Nightlife for a Florida Vacation
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.