Nightlife
for a Florida Vacation
By Caroline Brame
Florida has long been known for a party destination
mostly due to the fact that Spring Breakers have
come to the Keys, Panama City, Fort Lauderdale,
and Daytona for years. However, Florida has a great
nightlife any place any time of the year, no matter
what the reason. Learn about hot spots and locals
secrets to get the most out of your Florida vacation.
Jacksonville
Kick off the night in Jacksonville, home to the
University of North Florida and a great twenty
to thirty-something crowd. The party scene is
found over the Intracoastal Waterway at the Jacksonville
Beaches. Start the night right at Ragtime Taproom
and Brewery, a locals’ favorite known for
great microbrews and live music. Voted “Best
Brew Pub” year after year, the large bar
starts filling up with the after-work crowd and
does not empty until closing time. Head to the
boardwalk to find The Atlantic, known for tasty
appetizers and a great happy hour. Nightly music
will range from jazz to hard rock and techno and
begins around 9:30. If the typical “beach
bar” is what you are in the mood for, look
no further than Bukkets. Play pool, grab a drink,
or watch people on the boardwalk in this high-energy
drinking hole. Freebird Live was built in commemoration
of Jacksonville native Ronnie VanZant of Lynyrd
Skynyrd. This is where to go if you are looking
to hear great live music. Past performers include
Charlie Daniels, Willie Nelson, and Blues Traveler.
Jacksonville has it all: a great nightlife, gorgeous
beaches, and locals that love to have a good time.
Panama City Beach
Heading west will take you to Panama City Beach,
home to one of the largest Spring Break gatherings
in the state. Front Beach Road is home to two
PCB staples, Harpoon Harry’s and Sharky’s
Beach Club. Harpoon Harry’s has tasty late
night snacks, great drinks, and local live music.
This is the ideal place for anyone wanting to
avoid the crowds at larger clubs. Sharky’s
is a Panama City Beach institution, having been
home to the Tiki Hut for almost 20 years. Hear
live bands, drink mixed drinks, and enjoy fresh
seafood where the energy is always high. The Boatyard
attracts tourists and locals alike with a laid
back atmosphere, delicious late-night treats,
and live music. The dance floor is always full
and the party goes on all night. Club La Vela
is the nation’s largest nightclub with ten
theme rooms, each with its own style of music
and atmosphere. Get to the club early and stay
late at one of the trendiest nightclubs in the
world. Panama City Beach continues its reputation
for having one of the best late night scenes in
Florida.
Orlando
Central Florida brings Orlando as its top nightlife
scene. With quite a few colleges and universities
in the area, theme parks with adult hours, and
locals who like to have fun, there are plenty
of options when it comes to local nightlife. Pleasure
Island, part of Walt Disney World, turns into
fun for the adults after dark. Purchasing a pass
gets you into the clubs and attractions like BET
SoundStage Club, 8TRAX, Mannequins Dance Club,
Motions, and the Rock 'n' Roll Beach Club. Universal
Studios answers back with its own adult nightlife
scene found at CityWalk. Although there is no
entrance fee, it is suggested to purchase the
Party Pass that gets you free cover and priority
entrance to BB Kings Blues Club, Howl at the Moon,
Jillian’s Hi-Life Lanes, Rumba Room and
the Saddle Ranch Chop House, as well as, plenty
of other freebies. The nightlife in Orlando does
not end at the theme parks. Head to downtown Orlando
to experience what the locals do after dark. Tabu
Night Club is a more sophisticated alternative
to Orlando nightlife with a dress code. The Art
Deco design, friendly staff, fabulous drinks and
appetizers, and celeb DJ’s make this the
place to go when looking for a more matrue atmosphere.
Roxy is the heart of the Orlando nightlife scene
and is the place to go if you want to see and
be seen. This huge bi-level club has multiple
rooms to cater to whatever mood and price level
you are interested in. Orlando, known for children’s
theme parks and dreamlands, becomes an adult’s
playground at sunset.
Fort Lauderdale
Heading south brings you to Fort Lauderdale,
home of the original Spring Break party scene.
Start your vacation at the Elbo Room, an iconic
beachside bar surviving from the “Where
The Boys Are” era. Live music and ambiance
make this a must- visit. The Art Bar is an up
and coming Fort Lauderdale hot spot with great
drinks and music. The Martini Bar, located downtown,
is the new rage with fun takes on the classic
martini. Crowds love the fun staff and atmosphere.
The best dueling piano bar around, Howl at the
Moon, is full of great eats, entertainment, and
is one of the most fun nights out around. If hip-hop
is your forte, visit G.O.A.T. Open seven days
a week, this lounge and bar is the only place
to go every night of the week. There are plenty
of other beach bars, dance clubs, and cool lounges
around town. Visit them all to find your favorite
late-night spot in Fort Lauderdale.
Miami
Last, although certainly no least, we come to
Miami, home to South Beach and one of the hottest
nightlife scenes in the world. The rich and famous,
as well as, your everyday Miami vacationer can
be found in the clubs, bars, and lounges in this
wildly fun city. Miami’s top DJ’s
perform at Club Space, located downtown. A huge
dance floor, open-air patio, and a dazzling light
show are sure to keep you entertained from sundown
to sun-up. Heading to South Beach will bring you
to some of the most well known clubs in the country.
The Marlin Bar is a place to expect to see celebrities
and enjoy at laid-back atmosphere at the same
time. There are plenty of couches and chairs,
ample of space, and live jazz and world beat music
to enjoy. Jazid is a popular bar, known for a
great atmosphere, live jazz, and a sultry feel.
If looking for something other than live music,
head up to the loft for music spun by popular
DJ’s. For those looking to impress, get
dressed to kill and head to Tantra, home to one
of the more exotic atmospheres in South Beach.
This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and bar
has a real grass floor, waterfalls, hookah pipes,
and plush couches. Great martinis and one of the
best menus on the Beach are accompanied by a cigar
bar and fabulous company.
It’s easy to enjoy a Florida vacation with
such great activities, fabulous vacation rentals
, and beautiful beaches that stretch for miles.
Florida is known for being home to the hottest
trends in music, couture, and nightlife. Whether
looking for the newest club, a laid-back tiki
bar on the beach, or the hottest nightclub, this
state has all of it and more.
Caroline Brame writes travel
articles for RentalsExpress.com. For more information
on Florida travel, as well as, other vacation
destinations, please visit http://www.RentalsExpress.com
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