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Back Booth
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Nightlife Dance Clubs Music Venues, Bars, Dance Clubs [Edit]
37 W Pine StOrlando, FL 32801
Neighborhood: Downtown
(407) 999-2570
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ages Allowed:
- 18+
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
34 reviews for Back Booth
Review Highlights
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"Need to go back to Midnight Mass soon." In 5 reviews -
"If you are visiting Orlando, you should come check it out." In 5 reviews -
"...love seeing up and coming bands perform in a small intimate..." In 11 reviews
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34 reviews in English
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Review from Amber M.
Orlando, FL
1/6/2012
I have never had more fun anywhere else.
Midnight Mass just never fails to make my night. Yeah, so it's grungy and looks a bit sketchy but everytime I go in there everyone is having a good time. The atmosphere is just really chill and as cliche as it sounds, you can really be yourself in backbooth. No one really cares what you do because they're too busy having a good time themselves.
The bartenders are lovely and the bouncers aren't bad either.
The music is ALWAYS amazing.
I highly recommend this place if you're just looking to have an all around good time.
Also, it stays open later than most clubs which is definitely a plus. -
Review from Cass X.
Kissimmee, FL
5/15/2012
I've been here countless times for both clubbing and live music, and I almost always have an amazing night; not to say that there's nothing to complain about, but I'll get to that in the cons.
Pros:
-Sketchy looking place, but despite its appearance the atmosphere inside is chill
-Smaller in size, more intimate experience for shows because you can stand right next to the stage
-Very cheap or no cover on club nights, even for people under 21
-Two decent sized bars on either side of the building
-Bartenders don't get bitchy when you ask them for a cup of water
-Decent lights
-Great sound system
-Glowsticks and gloves allowed
-No crazy strict dress code (shorts/hats/jeans are just fine)
-You can be on the dance floor without feeling watched/judged because everyone is too busy having a good time to be stuck up
-Of course, if you enjoy the limelight, you can hop on stage and dance
-Younger crowd on club nights (this could be a pro or con I guess) The crowd is typically 18-early 20s.
-Great music mix on Monday/Saturday nights
-Fun photo booth
-You can smoke inside
-Pretty clean place. People may leave their empty cans/cups or cigarette butts laying around, but you always see the staff keeping up with it.
Cons:
-Only two restrooms, one men's, one women's. The women's restroom is almost always packed and there aren't nearly enough stalls...or toilet paper. Be prepared to wait in line and pray for the best.
-If you're there on a club night it tends to get uncomfortably hot
-If you're under 21 and need to step outside for a break from the heat/smoke, they will not let you back in without paying again
-Bouncers are serious business. They will kick your ass out so fast if they catch you arguing/fighting or underaged drinkers (learned that from experience, time and time again)
-The bar toward the back tends to get overcrowded. It could take you 20 minutes to get your drink after you've successfully managed to push your way through the masses.
-You WILL get your feet stepped on multiple times on a Saturday night since there are so many people dancing in that tiny venue. Ladies, you can leave the heels at home for this one.
-Very limited space to sit. There never seems to be enough room in the booth, and all of the stools are typically taken.
Best nights to go:
-Whenever there's a good show
-Saturday and Monday for dancing -
Review from Colleen B.
Orlando, FL
Ok, the only issue I have with this place is 18 and up. I know, how old lady of me. However, I swear the 18 year olds come out in droves.
Anyway, solid bartenders.
Great spot for live music.
And I have recently discovered CRUSH on Monday nights... INTENSE - solid DJs literally just crushing the beats on the turntables. It's a night of seriously amazing dancing. An underground dance party for sure!Listed in: Orlando Venues, Downtown Orlando Nightlife
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Review from Ashley S.
Apopka, FL
9/14/2011
I like Back Booth for these reasons:
Good local shows
Midnight Mass
Drink specials are decent
Photobooth
Location
I dislike Back Booth for these reasons:
So. Damn. Hot.
Crying 18-year-olds hogging the bathroom stalls (which never have toilet paper)
Ridiculously crowded
Seriously, do not wear open shoes here because people will step on your feet over and over throughout the night. Most of them with their high heels. Also, you may or may not leave with cigarette burns, because no one watches where they're going.
Back Booth is a fun place to take someone that lives out of town, because it definitely has that local hole-in-the-wall feel. The music is good, and the people are usually more relaxed than those at similar bar/clubs. You're not going to get harassed by people just looking to hook up- most people genuinely go there to have a good time and dance.
Easy-going crowd for the most part, but sometimes a few jerks ruin the night with their stampeding with cigarettes. 2-for-1 PBR specials on Saturdays.Listed in: Drinking Time
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Review from Cristina C.
Orlando, FL
8/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Filthy, dirty Back Booth is where you go to make memories.
Most of my memories are hazy due to strong drinks, but I was there during a Doug Stanhope concert when the opening comedian's head was put through the men's bathroom wall, causing a huge chunk of wall to fall out in the neighboring women's bathroom.
I was also there when that opening comedian got his ass kicked later in the evening as his racist, homophobic act didn't appeal to anybody in attendance.
Back Booth has a grungy, unsterilized feeling to it, which is why I love it. The bathroom walls are covered in graffiti and the place seems to be caked in soot. The tiny space's walls are covered in posters, and I often have to resist the urge to yoink them.
The bartenders vary from rude and rushed to chilled-out, but they offer a strong pour. This place used to having the best New Year's Eve special in town, $20 all-you-can-drink, but like everything else that was once great in Orlando it seems to have vanished.
The stage is tiny and performances seem intimate no matter where you stand. The space often feels overheated due to its bitty size, so prepare to sweat. If the memories you make are a little hazy, there's a photobooth in the back where you can try to squeeze in four people and then argue over who gets to keep the $5 memento.
Saturday night is often an indie music night, meaning a guy sits up in the DJ booth and plays his iTunes collection off his MacBook. The clientele is mostly young, decked out in spiked heels and falling off the stage. If you're older and still fairly hip, you'll fit in here because you probably don't give a shit about fitting in anywhere.
I love you, Back Booth. Install some air-conditioning and I might consider visiting you in the summer. -
Review from Matthew L.
San Antonio, TX
1/19/2012
I visited Orlando for a friends birthday, we went here on Footloose Dance Party Night! We had a blast! Great Drink Specials! They allow 18 year old's and up. But I didn't really see that has a problem! Everyone there seemed to be there to have a good time. So, that's what we did!
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Review from Keith H.
3/28/2011
Friday night I visited Back Booth to see "Material". They were the third set of performers. While I admit I don't listen to the type of music that was played, I can appreciate live bands. However, the review is on Back Booth, not the bands playing.
First, walking up you know you're in for a "hole in the wall" treat by the appearance on the outside. Its just off orange ave on Pine st. Its poorly lit entrance gives way to a table full of the featured bands cd's, t-shirts and other memorabilia.
Just inside to your right you will find a full bar with various beers. Decent selection, common beers and a few ales. The service is decent and out of the two tenders that worked the bar this night, both were fairly quick and efficient.
Straight out from the bar is the stage area/entertainment room. The stage is on the left when you enter the room, some stools to the right with a step up then more stools behind a 20 ft long 10-12 inch deep railing for holding drinks while you sit and watch the show.
to the right of the stage looks like booths you were sit in if you had a private party, but it wouldn't be a good view of the band. But they seemed to be used for staging each band's equipment. further to the back of the place you have another small type of gathering area that no one populates, again, you can't see much of the stage from there.
Diagonal from the stage across the room you have a caged area, that is for the mixing, mic controls, and volume controls. I don't know this person but my ears still hurt from the sound. It was actually too loud for the size of the room.
The mic checks didn't help as the drums and guitars drowned out any of the sound the singers were making. Only a few lower toned songs yielded understandable lyrics. Note: if you're an up and coming band, have your own songs, wouldn't it be nice for people to know what the heck you're saying vs just listening to guitars and drums?
Advice: The space used in back booth is poorly managed. You could set the place up in a different way to maximize your floor space. Yet still have an equipment staging area. You could easily create a stage with more space, have a curtain for sound checks, manage the hundreds of feet of wires, better lighting placement, back stage for performer entrance etc..
Overall, i like the concept. its a small venue place with live bands playing only feet from your face. the crowd seems cool and trendy (if you're into the hipster scene). I would go back, but i will probably sit by the bar or towards the back of the suite so my ears aren't hurting from the volume.
Or, maybe my 33 years of age is too old for this place? -
Review from Elise K.
Tulsa, OK
5/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Back Booth is a fine venue if you don't mind a small, smoky environment with surly bartenders. It's an excellent place for an intimate musical experience.
If you're looking for a big place with great sound that's smoke free, this is not the place for you.
If you're looking for a tiny, intimate concert where you can buy the band a drink and hang out with them before or after the show, this is the place to go. -
Review from Jessica V.
Orlando, FL
3/30/2011 7 Check-ins Here
I've never seen a band play here, but I'm sure it would be a great location. The venue is small and intimate with a bar in the front and one in the back to wet your whistle.
I go to this place on Friday and Saturday night for indie music and lively dancing and it's wonderful! You can't go wrong if the DJ plays Beating Hearts Baby by Head Automatica. If you don't know it, download it and dance like no one's watching! -
Review from Jennifer M.
Orlando, FL
12/28/2010 1 Check-in Here
Cool place. Like another reviewer stated, it has a weird layout, but it's a cozy intimate venue for live music performances (which I prefer).
I went for the first time by myself and didn't feel too awkward or anything. I didn't feel as though I stuck out like a sore thumb.
The drink prices are a little higher and if you're hanging at the bar, you can't see the stage, but overall it's a pretty cool place. -
Review from Dean R.
Winter Park, FL
12/12/2011
One of my favorite intimate live venues here in Orlando. After deejaying and performing at several venues, their sound system take 2nd only to the Social. If ya see me deejayin over there, make sure to grab me a long island!
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Review from Steve A.
10/9/2011
Don't make it downtown very often but a lot of the time its to come here.. so the first thing of mention for me is the spectrum of what they book.. I've seen everything from Death Metal to Rockabilly to Comedy here. Beer selection is plenty colorful.. people here have always been cool. Plus, if you're lame enough to get there early (like me sometimes), there are cool seats at stage left and up on the second tier.
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Review from Travis B.
Orlando, FL
8/8/2010
I was there just Friday night to see one of my favorite bands, So Contagious. I waited for over on hour to get in before the doors opened, but once they did, the place got really crowded fast. And being under 21, they marked both of my hands with big black X's, which I'm assuming is tradition at every club. Again, being under 21, I wasn't allowed to buy anything from the bar, not that I'd want to even if I was of age. And they allow smoking indoors, which bothers my allergies, and I also don't smoke.
Like I said, it was pretty crowded within about 20 minutes after opening. Would I recommend Back Booth? Yes, but not if you don't like crowds, alcohol, or smoking. Would I ever go back? Yes, when one of my favorite singers/bands is performing. They also have theme nights. I'm not sure about those, because that was my first time going there.
If you live in the downtown Orlando area, or you plan to visit, check them out. -
Review from Aaron F.
Orlando, FL
9/27/2009
Backbooth is one of those places where there is always budding local, regional, and national talent ready to prove themselves. And sometimes, they succeed and everyone leaves happy. The bar has a great beer selection and bartenders that are quick and professional. In fact, Backbooth's key strength is the promptness of its bartenders.
I will agree with some who criticize the sound mixes at this venue. The sound person mixes from a cage underneath the stairs so it cannot be all that easy to get a good mix in the room. This is forgiven because when a good band is playing, the songs should shine through even the worst mix.
If a band you like, or think you might like is playing at Backbooth, definitely go check it out. Alternatively, if dancing is your thing, they have some cool nights such as Crush, Midnight Mass, and Footloose to keep you happy.Listed in: Orlando Music Scene
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Review from Jeff O.
2/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
Cozy little venue just off Orange Ave, down Pine St.
The layout is a bit weird: Bar at the entrance. Okay. But if you're at the bar, you can't really see the stage, it's in the other room. The stage is in the corner aiming at the back of the venue (opposite direction of the bar).
When it comes to live music, the sound system is very good... if you catch the sound guy on a good night. It's hit or miss. Each band and their individual equipment can a factor at times, I suppose. That said, Backbooth is still one of the best places around to see live bands. The stage is big and there's a dance floor, and different levels of viewing.
Club nights take off and bring the kids out! I never go because I'm too uncool for that stuff, but I know it's a popular trend. These dance parties tend to fall on weeknights.
There is a lot of talk about the bartenders here. Some people love them, some people make fun of them. They seem okay to me, if less than personable at times. One guy apparently complains a lot that people don't tip him for water. Ha!
The strong point of this bar is Chris Anderson, the club promoter. He is responsible for bringing in a steady stream of talented bands, of national and international repute. "Parafora Presents" is his label, so to speak. -
Review from Elizabeth B.
Winter Park, FL
9/29/2009 1 photo
Last night I got the chance to see Three Days Grace play over at Backbooth. It was a private showing to listeners of WJRR who had entered a contest to see this show. I hadn't been to Backbooth in awhile, so I was happy at the chance to go back and hear live music in this venue.
Just as I remember the band sounded great in Backbooth. I couldn't even tell you the type of sounding they have inside there, but Three Days Grace rocked the place! The process of getting drinks at the bar even with a bar filled with people was still smooth and prompt. The bartenders are great, really friendly, and the whole atmosphere was awesome.
If you haven't seen a show there, I urge you to check it out. I also remember they have an 80s night that is so much fun! Next time I won't wait as long before I go back there :) -
Review from Elizabeth F.
Orlando, FL
12/27/2009 1 Check-in Here
Backbooth is a GREAT atmosphere for music. I used to go there every weekend for Midnight Mass - where they play THE best indie, pop, rock and Motown music. Most of those nights, we would just end up putting our heart and souls on the dance floor - dancing like crazy people and having a great time.
There are tons of really fun people at Backbooth to hang out with and get to know. Personally, I've never been there for live music, but I've heard they have a pretty decent selection of musicians and a decent sound system.
Love this place! Need to go back to Midnight Mass soon! -
Review from Annabel H.
Orlando, FL
Updated - 6/19/2010
I should add that I am in love with Midnight Mass and you'll see me on the stage nearly every Saturday.
One of the best mixes of music in central Florida.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/20/2009
Best venue for bands and best bartenders in Orlando. I saw Nightmare of You a few weeks ago and I… Read more »
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Review from Jim C.
Maitland, FL
1/25/2012
Many thanks to two staff members there. I wish that I could recall their names. After enjoying a show there last night (Gabe Dixon, Lelia Broussard) I went to purchase CDs from the artists at the merch table when I realized that money was missing from my wallet. Turns out that in my haste to enter, I had paid cash for 2 tickets when I had actually prepaid for will call tix online! I asked several of the staff there if I could get a refund ($24) or credit for bar tab on a future visit, that they could verify my identity against the will call list which would indicate that I did not pick up the tix. This request was met with resistance (deemed impossible) and we got into a standoff. I requested to contact the owner however was told that the owner was out of town. A staff member offered to give me the owner's email address and left momentarily to get it. A bartender Josh overheard the discussion and graciously offered to give me $15 in bar coupons. Just then, the staff member (name is Chris perhaps) who left to get the email address returned and gave me $24, saying, " just take this." He said it was his personal money. Although reluctant, I took it, expressed gratitude and then bought two CDs from the artists. Hopefully fairness will prevail and the owner will reimburse this person, who exhibited customer service to the max.
Support Live Music, before it isn't!!! -
Review from Roxanne L.
Winter Park, FL
4/12/2011
Went to Backbooth for the first time to see my friend's friend, Traverser, play before they go off for their 2 month long tour on the second day of Florida Music Festival.
While this is not my scene - was in high school - I managed to enjoy the crowd and the ambiance. First of all, I would like to note how people there genuinely have a love for music and are super supportive and amazing. Great crowd!
I also loved the fast bar service, didn't have to wait long and people were attentive and nice. Price is decent too :)
The venue is small but it works - I ended up moving one of those stools to the middle of the "dance floor" because standing for 3 hours is more than a job on its own.
A perk in my book is the photobooth! I love it - but I wish I knew how much it was ($3) but I was super confused as there were no labels...maybe it got peeled off or covered, I don't know. But yes, this is just a fun thing to check out while the bands are busy setting up and whatnot!
I would recommend checking their website to see who they have scheduled to play before coming here as my friends told me their DJ nights are a bit awkward due to the setup of the club. And, if this is your idea of a fun night out, I think Backbooth has a lot to offer :) -
Review from Bryne Y.
Orlando, FL
8/28/2010
My favorite music venue downtown. Good sound (loud, bring some earplugs if you're old), perfect size (not too big, not too small) and a friendly enough staff.
Taking off one star because the drink prices are just a bit higher than I think they should be (seriously, five bucks for a pint of Yuengling?) I've only ever been here for shows so I can't speak to how good or bad those other, more dance-oriented nights are. Not my scene. -
Review from Julie A.
10/12/2008
O man! It has been an extremely long time since I've been to a club that catered to House heads. Lol. The dance floor was split up into a lower level and a higher level.
It was a Thursday night so my 21+ friends and I all got in free (hooray!) and everyone there was just having a good time and seemed like they were just there to dance, not on the prowl like what I normally see at other places.
The music was really, really good. Some guys in front of my group were doing some uprock moves. Lol. I would have stayed there the entire night if my friends were into techno and house. -
Review from Carly J.
Winter Springs, FL
7/8/2010
Favorite place to go out in downtown Orlando.
I've found Midnight Mass on Saturdays to be the best dance night around these days. The DJ on that night is super nice and chill too. Plays a good mix of trendy music and stuff that everyone can recognize and dance to. Crush is good too but it's a lot of dubstep and I just can't dance to that, but plenty of other people seem to be able to :) 80s night is good if you like the 80s but I'm kind of over that trend.
It's usually a really good crowd. Everyone's just havin fun.
Drinks are not the cheapest in town but they don't skimp on them and they're not ridiculously overpriced. And there's usually no cover so can'r really complain
Also, not my favorite venue for live bands but it's not bad. -
Review from Heide E.
2/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Bring your ear plugs! No seriously bring ear plugs. It's a great little live music venue. I love seeing up and coming bands perform in a small intimate space. It is one stage and two bars. Sometimes they charge a cover so bring cash. They have several shot/beer specials that rotate. Don't expect cushion seats and plush stools. You get bar stools and that's it. Enjoy the inexpensive live music and a live music atmosphere.
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Review from Susan s.
2/28/2010
If you're looking for a grimy bar with great live music, come here! There are no limits to what you can do! I was here last night taking pictures for a hardcore show. Everyone was thrashing and jumping on top of each other. Stage diving is also permitted! I have also used the photobooth a couple of times. That is always fun too. Their drinks are cheap and pretty strong. If you are visiting Orlando, you should come check it out!
Listed in: Orlando is my second home
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Review from Mike Z.
1/27/2011
One of only a couple places in the downtown area that has good live music on a regular basis. Most of the shows I've seen here have been of the "indie"/rock/electronic variety, so this is a place you'll definitely want to look into if you're in town visiting or are just looking to see some new bands and broaden your horizons. The drinks here are good and, depending on what you order, are very reasonably priced.
As a few previous reviewers stated, the layout is very awkward. If you're in the bar, you can only see a little of the stage area. I went to a show here sometime in 2010 and got in late, thinking that it wouldn't be too crowded since I didn't know the group I was seeing was so popular. My mistake, on both counts. I got stuck standing at the bar and behind a ton of people, and could only catch a glimpse of what was going on during the show. It got to be a hassle to even try and watch, so I left early since I couldn't see much of anything. If you're planning on going to see a show here and haven't been before, GET THERE EARLY so you can secure a good spot on the floor in front of the stage or a little further away, where I believe there are a few assorted tables/seats. If possible, try and go with someone else, too, so you can take turns heading to the bar for drinks, if interested. That way, you can keep your spot. Believe me, you don't want to get Shanghaied at the bar and then not be able to make it back/get your spot back, especially if a group you really like or want to see is playing. You'll be disappointed if you get marooned at the bar.
Really, though ... that's my only issue with this place: the chance (and it's a good one) that you'll be stuck at the bar and unable to see anything during a show. Just get there early, if possible. That's the key. Don't miss Back Booth's photo booth - it's one of the establishment's coolest perks. Just about everyone who's been here and lives in Orlando has a picture from BB's photo booth on their Facebook. True story. -
Review from Jamie K.
San Antonio, TX
6/25/2008
Great place for SCARY-OKE...that is what you get when I sing Karoke! Kinda small, but alway a great place to find the locals. Live band frequent the place.
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Review from Rob W.
6/27/2010
I came, I saw, I liked.
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Review from Stephanie L.
Orlando, FL
8/19/2010
I've been here a handful of times and I always have fun. The staff is decent ad the drinks are good. It gets a little crazy on Crush nights, but I've never stayed for very long. The decor is no-frills-punk and random. It gets very loud when there is live music, so bring earplugs (if you're a dork like me). Overall, a solid venue.
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Review from Chris R.
12/8/2007
The stage/layout in this bar is really bad feng shui the stage should be over about 15 feet to the right. The cool thing here is you can buy beer to go if you buy it before 2 am.
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Review from Nathan R.
Orlando, FL
9/27/2008 1 photo
I was first attracted to Back Booth when I caught word of their 80s night a few years ago. They play all 80s music all night, which attracts quite a diverse crowd. I really can't think of anyone who doesn't love the occasional 80s hit, which makes this night a hit as well. A few months ago they did away with this night, but fear not because it has returned to Friday nights now. If you don't like 80s music, you can hang out with a drink and be highly entertained by the corresponding videos that go with the songs.
Back Booth is also host to a slew of local and national rock/punk/emo bands. Then there is the photo booth. You always know you've had a great time at Back Booth when you wake up with the photo strip of you and maybe a few random patrons hazily cramming into the booth. Back Booth is definitely a great rock bar that is perfect for a group of friends to let loose (foot loose) and have a good time. -
Review from Aileen S.
Berkeley, CA
1/26/2009
When I moved to FL. from San Francisco, I thought I'd be resigned to listening to boy bands, or becoming so 'emo' tional. I didn't realize they also had good music / watering holes like the backbooth. I saw 2 shows of SF local bands no less!
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Review from Terrence D.
Boston, MA
6/25/2009
When I was on tour with my old band we stopped here (on a weeknight?). This place was awesome, lots of people, cheap beer, and a cool upstairs area. Somehow, I don't remember paying a cover charge? Either way, stop by this place if you get a chance, it's worth going to.
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Review from john f.
Orlando, FL
6/18/2009
best place to hang out in downtown orlando. they allways have great local rock or metal bands playing, and i forget what day it is. i think either on tuesday or wednesday they have a 3 dollar cover charge and free beer untill the keg runs dry.
