What are the best bars at CityWalk?

[whitek1275]

My girlfriend and I are turning 21 in April and are taking a trip down for a 3 nights at Universal in May. We've never been to any of the bars obviously, but I'm wondering which are better than other and if so, which order you would do a bar hop in?

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

Best how? Music? Atmosphere? Drinks? Food?

Remember...if you get a multi-day ticket, your CityWalk admission to the clubs is covered. Your ticket would have to be activated to use it at the clubs though.

 

[whitek1275]

Best how? Music? Atmosphere? Drinks? Food?

Remember...if you get a multi-day ticket, your CityWalk admission to the clubs is covered. Your ticket would have to be activated to use it at the clubs though.

I didn't know admission is covered through a multi-day ticket? That's awesome! I'm going to be getting a two day-both parks ticket, with the 3rd day free. So it might make sense for us to just make a quick hour visit to the park to save some money since we won't use the third day!

As for club info, I would say all of the above? Mostly drinks and music, but also atmosphere and food on a lesser note.

 

[Metro West]

As for club info, I would say all of the above? Mostly drinks and music, but also atmosphere and food on a lesser note.

I think the groove would suit you if you're looking for a dance club, Margaritaville is nice and Hard Rock of course.

Check out the website and see what might interest you:

http://www.universalorlando.com/Nightlife/Citywalk-Nightlife.aspx

 

[patster734]

I'm in my 40's, so my tastes may be different, but I love the Dueling Piano Bar located in Pat O'Brien's.

 

[whitek1275]

I think the groove would suit you if you're looking for a dance club, Margaritaville is nice and Hard Rock of course.

Check out the website and see what might interest you:

http://www.universalorlando.com/Nightlife/Citywalk-Nightlife.aspx

Checked it out! The Groove looks pretty cool. Just curious, I'm a singer, so Rising Star looks pretty fun! Have you been before?

 

[Metro West]

Checked it out! The Groove looks pretty cool. Just curious, I'm a singer, so Rising Star looks pretty fun! Have you been before?

I went when it first opened a few years ago but not recently. You would probably get a kick out of it.

 

[justme88]

I'm in my 40's, so my tastes may be different, but I love the Dueling Piano Bar located in Pat O'Brien's.

I'm in my early/mid 20's and LOVE the Dueling Piano Bar! On my last visit they played "We Didn't Start the Fire'' It was awesome.

 

[PammyK]

Rising Star is usually pretty fun with either really good singers or simply terribe singers. Either way, they're is entertaining. It gets crowded fast so if you want a table on the main floor, get there early. Servers are hit or miss, but if you're seated in Kim's section you'll be in good hands. The bartenders pour well if you're looking to enjoy mixed drinks.

Pat O's does have the dueling pianos but for my money, I'd rather go to Jellyrolls at Disney's Boardwalk or even to Howl at the Moon on I-Drive. I've always felt that the piano players at Pat's are the guys who couldn't get hired at the other places. They have an open air courtyard out back and that is a good place to just relax and chill with some food, some drinks and some friends. Their specialty drinks are served in souvenir glasses that they'll box for you to take home. If you visit Pat's you really do need to indulge in one of their hurricanes. Just make sure you've eaten something before drinking it or you'll be wobbling out the door.

For dance music The Groove is usually the place to go. Usually lots of conventioneers here, especially on weeknights. Often has theme nights or guest DJs. Decent drinks and sometimes cheap drink specials.

If you're looking for trendy, Red Coconut tries to fill that role. Not one of my favorite places - it just seems a little stuck on itself but they often have a live band playing. Good if you are a martini fan.

Bob Marley's has a house reggae band and can be fun but when I go there I tend to feel that I stick out like a sore thumb. Good music and usually a packed dance floor.

For latin flavor, Latin Quarter is the hotspot. They play a mix of Latin styles including salsa, merengue, reggaton, etc with a few Pop dance tunes thrown in for good measure. One of nicest looking clubs architecturally and it boasts a large outdoor patio in the front which makes for great people watching. Add in a staff of excellent bartenders and it can be pretty fun.

If you like beer and smoke, Cigars is a good choice. The only indoor venue that allows smoking, be prepared to walk into a hazy cloud of smoke upon entry. Tends to be a favorite among Universal Team Members.

 

[yaytezIOA]

35 and for my money it's Pat O's on a Friday or Saturday night after 10...last time we were there the players broke in to Cee Lo's "Forget you"....only it was the non radio friendly version. The whole bar was screaming "EFF YOU!" at the top of their lungs.
The piano player stopped when he saw a couple walk in and walk right back out.
"That couple walked in thinking they was in a theme park restaurant and walked right back out when they found out it was a rowdy *** piano bar!"

Hurricanes are expensive, but good and after about two you're yelling with the rest of the crowd.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Hurricanes are 2-for-1 on Tuesdays...

 

[whitek1275]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Seems like Pat O'Briens is worth checking out! As for Rising Star, how do you get picked to sing on stage (because I would definitely want to do that!)

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Seems like Pat O'Briens is worth checking out! As for Rising Star, how do you get picked to sing on stage (because I would definitely want to do that!)

You just sign up for it. The whole set up is awesome- you're accompanied by a live band. I've been there once.. I didn't sing, but I loved watching!

If you want cheap drinks, Cigarz is the way to go. I don't like the atmosphere (not a fan of smoke), so I usually just grab it and go somewhere else.

 

[PammyK]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Seems like Pat O'Briens is worth checking out! As for Rising Star, how do you get picked to sing on stage (because I would definitely want to do that!)

When you get to your table at Rising Star there should be some request cards and pencils waiting for you. Peruse the song list strategically placed near the request cards, make your selection and fill in the appropriate information on one of the cards. Then, walk up to the stage, locate the jar/bowl (usually found on the edge of the stage, house left, in front of the 2 female backup singers) and deposit your card inside.

If you really want to sing, it helps to get there pretty early and be prepared to wait for your turn. It could take a couple of sets. They'll periodically bring the cards backstage and sort through them to create a performance list. I have no idea what sort of criteria they use to select who gets called up to sing, though song popularity probably plays a large part in it. Keep an eye on the monitor at the back of the stage because they scroll the line up of people on deck to sing across the bottom and they want you to be waiting by the stairs when the person before you is finishing their song.

Unless things have changed, you'll be singing with the live band Tuesday through Saturday nights. Sunday and Monday is tracked but you'll still get your back up singers.

 

[Planogirl]

When I was 21 (and even now), Pat O'Brien's patio and the Margaritaville outdoor bar (Porch of Indecision) would have been right for me. You ought to check it all out and see what suits you best.

 

[TheAviator]

Metro West and some of the others already have good ideas, but everything is just right there all together, so there is no reason you couldn't more or less check all of them out. If you are looking for a crowd that is probably going to be hit and miss, depending on the time of night etc., so may be best to just plan on doing the bar hopping thing and check them all out.