- Thread starter Mari217
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Are there any Dominicans in Orlando, FL
Hi! I live in Orlando. I lived in New York for 10 years before coming to Orlando 4 years ago. I have adjusted fine. I actually like it better than I like New York. It is warm and I hate the cold weather. Plus, I'm closer to the Dominican Republic. 
I also like being outdoors.
I also like being outdoors.Dragonfly32837 said:Hi! I live in Orlando. I lived in New York for 10 years before coming to Orlando 4 years ago. I have adjusted fine. I actually like it better than I like New York. It is warm and I hate the cold weather. Plus, I'm closer to the Dominican Republic.
Well that is true, we are closer to D.R., but you can't even get a direct flight out of here (Orlando).
Do you know of any nice dominican restaurants here in Orlando?
I use to live in Washington Heights and we had many choices, but here you need to drive so far for everything.
I have no family here maybe that is why I miss NY so much.
I don't know of any fancy Dominican restaurants in Orlando but there is a decent one on S. Oakridge Rd. named La Casa de las Empanadas.
Here is a free Dominican newspaper that is usually published weekly in Orlando:
http://www.el-dominicano.com/
They also have many ads for restaurants, hair dressers, mechanics, etc. All are Dominican.
http://www.el-dominicano.com/
They also have many ads for restaurants, hair dressers, mechanics, etc. All are Dominican.
There are several Dominican restaurants in east Orlando and oakridge area's, and if you are interested in mingling amonst Dominican's here, go to the softball field next to the Smith center community center on Saturday's from 5pm to 9pm evenings, and or Sunday mornings from 9am to 3pm at the Red bug softball complex and or at the Seminole softball complex on Douglas road in Altamonte springs, they play there every Sunday all year round, there you will feel right at home. anyway I am here in Orlando if you need more assistance.
Well.....
In Orlando, there are a few Dominicans but most people of Caribbean descent move to Kissimmee instead. It's cheaper down there. But as far as Orlando, there are a few spots. There's a club called Matrix near the convention center that probably can fit 1500 people in there. I went there one night a few years ago and the energy was insane, not to mention all the pretty people there. My cousin told me it's still like that, tons of Boricuas and just about any other nationality in there. But still mostly Boricuas and Dominicans. Pleasure Island is another place that gets really active at night. There's a place outside of Orlando called El Rancho that has lots of stuff going on. But as I previously mentioned, Kissimmee has more Dominicans and Cubans and Boricuas than Orlando. It's not better to live in but it's definitely cheaper out there. The house parties are insane, to say the least. Usually alot of NYC folks that transplanted themselved to Central Florida that like to throw those parties or like my cousin that moved there from DR in 97 and now her parties are so crazy that the cops stay to chill and look at the women that show up. If you want, hit me up on the PM and I can get you info on a few more places and people to get a hold of.
Jon S.
Still embarrased to not be able to get around Orlando after visiting the dam place for 15 years already!!!!
In Orlando, there are a few Dominicans but most people of Caribbean descent move to Kissimmee instead. It's cheaper down there. But as far as Orlando, there are a few spots. There's a club called Matrix near the convention center that probably can fit 1500 people in there. I went there one night a few years ago and the energy was insane, not to mention all the pretty people there. My cousin told me it's still like that, tons of Boricuas and just about any other nationality in there. But still mostly Boricuas and Dominicans. Pleasure Island is another place that gets really active at night. There's a place outside of Orlando called El Rancho that has lots of stuff going on. But as I previously mentioned, Kissimmee has more Dominicans and Cubans and Boricuas than Orlando. It's not better to live in but it's definitely cheaper out there. The house parties are insane, to say the least. Usually alot of NYC folks that transplanted themselved to Central Florida that like to throw those parties or like my cousin that moved there from DR in 97 and now her parties are so crazy that the cops stay to chill and look at the women that show up. If you want, hit me up on the PM and I can get you info on a few more places and people to get a hold of.
Jon S.
Still embarrased to not be able to get around Orlando after visiting the dam place for 15 years already!!!!
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Since we are talking about clubs now!
Matrix and Metropolis are both in Pointe Orlando(International Drive - also known as I-drive across from the convention center). They are right across from each other in the second floor. If you pay for admission to one you can go back and forth from one to the other the whole night. I like to go on Sundays because it is latin night. They have merengue, salsa, and bachata at Metropolis(mostly salsa and merengue) and reggeaton at Matrix. You will see a more older and sophisticated crowd at Metropolis. They also have pool tables and plush furniture to relax in there. They just started Rhythm nights every thursday at Metropolis with Merengue, salsa, and reggeaton.
In the I-drive area they have another club named Copa that plays salsa, merengue, and bachata. Mostly salsa and most of the people that go there are older (over 25).
At Citywalk Universal they have Latin Quarter. It is a restaurant with a dance floor that converts into a disco at night. I don't really like to go dancing there because too many tourists go there. They go in their shorts and sneakers and they let them in. I like to dress up and go out. The club itself is very nice. It's just that the tourists give it a different atmosphere. I don't know, maybe you will like it. The food is great at Latin Quarter by the way.
In downtown Orlando there are many clubs. They are not strictly latin clubs but they do have latin nights on some nights. I have to research some more on that because Tabu had latin nights on Thursdays and I heard that they changed it.
At the corner of Bennet and Colonial Drive they have a nice club called Roxy's. I love going there. They have two dance floors and three bars. The one in the main floor plays merengue, salsa, and bachata. They have a second floor with another bar that plays reggeaton. They supposedly have a third smaller dance floor when you first enter the club that plays strictly salsa but I never see that many people dancing there anyway. Latin nights at Roxy's is on wednesdays.
On South Orange Blosson Trail (OBT) they have another latin club called Coco Bongos. They have latin music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Saturdays are the best days to go. On most thursdays they usually have bands that come to play live. I have seen La Banda Gorda, Fernandito Villalona, Joe Veras, Kinito Mendez, among others. Aventura is coming soon.
There is also Mirage on S. Oakridge Rd. I like to go there on Saturdays. I only like to go for the music. It's the place that has the most updated music in Orlando.
Like Jon mentioned, El Rancho is out of the way. We went when they had To?o Rosario and Malafe. We don't really like to go because most of us like to drink and we don't like to drive that far. If you have a designated driver I guess it is OK, but in my opinion it's not worth the trip because they don't bring orquestas anymore and it's not what it used to be.
In Downtown Disney they have Pleasure Island. You pay one admission fee and you can enter their seven clubs. None play latin music. at the House of Blues they bring live bands. Mostly American bands but the other day they had Don Omar and Wisin y Yandel.
If I think of anymore, I will let you know.
Matrix and Metropolis are both in Pointe Orlando(International Drive - also known as I-drive across from the convention center). They are right across from each other in the second floor. If you pay for admission to one you can go back and forth from one to the other the whole night. I like to go on Sundays because it is latin night. They have merengue, salsa, and bachata at Metropolis(mostly salsa and merengue) and reggeaton at Matrix. You will see a more older and sophisticated crowd at Metropolis. They also have pool tables and plush furniture to relax in there. They just started Rhythm nights every thursday at Metropolis with Merengue, salsa, and reggeaton.
In the I-drive area they have another club named Copa that plays salsa, merengue, and bachata. Mostly salsa and most of the people that go there are older (over 25).
At Citywalk Universal they have Latin Quarter. It is a restaurant with a dance floor that converts into a disco at night. I don't really like to go dancing there because too many tourists go there. They go in their shorts and sneakers and they let them in. I like to dress up and go out. The club itself is very nice. It's just that the tourists give it a different atmosphere. I don't know, maybe you will like it. The food is great at Latin Quarter by the way.
In downtown Orlando there are many clubs. They are not strictly latin clubs but they do have latin nights on some nights. I have to research some more on that because Tabu had latin nights on Thursdays and I heard that they changed it.
At the corner of Bennet and Colonial Drive they have a nice club called Roxy's. I love going there. They have two dance floors and three bars. The one in the main floor plays merengue, salsa, and bachata. They have a second floor with another bar that plays reggeaton. They supposedly have a third smaller dance floor when you first enter the club that plays strictly salsa but I never see that many people dancing there anyway. Latin nights at Roxy's is on wednesdays.
On South Orange Blosson Trail (OBT) they have another latin club called Coco Bongos. They have latin music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Saturdays are the best days to go. On most thursdays they usually have bands that come to play live. I have seen La Banda Gorda, Fernandito Villalona, Joe Veras, Kinito Mendez, among others. Aventura is coming soon.
There is also Mirage on S. Oakridge Rd. I like to go there on Saturdays. I only like to go for the music. It's the place that has the most updated music in Orlando.
Like Jon mentioned, El Rancho is out of the way. We went when they had To?o Rosario and Malafe. We don't really like to go because most of us like to drink and we don't like to drive that far. If you have a designated driver I guess it is OK, but in my opinion it's not worth the trip because they don't bring orquestas anymore and it's not what it used to be.
In Downtown Disney they have Pleasure Island. You pay one admission fee and you can enter their seven clubs. None play latin music. at the House of Blues they bring live bands. Mostly American bands but the other day they had Don Omar and Wisin y Yandel.
If I think of anymore, I will let you know.
I do... I'll send you their phone numbers via PM. They are two Dominican sisters that live in Kissimmee. You can call both. Both make a delicious cake. They do not live too far from Orlando. It's a 5 - 30 minute drive depending on what part of Orlando you are coming from. The live almost on the outskirts of Orlando.
Nice to see so many Dominicans in the Orlando area. I also moved down here in November from NY. I'm building my house in Kissimmee. Slowly but surely the Dominican population is growing, and that's a good thing.
Each week you can find concerts in and around the city. Coco's has some pretty good shows on OBT. I believe Los Toros will be there in a few weeks. Yoskar Sorante played at El Mirador in Kissimmee the other night.
Sergio Vargas played at Heritage Park last Sunday.
The important thing is to find a local Dominican bodega, they usually have good information and you can also pick up the free weekly Dominican newspaper.
Now, if we can just get a flight to DR from here!
Each week you can find concerts in and around the city. Coco's has some pretty good shows on OBT. I believe Los Toros will be there in a few weeks. Yoskar Sorante played at El Mirador in Kissimmee the other night.
Sergio Vargas played at Heritage Park last Sunday.
The important thing is to find a local Dominican bodega, they usually have good information and you can also pick up the free weekly Dominican newspaper.
Now, if we can just get a flight to DR from here!
I know. I hate having to make connections.
I was supposed to go see Yoskar Sarante but my brother fell asleep and my girlfriends and I decided to go to Bahama Breeze and drink some margaritas for the night.
I was supposed to go see Yoskar Sarante but my brother fell asleep and my girlfriends and I decided to go to Bahama Breeze and drink some margaritas for the night.
I drove my grandmother to FLL last Saturday to catch a flight to SDQ. Lucky it was a long weekend. I'd even settle for a flight from Tampa nonstop to DR. The entire region has grown immensely and maybe someday, we can get the nonstop.
As for now, the connections aren't so bad, particularly USairways' to SDQ. What really stinks is the much higher cost than a nonstop.
On a positive note, Presidente is always on sale here.
As for now, the connections aren't so bad, particularly USairways' to SDQ. What really stinks is the much higher cost than a nonstop.
On a positive note, Presidente is always on sale here.
It is nice to see that more Dominicans are coming over here.
Of course I don't like the connecting flights to Miami, I had to do it for the first time going to Santiago, Wow what a walk in that airport.
The plus is that I live about 10 minutes away from the airport here.
I live on the east side of Orlando.
Has it been easy to find a decent job?
Daycares or a babysitter if any of you have kids?
Of course I don't like the connecting flights to Miami, I had to do it for the first time going to Santiago, Wow what a walk in that airport.
The plus is that I live about 10 minutes away from the airport here.
I live on the east side of Orlando.
Has it been easy to find a decent job?
Daycares or a babysitter if any of you have kids?
I honestly don't know if they still have that 2x1 bottles on thursdays but they sometimes have different specials. Sometimes they have drinks for $3 before midnight and ladies drink free before midnight.GRS said:
As for the job, I wouldn't know what you consider decent. It's something different for everyone. I for one, am a 22 year old college student without any kids that lives with my family. It would be different once I finish school. I have a decent job that pays enough for what I need right now. It would be different if I was on my own or had a family to support. That takes me to my next point: I'm sorry, I have no idea about daycares or babysitters. I am the baby in the family and my nephews don't live here.Mari217 said:
About Jobs and child care
Mari, go to the airport and solicit the rental car agencies, and the parking bureau, if you don't have a vehicle take the 41 from where you live to get to and from there, I work for a big rental agency here we have plenty of Dominicans on staff, if you have a clean back-ground, you should find work here everywhere..as far as child care is concerned...if your children are in school hook up with you local community center, it's a weekly thing but non the less check it out..it seems the school in your area is either Mc Coy stonewall Jackson, lake George, or Ventura..they all work either with the Y.M.C.A. or the City of Orlando...I have lived here now for 10 years the Dominican community here is very very big they are widespead.. but Dominican's here are in the thousands, so much that they was going to open up a consulate office here last year, and to that.. an area has to have more then 10 thousand of it's people in the area..it was not done because Miami and Jacksonville has offices in existance...but one day Tampa or Orlando will be next...if you need anymore help send me a P.M. we are a Dominican American family of five here...and we are always willing to help..plus there are also three Dominican social clubs with membership fees in your area if you are interested..
Mari, go to the airport and solicit the rental car agencies, and the parking bureau, if you don't have a vehicle take the 41 from where you live to get to and from there, I work for a big rental agency here we have plenty of Dominicans on staff, if you have a clean back-ground, you should find work here everywhere..as far as child care is concerned...if your children are in school hook up with you local community center, it's a weekly thing but non the less check it out..it seems the school in your area is either Mc Coy stonewall Jackson, lake George, or Ventura..they all work either with the Y.M.C.A. or the City of Orlando...I have lived here now for 10 years the Dominican community here is very very big they are widespead.. but Dominican's here are in the thousands, so much that they was going to open up a consulate office here last year, and to that.. an area has to have more then 10 thousand of it's people in the area..it was not done because Miami and Jacksonville has offices in existance...but one day Tampa or Orlando will be next...if you need anymore help send me a P.M. we are a Dominican American family of five here...and we are always willing to help..plus there are also three Dominican social clubs with membership fees in your area if you are interested..