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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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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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CityWalk
Universal Studio's CityWalk has a concentration of movies, restaurants and clubs, and an around US$12 CityWalk Party Pass gives you access to most clubs. Venues include CityJazz (tel: 407-224-2189) and Hard Rock Live Orlando (tel: 407-351-5483; www.hardrocklive.com).
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Downtown Disney
Disney wouldn't dream of leaving you with non-Disney downtime, so it built Downtown Disney as a slightly overwhelming evening entertainment complex.
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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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Faces
A well-established lesbian bar north of downtown on the west side of the I-4.
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Full Moon Saloon
A lively leather and Levi's gay bar in close proximity to Parliament House.
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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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Independent Bar
Crowded and loud, the Independent plays host to DJs spinning underground dance and alternative rock until the wee hours of the morning. Women receive free drinks until midnight on Wednesday so bring your thirsty lady friends.
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John & Jason's Coffee Shoppe
A gay hangout that serves coffee and sandwiches alongside acoustic entertainment most weekend nights.
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John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center
The John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center underwent extensive renovations in 2004-05 and is now 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.
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Kate O'Brien's Irish Pub & Restaurant
Has live music Thursday to Saturday (no cover), lots of good beer on tap and standards like fish & chips on the menu.
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Loaded Hog
Fun drinking atmosphere with a hodgepodge of decorations and a live trivia show on Wednesday nights.
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Monkey Bar
A place Indiana Jones might nip into for a strong shot. It's known for its oversized martinis and people-watching balcony.
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One-Eyed Jack's
A serious drinkers' bar with gimmicky 'shot wheel' and live music on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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Orlando Ballet
Offers dance performances year-round at various locations in the area.
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Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic is Orlando's powerhouse men's NBA basketball team and plays home games at the TD Waterhouse Centre.
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Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle, a Women's National Basketball Association team plays at the TD Waterhouse Centre.
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Orlando Predators
The Arena Football League team, Orlando Predators, plays at the TD Waterhouse Centre.
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SAK Comedy Lab
A comedy/improvisation troupe that packs 'em in on weekends; make reservations.
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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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Slingapour's
A slick dance club with Asian influences and a large outdoor patio.
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Social
Superdrag, the Raveonettes and Modest Mouse have graced 'the' stage for live music in Orlando, and if you don't know who they are, you probably wouldn't like the music here anyway. Intimate seating, vaulted ceilings, an enormous bar and VIP lounges bring a little South Beach style to Central Florida.
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Southern Nights
A gay and lesbian hangout, just north of the Orlando Executive Airport, it attracts more of a mixed crowd.
