The Social

I really like this place! Great location in the heart of downtown and they have awesome live music! I came here for Halloween no cover, no BS on the hype of a holiday.
The bar was well staffed we got our drinks quickly and were able to hang around the bar seating and watch/​listen to the live music. Really cool & artsy feel to the place. Good amount of room to walk around and hangout & dance if necessary.
Decent price drinks & access to a few other local spots nearby!

Our band got to play at Olde 64 recently on a Monday night. Usually a slow night for bars. Thanks to Marshal Ronas the promotor for Olde 64 for promoting the event as the place was packed with people who enjoyed good music and great drinks. The Social and Olde 64 are lucky to have such a professional and organized promotor.

While The Social has a nice intimate setting and good drink prices, the security out front kind of ruined it for me. I just moved to Orlando from Phoenix back in January and still have my Arizona drivers license. Security wasn’t going to let me into the show because they have outdated I.D. books with pictures of the old Arizona license. I even showed him my credit card with my name and signature matching my drivers license and his response was «I don’t care». After waiting outside for a good 10 minutes, management showed up and was equally as rude. He finally decided to let me in (but not before making me get in the back of the line. Again) after making me sign a piece of paper to verify my signature. I understand that it’s their job to verify I.D.s to make sure they’re not fake, but the fact that they have an outdated book and treated me like a felon was infuriating.

It’s been a good 12 years since I last stepped foot in The Social, having previously led a life touring the globe working for bands. This time, I was an adult (ok, maybe not) in town to see one of my favorite bands, Minus The Bear.
I didn’t recognize the place like I thought I might, but my recollections that I liked the venue proved fair. Sound was decent, and it’s such a great intimate setup. I watched the support act from the back/​side area, and then moved into the pit to watch the headliner. I was feet from a band that I usually see in 1,500+ capacity venues. I had almost forgotten how much better it is to see a band where you can actually see facial expressions, how they play their instruments, etc.
But The Social earns their 5^th star for not going crazy with packing the place out. The show was sold out, yet there was so much breathing room. I was front and center, and except for a drunk kid that was a tad too excited, I didn’t have to be pushed up against other humans. This is something you have to deal with at a lot of smaller clubs if you want to be close, but apparently, not here.
Bravo, Social.

Decent concert venue downtown next to the associated venue «The Beacham» which often features more rock, alternative, or general indie performers. If that is your thing, this is your place!
The room is a long rectangle with the stage on the left hand side, if you’re looking in from the door. The venue has a step down, pit area that puts that section of the audience about waist high to the stage. The upper area is also standing room only but you are closer to eye level instead of looking up.
This venue is overall on the smaller, «intimate» side of things. Bar on the right, and a small bar in the back. Both are about as expensive as you would guess for booze at a venue. Small restrooms (and a small green room for your favorite artist) make up the rest of the space.
There is a smoking area out front if that is your thing. But other than a quick cig, there is no reentry policy.

I’ve been going to the Social since it was Sapphire Supper Club. Sure, the name changed, and events change (no more Phat n Jazzy, except for reunions) but the place has remained mostly the same.
It’s a small-​to-​medium size (I guess it depends on your point of view) club that I like because it manages to stay intimate enough (you can get pretty close to the bands) and edgy enough. Too small for mainstream acts, but why do you want to see them anyway?
Performances I’ve seen here include Kool Keith, Jedi Mind Tricks, Meat Beat Manifesto, Rocket 88, Sneaker Pimps, Mr Scruff, !!!, Q Burns Abstract Message, DJ BMF, Os Mutantes, Mark Farina, Gold Panda, MC Chris, Mr. Lif, Electric Six, and Prefuse 73, to name a few.
Full bar. Wine/​beer selection is just ok — go with wells drinks. Bartenders are very nice and they work hard (be aware — many nights are so crowded that it may take time for you to get your drink). I recommend coming earlier.
Acoustics are good, and I think there’s a no-​smoking policy most of the time (although I believe the bands decide this). The 2^nd bar in the back room is cool to hang out at (if it’s open).
Sure, the Social is kinda-​divey in feel, but it works. I also may be a bit biased after coming here so many years (and seeing people I know every time I visit). Given the choice between a show next door (Beacham), or Firestone (now defunct), or Hard Rock/​HOB, I’ll take the Social as my preferred venue every time.

I had a change of plans and had to see one of my favorite bands in Orlando instead of closer to me in Tampa. In the middle of the week we hit up the Social for the show. I had never gone before because I don’t spend much time in the area, but I had no idea about the parking situation (it’s lame with tons of pay parking).
We arrived early and waited in line to get in. The space was pretty nice — two levels so you’re not stuck all the way in the back and unable to see past a hundred people. The ventilation/​air conditioning was good because I never found myself too warm. The sound was solid; at one point a patron shouted at the band to up the vocals. The band checked with the sound guy, and relayed the message from the sound guy for the patron to fuck himself. I’m sure the singer added the part at the end in, but I honestly wouldn’t complain about the balance too much.
The bathroom was immaculate when we came in, and my friend reported they were still clean halfway through (and at the end) because there was a bathroom attendant. She also took advantage of their drink special for the hour before a show.
I was bummed that there weren’t any barstools we could commandeer. Not because they were occupied, but because they legit didn’t have any. I was also bummed about their no re-​entry policy when the manthing went outside to take a phone call and was denied re-​entry after he finished. He initially came in after my friend and I, and at the end of the night he told us he couldn’t get back in and no one told him about the policy when he bought his ticket at the door. That’s kind of crappy. One would think there would be a little leeway if someone is just on the other side of the door trying to hear their phone.

If you don’t feel like crowding on the floor in front of the stage with drunks & kids, you can still see the show from another part of the room. Can’t beat that!

by far my favorite place for a show in orlando. it’s so intimate, and so many great acts have played that stage. as far as the bar itself goes, the beer selection is very lackluster, and the liquor pours definitely aren’t worth the money, but hey. you’re paying for the experience, and the social sure as hell beats out house of blues, hard rock, the plaza, and it’s big brother, the beacham. sure it’s a tight squeeze, and the acoustics aren’t as good as the other venues, but the intimacy and the close proximity to the artists is it what makes this place so charming.

If you’re a woman, you can carry a bag in. If you’re a man, you cannot carry a bag in. The people watching the door are usually short and/​or unreasonable. Drinks are not good and too expensive. The space is odd and not conducive to good crowd flow. Acoustics aren’t event good. Some people seem to think it’s a good venue for local acts, but it isn’t. I feel a strong aversion to this place, and most things that happen here.

One of my favorite live venues in Florida.
This place can pack it in, but even when it is super-​crowded, you can still see. Whoever books the shoe for The Social does an amazing job. They have such good bands play there.
The drinks aren’t too expensive and the staff is quite quick. Just don’t ask for something fussy and you’ll get fast service.

Visited multiple times for several shows, and I’ve got to say… the staff isn’t always the nicest. The size is VERY small and the bar area gets ridiculously crowded with smokers and drinkers who are very rude and the staff does not try to help.
Their crowd control is also a mess, as I have seen multiple harmful fights break out during shows…
As a venue, though, it is great for smaller bands.

Super tiny, intimate venue. Terrible drinks, and the bartenders are a tad inattentive, but the place has a nice vibe. Relatively clean and well-​stocked restrooms, the line was always shorter than I had anticipated. Be sure to check out the photo booth in the corner for a cute and relatively cheap souvenir of your night out!

Came here for a concert once and the venue was pretty cute. It’s average sized (but a little on the smaller side) with two levels and it was probably the most «comfortable» show I’ve ever been to even though it was completely sold out. I didn’t feel like I was fighting for my life when I was trying to dance to the music and I didn’t feel like anyone was in my personal space. Only problem, only one of their bathrooms worked in the ladies room. What? There was a huge line for the restrooms, it was ridiculous. Out of 4 toilets, only 1 worked!
Other than that, it was an average venue. Nothing particularly noteworthy but not bad either. I’d check it out.
xx MJ

I went to my first show at The Social last week, and it was so much better than I was expecting.
First off, for the first hour all drinks (except for shots) are $ 3.50. Seriously, I was stunned. Pretty sure I can’t get a double (well, it seemed like a double — they aren’t shy with pouring) of Tito and tonic for $ 3.50 anywhere else haha. The bartenders were super friendly, too, which is always a plus. I didn’t stop at the secondary rear bar, but it was open for this show and I’m sure it was just as nice as the main bar.
The venue itself is really intimate, and even though I didn’t care to shove my way to the front of the stage (I’d prefer to watch from the less claustrophobic corner by the bar), I could still see the stage & the acoustics were great. The bathroom was basically clean (better than I was expecting at least), though I did have to basically fight my way through the crowd to get there — my only semi-​negative experience of the night.
Also, not sure if it was just the performer we saw or something the venue encourages, but the artist stayed after the show and just hung out with all of the fans who stayed to meet him.
Overall I’d definitely go back to The Social again! :)

The Social is one of my least favorite venues to see a show in Orlando, yet for some reason it’s where a lot of bands I like seem to play.
The venue is very «narrow” — about 4 bowling lanes wide at most, and about the same length. However the stage is on the left side as you walk in, with a bar on the opposite wall, so it makes for very little room in from of the actual stage. You generally wind of crammed at one of the ends of the stage, which makes the already mediocre sound system sound just muffled, and getting a drink from the bar a hassle. They also allow smoking inside, which is a major turnoff for some.
If you’re seeing a smaller/​local act, with less people in attendance, the venue isn’t too bad. But I much prefer other venues, my favorite in Orlando being The Plaza Theater.

The Social is one of my all-​time favorite concert spots. This is where I’ve heard all of the bands that I knew about way before anybody else. =)
Keep an eye on their concert schedule and give a listen to anything that catches your eye. Tickets are pretty inexpensive, so it is worth taking the chance. If you sign up for The Social e-​mails you will get discounts that make the prices hard to beat (like 2 for 1 tickets on Tuesdays, and every once in a while a free show).
The venue itself is an old building with cool wooden beams across the ceiling and exposed brick walls. It’s a small space so you can really get close to the performers, which is cool. At a recent concert we were talking to a guy standing next to us and a couple songs later he got onstage… who knew he was in the band? That kind of experience is pretty cool, and really sets The Social apart from larger venues.
There are two bars, one on the opposite wall from the stage, which is always packed, and a second bar in the back of the venue. Go to the bar in the back! Way faster service, and if it’s a crowded show you’ll appreciate the breathing room.

Been coming here regularly since 2002. I’ve seen some of my favorite bands of all time here. Including Big Business, CKY, Creature Feature, Daughters, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Gravy Train, Les Georges Leningrad, The Locust, Mastodon, MC Lars, The Melvins, Most Precious Blood, Russian Circles, Sick Of It All, Stolen Babies, These Arms Are Snakes, Tomahawk, Twiztid, The World Inferno Friendship Society, Young Widows and I am only naming a few.
For the first few years I started coming here, a punk rocker use to own and/​or run the club. He was really short, always had a chain wallet, short spiky hair with a gigantic Spitfire tattoo on his neck. This venue could not be beat when he was running it and he was at every show making sure thing ran smoothly. I never caught his name or even talked to him once. He was actually interested in music so he actually liked his job which definitely helped morale.
Video recording was allowed at every show unless the band specifically requested it not to be. It wasn’t until early 2007 when that stopped completely, about the same time a new owner took over. It went to check out Kid Koala’s DJ set. I contacted him and his booking agent about filming the show and they had absolutely no problem with it. When I got to the venue, they immediately said no. I told them the artist was fine with it and they simply shook their head. I haven’t been allowed a video camera in since then.
Schoolyard Heroes played there with Aiden in 2008 and someone was actually thrown out for video taping their set. Security didn’t ask him to stop or anything. They grabbed him by the arm and out the door he went. The band stopped playing and demanded he come be allowed back in. Turns out they actually wanted him to film their set. The man running the venue told them «house rules» and eventually told them «just play or get off the stage.» Which the band packed up their gear and left.
All hope for the venue was lost after that. The whole incident can actually be found on YouTube somewhere. I certainly never tried to bring a camera to the venue after that in fear that my hour drive and ticket /​parking price would be all for nothing if I got kicked out. It’s bizarre how such a laid back venue can turn into a place someone would fear to attend. Well, it was a good five year run.
Since then I’ve always tried to go to another venue. Like if the same band is playing at Jack Rabbits in Jacksonville the night prior, I’ll go to that show instead. The drive is twenty minutes longer but parking is free and the staff aren’t complete douche bags. The Social does have a box office where you can buy fee-​free tickets. But it’s only during show hours and they usually close up early long before the show ends.
Venue-​wise, it’s set up really nice. The stage is really wide but not very deep which has never been a problem. I’ve seen bands that have a ton of members or instruments and always have plenty of room. Lighting is excellent when the bands don’t have them turned down or all the way off. Sound always differs with sound guys, but the system itself has never been outstandingly amazing.
2002 — 2007 this venue was perfect, five stars. Was my favorite venue to go to every one of those years. 2007 — 2013 would be two stars. Excellent venue but really awful staff. House Of Blues, The Beacham, Firestone Live, The Social and probably more I don’t know about all have the same booking agent. Which is why they get all the big shows while places like Will’s Pub and Back Booth get shafted when well known bands stroll through town.

Always happy when bands do a show here instead of a larger spot. You can’t beat the energy here, especially when the place is near capacity. I have seen a lot of indie/​electronic/​hip-​hop acts here — some before they ‘made it big’ and had to start booking larger venues — and it is always a great place for a show. Used to regularly attend Phat + Jazzy here, as well.
Whether or not smoking is allowed seems to be determined by a coinflip on any given nights. Sometimes it’s verboten, other times not. I think that’s why I’m withholding the final star as I would be elated to see them become a permanently non-​smoking venue (sorry, smokers).

I came here for the first time to see The Helio Sequence a few weekends ago. I’m from Miami and I made the drive just to see this show.
As soon as I walked in, I had a big smile on my face. I’m a fan of venues like this one. They’re on the smaller side so it makes shows more intimate. I liked the layout and how they had some sort of a pit in the front. I liked that they had a long bar, making it easier for me to order a drink. The drinks here were good and weren’t so badly priced either in comparison to the crazy prices of Miami nightlife.
I have no complaints about the sound quality here. The band sounded pretty damn good. I was really happy with my experience at this venue. If I ever have to drive to Orlando to see a band because they just won’t come to Miami, I’d be happy if it was at The Social. I’d like to see more shows here!