovers, plus you can take breaks between chapters and stroll under the cover of massive oak trees that provide much-needed shade and a calming breeze.
Achilles Art Cafe If you’re a “snacker-reader” who needs a little something to nibble on while you flip the pages, Achilles Art Cafe is for you – bite into a sandwich or sip a specialty espresso drink from the wide menu. The intricate artwork hanging on the walls provides a boho vibe that’ll help you relax a little bit farther away from home.
Stardust Video & Coffee Coffee, tea, beer and cocktails are served at Stardust and the spacious, dim interior is the perfect place to read while sipping your beverage of choice. If you finish your book and want to continue reading, a well-chosen selection of used books are for sale. Evening events are held frequently including storytelling, chess club, science night and more.
Central Park Rose Garden On the southern border of Central Park in Winter Park lays a spectacular rose garden. Hidden away from the town bustle, the rose garden seems to be in a world of
its own with a flowing peacock fountain, vine-crusted archways and a multitude of colored roses that give off a peaceful and quiet vibe. The garden is padded with park benches that provide the perfect perching spot to cuddle up with a hot cup of tea and watch the sunset while enjoying your favorite book.
John C. Hitt Library Reading isn’t always just for fun, especially during the school year. The University of Central Florida’s Hitt library is full of UCF students, but also open to the public. Perhaps the most unique quality of the library is the way its quietness increases as patrons ascend to upper floors. The fifth floor is still and silent for deep concentration, while the second floor bustles with white noise and quiet chatter.
Road trip reads: For those of us seeking a little bit more adventure, readers can embark on a short road trip to two alternate locations for even more relaxation and literary immersion.
Peanut Island This beach about two and a half hours from Orlando is home to amenities that make for a perfect reading location, including piers, picnic areas with benches, pavilions, observation decks, chiki huts and more. The crystal-white sand is the ideal resting place to lay out a towel and bathe in the sun with a new romance novel.
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens Three hours from Orlando, readers looking for a way to get in their Zen can wander these gorgeous Japanese gardens and linger on benches in different areas, indulging in scenery such as waterfalls, koi ponds and sculptures amid the plantings.
Kristen Arnett perfectly captures the
Kristen Arnett
heart-wrenching feelings of loss and love in her novel Mostly Dead Things. The book focuses on a Florida woman who loses her father to suicide and is forced to take on the family taxidermy business, while the rest of her family struggles with strange coping mechanisms. It’s a New York Times bestseller and has been optioned for a film.
Longtime Central Florida nature writer Bob Morris has five new ebooks out: Short Road to Hell, All over the Map, Gut Check, The Man With the Fish on His Foot and The Whole Shebang all offer life lessons that make readers laugh, shed tears and embrace Florida’s wildscapes wholeheartedly.
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PAGE TURNERS
10 LOCAL AUTHORS TO CHECK OUT
Kristin Harmel’s most recent work, The Winemaker’s Wife, is set in 1940 during some of the most gruesome days of World War II. Harmel is also known for her novel The Room on Rue Amelie, which tells the story of World War II from three different perspectives that eventually cross paths in the turmoil.
Jeff Kunerth shows off his investigative journalism skills in Trout: A True Story of Murder, Teens, and the Death Penalty, a sad and disturbing look into an impulsive crime and the consequences in Florida.
Rayyan Al-Shawaf’s book When All Else Fails tells the story of an Iraqi college student who’s living in Orlando when his whole life changes on 9/11. Readers will feel loss, hope, love and courage in Al-Shawaf’s novel.
Jenny Torres Sanchez’s four YA books, The Fall of Innocence, Because of the Sun, The Downside of Being Charlie and Death, Dickinson and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia, explore a range of subjects from loss and grief to family and hope. Sanchez’s style is raw and true, and her work as a librarian shows in her characters’ love of words. David James Poissant’s book The Heaven of Animals is a collection of short stories that covers the tenuous bonds of relationships. Readers will recognize Florida in the absurdity and brutality of stories like “The End of Aaron” and “Lizard Man.”
Nathan Holic is the author of The Things I Don’t See and American Fraternity Man, and teaches writing at the University of Central Florida. His upcoming novel Bright Lights, Medium-sized City is a sprawling look at Orlando, due out at the end of 2019. Susan Lilley is the city of Orlando’s first poet laureate. Her latest collection of poems, Venus in Retrograde, combines striking wordcraft with a hard-won wisdom, expressed gracefully on the page. Kimberly Lojewski’s Worm Fiddling Nocturne in the Key of a Broken Heart collects 11 short and compelling stories of love, horror and the fantastic that teach the importance of community, acceptance and self-discovery.
WHERE Brightlight Books
Achilles Art Cafe
Multiple locations, brightlightbooks. com
2869 Wilshire Drive, achillesartcafe.com
Writer’s Block Bookstore
1842 Winter Park Road
124 E. Welbourne Ave., Winter Park, writersblockbookstore.com
Stardust Video & Coffee Central Park Rose Garden
OCLS
150 West Morse Blvd., Winter Park, cityofwinterpark.org
Downtown main branch, 101 E. Central Blvd., ocls.info
John C. Hitt Library
PaperBackSwap paperbackswap.com
Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter 1909 Slavia Road, Oviedo, lukasnursery. com
Dickson Azalea Park 100 Rosearden Drive, orlando.gov
12701 Pegasus Drive, library.ucf.edu
Peanut Island 6500 Peanut Island Road, Lake Worth, discover.pbcgov.org
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, morikami.org
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Gertrude and Claudius at Orlando Shakes
Stage? Right! WHERE The Dr. Phillips Center for Orlando Shakes the Performing Arts 812 E. Rollins St., 445 S. Magnolia Ave., drphillipscenter.org
Mad Cow Theatre 54 W. Church St., madcowtheatre.com
Orlando Repertory Theatre 1001 E. Princeton St., orlandorep.com
orlandoshakes.org
Theater West End 115 W. First St., Sanford, theaterwestend.com
Garden Theatre 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, gardentheatre.org
Photo by Tony Firriolo courtesy of Orlando Shakes
There’s something for everyone in Orlando’s theaters – Clarissa Moon breaks it down Orlando attracts talent from around the nation to perform at its theme parks, and these performers use local theaters as an artistic outlet, making Central Florida a lucky hub of high-caliber performance. Orlando’s theater offerings include national tours, blockbuster musicals, classic Shakespeare, new works and everything in between. Whether you’re a theater connoisseur or just looking for a fun night out, there’s something for every kind of theatergoer.
Take your mom to: The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Going to a show in the beautiful downtown Dr. Phillips Center feels like a big event, no matter what you see. You’ll catch Broadway touring shows, big concerts and A-list comedians in the magnificent Walt Disney Theater as they pass through Orlando, as well as smaller, more niche performances in the smaller Pugh Theater.
Take your theater friend from New York to: Mad Cow Theatre Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, Mad Cow prides itself in producing provocative, less commonly produced plays with Equity actors. Their seasons are usually a combination of contemporary plays, lesser-known classics and newer musicals.
Take your nieces and nephews to: Orlando Repertory Theatre The Orlando Rep is a well-established children’s theater offering matinée and evening performances on Saturdays and Sundays. They
provide a wide variety of theater camps for kids each summer with themes ranging from princesses to Minecraft.
Take your bestie to: Orlando Shakes Because who else can you admit you’ve never seen Hamlet to? Orlando Shakes produces a diverse season of Shakespeare plays every year, as well as big musicals and kids’ theater, usually employing a few actors from out of town. The building is also the epicenter of the Orlando Fringe, America’s longest-running fringe theater festival, which takes place every May.
Take a group to: Theater West End Theater West End is an up-and-coming professional theater in historic downtown Sanford, which is also booming with new restaurants and breweries. Their 2019-2020 season is filled with a combination of well-known and lesser-produced musicals, featuring titles like Green Day’s American Idiot and A Chorus Line, so Karen from finance can lead a sing-along while you’re having a beer after the show.
Take your significant other to: Garden Theatre Located in historic downtown Winter Garden, the Garden Theatre has made a name for itself as a spot for high-quality professional theater. Stop at Pilar’s next door for a themed drink and a great date night – but it’s a long drive home if you don’t already like this person a lot.
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Get the best out of our world-famous parks and attractions with Seth Kubersky’s recommendations We’ve all heard the conventional wisdom about our city’s world-famous theme parks: nobody goes there because it’s too crowded. Certainly, there are longtime Orlando residents who only venture into the parks in search of a paycheck, or when family visits from out of state. But ignoring them would be as senseless as a New Yorker refusing to patronize Broadway, or a New Orleans native never setting foot in the French Quarter. When you’ve exhausted (or been exhausted by) the blockbuster resorts, be sure to explore Orlando’s more modest, homegrown (often gator-centric) attractions, reminders of an era before the Mouse ate our city.
Walt Disney World Lake Buena Vista, disneyworld.disney.go.com Mickey radically revamped the park-going experience with FastPass+; book reservations 30 days in advance or you’ll wait hours for popular rides. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the eagerly anticipated 14-acre expansion to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will finally allow fans to sit in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon when it opens this month. Walt Disney World also debuts a Mickey Mouse dark ride and gondola transportation system this year, while Epcot now hosts seasonal food and booze festivals year-round and the Disney Springs shopping district is a shopping-and-dining magnet.
Universal Orlando Resort 6000 Universal Blvd., universalorlando.com
Universal Studios Orlando Photo by Daniel Rodriguez
Orlando’s No. 2 theme park destination continues to expand at a rapid rate; Islands of Adventure (home to the recent Kong ride and revamped Hulk coaster) and Universal Studios Florida (site of Jimmy Fallon’s new simulator) have been joined by Volcano Bay, billed as Universal’s first “water theme park.” Universal’s most popular attraction is the two-land Wizarding World of Harry Potter, of course, but beware: You can’t ride the Hogwarts Express train between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade without paying extra for a park-hopper pass.
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Buy the ticket, take the ride
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Gatorland Photo courtesy Gatorland
Gatorland 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, gatorland.com Known as the “Alligator Capital of the World,” this eco-preserve is home to thousands of flesh-eating reptiles and the trainers brave enough to wrestle them. Get close (but not too close) to see them eat and sleep, or zip-line safely above their marsh. Say hi to Larry, an 800-pound resident recently relocated here from the Villages.
Legoland 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, legoland.com/florida What’s not to love about this 150-acre attraction whose theme is tiny blocks and miniature humans? Customize fun your way here. New in 2019 is the Lego Movie World, featuring a family-friendly flight simulator and a restaurant where every day is “Taco Tuesday.”
Jungle Adventures Nature Park 26205 E. Colonial Drive, Christmas, jungleadventures.com A natural habitat filled with rare Florida panthers, black bears, wolves, whitetailed deer, tropical birds and, yeah, a whole lot of gators. The mouth of “Swampy,” a 200-foot man-made gator, serves as the entrance.
SeaWorld Orlando 7007 Sea World Drive, 407-545-5550, seaworldparks.com Despite animal rights controversy and declining attendance, SeaWorld still offers quality live entertainment and killer roller coasters at a lower cost than the other big resorts; their Mako coaster delivers insane seat-raising airtime, and
their new Sesame Street land will tug the heartstrings of baby boomer and millennial alike. (Take note for when the Ps visit.) If you’ve got the dough, don’t overlook the all-inclusive Discovery Cove, where you can swim with dolphins and fish, or just drink like one.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex State Road 405, east of Titusville, kennedyspacecenter.com Take a tour of the 363-foot Saturn V that took Americans to the moon and catch the lunar particles that still dust astronaut Alan Shepard’s space suit. Make it worth your while and visit when there’s a live rocket launch scheduled.
Icon Park 8375 International Drive, iconparkorlando.com Right in the middle of Orlando’s tourist district, Icon Park features a 400-foot observation wheel, marine animals at the Sea Life Aquarium, skeletons at the Museum of Osteology, your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds wax museum and the Orlando Starflyer, the world’s tallest swing ride. There are also restaurants and bars aplenty.
The Holy Land Experience 4655 Vineland Road, holylandexperience.com Get your money’s worth, Orange County residents, and visit this taxpayer-subsidized re-creation of ancient Jerusalem, complete with an original musical and wandering Biblical characters. You could pay for admission or wait until that one day a year when they have to let you in for free.
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Lake Eola: It’s where we store all of our swans
OUTSIDE GUIDE We have sunshine all year round here, and Jenna Lyons lists the best places to enjoy it
As a native Floridian, I love to bask in our sweltering heat and I loathe AC. Here are some good places to kick it outside. Lake Eola Park 512 E. Washington St. It always tops the list. C’mon, the lake’s fountain is on Orlando’s city flag. There’s always something going on there, from activist demonstrations to concerts to a farmers market every Sunday. You can even rent one of the signature swan boats to pedal around and maybe even spot Queenie, the only black-necked lady swan of the lake, who is, in fact, queen of the city.
Wekiva Island 1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood, wekivaisland.com A favorite all-inclusive recreation spot. Canoe. Paddleboard. Kayak. They have a bar. They have an
annual art festival and gallery. They even make it snow in December along the Wekiva River. (Fake snow, but still fun.)
Rock Springs 400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka Some locals call it Kelly Park. It’s a natural spring that’s not too hot and not too cold, and a popular tubing spot, if you don’t mind driving over to Apopka. You can buy a tube, but it’s also BYOT. Added feature: a canoe trail connects this park with the very popular Wekiva Springs State Park.
Wekiwa Springs State Park 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka Always, always, always busy here on summer weekends. If you aren’t
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Wekiwa Springs State Park leaving the house by 6 a.m., forget about it. Everything from canoeing and kayaking to bicycling and birdwatching is available here. Have a picnic or go for a swim. Whatever you do, just get there early. (It’s worth it.)
Leu Gardens 1920 N. Forest Ave., leugardens.org This place has 50 acres and 15,000 flowers on display. You can check out beautiful flora, citrus, bamboo gardens and native Florida plants like the resurrection fern (yes, that’s the actual name). This “botanical oasis” is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The historical house on site is unfortunately still closed due to Hurricane Irma repairs.
West Orange Bike Trail 501 Crown Point Cross, Winter Garden Like bikes? Ride on about 21 miles of paved trail, courtesy of Orange County. You’ll cruise through Killarney, Oakland,
Winter Garden and downtown Apopka. I recommend going on a Saturday and making a pit stop at the Winter Garden farmers market. If you’re all about that lepidoptera, hit up the butterfly garden at the Tildenville outpost. (Check out the route at orangecountyfl.net if you wanna dip in and out.)
Crane’s Roost Park 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs, altamonte.org This 45-acre park is right around the mall, so if you’re not too outdoorsy you can seek shelter inside the Macy’s. There’s a walking path around a lake, and just like Lake Eola, there’s an amphitheater and events constantly going on. It’s known to put on an annual celebration every Fourth of July. You can even fish from the lake’s north and southeast shorelines, as long as you have a license.
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Four Seasons Resort Orlando Photo courtesy Four Seasons
Six unbelievably luxurious hotel pools you should
DEFINITELY NOT
sneak into
Orlando is the top vacation spot for visitors from out of state and overseas, but a lot of those visitors flowing in become permanent residents. So sure, the hotels and theme parks have stepped up their game by creating incredible pool areas with cabanas, lazy rivers, swim-up bars and more to attract the tourist dollar – but there’s no reason locals can’t enjoy the fruits of their labor too! To visit many of these pools, you must be a hotel guest, but a few don’t require it. Either way, please don’t sneak into these amazing, amazing pools.
Grand Bohemian Hotel 325 S. Orange Ave., 407-313-9000 The heated outdoor pool and whirlpool might be a little on the small side at the Grand Bohemian, but nothing beats the views – from its prime rooftop locale, you can soak up not only plenty of sunlight, but also the ever-growing downtown Orlando skyline. You must be a guest or a visitor of a guest to use the pool.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando 10100 Dream Tree Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, 407-313-6868 At the Four Seasons, you can take a break from your hectic life and take a ride along a lazy river that snakes around two water slides. If you’d rather take a basic swim, the adult-only pool features underwater audio and a jacuzzi to change up the mood, or the family pool overlooks the lake and has a gently sloping entry. The pool is available for guests at the resort or visitors who reserve an 80-minute treatment at the spa. Anyone staying at the resort can use the pool area, but no additional guests are allowed.
Loews Cabana Bay Beach Resort at Universal Orlando 6550 Adventure Way, 407-503-4000
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando 5800 Universal Blvd., 407-5032000
Cabana Bay has two tricked-out pools guests can dive into. At the Cabana Courtyard, make a splash from the dive tower water slide or grab a frozen margarita from the Atomic Tonic poolside bar. The Lazy River Courtyard features a pool with a sandy beach, plus, you guessed it, a lazy river with waterfalls and water cannons. Registered guests are the only ones allowed to use the pool, but if you have a friend visiting or staying overnight, they can join you for the day.
Rock out at this 12,000-square-foot pool complete with a sand beach, interactive fountain and a 260-foot slide. Plus, you’ll never miss a beat of any of the live music or DJ-crafted hits found poolside, even when completely submerged, because of the hotel’s underwater sound system. Only registered guests are allowed to use the facilities – the pool area requires a hotel key to gain access.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista, 407-938-3000 Get in touch with your wild side at the lodge’s Uzima Pool, an 11,000-square-foot watering hole straight out of a tropical paradise. But what really makes this pool stand out is the scenery – African wildlife can often be seen from the pool deck grazing in the neighboring savanna. Resort guests are the only ones allowed to use the pools.
Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, 407-597-3600 Travel down a pirate ship water slide or take part in daily poolside arts and crafts at the Hilton Bonnet Creek Pool. The pool area features private cabanas for rent that include lounge chairs, personalized food and beverage service, and HD flat-screen TVs. Although you have to be a guest at the hotel to use the pool, you are allowed to bring friends and family to join you.
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Our picks for the best in comics and conventions in Orlando SHOPPING
Gods & Monsters
A Comic Shop This Winter Park comics haven has been pushing the notion of what a comic book store can be for years now, with a wide selection of indie titles, interesting events and even their Geek Easy bar and venue (which spun off onto its own recently).
Brave the tourist hordes on I-Drive to visit this comics and collectibles emporium. Not only do they have all manner of funnybooks and toys and statues, make a beeline for the back and you’ll enter the apocalyptic speakeasy that is Vault 5421.
CONVENTIONS Megacon
Acme Superstore
Photo by Melissa McHenry
A hidden gem of Orlando fandom, Acme is a strip mall unto itself, stuffed to the gills with a stunning treasure trove of plastic nostalgia from the 1970s to the present, as well as comics from the last 60 years.
BAMF Comics & Coffee An ambitious new spot in Maitland combines comics, toys and gaming supplies, but also hosts a robust schedule of art and game events. And, yes, they serve coffee!
Coliseum of Comics The local comics institution has come a long way since its lone storefront on Orange Blossom Trail; now they’ve got locations throughout the city and in Kissimmee. They offer mountains of comics and graphic novels, new and old.
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Fantastic worlds
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Orlando’s comics and anime community wait all year for this massive, long-weekend of fandom overload. Big-name stars do signings and photos, scores of vendors peddle their wares, and seemingly every other attendee sports dazzling cosplay.
Spooky Empire Though Spooky has tested our love of late with the relocation of this autumn’s event to Tampa and last year’s infamous Elvira Pop scuffles, we can’t help but hold a candelabra for this locally grown gathering of all things horror and pop-culture and collectibles.
Anime Festival Orlando For those more inclined to manga, anime and sundry facets of Japanese pop-culture, AFO is an annual wonderland of voice actors, dealers selling hard-tofind import items, gaming, panels and, yes, a rave.
WHERE Photo courtesy Megacon
Jeff Goldblum
A Comic Shop
114 S. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, acomicshop.com
Acme Superstore
905 E. State Road 434, Longwood, acme-superstore.com
BAMF Comics & Coffee 500 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland, bamfcomicstore.com
Coliseum of Comics
multiple locations, coliseumofcomics.com
Gods & Monsters
5421 International Drive, godmonsters.com
Megacon
megaconorlando.com
Spooky Empire
spookyempire.com
Anime Festival Orlando
animefestivalorlando.com
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I-4 Eyesore
Rollercoaster As much as some Orlandoans might deny it, you’d be reading this article right now in the middle of a spacious orange grove and not much else if it weren’t for the city’s mega theme parks and tourism industry. So make the best of it and take advantage of the white-knuckle terror of our local rollercoaster buffet.
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If any Orlando landmark is a Rorschach test for the city, it’s the Majesty Building. Ground broke in 2001, but the seemingly abandoned, possibly haunted shell looms over I-4 like an unfinished term paper to this day.
Keytar Symbolizing the current rude health of both Orlando’s local electronic music and rock scenes, we’ve got the chocolate-in-mypeanut butter synergy that is the keytar. Our scene has an unusual and healthy commingling of guitar-based and electronics-based music, sometimes even on the same concert lineup!
Wrestler Well, that looks to be a luchador to be precise, as hardcore pro-graps fans would fall over themselves to inform you. But Orlando has a professional wrestling scene that is popping off right now. There’s something for everyone, from WWE proving ground NXT to the punk-infused vibes of Mayhem on Mills and much, much more.
Lake Eola Park If Orlando were a wheel, Lake Eola Park would be the hub. It also wouldn’t be a very good wheel, because it would be bumpy as hell, but we don’t have to think that hard about the metaphor. The downtown park, centered on the iconic fountain in the lake, hosts dozens of events every year, including parades, fireworks, concerts and more. It’s also where we keep all of our swans.
Craft beer
Pub subs
Thanks in part to some tweaks to outdated laws in the state Legislature a few years ago, we’ve seen microbreweries pop up all over Central Florida in the past few years. We’ll introduce you to a few spots to get you started on your brewery adventures on page 25.
If you learn just one thing about Orlando, it should be that Floridians are fiercely, almost weirdly devoted to Publix Deli subs, and of all the varieties, it’s the chicken tender sub they love best. Can’t beat them, might as well join them.
Third-wave coffee What’s the fuel that keeps Central Florida humming? Sure, it’s tourist dollars and misappropriated infrastructure funds. But it’s also coffee, because we don’t see a dime of those other things! Orlando is a hotbed for locally roasted, brewed, dripped, chilled and even spiked java, joe and go-juice. (Read all about it on page 23.)
Camera Maybe it’s the theme parks, maybe it’s just the culture, but man oh man is this a selfie town. There are street-level murals built for posing all over town. There’s a 4,500-square foot warehouse with 20 walls just for selfie-ing opening any day now. Even our downtown information center, formerly a dim nook full of brochures, now boasts a poppy yellow backdrop.
Illustrations by Betsy Garcia of Bloomwolf Studio
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