 I guess by now you've figured out the theme of this week's section. But when it comes to nightlife, it's hard to call out an end-all-be-all best in town. Not because I'm wishy-washy, far from it. It's because the nightlife scene is ever-changing -- clubs go out of business constantly, and bars change events and motifs more than I change . . . well, you know the saying.
Point is, the nightlife scene moves as hard and fast as its patrons. But being the opinionated bar hopper I am, that's not going to stop me from giving you my two cents.
In a couple of categories, including gay/lesbian bar, which is kind of in flux right now, you won't see a defined favorite. Three bars that do well (and I mean are still in business) are Savoy, Paradise and of course, Parliament House, all in Orlando. Another category I'm holding off on is best wine bar, since the demise of Global Grape Wines, which would have taken the prize. Right now I can say Brix Eurobistro is strong. But for now:
Best bar: McRaney's Tavern at 1566 W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park. Already, my first choice is a place that wasn't even around a year ago. But the owners certainly were. Co-owners Michael McRaney and Gerard Mitchell also own popular music venue The Social in downtown Orlando. They accomplished what the bar in its former life, then known as Fairbanks Tavern, never could: pack the joint. Fantastic beer selection, drink specials and a staff that is friendly and on it from the moment you walk up to the bar help make this place a popular hangout that will hopefully be around for a while.
Best pub: Bull & Bush at 2408 E. Robinson St. in Orlando. Actually, there are some constants, and for the past 20 years Bull & Bush has been a delightful one in the Orlando pub scene. As I wrote last May: "It's nice to have that default bar, for when you feel like going out but really don't feel like going out. When you know you can walk into the place, and regardless of whether your hair is done or you're wearing your flip-flops, a welcoming face and a cold pint will be waiting for you at the bar." Not to mention they have the best snakebite in town.
Best nightclub: Independent Bar at 70 N. Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando. OK, this makes it two venues that have been here for 20 years: My choice for best nightclub has gone through many name and cosmetic changes in that time. But the music and the vibe have stayed the same, concentrating on mostly indie, goth and old school. I cut my nightlife fangs at this club -- it's still my first choice when I want to go dance -- and from the looks of the crowd on a weekend night, it's many others' first choice as well.
Best beer selection: Jax Fifth Ave. Deli & Ale at 951 Greenwood Blvd. in Lake Mary. This is really a no-brainer, folks. Owner Jack Thompson opened this second location of his popular bar (first is in College Park) this past summer and offers 300 types of beer, 60 of those on tap. Best of all, you can keep track of all the damage you're doing to your liver through the bar's popular "Mugger's Club." Drink 100 different beers, and you get a glass mug with your name etched into it.
Best martini: Tryst Martini Bar on 41 W. Church St. in downtown Orlando. Tryst keeps alive the spirit of previous tenant Ybor's Martini Bar. Especially in the martinis, with a "Seven Deadly Sins" list that includes "Sloth," "Pride" and "Envy," all sinful indeed. The prices are typically high, but happy hour offers $8 "Seven Deadly Sins" martinis Tuesday-Friday, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Best happy hour: Brix Eurobistro at 151 E. Washington in downtown Orlando. There's no denying free cheese and chocolate take the cake on freebie lists. A newbie in town, Brix offers exactly that to its patrons during its "Fondue Friday" happy hour 4-7 p.m. Along with free cheese and chocolate fondues, there also are $4 draft beers that include Bass, Hoegaarden and Stella Artois, and $4 glasses of select wines. In fact, you can get those prices seven days a week at Brix (yeah, including weekends) 4-7 p.m., it's just the free fondue you have to wait until Friday for.
Best bachelor/bachelorette spot: Wall St. Plaza in downtown Orlando. A block-party atmosphere where there are eight locations for you to eat, drink, listen to a band, dance in a club and vomit on your friend's camera. Although I was a fan of Wall Street past, there is no denying this is the ideal spot to bring your pal before their big day -- and guarantee they won't remember a thing about what they did the next day.
Best atmosphere: NV at 27 E. Pine St. in downtown Orlando. Photography studio and gallery meets weekend wine bar -- how can you not score high in the atmosphere department? Throw in a rooftop view of downtown Orlando and you take home the top prize. Open only Friday and Saturday 10 p.m.-2 a.m., NV and owner Curt Littlecott have brought a big-city feel to this space without trying a tenth as hard as most of the ultra-lounges around town.
Orlando Improv says it will fight
Bob Joyce, general manager of the Tampa Improv, owned by the same folks as the now-shuttered Orlando Improv, says they are seeking a lawsuit against landlord Cameron Kuhn for breaches in contract. He wouldn't comment further but says Orlando Improv is seeking a new location.
Kelly Fitzpatrick can be reached at 407-420-5710.
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