Legacy, builds on the legend of Faces

Here's the column this week folks, have a great weekend!

You've heard me mention a couple of times in this column how so many of the local gay bars are dying off. That's why I was happy to hear about some regulars at the bar off Edgewater Drive that used to be Faces. These people decided to keep the "legacy" of the old space and owner alive.

I was looking forward to stopping by the new spot at 3925 Clarcona-Ocoee Road in Orlando last weekend to catch lady rawkers D29. But too much partying at the Anti Pop Music Festival put the kibosh on that, so I stopped by aptly named Legacy Club a couple of nights later.

Owners Tami Robinson and Francine Uva were hanging out watching the Seahawks-49ers game and chatting with the regulars at this lesbian-friendly bar. A far cry from a near-capacity crowd for the show two nights before, according to Uva, but she seemed cool with that.

Robinson and Uva had frequented Faces, one of the first lesbian bars in Orlando. They opened this bar in memory of Faces, and its owner Sue Hannah, who passed away from cancer earlier this year.

"It's just about trying to keep a legacy going," says Uva.

The space should do quite well considering few bars in town serve the lesbian community.

The drink specials won't hurt either, with happy hour all day on Monday and from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. I had a Michelob Ultra, and my friend had a Miller Lite for $2 a pop. Not bad. On Tuesdays, the bar plays host to Bar Bingo for a buck a card, and on Wednesdays, Dame Edna steps in to host "Karaoke Madness" from 8 p.m. until midnight. Fans of Southern Nights at 375 S. Bumby Ave., which reopens this weekend as Revolution, will dig Saturday's drag queen shows starting at 11 p.m. and hosted by Leigh Shannon and Page King.

The space is actually rather large with the stage front and center, directly across from the bar. Tables and seats are available if you don't feel like standing to watch a show or the game.

This is full liquor, folks, and the owners are firm on their 21-and-up policy at the bar.

Formerly a biker bar, not much had to be updated. But the bartender was quick to point out that Legacy has the cleanest bathrooms of any gay bar in town. There is smoking inside so if you need any fresh air, there's an outside area in the back complete with a tiki bar and a volleyball court.

With the legacy of Faces, and a regulars crowd already built in, Legacy shouldn't have any problems sticking around for quite a while.

The Legacy Club is at 3925 Clarcona-Ocoee Road in Orlando, call 407-521-2007 or go to myspace.com/thelegacyclub07


Rhythm & Flow no mo?

*Looks like Rhythm & Flow Ultra Lounge at 2 S. Orange Ave. has shut its doors for good. Over the weekend, you couldn't help but notice the front entrance locked, and the lights out at the club that really started downtown's ultra lounge trend a few years back. For the most part, they did it in a classy way -- something I can't really vouch for with others that have since opened. Rumors of eviction are swirling, but I'm still waiting for a final answer from the owner, and will let you know as soon as I hear something.


Pre-Turkey Day parties

*Unlike other cities, this town isn't necessarily hopping with nightlife events during Thanksgiving week. Probably because most people traveling into Orlando are tourists, and most people traveling out are heading back to where they came from. Needless to say, that never stops Wall Street Plaza from finding a reason to party over just about anything. There will be no cover for Wednesday's "Night Before Thanksgiving Block Party," which goes from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be an outdoor dance floor set up, and specials will include, appropriately, $3.50 shots of Wild Turkey. Call 407-849-0471 to get more information.

Kelly Fitzpatrick can be reached at 407-420-5710.
kfitzpatrick@metromix.com