Universal City Walk, Orlando

Universal's City Walk has something for everybody: shopping, entertainment and dining. There is plenty of entertainment from catching the Blue Man Group, watching a movie at AMc or listening to Music at Margaritaville. The restaurants are prety good we tried the Hard Rock Cafe and Emeril's. They also have the Nascar Grille, Margaritaville, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Bob Marley's, Pat O'Briens, NBA City, Pastamore and the Latin Quarter. There are plenty of shops to grab Universal Souveniers, clothing and more.

Since we were staying on site at the Hard Rock we spent some time exploring the shops of City Walk, catching a movie and eating in two of the restaurants. The City Walk is a hub bub of activity espcially when the sun goes down.

Universal Action Travel, recommends all travelers who will be visiting the Orlando area to stop by and visit Universal's Citywalk. Located at the entrance of their main themeparks, Citywalk offers fine dinning, nightlife and non-stop entertainment. At this venue you will find nightclubs with live entertainment, restaurants, shopping, cinemas and the best thing, FREE parking after 6pm for this venue.

Restaurants on site include: Hard Rock Live, Pat O'Brien's, CityJazz, Bob Marley, Red Coconut Club, and the best in our opinion - The Groove. These venues will definately keep you and your guest entertained all night long. Also be sure to try out the Karaoke club, where you can be a star!!

Dress Code: Dress to Impress!!

This place is kinda good for the most part. They are kinda expensive but thats not surprising seeing how its at Citywalk. I do however believe that Universal security staff is rude and overly controlling. Make sure if you are under 21 dont try going there after 8pm otherwise they make you wait in a kiddie area in the parking garage to get escorted to the movies. yes I am 20 years old, a leagal adult, can smoke, drive, and die for my country but cant go see a movie without getting "escorted" by a $7 an hour security guard. Makes you feel like a very unrespected customer.

Dress Code: Basically anything they want to say cant come in cant.

We went to City Walks a number of times on our holiday. There are plenty of restaurants, clubs and shops - even a cinema. The taxi from our hotel (Rozen Plaza - bottom International Dirve) only cost about $10 so it was inexpensive to get back at the end of the night.

Dress Code: I am not too sure what all the dress codes are for the bars etc. but when we went we dressed smart.

Tourist-y or not, this is fantabulous. Free to get in! Take a cab and get your drink on! Plenty of dancing places, Jimmy Buffett's for live music, shops, food, etc! Yay!

Dress Code: Dress up for entrance to the clubs, like Bob Marleys and The Groove. Dress down for Cigarz, and the Jimmy Buffett bars!

Despite my plan to give the theme parks as little money (or encouragement) as possible, I admit I find myself at Citywalk on occasion. They have a huge movie theatre and some cool clubs like Bob Marley's, CityJazz and Pat O'brien's. It is also home to the Hard Rock Cafe (with many awesome concerts) and Emeril Lagassi's fantastic restaurant. If you go after 6, there is no charge for parking.

Dress Code: depends on what club you go to. Marley's and Margaritaville are ultra casual. City Jazz and The Latin Quarter would prefer you to dress nicely (no shorts or sneakers at the very least)

The cinema here is great. My kids are not old enough to go into most evening establishments but we went here 2 or 3 times during our stay. Saw films that weren't due out for ages back home.

You can also get beer!!! Hubby approved!

Be prepared to be ID'd though. Even though hubby was over 40 they still asked. Crazy!

Dress Code: Anything you like. Probably not bikinis though.

Margaritaville has decent food but expect to pay amusement park prices. But go here for the drinks and the music. You can either enjoy seated service inside - where a full band plays buffett covers or relax on the patio outside to the tunes of a lone guitarist who takes requests. You can also visit the "walk through" window to take your margarita to go. I recommend the mango margarita for something different. Although be prepared to pay at least $7.

Bob Marley's has an excellent bob cover band. The best I've heard, and belive me I heard lots of bob cover bands. They are energetic and even get the old fogies out on the dance floor in this replica of bob's hope road dwelling. Good place to enjoy the tunes and sip red stripes and rum.

Dress Code: Extremely casual.

Universal City Walk is a shopping, eating and drinking complex which really comes alive at night.

Dining and Entertainment:

Motown Cafe serves steaks and barbecues and is one of my favourites as there is some Michael Jackson memorabilia.

Bob Marley- A Tribute To Freedom:live music and Jamaican and Carribean food.

Pat O'Briens:piano bar, over 21's after 9.30.

The Groove:nightclub, over 21's.

Latin Quarter:live music and Latin food.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville:Live music, food and the ultimate Margarita.

Pastamore:Italian food.

Cityjazz:High energy funk, R&B, soul and rock.

Emerils Restaurant;imaginative and sophisticated cuisine.

NBA City:recently voted Orlando's best theme restaurant, check out the giant basketball player outside.

Hard Rock Cafe:good food and loads of rock memorabilia especially the pink caddy. One of my favourites.

Hard Rock Live:See some of the biggest names in music live.

Nascar Cafe:Loads of racing memorabilia and burgers.

Universal Cineplex:A 20 screen cinema complex.

Quick Eats:

Big Kahuna Pizza:cheese and pepperoni pizza, sodas and beer.

St.Augustine Sausage:Coney Island Dogs, hamburgers and jerk chicken sausages.

Pastamore Market Cafe:Italian favourites for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Cinnabon:fresh cinnamon rolls.

Latin Quarter Express:Latin specialties.

Galaxy Bar:patio atmosphere with speciality drinks and cold beer.

Shopping:

All Star Collectibles:sports memorabilia and gifts.

Captain Crackers:toy store.

Cigarz At Citywalk:superior cigars and accessories.

Dapy:lava lamps, novelties and trendy gifts.

Elegant Illusions:copy designer jewelry.

The Endangered Species Store:Nature merchandise.

Fossil:watches, apparel and sunglasses.

Fresh Produce:apparel in vibrant fruit and vegetable colours.

Glow:reflective and glow products.

Quiet Flight Surf Shop:custom surfboard and accessories.

Silver:jewelry.

Universal Studio Store:branded products and character merchandise.

Dress Code: Almost anything but it is probably best to at least wear smart casual to get into some of the clubs.

pat o'brien's at universal city walk is a replica of the famous pat o'brien's restaurant and bar on bourbon street in new orleans. they offer cajun food and their famous "hurricane" cocktail. pat o'brien's is not as crowded and noisy as some of the other nightlife venues at city walk. a great place to have a relaxing drink on their patio.

Dress Code: casual