Florida Nightlife

skipn_easy

I've looked through most of the old florida threads in this forum. There's lots of usfel information but mostly around the parks and activites for children. As my boyfriend and I are planning a holiday there (23 and 26) I'd just like to know does anyone have any tips or information about nightlife, the best place for night life (while still having reasonable access to parks or beaches during the day) and how one gets around?

As a car in America is pretty necessary, I'll be renting a car for the entire stay, but then I'm wondering how we'll be able to go out at night as there doesn't seem to be any public transport and I'm guessing most things are a good distance apart? Are there specific resorts or hotels that have excellent nightlife geared towards mid-20s? Is it possible to walk or get cabs to any clubs?

HarryD

skipn_easy wrote:

I've looked through most of the old florida threads in this forum. There's lots of usfel information but mostly around the parks and activites for children. As my boyfriend and I are planning a holiday there (23 and 26) I'd just like to know does anyone have any tips or information about nightlife, the best place for night life (while still having reasonable access to parks or beaches during the day) and how one gets around?

As a car in America is pretty necessary, I'll be renting a car for the entire stay, but then I'm wondering how we'll be able to go out at night as there doesn't seem to be any public transport and I'm guessing most things are a good distance apart? Are there specific resorts or hotels that have excellent nightlife geared towards mid-20s? Is it possible to walk or get cabs to any clubs?

Been to Florida a few times, once for pleasure..
I couldn't find much decent nightlife..
The main attractions of course are the theme parks
just south of Orlando - International drive is where most people stay
Yeah a car is pretty much essential... things are very spread out in Florida.

MizzKattt

Maybe I can help. What part of Florida are you going to?

cousin_borat

Miami has some great nightclubs. Fort Lauderdale and the Keys are more laid back with some nice bars along the beach. Depending on where youre going can be more specific

Grem

Depends on WHERE in Florida.

Miami is kicking, Ft Lauderdale is ok too - was only in one bar though so i can hardly advise.

Orlando it was hard to find a good place, we found it was very family orientated. We went to Universal City Walk and had a great night out there though. But if you look in any way youthful then carry your ID with you all the time, the bouncers are so strict.

skipn_easy

Ok cheers for that. I was wondering which areas in general in Florida would be lively, but also specifically in Orlanda as that would be where I'd be going. Pretty much sums up my expectations on it though.

Repli

There's a super cool, super club called Nerve Lounge in Miami..

masterK

I found Orlando to be pretty quite a night, there is a nightclub on International Drive but it was empty when we were there. There is also an Irish pub on International Drive, close to the Universal end which was about the most lively place we found, they had bands and Karaoke which drew a decent crowd. City Walk in Universal was Ok for dinner, but got very quiet after 10ish.

Lex_Diamonds

Ybor City in Tampa bay has alot of clubs afaik. As for the driving thing, gotta get a taxi or have a designated driver. Or just do what the locals do and drive home regardless of how much you've had to drink.

Lyre61

Downtown disney has an island of night clubs, different styles and tastes in music in each club

Gandhi

Well, I don't know if you want to stray far from Orlando, but Key West has great night life. A lot of it is gay-oriented, but there is also a lot of mainstream bars and nightclubs. I was there for new years one year and they basically had a mini-Mardi Gras there. The streets were closed to traffic and you could drink outdoors, girls flashing the goodies for beads, drag queens everywhere. All kinds of good clean fun. Obviously, its not like that every night, but even the nights surrounding New Years, the place was pretty hopping.

In KW you have the option of staying right in the town (lots of small B&Bs) so you would be within walking distance of the pubs and clubs. Duval Street is the main street for nightlife. We were camping one island East and cycled everywhere. I think there was a decent cab service, though we never had to use it.

I found the beaches in KW to be only okay (not very big, and sand is a bit rough). You might need to head back towards the mainland a bit to get nicer beaches.