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The Lodge on Orange Ave, Orlando. Photo: Chris Carney
Upon enteringThe Lodge on Orange Avenue you can be forgiven for doing a double take and wondering if you’ve somehow jaunted deep into the Smoky Mountains to sate your thirst. Log cabin inspired paneling splattered with the stuffed heads of deer, moose and the odd jackalope contrast sharply with the clientele who often bear the aura of the staunchly vegan.
But, The Lodge is all about contrasts. Opened in 2003 by the owners of Room 39 (RIP), Stardust and Cigarz, The Lodge quickly took on a life of its own. Weekdays see a decidedly offbeat crowd comprised mostly of downtown hipsters, surfer folk contemplating the mysteries of the big wave with bartender Moby and the old timer regulars out for a cheap drink and a little relaxation.
Weekends see a transformation not unlike the metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly as The Lodge fills to the breaking with young college co-eds swaying in some semblance of rhythm to Mac laptop spun 80’s hits likely older than the average patron. Despite the clientele change, The Lodge still retains its grungy alterna-culture appeal. Men and women alike seem caught in a trance of sweat, alcohol and barely muted sexuality. One friend said, on moving away from our fair city, that he’d miss The Lodge the most, as he’d had “much success a’ huntin’” within its walls.
Head upstairs to the balcony for the best view of Orlando’s amateur inebriated dance troupes. Plop down on a couch and catch a little bit of cool air or hit up the lesser known bathroom and avoid the lengthy lines downstairs.
Grab a lunchbox of PBR, a shot of Jager or a pint of Orange Blossom Pilsner and curse this author for failing in his quest to gift a signed copy of Ted Nugent’s Kill It and Grill It, to the lads at The Lodge.
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