St. Patrick’s Day for early starters:

March 5th: Sanford St Patty’s Day Pub Crawl: Tour downtown Sanford’s bars for the monthly Pub Crawl. Tickets are $15 and there will be a contest for the best St. Patty’s Day outfit. Click here for more info.

March 11th: Sanford Alive After Five’s It’s A Green Thing: Visit downtown Sanford Sanford for the monthly Alive After Five Street Party. From 5-9pm you will be able to enjoy music, food and drinks. If you wish to sample food, tickets are $7. This is a fun event and you will definitely see lots of green!

Top 5 Places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th:

1. Liam Fitzpatrick’s Irish Pub, Colonial Town Park, Lake Mary: Liam Fitzpatrick’s has planned a huge party that will go on throughout the whole day! Starting at 11am there will be live entertainment, beer specials, and giveaways. From 6-9pm the Orlando Fire Department Pipes and Drum Band will perform. Admission is free! SO put your greenest green on and come out to celebrate (almost) like the Irish!
   Liam Fitzpatrick’s, 951 Market Promenade Avenue, Lake Mary, FL 32746. Phone: (407) 936-3782
2. Kate O’Brien’s Irish Pub Lake Mary (formerly located in downtown Orlando): Kate O’Briens recently re-opened its door in Lake Mary! Many of you will remember this super popular bar from its downtown Orlando times and the legendary St. Patrick’s Day block parties (we went to one and it was a blast!). I will write more about the bar at a later point but wanted to make sure I mention it here before St. Patrick’s Day. Kate O’Brien’s in Lake Mary started out as “My Way Night Club” but the owner then decided to change the concept. Too bad actually because I thought the idea had potential. But then again, I am happy to see another venue available to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Sanford/Lake Mary area. An Irish Pub more can’t ever harm, can it? SO what can you expect on St. Patrick’s Day at Kate O’Brien’s: Lots of good music and live entertainment from Ireland, and outdoor stage and a draft beer tap truck! The festivities start at 11am and admission is free.
   Kate O’Brien’s, 120 International Parkway, Lake Mary, FL 32746. Phone: 407-340-6458
3. Fiddler’s Green Winter Park: This is without a doubt one of the most famous Irish Pubs of Orlando. Naturally, Fiddlers Green will have a big St Patrick’s Day celebration with Irish music. So my tip is: be there early! We went last year and had to be in line for a long time. Nevertheless, even waiting is fun here because Fiddlers Green offers entertainment and drinks for all “outsiders ” as well.
   Fiddler’s Green, 544 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789. Phone: (407) 645-2050
4. St. Patrick’s Day Block Party on Wall Street Plaza in Downtown Orlando: Definitely a fun event! If you want to party on after visiting one (or more) of the Irish pubs around town then the big St Paddy’s Day block party on Wall Street Plaza in downtown Orlando might be just the right thing for you! With lots of entertainment (including a live band) and all of Wall Street Plaza’s 9 bars celebrating this party is a huge success year after year. The party starts at 4pm. Admission is usually $5-$10. Tickets can be purchased online here.
5. Pat O’Brien’s at Universal City Walk in Orlando: Pat O’Briens at Universal City Walk promises to be another hot spot to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. After all, they have been practicing every 17th of the month with their monthly St. Practice Day…
   Pat O’Brien’s, Universal City Walk at Universal Orlando Resort, 6000 Universal Boulevard Orlando, FL 32819. Phone: 407-224-3663

And don’t forget: Wear green on St. Patrick’s Day!

Click here for a list of more Irish Pubs in the Orlando area.

If  you know of any other great events you would like to share here, please feel free to post them in the comments area and let all your friends know!

July Sanford Pub Crawl

Sanford Pub Crawl March 2010

Get ready for another Pub Crawl in historic Sanford! The next event will be on March 5th, 2010, starting again at 7pm. This time you will be able to tour the bars at your own pace. I think that’s a good idea because last time we fell behind after only having visited one bar and then never caught up with the crowd. I think this happened to lots of people so without the “time restriction” you can just enjoy each bar as long as you want (not that we ever felt pressured to leave, we just couldn’t finish our 2 drinks/bar fast enough to switch bars every hour…).

The meeting point is again Limoncello’s and I suggest if you don’t have your tickets already be there early! Last time tickets were all sold out by the time we got to the second bar! BTW, since the main sponsor is Budweiser, the drinks you will get are Bud and Bud Light (with some exceptions, last time we actually also got shots at Little Fish Huge Pond).

Here is the list of participating bars:

• Limoncello’s – 530 N Palmetto Avenue
• The West End Trading Co. – 202 S Sanford Avenue
• Little Fish Huge Pond – 309 E First Street
• The Steale Arm – 214 South Oak Avenue
• The Alley Blues Bar – 114 S. Park Avenue
• The Wet Spot – 112 S. Park Avenue

Also new this month: Star of the Crawl contest! The best St Patty’s day themed costume wins! So celebrate St Patty’s Day early and show up in your greenest outfit to enjoy a night of good music and fun with friends

Below is a little video of scenes of February’s event. We had a blast and I was surprised how many people came out! The bars were packed!

UPDATE: 3/2/2010: The new date for the Orlando Chillounge Night is Saturday, April 3rd, 2010! That should do it

UPDATE: 2/25/2010: Just announced: Orlando Chillounge Night will be moved to another date. TBD. As soon as I find out more I will post the new date here!! Good decision I think, the temperatures these days are just too cold! With a weather forecast of rain and only 40 degrees in the evening, the Chillounge theme just wouldn’t come across the right way, don’t you think?

Here is an event that I am very much looking forward to: the first Annual Chillounge Night at Lake Eola in Orlando! This outdoor party is going to be so much fun and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the weather improves a bit by then. The party will take place on Saturday, February 27th 2010 at 6pm at Lake Eola Park. Admission is $20 at the gate and $15 in advance (online). VIP tickets are available for $75. Only 21 years and older!.

There have been Chillounge Nights in other Florida cities such as Tampa and Sarasota and from what I could see online, they were a huge success. If you follow the web site link below you can get more info about it or feel free to watch the video below to get a taste of the party… Best of all, this is a charity event benefiting the Make-A-Wish-Foundation of Central and Norther Florida!

Here is a list of what expects you at Chillounge Night:

• Fireworks
• Live Music
• Food and Drinks (Vendors and Cash Bars)
• a Fashion Show
• a Brazilian Samba Parade
• a Cleopatra Parade on chic daybeds
• Cigar Lounge area
• Performance of Opera Tampa

Here’s a short description from the event organizer what Orlando Chillounge Night will be about:

Lake Eola Park will transform into a magnificent outdoor lounge. With six truckloads of chic, South Beach style lounge furniture, artistically arranged, the party will have the feel of a glamorous mix and mingle for the hip and social crowd…..we are licensed to chill !!

MORE INFO:

Advanced tickets: $15 – Online at www.chilloungenight.com | http://www.orlando.chillloungenight.com/

Video of Tampa’s Chillounge Night – November 2009

Sanford FL Pub Crawl

If you enjoy going out in Sanford then this event is just the right one for you! This Friday, February 5th, 2010, Sanford will have its monthly Pub Crawl (this month themed as Mardi Gras Pub Crawl). Below are the details and where the crawl crowd will be at which time – in case you need to start later or get lost

The Sanford Pub Crawl starts at 7:00PM. Tickets for this fun nightlife event are only $15.00 and include 2 free drinks at each participating bar (that makes a total of 12 drinks!!)! You can purchase your tickets at any of the participating bars (try to do it before Friday!).

• 7PM – Limoncello’s – 530 N Palmetto Avenue
• 8PM – The West End Trading Co. – 202 S Sanford Avenue
• 9PM – Little Fish Huge Pond – 309 E First Street
• 10PM – The Steale Arm – 214 South Oak Avenue
• 11PM – The Wire Blues Bar – 114 S. Park Avenue
• 12PM – The Wet Spot – 112 S. Park Avenue

Come out and support Sanford’s bars and nightlife! It will be fun!

Movies

Yes, not the most creative, but going to the movies still ranks high among love birds. In the Sanford area you might want to choose either Amstar 12 Lake Mary or UA 10 at the Seminole Town Center. You might want to turn the date into a movie and dinner date so below follows a list of romantic restaurants in the area.

• Amstar 12 at Colonial Town Park Lake Mary or UA 10 Sanford at Seminole Town Center: How about “Valentine’s Day”, or is that too cliche (movie starts in theaters across the US on February 12th)?
• Enzian Movie Theatre: Casablanca Valentine’s Day Brunch Now this sounds like a great Valentine’s Day Movie Event. On February 14th starting at 10:30am there will be an elegant brunch buffet with mimosas and a pianist! Casablanca, one of the most romantic movies ever, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Of course this special event has its price: $125 per couple for a table (which includes the brunch, mimosas, entertainment and movie). For more info click the link above and make your reservations today.

Theatre & Music & Art

Another idea is taking your sweet Valentine to an art event, the theatre or to a music concert (of course, just as above, there’s always the optional romantic dinner or lunch for two to add to the date).

• Here’s an early one on February 4th, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day:  1st Thursdays at Orlando Museum of Art: Art from the Heart is a themed event having to do with love and all things of and from the heart. There will be food and drinks, dancers from the Orlando Ballet as well as Modern Belly Dancing. Admission is $10.00 and the event takes place from 6pm – 9pm.
• Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in Sanford: The musical “The King and I” is quite a unique love story and will be performed on February 12th and 13th at 7:30pm and on February 14th at 2pm. Click here for more info or to order tickets.
• Shakespeare Theater: All’s Well That Ends Well (Opening February 12th): A classic live story by Shakespeare will be performed at the Shakespeare Theatre in Orlando. For more info click the link.
• Fools for Love – Improv Comedy: On Sunday, February 14 at 8 pm and 10 pm: Celebrate Valentine’s Day the funny way. The SAK All-Stars will surprise you with a romance-themed improv comedy of course with audience participation and great prizes. SAK Comedy Lab, 380 W. Amelia St. – 407-648-0001 Ticket range between $15 to $25.
• Leu Gardens Valentine’s Day Concert, Winter Park: On Sunday, February 14 Leu Gardens in Winter Park will close its doors for “A Night of Swing” from 6pm to 9pm. What could be more romantic than a Valentine’s Day concert in one of Orlando’s most beautiful settings, the botanical gardens. Bring your dinner picnic basket and a blanket or chairs. Ticket sales start on February 1st for around $25 Act soon because tickets are limited.

Dinner

Below is a list of romantic restaurants in the area. The links in the list will mostly lead you to previous posts I had written about the places with more info and pictures.

• Two Blondes and a Shrimp: This would be my number one pick for most romantic restaurant in Sanford. Why? Because of their awesome covered courtyard where you can dine and enjoy some great seafood. The inside is very cozy too and makes a great place for a romantic dinner for two.
• Stone’s Throw Bistro: Number 2 pick in Sanford would be Stone’s Throw Bistro. great atmosphere and exquisite cuisine. Your date will love it! After dinner you can sit by the fountain on Magnolia Square or get some ice cream at Taste of Thyme right across the restaurant.
• Limoncello’s Waterfront Restaurant: Well, food wise this is not my favorite place in Sanford but there’s one unbeatable “romance factor” here: the breathtaking view of Lake Monroe!
• Vineyard Wine Company Lake Mary: An exquisite wine restaurant that offers tapas style dining. Definitely top of my list in Lake Mary.
• Silvestro’s Italian Restaurant, Lake Mary: Well, I have to admit I still haven’t been but I have heard great feedback and Silvestro’s promises to be one of the finest Italian restaurants in town.
• Fishbones, Lake Mary: This one also makes my top 3 in Lake Mary. If it’s a warm night try to sit outside on the gorgeous patio.
• Ruth Chris Steakhouse, Lake Mary: Not only for steak lovers. Great place in Lake Mary (at Colonial Town Park) to bring your date.
• Melting Pot in Longwood (All-time Classic!): This is an all-time classic. Who hasn’t ever connected romantic dining with fondue? Yes – and that’s why, despite the fact that it is a chain restaurant, The Melting Pot makes it on the Romantic Dining list.
• Winter Park: Park Avenue is defintiely one of the most romantic places in the Orlando area. You basically just have to pick a restaurant on Park Avenue to find a romantic dining spot. My personal favorites are Panullos (great authentic Italian Cuisine) and Bosphorous (fantastic Turkish and Mediterranean dining).
• Le Coq Au Vin, Orlando: This one made the official list of Orlando’s most romantic dining locations in a recent poll so I thought I mention it here. I have never been but we know from a reliable source that the cuisine really is authentic French.
• Ceviche: Great restaurant downtown Orlando. I am going to post more info about this gorgeous and delicious restaurant soon. Trust me though, the atmosphere here is great for a romantic date – you are virtually transferred to Spain.

Walk in the Park

Low budget? No problem. Sanford has two great locations for a romantic afternoon or evening stroll:

• Sanford Riverwalk: What could be more romantic than a walk along beautiful Lake Monroe? After that sit on one of the swings and simply enjoy the view…
• Centennial Park in Sanford: Another romantic spot is the Centennial Park on Park Avenue. Sit down in the pavilion and just enjoy being with your loved one. After that you can stroll through the streets of the historic Sanford and spend some time in the city’s past…
• Lake Eola Park: For those of you close to downtown Orlando, Lake Eola Park is a very romantic spot as well. Take your date on a swan pedal boat ride, a fun way to enjoy an afternoon in O-town.

Creative Ideas

• Rivership Romance: How about a Moonlight Cruise on lake Monroe in Sanford? The Rivership romance offers a special schedule for Valentine’s Day weekend. There will be two lunch cruises and one dinner and dance cruise. Tickets range from $50.00 to $60.00 per person.
• Central Florida Zoo Sanford FL Sex and the ZOO: Now this a truly unique title to a Valentine’s Day event. On Saturday, February 13th  the Sanford Zoo offers two Shows (Dinner Show and Late Night Show) of pure Jungle Love!
  Experience the wild side of romance! On this clearly adult-oriented (21 and older!) evening with romantic dinner you will learn about some of the fascinating and very unique ways that our animal friends manage to reproduce and keep their species going. Follow the link above for more info. Tickets are $95 per couple for the dinner show at 6:30 p.m. and $45 per couple for the late night show at 9:30 p.m. There will be music in the courtyard until 1am for everyone attending. This sounds like a fabulous cocktail party! More information also at 407.323.4450 ext 100.
• Visit the Planetarium at Seminole State College in Sanford. There will be a Valentine’s Day special on Friday, February 12th, titled “Heavenly Love – Love Stories of the Night Sky” starting at 8:30pm. For more info please contact Derek Demeter at 407.708.2409 or click here.
• FRESH! An edible performance Art Event For Your Valentine: DRIP, a performance art and dance group presents Orlando with an edible environment for 7 days. The event promises a Willy Wonka-like edible environment and culinary performance art event. Check out the official web site for more info.
• Valentine’s Balloon Flight over Orlando: How about a Champagne Balloon flight over Orlando?Orange Blossom Balloons offers one hour flights with Champagne toast for a reasonable rate.
• Picnic on the Beach: Well, and then there’s always the classic picnic by the beach (New Smyrna, Cocoa Beach, Clearwater etc.). Affordable and romantic and since we live in Central Florida let’s take advantage that we are only a short 30-45 minutes away from the closest one…

Last but not least, for those of you who hate Valentine’s Day for whatever reason: Check out the Anti Valentine’s Day Brunch at Tastings in Downtown Orlando (111 N Magnolia Avenue). Event will be on February 14th from 12pm to 4pm featuring drink specials and a DJ. More info at 407-999-9950.

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New Years Eve 2009 at Carlos and Charlies

Happy New Year to everyone! As promised, Sanford365 will continue throughout 2010! I hope you had a wonderful start into 2010 and wish you a successful, happy and healthy new year!

With my sister Gabi

New Years Eve 2009 was fun! We spent it at Carlos and Charlies and Liam Fitzpatricks. The two bars got together for an awesome block party that was very well visited and, as expected, a huge success. Below will be a short video so you can see what I’m talking about…

It was also a great start into the new year because my sister Gabi is currently visiting me from Germany. After a short trip to Savannah and Amelia Island (pics will follow under Excursions) we were back on time to celebrate the end of a fabulous 2009 and the start of a hopefully even more fabulous 2010! I am liking the number already!

With Holly at Carlos & Charlies

Wow, can you believe it, we have already made the first decade of this century, well, millenium? Isn’t that crazy? What has changed for you in this first decade? Sometimes it seems like 2000 was just yesterday. And what are your resolutions? Have you made any? I have to admit, I’m a bit behind with that (because unfortunately I caught a bad cold with a very painful sore throat). As soon as I’m fit again though I am going to put those resolutions on paper – and hopefully stick to them. One however, I already have: Keep Sanford365 alive and move the blog over to a self-hosted version of WordPress. Now that sounds easier than it is, believe me. The reason for that is simply that my blog is too big (well, that’s a good thing but as I found out last month it can also hurt you).

So what can you expect thanks to that resolution?

• Weekly Sanford365 blog posts (about Sanford and area events/businesses/things to do etc.)
• A nicer design and easier to navigate web site with more resources and structured content
• More interaction among Sanford365 readers

Now all I have to do is keep my fingers crossed that the guys and girls at WordPress can help me with this ambitious request! If it all works out you’ll soon notice some positive changes here

If you don’t have any plans for new year’s yet, rumor has it, Carlos and Charlies is having another fun block party (most likely just like for Halloween with Liam Fitzpatrick’s) on New Year’s Eve 2009. There will be NO cover charge which makes the whole thing even more fabulous

More news from Carlos & Charlies: Every Thursday night, FREE Salsa Lessons provided by Salsa Heat Dance Studio! If you feel like dancing to some hot Latin rhythms just like the pros, you should come out here sometime!