"Barbecue with a Side of Blues Go to B.B. King's Blues Club at Pointe Orlando for blues and dancing, but stay for the comfort food, such as barbecue. The atmosphere is inviting, with brightly painted wooden picnic tables, an intimate upstairs bar overlooking the stage, and a black-and-white tiled dance floor. By Todd"

"Merengue, Mojitos, and Mariquitas at Cuba Libre Following a Cuban meal—such as malango fritters and churrasco a la Cubano—and a few glasses of the house specialty—flavored mojitos—things heat up and Latin rhythms take hold as couples step onto the dance floor. As inviting for couples out on a date as it is to groups of friends on a night out, Saturday nights at Cuba Libre feature salsa dancers, singers, and DJs spinning bachata, merengue, and Latin house."

"Disney Springs Rebranded in 2016 by Walt Disney World, the former Downtown Disney outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is now known as Disney Springs. Admission is still free, but gone is Pleasure Island, the adult-oriented party zone with separate entry. There’s also a new, stylish feel to the place, with tiled roofs and Mediterranean-inspired plazas modeled after Florida towns like Coral Gables and St. Augustine. Of course, it’s still all about the shopping and dining, especially now that there’s twice the number of stores and restaurants. To entice visitors, many shops even offer hands-on experiences like a make-your-own flip-flops bar at Havaianas, and an interactive play area at the Lego Store. When hunger strikes, head to holdover Bongos Cuban Cafe, or try the new food truck area. There are also several new restaurants, including the highly lauded Morimoto Asia from the Food Network celebrity chef."

"More than 70 wines are available by the glass at this urban-chic wine bar on Lake Eola. The list includes Old and New World bottles, with wines grouped into themed flights (two-ounce samples of four different wines) for those interested in oenological comparison. When you find one you like, you can take it home, since this bar is also a wine shop."

"Stay Chilled in the Ice Bar Check out Florida's coolest bar, the world's largest permanent ice bar, with its own stay-toasty fire lounge. Entry includes thermal jacket and glove rentals so you won't freeze while you're sipping on your frozen cocktails! Book online to get excellent drink deals. And it's not just for adults: From 7–9 p.m., ​ages​ 8​ and above​ are permitted into ICEBAR Orlando and there are non-alcoholic ​drink options​ available​."

"Battle of the Keys This dueling piano bar takes the concept to the next—highly entertaining—level. Musicians take requests from, and interact with, the audience and perform a high-energy show that pits two to four pianists against each other. Throw in choreographed dance routines and 86-ounce cocktail buckets and you have a fun night out for the unselfconscious and the strong of heart."

"Orlando's theme parks all have their venues for hosting big concerts. But when indie bands come through town, you'll almost always find them playing downtown at The Social, an intimate little club with exposed brick walls, excellent acoustics, and an all-star cast of past performers. The venue is a full-service bar, too, but many of the shows are 18 and up (with wristbands given to those of drinking age). Because of the cozy space, shows sell out fast here. So keep an eye on the online calendar and book tickets as soon as you're ready to commit."

"Theme park restaurants are notoriously hit or miss, but this Caribbean-inspired spot at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is worth visiting even if you’re not spending the day at Universal Studios. There’s an incredible selection of vintage rums from the Caribbean and Latin America as well as craft cocktails like mai tais, Cuba libres, and daiquiris, all mixed with specialty rums. To eat, guests find sophisticated interpretations of ceviche, jerk meats, curry dishes, and escovitch fish, which pay homage to places like Cuba, Jamaica, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Peru, Mexico, and beyond. Strong Water is located right off the hotel lobby, but the best seats are on the small outdoor terrace, where couches surround low tables overlooking the faux lagoon below."

"Similar to Disney Springs, Universal CityWalk offers adult-oriented—but totally family-appropriate—fun for when you’ve wrapped up another theme park day. An entertainment zone with free admission, it connects the Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure theme parks. Still, it’s most happening after the parks close, when it turns into a veritable dining and nightlife district that often attracts more revelers than downtown Orlando itself. All the restaurants and bars surround a man-made lagoon, which becomes busy with boats ferrying guests to and from the Universal hotels. To eat, there’s everything from casual cafés and a food court to extravagant theme restaurants like the new Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Bar options are similarly wide-ranging—you can drink a hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s (which looks just like the original in New Orleans ), sip a Red Stripe beer to the tune of reggae music at Bob Marley—A Tribute to Freedom, or catch the big game at the NBC Sports Grill & Brew. Parking is free after 6 p.m. so expect crowds starting at sundown. You’ll also want to keep an eye on the calendar, as CityWalk hosts major concerts and festivals throughout the year."