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    The Manikin Lounge

    4.1 (23 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    The Manikin Lounge Photos

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    THE MANIKIN LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Dave G.

    Despite the fact that this place looks like John Waters and Trent Reznor tried to design a goth bar, it's a great little spot. The staff is super friendly, it has a great vibe, strong inexpensive drinks, and a giant dance floor, as well as an outside (covered) area if that's more your speed. The music is great, and while does lean more towards goth music (in a goth bar? How shocking!) Throughout the night you can expect to hear a wide variety, everything from your favorite music in high school to a trap remix of the "Talespin" theme song. Highly recommended.

    Sitting on the bar
    Joe S.

    Review #666 - Halloween 2021 - Fitting, right? This place is creepy in a way that welcomes you into a different world. Walking in, you get the sense you're in a serial killers basement with a slight haze and dark lighting which makes you question if the mannequins strewn throughout the venue are real or not. The crowd grows as the night goes one into what the Oingo Boingo "Dead Man's Party" video should be. The staff was friendly and quick with getting drinks. They had 2 DJs, one inside and 1 outside playing a little different music. Inside was loud with dancing and music while in the back, the music was at a level where you could hang and discuss what twisted things you can get yourselves into. The Bouncer was cool and he would routinely walk from the front door to the back patio giving a sense he's keeping an eye on things and making sure it's all on the up and up. He looked like most people could take him down, but he was the bouncer and I wouldn't try anything. He'd probably mess you up bad just for making him wrinkle his suit. Just guessing of course. The music was goth/industrial in nature and the attire of the patrons indicated that's why they were there. If you don't like seeing bare asses, faces painted like skeletons, non-binary genders and public displays of affection, then this place probably isn't for you. TV's play videos that sometimes go with the music and sometimes don't, but yet they do! But honestly, it's a thing of beauty where everyone from every persuasion is welcomed in. All were just having fun and getting along just fine. If the world was more like this place, we'd have a much friendlier society. Thanks to the people behind this place for creating a world to escape this one. It's good to get away! Happy Halloween!!!

    Rare find! Quilmes beer from Argentina!!
    Sarah S.

    I really don't do nightclubs much/ever these days but I've been dying to go here since we walked by one day and I saw all the band posters in the window. I LOVE me some new and dark wave, goth, all the great synthy goodness that makes me feel like I'm in a sexy 80's vampire movie. And man did Manikins deliver!! We met some fellow Yelpers that live in the area for dinner and bar hopping around Sanford and I immediately new I was gonna love it as soon as I walked through the door. There is an indoor area with two bars and decent sized dance floor, as well as an outdoor area with separate DJ so if you don't like the music inside, take a walk outside and you might find something more to your liking. I really enjoyed myself and eventually had enough liquid courage to get out on the dance floor and really get into the music. Once I started, I don't think I stopped till it was closing time. I haven't danced like that in YEARS. When I first moved to Orlando I used to frequent I-Bar aka Barbarella weekly. This offers the same awesome goth and dark wave music and experience without all the hassle of downtown Orlando. I just loved it SO MUCH!

    Edited
    Ron V.

    This place was weird. I liked the vibe, but it was not high end by any means...Everyone one was nice. I was there earlier in the evening. Not sure what goes down here later at night...the beds/pillows they were setting up that were wrapped in plastic concerned me...

    80's new wave style music with videos!
    Scott W.

    "Every day is Halloween" I didn't even know this place existed until last week. I was meeting up with some friends at Throwbacks but got there about an hour earlier than they did. While I was waiting, I decided to bounce around town to see what trouble I could get into before they arrived. Well, just down the street on Sanford Avenue there is a new venue called The Manikin Lounge. Although this is a new bar and is still not fully established, they have a good thing going. Manikins is like a mix between Independent Bar (in Orlando) and Halloween. They play great dance music (80's new wave style) with videos. There are Mannequins in several areas of the bar dressed in lingerie two of them actually feel real to the touch. In addition to the Mannequins there is also a creepy Pig man butcher and other spooky Halloween themed items throughout the bar. The venue is a bit on the small side but I don't think anyone seemed to mind. There is a disco ball which encourages dancing and adds to the excitement of this place. There is limited seating and at times the venue can be standing room only however, the staff and bartenders were great since I never had to wait for a drink. Overall, I think The Manikin Lounge is a unique and strange addition to Sanford Avenue. I hope word gets out about this place because I look forward to see The Manikin Lounge become successful in the downtown area. We needed something different to bring in new visitors to the Sanford area and I look forward to see how this venue progresses in the near future.

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    3 years ago

    if i could give this place 0 stars i would, bouncers are very rude n unprofessional. will not be going again.

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    Review Highlights - The Manikin Lounge

    Despite the fact that this place looks like John Waters and Trent Reznor tried to design a goth bar, it's a great little spot.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Suffering Bastard Tiki

    Suffering Bastard Tiki

    4.5
    (166 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Such a hidden gem! My husband and I decided to try a little bit of everything on the menu and…read morehonestly, not a single thing disappointed. Every dish was flavorful, fresh, and you can tell there's real thought put into the food and presentation. We ended up staying for well over two hours just enjoying the whole experience -- the vibes, the music, the drinks, and the overall atmosphere were just so good. It felt cozy, lively, and welcoming all at the same time. The drinks were beautifully made and paired perfectly with the food, and the staff and crowd made the space feel fun and relaxed. It's one of those places you randomly find and then immediately want to gatekeep (but also tell everyone about). Truly such a great experience from start to finish. Can't wait to go back!

    Came here after a night of activities in Sanford. The place is usually packed, but we were able to…read moreget a table for two, luckily. The ambiance is about half of what this place is all about. It's very Trader Sam's, including a lot of neat Disney memorabilia on the shelves on the walls behind the bar. Dark and stormy tiki bar vibes. The service was super friendly, and the food and bev came out very timely. The drinks were great, and they had a really nice mocktail menu. You can come and enjoy a nice drink without getting alcohol. We also ordered a burger from their limited food menu. It was very good. Not in competition for best burger in Orlando or anything, but the flavors were on point, and bun was nice and soft, and the furikake dusted crinkle cut fries were the perfect side item. Overall, this place was very cool, and if you haven't come here yet, you need to.

    Photos
    Just super cool and intimate!
    Just super cool and intimate!
    Small and intimate. (The bar, not the tall dude in the aisle)
    Small and intimate. (The bar, not the tall dude in the aisle)
    Lighting fixtures

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    Lighting fixtures
    La Dolce Vita Social

    La Dolce Vita Social

    2.6
    (15 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    I went on a Thursday night as they advertise it as R&B night. When I arrived , they had reggaeton…read moreplaying at full blast and not one patron to be seen. I saw three employees one was on her phone. The other two were behind the counter when we tried to order food they didn't have two of the things I attempted to order and when we walked outside, we saw dirty hookahs in the porch area. it's very pretty and someplace I would see wanting to go, but I'm just not sure what was going on this night. I'll give it another chance and will update my review.

    I wanted to try this new place out. Didn't realize I would be the first to review. The service was…read moreexcellent! Thanks Daniella! She explained everything to us, which was good, because they don't have a website. The owners are from NY, which surprised me, because the place has a Miami Latin Vibe. I love that and it's something different in Sanford. They have different things going on different days: Sunday is brunch with regular and breakfast pizzas. Monday- Tuesdays they are closed. Wednesdays they have Wine Down Wednesdays. Thursday is R & B night. Friday and Saturday are their busiest nights with a DJ. They do take reservations for their VIP areas lounge areas outside for a fee. They are hoping to get the outside area covered. Ok let's talk about their pizza... I was expecting more NY Style, but this was a small scale kind of NY style pizza. They offer 12" pizza which was great for sharing for 2 people. Hubby and I had the meatball ricotta pizza. It was very good! We also had their handmade drinks. I had a passion fruit mojito and hubby had an old fashioned. They were both very tasty. I should mention they stay open till 2pm. That almost seems rare these days. So enjoy!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Outside
    Outside
    Passion fruit mojito

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    Passion fruit mojito
    Tuffy's Bottle Shop & Lounge

    Tuffy's Bottle Shop & Lounge

    4.3
    (92 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Such a great concert experience here! The staff and bartender was actually super nice to me as I…read morewasn't feeling well from all the blinking lights and they got out of chair so I could sit down. I really appreciated that. The Acoustics in the place is absolutely fabulous. I also enjoyed the outside patio area just to chill out and they had a little fire pit area you could relax around to where you could still hear the music. Inside they had a little bar area and places to sit down where you could order food and get drinks. Everything was super clean and there were bouncers everywhere so I felt super safe! Also, the little Hidden Gem suffering bastards is inside and had a nice little visit with some drinks in there before the concert! It was a really great experience!

    Tuffy's concert venue seems to be a combo outdoor (covered! But open air) bierhall kind of place…read morewith an indoor aircraft hangar converted into concert venue. Standing only, all concrete in the hangar, one bar, lots of waiting. The bathrooms are cleanish and highly functional, no flushing issues, not disgusting, multiple women's stalls. For our concert, the venue set up a Coleman cooler of water and small free water cups by the entry, but they did not make an effort to refill the water jug, so we got quite dehydrated and unhappy halfway through. Liquid death cans and cups of ice can be purchased for about the same cost as alcohol at the bar. Nutrl was only $6 and change, I was thrilled! The sound quality was EXCEPTIONAL! Kudos and a half to Tuffy's for excellent balance and not blowing our eardrums. The light show, meh, too many dark blends, too moody and could barely see the band. When most lit up, I enjoyed seeing the stage. The place got very crowded, very quickly. They need crowd control and to not overpack concert goers like sardines. The outdoor bierhall vibe was chill but was basically a refuge for chainsmokers :( Would def go back, but have clear expectations, multiple water cans in pockets, and very very supportive shoes for tha concrete floor.

    Photos
    Tuffy's Bottle Shop & Lounge
    Suffering Baystone main bar!
    Suffering Baystone main bar!
    My order

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    My order
    The Capital Room

    The Capital Room

    4.5
    (41 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    We went for the Pinup GOGO burlesque event and it was AMAZING. The performers and the entire team…read morewere incredible, so welcoming, fun, and super accommodating. The bar itself is a great space and beautifully decorated, which really added to the vibe of the night. There was only one waitress covering the entire bar, and she truly did her best to keep up. We appreciated her effort and attentiveness, especially managing everything on her own. We did try making conversation at the bar, but the interaction felt a bit short. I ordered a mocktail and asked her to surprise me since there wasn't a mocktail menu. She brought a pineapple drink that unfortunately tasted off, it turned out the juice had gone bad. My husband ordered two $12 cocktails, and both were noticeably watered down. I ordered a second mocktail, though, and that one was actually really good. I do want to point out that the drinks did come out in a timely fashion. Overall, the event and atmosphere were fantastic, and while there were a few drink hiccups, we could tell the staff was doing their best.

    I like the concept. This place is really trendy, unfortunately we came when the place was slammed…read moreand didn't get prompt service. Actually, we sat for a while before any one even came to serve us. But once they located us, we were greeted by a few different servers which made the experience much better. It is Christmas themed currently. And what a Christmasy experience it was. We tried to order the Cartel Experience, like $32 with tax. It is one of their classic menu drinks, and they weren't able to accommodate, which filled me with Christmas dread. Like a lump of coal in my stocking. Riley who was our server has the patience of a saint. We were so indecisive and she patiently explained the different drinks. We finally settled on the Creme Buble Brulee. The drink was really great.

    Photos
    Fully stocked bar
    Fully stocked bar
    Old Fashion, tequila shot, and Ichibad Crane Mule.
    Old Fashion, tequila shot, and Ichibad Crane Mule.
    The Capital Room

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    The Manikin Lounge - lounges - Updated July 2026

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