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    The Vanguard

    3.0 (41 reviews)
    ModerateMusic Venues

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    Lot 54 (outdoor stage)
    Sara S.

    This review is for Lot 54, which is the parking lot they converted to a mini festival ground with an outdoor stage, a VIP section, several bars, a Chinese food truck, and some pleasant surprises including running water albeit at port a potties (at least in VIP) and staff walking around picking up trash keeping the place tidy. Parking is available on the street or at a nearby garage for $10. There were enforcers actively ticketing cars, so I'd advise against taking any risks. The VIP ticket perks were a speedy entrance, some fun sponsor swag and photo booth, designated viewing area left of the stage, and our own bars, but the lines were shorter in GA at times. There were three lines with two bartenders at each counter except for one with only a single bartender making the wait even longer, so check the staff count before you get in line. The most annoying part of the evening was the blinding lights. The light techs need to take the spot light off the crowd left of stage during the show. We can handle a few flashes here and there, but they'd beam the brightest blinding white light at the crowd for entire songs. I couldn't see, but hopefully no lasers were used that would do permanent damage to our eyes. I've been to countless EDM shows and this was the first time I've experienced lighting like that. Overall, a nice vibe from the crowd and nice to be outdoors. I also appreciate they have to shut down at 11 PM and the kids can go to the after party indoors till 3 AM.

    Joseph H.

    Attended a highly anticipated EDM event to watch Rabbit in the Moon and The Crystal Method. The Venue was small and personal and there was no bad location to stand and enjoy the music. The bars were very efficient and the security did a phenomenal job at guiding the lines to enter. If you get the opportunity to go to a concert or event, at the vanguard, you won't be disappointed.

    End of the Sullivan King Show on the Outside of the Vanguard

    I've been to the Vanguard about 10 times in the last 2 years and its been for a variety of shows (EDM, Reggaeton/Reggae, clubbing, etc) and every time i go, its such an amazing time. The staff is absolutely lovely and sweet. The drinks were very tasty and delicious. Overall, a 15/10 experience! I recently saw the Sullivan King show and it was absolutely breathtaking! I met so many sweet people and made some friends and head-banged the night away. Thank you to The Vanguard for such an amazing experience

    Lawrence U.

    No food ordered. Felt safe and good parking. Tip os park off the street- it's free. Cheap drinks and fast service. Place will get packed at around 11pm. Really packed especially if there is a good guest.

    Reed B.

    I've been going to The Vanguard since it was The Club at Firestone and while it has its issues it is a much better run venue with its association with Insomniac. Acoustically it's great and as long as you have VIP you will have an OK amount of space, drink service and bathroom access. Downstairs is a sweaty mess free for all so try to get VIP if possible. Tons of parking all around but safer and quicker to park in their lot even if it costs a little more. Don't expect friendly service - it's a club - but you will generally have a great time and hear some great music!

    Good times with friends :)
    Rachel Macie H.

    Nights at the Club are always a good time and when you find one that's mellow like this you so know it's totally what's good! So coming here was kinda trip in a way as I used to go to a club called Vanguard in Hollywood all the time then it became Academy which is still one of my favorites I've ever been to so coming here was cool for me because it kinda reminded me of those days. The sound here was awesome and it was cool inside like it didn't get hot even with all the other humans dancing and having fun it still didn't get hot like you could go outside and feel the difference from the inside which was awesome because no one likes it when it gets too hot inside the club! Parking was easy as I found a place on the street about a block away so that was awesome as free parking in the city is as good as gold! It was unusual for me coming to a club where they don't enforce dress code as that's what I'm used to with most of the EDM clubs back home but either way it was still a good time and I'll prolly keep it the way it's been for me for years. Overall awesome club cool lights it's cool and has good sound so I'm sure I'll make it back here again at some point.

    Mike D.

    The Vanguard was nice and easy to get into. We had to pass security checkpoints but they're a pretty nice about getting us into the club. The outside of the club doesn't really stand out very clean and modern looking fits right into the downtown decor. Walking into the club it seems a little confined until you go out to the main area. You'll find very large Open spaces two very large bars downstairs and another one upstairs plus a VIP bar. It's very cool I was divided in the upper and lower floors. This location used to be called Firestone back in the day. It's gone through a few owners since then and a few remodels. This location easily has one of the most expensive light shows in towel that I've seen in a very long time. The laser beams and the amount of lights that they have are really awesome and the lighting guys did a really great great job I control them to the show that night. The lighting guys told me that they're actually control them live to the mix but the DJs are doing that night. Such a seamless and flawless light show between sets. All around was a very impressive setup. I'm not sure what the alcohol prices are like here but I'm willing to bet they're pretty damn expensive because the bottle of water was $5. The audio system sounds really great. You only hear distortion when you're upstairs close to one of the stacks of speakers. At that point I still am not hearing the app clipping it's just a bit loud there upstairs center stage was visually and audibly the best place to be downstairs center stage has a much larger dance floor as well as much more bass comes through. If you're downstairs facing the stage and you hang out for the left side by the bathrooms you get a lot more of the subwoofers. It sounds a lot more like a car stereo with the amount of Base you can get from the system. They did a great job the night I was there keeping it clean. Almost every time I turned around there was an employee with a dustpan and a broom. The bathrooms seemed a little beat up but I'm sure that happens pretty quick at a venue like this. Many more shows coming to this location keep an eye on their calendar and sign up for the mail list.

    Lindsey G.

    Have been here to see Deadmau5 and Sasha. It's a decent venue but gets incredibly busy with limited room to dance unless you stand in the back, which means not being able to see very well when you are short like me. They have great light sets and standing in the back gives a different viewpoint for the laser lights. There is an upstairs with some VIP tables and couches and well as a VIP standing area. They also have two outside patios to get some fresh air. Bigger shows like Deadmau5 meant not being able to get a drink or go to the bathroom without people pushing into your spot. Would be nice if the occupancy was lower so people had some room.

    Crankdat
    Alisha B.

    Went to this place for Wooli last year and was completely oversold and sold out and was completely miserable. Crankdat was coming into town with alley cvt on March 10th. I left a review for Wooli and they promised me the next show I go to I could get it upgraded to V.I.P all I had to do was email them. I buy the tickets and a month out from the concert I contacted them through email asking about the upgrade. Never heard anything back from them, I emailed them again the day before the show. I still got nothing, I tried to call the number they have listed never rang. I dm them on instagram and they still haven't even read it. They do not care about their patrons and give out false promises that they can't seem to back up. The only good part was it was sold out but there was not nearly as many people as Wooli so it wasn't as miserable.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Vanguard

    Review Highlights - The Vanguard

    I have seen artists such as charlotte de witte, Sullivan king, Zeds dead, Wooli, Alok, and more.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The Abbey

    The Abbey

    4.1
    (95 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    I'm always looking for an awesome show at an amazing venue and right here is exactly what that was…read morefrom start to finish! The given night I came here Driveways was playing and I must say it was a super fun show it sounded good the venue was awesome for music and the staff was very nice at the door! My gps did put me in the wrong spot so keep in mind that it's around the corner so if you don't see it right away keep venturing and you'll find it! Overall super cool venue with awesome sound hope to come back here again at some point for another show! Until then see you in the circle pit!

    This place is great! We went for a live jazz performance. There is no food, just a bar…read more We were in section B and honestly it was great! I wouldn't recommend section C - they had those tall metal chairs that look uncomfortable in that section. I honestly wish I'd got section A, but those shows sell out so quickly that it seems harder to snag those. The sound was amazing & the band was really talented. The look/vibe is really great too! The doors don't open till right before showtime, but there's covered tables & chairs to sit & wait. Parking was a bit tight. The doormen were very fast & efficient. Everyone was friendly too! Overall I really like The Abbey & am going back again in a few weeks, Oh - pro tip - there's an absolutely OUTSTANDING sushi restaurant around the corner & they were very accommodating when we said we were in a hurry to get to the show on time. Check them out!

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    Love Song and First Wave tonight!
    Love Song and First Wave tonight!
    The Abbey
    Love Song - The Cure Tribute

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    Love Song - The Cure Tribute
    The Plaza Live

    The Plaza Live

    3.8
    (194 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    Nice small venue. Parking is amazingly easy. The size reminds me of the community theaters back in…read moreNJ. Security was Evolv walk throughs, at least for Jim Breuer, and bar service was quick and friendly. The place is small enough where finding your seat is easy and as far as acoustics go, it is kind of hard to tell sitting up front for comedy. Meaning, for Jim, it was awesome. For music, I have no idea.

    First time at The Plaza Live on Bumby Road and honestly... such a great experience from start to…read morefinish! The venue itself is surprisingly spacious. The ground floor has plenty of room to move around and enjoy the show without feeling cramped, which I really appreciated. They also have upstairs seating options if you're looking for a more elevated (and probably pricier) experience--but it's nice to have that flexibility depending on your vibe. Whether you want to stay for hours or just pop in and enjoy the performance, it caters to both. Staff were friendly and efficient all around. The bar setup was a huge plus--there were multiple bartenders working, so drinks came out quickly. Perfect for grabbing something before the show or doing a quick pregame without missing the fun. I came specifically to see Calum Scott, and WOW--he did not disappoint. His voice is even more incredible live, and you can tell he genuinely connects with the audience. Super kind energy, amazing stage presence, and just an all-around beautiful performance. The production was also top tier. The lighting and laser effects were phenomenal and really elevated the entire experience--it felt immersive without being overwhelming. One moment that really stood out was how the staff handled an emergency situation in the audience. Security and the team responded quickly and professionally, making sure the individual got the help they needed. That level of care and organization says a lot about the venue. Overall, such a solid first impression. Great layout, fast service, amazing performances, and a team that clearly knows what they're doing. I'll definitely be back--especially if they bring in more DJs or artists in the future!

    Photos
    Drink pricing
    Drink pricing
    Main entrance
    Main entrance
    Blackie Lawless from W.A.S.P. behind his custom mic stand (or walker)

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    Blackie Lawless from W.A.S.P. behind his custom mic stand (or walker)
    House of Blues Orlando

    House of Blues Orlando

    4.1
    (751 reviews)
    15.1 mi
    $$

    I do wish Dan Aykroyd or John Belushi would walk through the door but that won't take away from me…read moregiving them five stars. Whenever I'm at Disney Springs I love to take a break and enjoy the House of Blue ambiance. We didn't order "Four fried chickens and a Coke." But we had some amazing burgers. The staff was very attentive and very friendly. The location is well themed and I find it very fun. I should have checked to see if they had "Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips? " but I didn't but maybe you could when you go. Consider it like a "mission from God."

    We stopped by on our first night in Orlando, after walking around Disney Springs. Enjoyed the vibe…read more The food was super mediocre, like Applebee's, maybe a bit worse. I got the blackened salmon which came with green beans and roasted tomatoes. The salmon itself was nice, the blackened seasoning was good, had a good kick to it as well. The salmon itself was a little overcooked for my taste but it was a nice piece of fish overall. The green beans on the other hand were both overcooked and undercooked at the same time. Some of the beans were a pale olive and were super over done, some were bright green and basically raw. I don't know what's going on in the kitchen but this was definitely not a job well done. Also they gave me like three cherry tomatoes they probably could have done a little bit better with the quantity in that department. For the price they're charging the food should be a lot more consistent. I give it two and a half stars rounded up to three because I did like the guy that was playing the guitar and singing and the atmosphere was fairly decent. As far as food goes, big overpriced dud, steer clear.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    House of Blues Orlando
    Outside seating

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    Outside seating
    Kia Center

    Kia Center

    4.0
    (487 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    I really enjoy the Kia Center. If you can walk a mile each way, free parking can be found at a…read morestreet meter, downtown around Lake Eola or closer, after 6pm and all day on Sunday. At the end of a show big groups of people walk together back towards their cars & it's fun. The food items can be pricey, but a soda for $4, or popcorn, might be the best choices. I tend to sit high up to save money on tickets, and up there part of a sign or screen behind the stage might be blocked by overhead visuals, lighting fixtures. Seats were comfortable. No drink holder. Check the section you're in, it's written on the wall. No railing to hold when walking past other seats. Audio was excellent. One time when I saw Jimmy Buffet the people around me kept talking, but when I saw Weird Al Yankovic he sounded great and I could hear better. I saw a '80s~'90s old school show there once & the BASS was booming, excellent sound. Interesting how they divide the place up for different shows, giant parts of the auditorium/stadium disappear with humongous giant black curtain screens. The place often looks completely different inside, different configuration of seats available. Security & staff are super friendly. Helpful kind people. Escalators go really high up. After the shows the rooftop bars are worth checking out for incredible views & interesting menus.

    I got to play road warriors with my sister Gwen, watching the Detroit Pistons defeat the Orlando…read moreMagic on March 1st, 2026 by a score of 106-92, a fortuitous foreshadowing of the first round playoff series victory that would follow. I don't have many arenas to compare Kia Center to, and I feel like basketball/hockey arenas are a lot more homogeneous than say baseball stadiums. There was nothing here to really knock my socks off like when I took my dad to see the Tigers play at Pittsburgh's glorious PNC Park. But it was a swell time nonetheless. I also don't usually spring for or get freebies for lower bowl seats so it's a bit apples and oranges to try to compare the close to the action seats I treated us to here to the high altitude ones I usually find myself in at Little Caesar's Arena, recently for a game 2 playoff win against these same Orlando Tragic. Sorry, I should try to keep it classy here, especially since my Pistons bought themselves a trip to Cancun in the second round. Anyways we had good seats with nice sightlines. Outside they had a whole fan experience area that seemed many geared to young people but wasn't happening too much. Funny cause there's a kind of party area courtyard outside LCA that's usually pretty sleepy for the games I've been to. Just random stray selfie takers mostly. The pizza stand we hit up was well organized and smooth, letting a big queue move through there pretty quickly, with its system of grabbing premade slices, beverages and snacks yourselves and then cashing out with cards at self service kiosks. There's stands at LCA set up like that but only for beverages and snacks, nothing with food that will serve as a whole meal. I also like this better than the system I encountered at PNC Park in Pittsburgh where you have to preorder and cash out on your phone and then come up when your number is called. The pizza was okay, nothing outstanding but arena and stadium food never really is. You could tell it was an Orlando Magic home game but there was a sizable and vocal Pistons fan contingent there. We actually sat next to a couple of Detroit fans and there were a couple more a couple rows behind us. With Orlando being such a tourist destination I feel like they probably often get mobbed up with fans of visiting teams, at least from the eastern part of the country (and Canadian Raptors fans) especially at certain times of the year. My decibel meter on my phone only maxed out around 100 which isn't too great, though the arena was probably somewhere between 2/3 and 3/4 full. No comparison to John Mason player intros back home but all the usual whistles and bells with snippets of rap songs, cheerleaders, youth performers and a dragon as opposed to a horse mascot. Not a bad arena. I wouldn't mind seeing a concert there one night if I ever get the opportunity to see a good one.

    Photos
    Custom Predator beer
    Custom Predator beer
    Great Stadium Food
    Great Stadium Food
    VIP entrance

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    VIP entrance

    The Vanguard - musicvenues - Updated July 2026

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