Entertainment in Central Florida
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John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center
The John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center is a sprawling combination of buildings dedicated to preserving and performing the works of the old bard. Appropriately, the center is home to the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival (Sep-May), which is actually a performing group rather than an annual event, and has performances here and at the Lake Eola amphitheater.
Among the center's more notable features, the Darden Courtyard is a leafy yet minimalist spot in which to wander before heading inside for a show. But you'll have to pass through the lobby and the frighteningly large, life-size portrait of Queen Elizabeth - we swear her eyes followed us. There are two theaters: the 1…
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John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center
The John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, home to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, holds performances of Shakespeare stand-bys like Macbeth and As You Like It, as well as classic theater, two children’s shows a year, an annual theatrical premier, and holiday favorites – well, perhaps A Tuna Christmas isn’t a favorite, but it’s certainly an interesting holiday option.
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Stubbie Shirt Pub
When Berkeley Hoflund visited Australia, she fell in love with the beer. Upon returning, she opened this very orange, very Aussie, very awesome pub serving 255 types of international ‘stubbies and tinnies’ (beer bottles and cans, mate), plus quirky T-shirts, custom-made while you wait. Don’t try to outsmart the razor-sharp staff: they know waaaay more about beer than you. BYO food; they have games behind the bar.
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Tim & Terry’s
This general-store-meets-the-big-city dive is initially disorienting, but the friendly vibe sets you straight. Part sandwich shop, package store and instrument dealer, there’s also a stripped-down performance space showcasing bluegrass (Tuesdays) and other folk-country-rock music the rest of the week. Fantastic beer selection. A hippie favorite.
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Wally’s Mills Ave Liquors
Everyone seems to find their way to Orlando’s favorite dive bar. It’s been around since the early ’50s, and while its peeling naked-women wallpaper could use some updating, it wouldn’t be Wally’s without it. Nothing flashy, nothing loud, just an Old Florida bar with a jukebox and cheap drinks. The adjacent store sells liquor, wine and beer.
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Maitland Art Center
Since 1938, this art center has provided classes and studio space to area artists, as well as galleries where they can display their work for the public. The facilities, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, boast lovely gardens where live music, usually classical, is performed on an occasional basis.
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Orlando Youth Theater
Offering children’s theater performed by children, they stage everything from High School Musical to Les Misérables at the Studio Theater. It also has venues throughout the city. Check the website for information on special events (like monthly teen cabaret night), classes and audition schedules.
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2nd Street Speakeasy
If you’re not paying attention, you’ll cruise right past the dark door leading into Gainesville’s chillest bar. Fringe-tipped crimson lamps, a mellow azure aquarium and cushy burgundy sofas are some of the cool features here. What’s coolest though, is that the volume of the lounge music is set so you can actually chat with people.
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Back Booth
A totally chilled venue where Belgian Hoogarten ales live in harmony with Pabst Blue Ribbon cans. 'A cross between a frat party dance floor and an English pub' doesn't begin to sum up the unusual decor here. You just have to be here to get it. In addition to theme nights and karaoke, bands with cool names play live and loud.
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Lillian’s Music Store
The crowd’s a little older than in the clubs along University, so they appreciate that elegant stained-glass partition and the 3ft-tall gorilla at the entrance. The barbershop seats are inspired and who can resist test-driving what must be the state’s largest urinal?
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Griffin Stadium
Nicknamed ‘the swamp’ (coz only Gators get out alive), this 88,548-seat stadium is home to the UF’s Gators football team, which plays seven games a year here from August to November. Visit www.gatorzone.com for info about the team and other Gator sports.
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Orlando Repertory Theater
The Orlando Repertory Theater offers theater for young audiences year-round. Local productions of national shows include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, A Year with Frog and Toad and Chronicles of Narnia.
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University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre
The University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre stages performances at the University of Central Florida and other area venues. The highly acclaimed Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, often called the best in Central Florida, also performs here.
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TD Waterhouse Centre
Hosts sporting events and concerts. It also holds two more major performing arts venues, the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre and the Civic Theater of Central Florida, both of which stage performances of opera, classical music and theater.
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Swamp
In a rambling two-story timber building with faded yellow paint, this timeless college hangout just keeps on keeping on. During the day you'll see lots of students here using the free wi-fi; by night bands and DJs put paid to study.
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Central Station Bar & NY Deli
With plenty of woodwork, brick walls and a small stage with sometimes unmiked drums, this reggae and rock venue smack in the center of downtown Orlando’s bar-crawling madness attracts folks looking for something gentle and raw.
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Mad Cow Theater
A model of quality local theater, this Orlando troupe earns rave reviews for its productions of classic and modern theater. Past performances include The Laramie Project and Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard.
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Tanqueray’s Bar & Grill
A former bank vault, this spot draws a more mature clientele, with folks just looking to hang out with friends over a beer. It has a smoky, low-key vibe, Guinness on tap and weekend bands, usually reggae or blues.
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1982
Cramped, dingy and musty, this sweet spot boasts both local and national bands, and a great beer selection. If the band sucks, you can play classic Nintendo games on one of four TVs behind the bar. Duck Hunt FTW!
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:08
An insanely popular country bar - you have to stay on the mechanical bull for eight seconds, get it? There's no electric bull inside, but call to find out about upcoming rodeo events, which are staged outside.
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Goldman Theater
In the cultural corridor, it's a 120-seat venue that stages locally produced plays and musicals as well as hosting touring troupes. Also here is Studio B, a black box theater specializing in performance art.
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Scruffy Murphy's Irish Pub
It's small and smoky - just what you'd expect from a pretty darn authentic Irish pub in America. The hearty selection of native brews keeps the fun crowd lively enough to break out into song on occasion.
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Dragon Room
A Japanese inspired lounge with an indoor waterfall, low tables and sofas, paper lanterns and an unusual neon blue bar. A black-clad crowd sips sweet cocktails before converging on the tiny dance floor.
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Market Street Pub
Half of this 1908-built pub opens for concerts on big nights, but the main room, with pool and darts, always has something happening, like its ‘double up for a dollar’ nights on Wednesdays.
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Tabu
A mishmash of thumping hip-hop, dance and techno beats against three huge video walls and flashing lights. Expect masses of grooving bodies throwing back shots and clutching domestic beers.
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