Saturday night in the city…..and staying away from downtown…..to visit CityWalk at the Universal Orlando Resort. Let’s give you an update on what is going on out there.Red Coconut Club is open but not as you remember it. The dance floor is not currently operational and there is seating only for “small bites” food. The bar is open but you have to be seated at it. Their famous resident “Herb Williams Band” is no longer there and a two person duet was on the stage playing/singing light music.Bob Marley’s is open and is likely the only venue that is close to what it was pre-covid19. Located in an outdoor courtyard, they were open for dinner as a band played Reggae.This was the only CityWalk venue where anyone was dancing.Pat O’Briens has reopened for dinner in their courtyard but no dueling pianos inside. Outside near the entrance they had a piano/vocalist playing requests from passersby.Rising Star was open and had a large crowd. None of the CityWalk venues had a cover charge last night.Very similar to their past model, it’s a Karaoke place with some backup singers joining in. Unlike the past, when the CityWalk staff went on break between sets, there was no DJ last night to fill the gap with music. Pre-covid19 the dance floor down there by the stage would get packed with dancers during the DJ sets. But not right now.Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville is open as a restaurant and gift shop only.Pre-covid they’d have a live band playing Top 40 but there was no sign of such a thing last night.Fat Tuesday was doing a brisk business! Indeed, with Universal theme parks operating at normal summer hours, CityWalk was super busy.The only CityWalk venue still completely closed is their main dance club The Groove. We keep hearing rumors that they may reopen soon but nothing official.The wall outside still displays their resident DJ lineup including DJ PopRoxxx (USA) on Thursdays. DJ Chino (USA) on Fridays.And DJ M-Squared (USA) on Saturdays. Now over to Pointe Orlando to check out Hampton Social.Here we found DJ Leony (USA) in the booth playing House music.While Hampton Social is primarily a restaurant, it has a huge bar scene too and it was busy last night!We’ve known DJ Leony for years from his former residencies at Latin Quarter and Red Coconut Club. Next Friday night he will be back in the helm at Mango’s Tropical Cafe for their reopening!Located away from downtown in Orlando’s “Milk District”, Iron Cow is another venue that has now reopened!Here we found DJ Phoenix Jagger (USA) on the stage!There was a nice crowd on the dance floor.Iron Cow is often the home of electronic music genres so it’s great to see them back open!House music…..in the house!Some renovations were completed while they were closed including numerous circular booths for seating.And wallpaper softens the previous industrial look.Spotted on the dance floor: Dina, Nazila & BabitaDJ Dayz Without (USA) on next.Dance floor stayed busy.Continuing the Housy-vibe of the night.First time seeing Dayz Without since he played at “Sundown Sundays” at The Patio last December. LINK Tonight SS features a secret guest DJ!1AM finally arrived and it was time for the headliner: DJ Iana (MD/USA).Dance floor filled-up again.We’ve seen Iana play previously here at Iron Cow as well as at Celine downtown.A good time was had by all.
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