Club Reports: CityWalk @ Universal, Atlantic Dance Hall @ Disney

Friday night had arrived! We had not been out to check on Universal CityWalk since June so we were overdue for a visit and curious to see what’s going on with their clubs.
Well, their main dance club, The Groove, remains dark. It can get pretty crowded in there and apparently Universal just isn’t comfortable with exposing their customers to any risk.
Adverts for Friday night resident DJ Chino (USA) and Saturday night resident DJ M-Squared (USA) remain outside. Management says no word yet on any plans for NYE this year.
Red Coconut Club was also dark last night. This was a surprise because they were open during our June visit although there was no dancing at the time and you had to stay seated. Apparently no band, no DJ and no dancing = no business.
Margaritaville was open but it’s primarily a restaurant and bar.
Even at 11PM the place was pretty packed. There was evidence of a small stage set up for singer/guitarist but there was no live music during our visit.
Another busy venue was Rising Star, home of Karaoke.
It’s unique in that singers get music with their song accompanied by a live band! The only difference spotted is between sets when in the past a DJ would play Top 40 music and that area in front of the stage would be packed with dancers. They’re not doing that currently.
The only place with dancing in CityWalk is at Bob Marley’s. They have an outdoor courtyard with a live band playing Reggae and it can be pretty popular in there.
Pat O’Brien’s is open too for food and drinks but their dueling piano room remains non-operational. We’ll continue to keep you posted on any reopening news out of CityWalk. Venue entry is currently free. Parking in Universal garages is free after 6PM (free after 10PM currently during Halloween Horror Nights).
Disney remains cautious too about crowd-attracting events but they have reopened their only remaining owned & operated dance club, Atlantic Dance Hall.
Arriving around midnight, we found resident DJ Lu-s (USA) in the booth.
The Art Deco gem ADH is so huge that even when there’s a crowd, it can appear empty so plenty of space for social distancing. The music is old and new Top 40 plus Hip Hop hits from the 90’s (when Hip Hop was good). But I also heard some Chris Lake (GB) and Tiësto (NL).
Wedding reception after-party taking advantage of the music!
Atlantic Dance Hall is one of the few clubs in town where patrons wear Mouse ears.
DJ Lu-s will be the DJ here at Atlantic Dance Hall on NYE this year. But we’re still waiting on the Mouse to finalize what they’re going to allow that night both here and at nearby EPCOT.
Riding the train! ADH is located at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and admission and parking are free. A good time was had by all.