Best Clubs in Orlando’s Downtown Church Street
Club 23: Probably the best club on Church Street with a great selection of hiphop and electronic music. Club 23 has an upscale atmosphere, excellent DJs, great drinks, full bar, and access to other clubs such as Backroom. They also have some of the best martinis in downtown Orlando! Upstairs is the electronic music and downstairs is hiphop. The staff is very professional, yet very wild. Unlike most clubs on Church Street, Club 23 has a $10 cover which also ensures a different type of clientele. Thursday is ladies night and valet for the entire strip of Church Street is right in front of Club 23. If you want to have a great time and prefer a more sophisticated crowd, then Club 23 is the place to be.
This bar is gorgeous. I’d say the prettiest bar in downtown Orlando hands down. I was here the day after its opening and several times since and have yet to be disappointed. The inside is larger with a huge rectangular bar in the the center and tables on the outer edges. The whole place has a Tuscan village feel and things really heat up on the fabulous patio. Ember is home to the largest patio downtown. It has various levels and makes you feel as if you are on vacation in a beautiful Spanish resort. There are 3 bars, a large rectangular one in the middle and two on higher levels along the perimeter.
There are plenty of high bar tables and chairs along with ornate decor wrap around railings and columns. The drinks are good and surprisingly not too expensive, I had their signature martini. But I really love the food, this bar has a menu with tons of options and small bites to enjoy along with your drink. We had a BBQ chicken flat bread which was scrumptious and the burger slides which came out super juicy and tender with all the fixins. The only draw back I’ve found with Ember are the bathroom lines, the inside line can take over 20 minutes to get through. That is extreme for what would be considered an upscale club not an outdoor concert. Find the outdoor restrooms, still a line but lesser so. But aside from that Ember is a wonderful edition to downtown Orlando unlike anything we’ve had prior.
There’s a new hot spot in town and it’s no surprise that it’s located in downtown Orlando. Ember, a Mediterranean themed restaurant and bar finally opened last week after a long wait and much anticipation from the locals. It is located where Kate O’Brien’s Irish Pub once stood and caters to a slightly older crowd than most of the other places in the downtown area, late 20s to 40s. A more sophisticated, upscale kind of place, without that snobbish feel though.
While the inside/outside layout is similar to Kate O’Brien’s the building is completely different and way more gorgeous. Spanish tile adorns the walls and floors, leather backed chair fill the bar and seating areas and even the bathrooms are amazingly decked out. The challenge, however, with this place is trying to beat the crowds at the bars and throughout the whole place. It’s not everyday a new bar pops up and when it does, people take full advantage.
Prices are average, starting at $4.50 and going up to $8 or more depending on what you order of course. Not the cheapest, but not as bad as some of the other places around. The sound throughout the place, both inside and outside is impressively even and not overly intense as is the case with most night time hangouts. You can actually hear yourself talk and speak…what a concept!
Overall, this place is pretty cool, but I would wait until the excitement dies down before checking it out.
This bar/restaurant rocks! I had heard the radio commercials for its opening and had been wondering if they could live up to the hype they were receiving. And after visiting last night, I can say with surety, that it is a fabulous place with wonderful potential.
The Tuscan and/or Spanish feel of their enormous outdoor patio is extremely well done and very inviting. With two side bars, and one main bar in the center of this outdoor happy hour playground, they are prepared and content to serve you. There is also plenty of seating, inside and out, for those just going to fill their bellies. The warm earth tones and wrought iron gates create a Mediterranean theme that will have you smiling in no time. The music playing in the background was not too loud but noticeable enough for me to start singing along with the mellow tunes. And as if it was planned, there was a tantalizing breeze blowing through which increased the magnificent atmosphere we were already enjoying. It was at that moment that one of my close friends stated what we were all thinking, “this is my new favorite place in Orlando!”
We were only there to enjoy their liquid assets yet they do have a kitchen full of food for their patrons. Advertised on dandelion colored paper, their menu is fairly simple yet seemed to satiate the many eaters that were scattered throughout. We watched many flatbread pizzas whiz by as well as quesadillas and chips with hummus. So it seemed that they weren’t shooting for gourmet cuisine but rather flavorsome meals everyone enjoys.
This downtown hotspot certainly lives up to it’s reputation. Great location, upscale atmosphere, huge crowd, and surprisingly good drink prices.
The location itself is off of Central and Orange, plenty of nearby parking. The inside has been remodeled from it’s previous owner and it’s quite beautiful w/ subtle Spanish decor. One of the most upscale establishments in the downtown area. The best part would have to be the HUGE outdoor patio which includes an outdoor bar. Great for some freah air and people watching.
The cover on a Saturday night is $5 (for ladies), not bad at all. The drinks are good depending on what you order. I ordered Captain and Cokes for $3.50. My friend ordered Vodka Cranberrys for $5.50, and another friend ordered an Appletini for $6.50.
I don’t normally go downtown before 11pm, but I would go early for Ember as the place gets packed. This is definitely my new downtown spot.
