House of Blues Sunday Gospel Brunch

[surgefest]

Who has done this and what can you tell me about it. I had heard about the HOB Sunday gospel brunch a year or so ago but i thought i had heard it was discontinued but i think my information is wrong. We are hoping maybe to try this on our next trip if anyone could give me an information or review of when they did it i would be so appreciative. The times, Food, entertainment. I really know nothing about it so anything would be great! Thanks!

 

[Dis Ohana]

We have reservations for the Sunday Gospel Brunch, so it's definitely still going on. We did have to call HOB directly to make reservations, you have to give them a cc number to hold the tickets for you.
I found a menu and seating times on their website: http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/orlando/gospelbrunch.asp

 

[Robert P]

Since info seems scarce on this event, I'll throw out some:
We did this several years ago. There were 2 seating times, I recall it was either 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. for the first, then another time maybe 2.5 hours later.
This was a reserved seat event, unlike most of the general admission concerts that HOB hosts.

The food was good, but the buffet lines formed quickly. After the lines died down somewhat, they seemed to be breaking down some of the serving areas too early, and certainly weren't restocking remaining food stations as heavily. But, the food was all very good, and I especially recall the made-to-order omelet station, and the shrimp.
The entertainment was loud, and energetic, and did I mention loud. It is a gospel brunch, and the entertainment is gospel music, performed by a large number of people. They urge the audience to stand up and clap and sing along.

The only advice I can give is that you have to try it for yourself. We did, and it was fine, but the loud gospel singing just wasn't our thing. I would consider going back (for the food), but just haven't gotten around to a return visit yet.

Hope others have more info for you.

 

[Dis Ohana]

RobertP, I've heard that the seats on the main floor can be very loud if near a speaker so I asked not to be seated there. I don't quite understand the layout for the seats above the main floor, though. I was told there is a raised area (where the buffet is) and a second floor area. Which would you reccommend?

 

[Robert P]

Dis Ohana,
If it helps, think of it as 3 levels. A 'pit' = main floor, level 1 = raised area, level 2 = second floor

When we went, the main floor (pit) consisted of long rows of tables, almost like a huge picnic setup, that bumped up (perpendicular) against the stage. Around the perimeter of that, there were high tables, I would call them cocktail tables except they had tall seats for sitting. We originally were going to sit at the 'picnic tables', but decided when booking to sit at the high tables. We had no problem with the speakers, but weren't overly close to any where we sat. Outside of the main floor area (pit), there were tables around the railing, but I don't know if they were in use during the Gospel Brunch, since the omelet stations and some food areas spread out on the sides as well.

For the lowest noise level, I would guess it to be the second floor area, if the distance to the buffet is not a problem for your party. If you want the ground floor level, then the high tables worked fine for us. I would stay away from the picnic tables at all costs: they were closest to the stage, and navigating down the long row to ones seat could be a challenge at times. Lots of clapping and singing there, and some seats were very close to the stage indeed.

All that said, this was my recollection from years ago. The layout may have changed.
Please let us know your thoughts on the whole experience, when you get back. There aren't alot of reviews out there, on this event.

 

[surgefest]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Dis Ohana]

Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed response! That's exactly what I wanted to know. The person making our reservations did say we were on the "raised tier" in front of the buffets, I assume those are the tables around the railing. I think that should work for us. I'll definitely post a review and pictures when we get back. You're right, there is so little information about the Gospel Brunch.