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SOCIAL STUDIES Orlando Weekly’s college survival guide
Welcome to Orlando Weekly’s second annual college guide. Start studying. We have a lot of ground to cover.
table of contents Barely legal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Party animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Last night a DJ saved my life . . . . . . . . . . 21 The parent trap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Strap on the feedbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Frenemy foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
PUBLISHER Michael Wagner EDITOR Erin Sullivan ART DIRECTOR Kate Weddle COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Robert Bartlett CONTRIBUTORS Marcus Griggs, Eleanor Roy, Erin Sullivan, Jessica Bryce Young COPY EDITOR Katie Westfall BUSINESS Karen Waeiss, manager; Amanda Self, administrative assistant ADVERTISING Graham Jarrett, director; Jon Bowers, Tara Centeno, Jonathan Risteen, Dan Winkler, account executives; Devon Dunkle, coordinator PRODUCTION Denika Robbins, production manager; James Ball, graphic designer CIRCULATION Pierre Rene, manager NATIONAL ADVERTISING: Voice Media Group, 1-800-278-9866 Copyright © 2012 Orlando Weekly Inc., all rights reserved. Cover models: Scott Horn and Bonnie Anna Kerlin ORLANDO WEEKLY INC. 1505 E. Colonial Drive, Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32803 (407) 377-0400, (407) 377-0415 classified (407) 377-0420 fax orlandoweekly.com 2012 College Survival Guide 7
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Sad but true: It sucks to be under 21 when you’re in college. Not necessarily because you want to get drunk all the time – what really sucks is that you get left in the dust when your friends go out to party and you can’t even get past the bouncer at the front door.
Places to party (sober) if you’re under 21 Fortunately, Orlando does have some options for the under-21 crowd. You may have to watch as your buds guzzle down pitchers of cheap beer right in front of your face while you’re sipping on a soda, but at least you aren’t sulking in your room while everyone else is having a good time. Here’s a list of some of our favorite 18-and-up spots.
Independent Bar 70 North Orange Ave. 407-839-0457 independentbar.net
Fubar 12233 University Blvd. 407-382-2799 orlandofubar.com
Knight Library 12289 University Blvd. 407-482-2500 knightlibrary.com
This is one of the most colorful 18-and-up spots we can think of. It attracts a diverse crowd, ranging from hipsters to faux vampires, and every night of the week is themed – different music, different types of dancers, different drinkers (or, in your case, non-drinkers). Tuesday night’s Grits and Gravy is super old-school – soul and R&B from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s – and Friday and Saturdays DJs spin New Wave from the ’80s and faves from the ’90s. Other nights you’ll hear the type of music that’ll give you a chance to gloat to friends about how you heard it first. This is the place to be if you like a little variety in your under-21 bar-hopping. These two bars are located directly across the street from UCF, so this is where the underage collegiate go to dance. Visit either spot on a busy night and you’ll definitely have a story to tell your friends – a story that will more than likely contain a belligerent frat guy or a way-too-tipsy girl yelling “YOLO!” A decent place to be for a late-night adventure, as long as you don’t mind navigating all the superdrunk people. The plaza where Knight Library and Fubar are located has been sold and is scheduled for demolition this year. We’re not sure what the future holds for either of these popular college bars, but for now, enjoy it while you can. continued on page 13... 2012 College Survival Guide 9
By Marcus Griggs
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barely legal continued from page 9...
Natura Coffee and Tea 12078 Collegiate Way 407-482-5000 facebook.com/ naturacoffeeandtea
Roxy 740 Bennett Road 407-898-4004 roxyorlando.com
The Social 54 North Orange Ave. 407-246-1419 thesocial.org
If you’re too young to drink but old enough to be in college and you want a chill place to hang, you might find the cloudy atmosphere of a hookah lounge appealing. Natura Coffee and Tea offers a diverse selection of hookah flavors, and their tea menu isn’t too shabby, either. If you’re looking to hear some local music while you sip and puff, hit an open-mic night. Natura isn’t really a bar, but when you do finally hit the big two-one, they do serve wine and beer. If Fubar is where you go so you can have a story to tell, this is where you go to have a Greek epic. This is the quintessential “club scene” experience, and you don’t have to be of age yet to take advantage of it – Roxy is big, loud and frequently promiscuous. Whether your Greek epic of a night ends as a comedy or a tragedy is up to how you handle the place, but you’ll definitely leave here with an Odyssey of a tale to tell later.
Cheap entry? Check. Consistently good music? Check. Eighteen and up? Check. This is a great place to hear some of the hottest non-mainstream music – both national and local talent – and the shows are super-intimate. Yes, a fully loaded bar is right there, taunting you while you dance (or whatever it is you do at shows), but you’ll be so close to the band that you’ll hardly notice. ■ 2012 College Survival Guide 13
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last night a DJ saved my life ...continued from page 21
Ignition
College Indie Night
Thursdays at Firestone Live 578 N. Orange Ave. 407-872-0066 firestonelive.net
Fridays at Independent Bar 70 N. Orange Ave. 407-839-0457 indepdendentbar.net
This night has become the epicenter of Orlando’s electronic dance music scene – in addition to featuring some of the best electronic acts going, Ignition goes balls to the wall to create the most festive dance-party experience possible: acrobats, DJs, party buses, kegs, toga parties, 3D projections. If you can bring it into a club and make it a good time, they’ll probably try it here.
If you’re not the quintessential club kid – that is to say, if EDM isn’t your thing, Moombahton intimidates you and you can’t even wrap your head around what dreamwave or nu disco is, this is a dance night for you. Familiar indie songs (or at least stuff that feels familiar), 80s, New Wave and modern stuff that melds well with that kind of sound is what you’ll get here. No pretension, just good beer specials and even better times.
Shake ’n’ Bass Sundays at Backbooth 37 W. Pine St. 407-999-2470 backbooth.com If Moombahton and tropical bass are your thing, check out this night featuring DJs Ma-Less, Dr. Khan and Big Makk, who’ll give you thumpin’ bass you can, well, dagger to. You know, if that’s your thing. No holds barred, free keg til it floats. You’re not going to find a wilder Sunday night dance party downtown. ■
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At some point in your college career, your parents are going to want to visit you – they’ll want to see where you live, meet your friends, maybe live vicariously through you for a little while by tagging along with you for happy hour.
the parent trap Five places to take your family when they come to visit But what do you do with them after you’ve done all that? You can’t take them to the local douche-haunts you usually wind up in on the weekends, and there are really only so many things about your life that you want to reveal to your family. Here are a few guaranteed parentpleasers where you can kill a few hours
with mom and dad – and maybe even grandma – while they’re in town without letting them know that you really spend your time waking up hungover, barely making it to class, then falling onto your couch with the Wii controller and a bong until somebody suggests something better to do.
Harry P. Leu Gardens
Enzian Theater
It’s peaceful, it’s botanical, it’s beautiful – it’s an oasis in the heart of Orlando that’s so relaxing that it should probably be a must for every potentially stressful parental visit. Stroll through massive stands of bamboo thicker than a baby’s arm, visit the lakefront deck to look for gators and turtles, check out the massive formal rose gardens, then stroll through the Leu House Museum, where you can get a taste of what life was like in these parts before modern amenities like central air and beer pong. Check the events schedule for familyfriendly entertainment, like outdoor movies, jazz music and plant sales.
Are your parents film buffs? Then they’ll love the Enzian, Orlando’s only arthouse theater. The Enzian shows cult classics, cutting-edge indie releases and some of the better new releases showing in larger theaters. Have a pre-movie cocktail at the lush, jungly outdoor Eden Bar, then head inside and find a table where you can order drinks and food while watching your film. This one’s a parent-pleasing entertainment option that you’ll enjoy as much as they will.
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1920 Forest Ave. 407-246-2620 leugardens.org $8 per person
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1300 S. Orlando Ave. • Maitland 407-629-0054 enzian.org $10 for movie tickets (matinees $8)
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The DailyCity.com Food Truck Bazaar This recurring event takes place at locations all around Central Florida, from DeLand to Orlando to I-Drive. Tons of gourmet food trucks peddling everything from savory crepes to specialty cupcakes to fresh seafood and locally farmed fare gather in one location and draw hundreds of people ready to chow down. Bring folding chairs, set up your base camp and let everyone marvel at the fact that some of the best food you’ve eaten in a month is being made and served out of a truck. Even if your parents are foodie snobs, we’re pretty sure they’ll get a kick out of this spectacle.
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thedailycity.com (various locations around the Orlando area, see site for dates and details)
Park Avenue, Winter Park If you go to school at Rollins, this is a no-brainer. If your parents like to eat, drink, shop and gawk, they’ll love Park Avenue. Wander for blocks and browse high-end stores, wine bars, spas and specialty boutiques; have lunch or brunch at any one of a number of burger spots or fancy bistros; grab a coffee or a glass of wine in the late afternoon, then stroll in the very pretty and well-preened Central Park. Everyone will be satisfied, exhausted and (if you’ve played your cards right) well-fed when the day is over.
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Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art That boxy, formal-looking building at the north end of Park Avenue in Winter Park? It’s not a church. It’s a museum. You might not really know much about decorative artist and interior designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, except that he’s known for making those floral stainedglass lamps, but this museum is dedicated to celebrating all of his other design achievements – furniture, exquisite stained-glass windows, mosaics and more. Prove to your parents that you’re cultured enough to recognize Tiffany’s contribution to the American aesthetic – or that you even know what the words “American aesthetic” mean. ■
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445 N. Park Ave. • Winter Park 407-645-5311 morsemuseum.org $5 (free on from 4-8 p.m. on Fridays, April through November)
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No parental visit is complete until they’ve taken you out to eat, but chances are they’re going to ask you to pick the place. You might feel put on the spot and you might not know where, exactly, people who want food that’s not served on paper plates go to eat. Don’t get stuck in the Cheesecake Factory trap – we’ve got some places you can recommend to mom and dad when they ask you where you want to go for a decent meal – quite possibly the best one you’ll have all semester long. (All write-ups below come straight from our annual Bite dining guide, which you can find distributed around town and online at orlandoweekly.com. You should find a copy of this and keep it handy so you’re in the know about what to eat and where in Orlando.)
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K Restaurant and Wine Bar
Five great places to take your parents for dinner (as long as they’re paying the bill) Luma on Park
This cozy café reaches a grand level of food and service; chef and owner Kevin Fonzo (aka “K”) creates dishes that are both simple and elegantly delicious. From salad to starter to main course, everything hits the right note, surpassing the restaurant’s sterling reputation. Try the grouper cheeks when they’re on the menu..
Foodies are hot for the innovative fare at this Park Avenue restaurant. The atmosphere is lively and suitable for large parties. There’s a great wine selection, and the small plates encourage sharing. Or go for one of the fabulous entrees, such as duck with butternut squash and lemon confit. The exquisite dessert menu stands alone, as does the weekend brunch.
2401 Edgewater Drive 407-872-2332 krestaurant.net • $$$
7732 W. Sand Lake Road 407-351-6000 orlandocedars.com • $$$
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Cedars Restaurant Their spin on traditional Lebanese food is a lightness of texture and flavor that is both refreshing and inviting. Use the hot, puffy pitas to scoop up baba ghanoush, a smooth roasted eggplant and garlic puree with a wonderfully smoky taste.
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7732 W. Sand Lake Road 407-351-6000 orlandocedars.com • $$$
Garibaldi’s Mexican Restaurant A place for genuine Mexican food (along with some authentic folk songs). There are more than 30 different combination platters of tacos, burritos and enchiladas, along with chiles rellenos and chalupas. The “fajitas Garibaldi” adds chorizo sausage to a combination of chicken and beef on a sizzling iron pan. This place is a perennial Best of Orlando award winner.
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929 N. Semoran Blvd. 407-275-5035 • $$
The Rusty Spoon Self-described gastropub brings a locavore credo to the downtown core, along with an urban-farmhouse vibe. The rustic menu focuses on locally farmed and raised ingredients, but not obsessively so. Best: tapenade-stuffed eggs, coffee-rubbed culotte steak and grown-up s’mores. There’s a small but decent selection of craft beers, signature drinks and wines as well. Live music on weekends. ■
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55 W. Church St. 407-401-8811 therustyspoon.com • $$ 2012 College Survival Guide 41
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