Most recently we knew it by their prior name Barbarella.And in between Barbarella names, most-famously as Independent Bar. But sadly, last night was their final night downtown after operating for about 37 years at this location and thus Orlando’s longest-running dance club.We thought we’d beat the crowd by arriving around 10:30PM. We walked into THIS!And just as it should be on a Saturday night, DJ Indie John (USA) was in the perch delivering the good stuff!Working in tandem with Lighting Tech Ernie.The dance floor was wall-to-wall.The Saturday night format of 80’s New Wave and Alternative had the floor as packed as we’ve ever seen it!Indie John would alternate with DJ Kimball Collins (USA) all evening.Along with “Sunday Night Vinyl”, Thursday’s “Mac & Cheese” night, Friday nights’ recent Discothèque and their monthly Gothy “Memento Mori” nights, Barbarella has long stood for quality entertainment. But with a generally older clientele, many of the regulars stopped coming downtown after the covid19 re-openings which necessitated a move to a more suburban location where free parking and improved security could be offered. Of course, OEN will have full coverage of their new venue.We first discovered Independent Bar following the closure of Mannequins at Pleasure Island and our subsequent search for someplace new. So we’ve been coming here for more than 13 years!Spotted in the booth: DJ Gregory B (USA)Spotted in VIP: DJ Icey (USA) with MC Collaborator (USA). We had just seen both of them perform last week at Galaxy Music Gathering in Miami. LINKSpotted on the dance floor: Emily & CJ (from afar).Spotted on the dance floor: CJ & Emily (close-up).Spotted by the bar: Tina, Laraine & ReneeSpotted in Economy Class seating: Whoop Whoop FrankSpotted on the dance floor: DJ Matt (USA) and friend. Over the years we’ve seen Matt working the decks here in Orlando but he was also the weekend resident DJ at Barbarella Tampa. LINKSpotted on the famous VIP bench seat: Tracy with DJ Dave Cannalte (USA). Read all about this famous VIP bench seat in this prior OEN article here.Spotted on the dance platform: AngeliqueSpotted on the dance floor: Lynette & AdamSpotted on the dance floor: Yochi and friends.Spotted on the dance platform: Barbarella bar staff having one last dance!2AM and last call had passed yet no one was leaving!Ditto at 2:30AM when John said thanks and goodbye but the peeps wanted one more song! And another!And the shiny disco ball stopped spinning.And the strobes stopped strobbing.But this is what we’ll always remember. We hope that it carries over to their new location opening in 2 weeks at 4141 N. John Young Parkway. Because at Barbarella, a good time was always had by…..all.
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