City District

06/11/2026

🍊🧡⚾️🏟️

06/09/2026

CITY DISTRICT MAIN STREET, 1 of 12 amazing Orlando Main Streets is proud to announce our many in-district businesses, partners, and nominees for the Orlando Weekly 2026 "Best of Orlando"!

VOTING ROUND: June 3rd - July 15

Congratulations and BEST of luck to all of our nominees!

Best of … Arts & Entertainment

Art Gallery - CityArts
Arts Advocate - Barbara Hartley
Art Event/Festival - IMMERSE | Creative City Project
Local Drag Event - Truth or Dare with P. Sparkle at SAK Comedy Lab
Local Graphic Artist & Design Agency - HiFive
Museum - Orange County Regional History Center
Recurring Arts Night - 3rd Thursday Orlando | Downtown Arts District Orlando
Theater - Judson’s Live
Theater - Steinmetz Hall
Theater - The Walt Disney Theater

Best of … City Life

Boutique Hotel - Aloft Orlando Downtown
Charity Event - Trash 2 Trends
Date Spot - Kres Chophouse
Local Festival Overall - Come Out With Pride
Event Venue - Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Neighborhood - Downtown Orlando
People Watching - Downtown Orlando
Real Orlando - Downtown Orlando

Best of … Drinking & Nightlife

Bar Overall - Bellhop
Bar Overall - Anthem Orlando
Bar Patio - A La Cart
Bar Restroom - Anthem Orlando
Bar Restroom - Bellhop
Bartender - Connor Christie @ Bellhop
Bartender - Jodi Fein @ Casey's on Central
Beer Selection on Tap - Gravity Taproom
Bloody Mary - Bellhop
Bottled Beer Selection - Gravity Taproom
College Bar - The Basement Orlando
Dance Club - Anthem Orlando
Downtown Bar - 64 North
Downtown Bar - Anthem Orlando
Downtown Bar - Bellhop
Downtown Bar - Casey’s on Central
Downtown Bar - Mathers Social Gathering
Downtown Bar - Warped Pour
Downtown Bar - A La Cart
Gay Bar - Anthem Orlando
Gay Bar - Casey’s on Central
Happy Hour - Anthem Orlando
Happy Hour - Bellhop
Moscow Mule - Bellhop
Moscow Mule - Kres Chophouse
New Bar - Anthem Orlando
New Bar - NOIR Bar
New Bar - Sparrow
Old-Fashioned - Bellhop
Old-Fashioned - Mathers Social Gathering
Pub - The Harp & Celt
Retail Beer Selection - Gravity Taproom
Rooftop Bar - AC Sky Bar
Rooftop Bar - Hanson’s Shoe Repair

Best of … Food & Dining

Bakery - Phat Ash Bakes
Boba Tea - BENTO Asian Kitchen
Cheap Eats - Gringos Locos
Coffee Bar - Deeply Cafe & Bottle Shop
Coffee Bar - Foxtail
Downtown Restaurant - Citrus Club
Downtown Restaurant - Gitto’s Pizza
Downtown Restaurant - Gravity Taproom
Downtown Restaurant - Kres Chophouse
Downtown Restaurant - Reyes Mezcaleria
Downtown Restaurant - Sparrow
Gourmet Pizza - Gravity Taproom
Greek Restaurant - The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill
Korean Restaurant - The Neighborhood Eatery
Late Night Restaurant - Gringos Locos
Local Chef - Elio Hillis @ Red Pando Noodle
Local Chef - Wendy Lopez @ Reyes Mezcaleria
Local Coffee Roaster - Foxtail
Local Coffee Roaster - Stemma
Mexican Restaurant - Reyes Mezcaleria
Outdoor Dining - A La Cart
Restroom - Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Steakhouse - Kres Chophouse
Tacos - Tin & Taco
Tapas - Sparrow

Best of … Health & Beauty

Eyelash/Brow Salon - Brow Wizard
Group Fitness - “Move to the Beat” with Carolina Cardenas
Gym - Lift 365 Fitness
Yoga Studio - Full Circle Yoga

Best of … Local Music

Club DJ - DJ Nela
Live Music Venue - Judson’s Live

Best of … Services

Criminal Defense Attorney or Firm - O’Mara Law Group
DUI Attorney or Firm - The Kaigle Law Firm
Family Law Attorney or Firm - NeJame Law
Immigration Attorney or Firm - NeJame Law
Law Firm Overall - Kaufman & Lynd
Local Interior Design or Firm - Morrone Interiors
Local Interior Design or Firm - Noble House Staging & Designs
Personal Injury Attorney or Firm - Kaufman & Lynd
Personal Injury Attorney or Firm - Morgan & Morgan
Personal Injury Attorney or Firm - Tina Willis Law Injury Accident Attorney
Real Estate Attorney or Law Firm - ZKS Law
Veterinarian or Veterinarian Clinic - North Orange Animal Hospital
Veterinarian or Veterinarian Clinic - Downtown Pet Hospital

Best of … Shopping & Retail

Bicycle Shop - Retro City Cycles
Eyewear Boutique - Oxford Eyes
Record Story - Rock & Roll Heaven

Orlando's best of the best in nightlife, shopping, restaurants, goods, services, sports, and recreation

06/04/2026

05/28/2026

City District Main Street History … did you know?

Any Orlando resident will tell you that the city has grown significantly in the past few years. People are flocking here, and the population is growing by about 1,000 people per week. While Orlando hasn’t always been growing at such a rate, its history is filled with stories of people from elsewhere moving here and making an impact.

Take Gertrude Sweet. Born in New Orleans in 1862, moving to Orlando in the 1870s, joining two brothers and one sister who had already made the move. And that decision would impact the City Beautiful, as Gertrude would become the namesake for Gertrude’s Walk, a pedestrian walkway stretching from W. Church St. to W. Washington St.

How did Gertrude’s Walk come about? Gertrude’s brother, Charles Sweet, became the 6th mayor of Orlando in 1881. During his tenure, he commissioned the construction of Orlando’s widest street, which the mayor named Gertrude’s Avenue, after his sister. Gertrude herself was known as “the most beautiful woman in Orange County,” and the Orlando Sentinel described the 100-ft wide street named after her as “a beauty.” The avenue was derailed when a railroad company purchased the land to construct a line from Orlando to the Atlantic Coast. As a result, Orange Ave. became the City’s main thoroughfare, and Gertrude’s Avenue transformed from a road to a trail.

In the 1980s, Gertrude’s Walk was improved and bronze plaques were installed along the route by Don Reynolds. In 2010, the pathway was widened and resurfaced and the lighting upgraded, further improving the safety of the trail. Today, Gertrude’s Walk spans three city blocks and runs adjacent to the railroad tracks. The trail is part of the Downtown Loop and also connects to the Orlando Urban Trail via the pedestrian bridge over Colonial Dr.

But before Gertrude’s Walk came about, Gertrude herself established a life in Orlando. She married Harry A. Newell in 1883 and the two settled on E. Robinson St. Newell was a musician who began one of Orlando’s first musical groups, in which Gertrude played the piano. The couple had three children. Gertrude passed away in 1946 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

This artistic representation of Gertrude’s Walk was created by City District Main Street Design Committee volunteer and local artist and resident, .art Learn more about the origins and steeped history of Orlando and YOUR downtown Main Street - City District Orlando!

05/28/2026

*ANNOUNCEMENT*

CITY DISTRICT MAIN STREET welcomes new board member, Bridget Hartig!

Bridget Hartig is a local painter and mural artist who is incredibly excited to join the City District Main Street Board of Directors, having been voted in at City District's May 15th, 2026 board retreat.

Bridget first began working with City District in 2023 as one of the ArtBox (signal cabinet) artists, and later joining the Design Committee as a committee volunteer. Since then, she has become the project manager for the upcoming ArtBox 2.0 initiative, enjoys live painting at several City District events including Third Thursday at CityArts and seasonal/holiday activations, and she also created and managed the organizations 2026 Historical Architectural Calendar.

As a born-and-raised Orlando native, Bridget is honored to join the board and is excited to continue investing in City District's Central Business and North Quarter neighborhoods.

05/28/2026

CITY DISTRICT MAIN STREET is excited to recognize Studio ReBloom as the May Business of the Month in City District's North Quarter!

Rooted in ritual and backed by science, Studio ReBloom offers a transformative approach to skincare and self care in the heart of City District's North Quarter. This boutique skincare and wellness studio was founded on the belief that true beauty begins with feeling seen, heard, and cared for.

specializes in medical-grade Korean skincare treatments and restorative body rituals that are as results-driven as they are deeply relaxing. Every service is thoughtfully designed to help clients reconnect with themselves while achieving healthy, radiant skin in a calming and intentional environment.

More than just a skincare studio, Studio ReBloom is a sanctuary—a space to connect, exhale, and ReBloom. Their personalized approach combines advanced techniques with a holistic philosophy, creating an experience that nurtures both inner wellness and outer confidence.

City District Main Street is known for its vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment scene, but it is also home to businesses dedicated to helping our community feel and look their best. Whether you’re seeking effective skincare solutions or simply a moment of restoration, Studio ReBloom offers a beautiful escape right here in Downtown Orlando.

✨ Follow along:
🌿 Discover more businesses that help City District thrive!

We’re proud to have One Florida Bank as the MAIN SPONSOR of City District Main Street’s Business of the Month program for the entirety of 2026, supporting City District’s Economic Vitality Committee in celebrating and uplifting the businesses that make our community thrive.

05/21/2026

A new Love Island-themed pop-up is launching in downtown Orlando with a full opening week on Wall Street. The Villa will kick things off on Tuesday, June 2, at 25 Wall Street, timed to the Season 8…

05/11/2026

05/07/2026

District 5 Main Streets support & collaborate! On Thursday, April 30th, District 5 Commissioner Shan Rose, City District Main Street ED, Mike Griffin, Orlando Main Streets Coordinator, Lisa Cuatt, and Parramore Main Street ED, Kenneth Hughes, attended the West Lakes Main Street District Mixer to welcome and cheer on WLMS’s new Executive Director, Jennifer Hilaire and her board. West Lakes saw some major LOVE from their business community and the mixer was a great success!

Why should YOU support your local Main Street program? Supporting Main Street’s fosters local economic growth, preserves historic character, and builds resilient communities by revitalizing downtowns and neighborhood/commercial business districts. Through the Main Street Approach™, Main Streets create jobs, support small businesses, and generate significant local reinvestment.

Proven Economic Impact: In 2025 alone, Main Street’s, like the 12 Orlando Main Street programs, and similar ones across the country, together generated a record-breaking $9.4 billion in local reinvestment, facilitated the creation of 36,549 net new jobs, and helped start 6,936 new businesses!

If you are a business owner, community member, looking to relocate your business, or just want to volunteer your time for the greater good - contact your local Main Street program!

05/06/2026

05/04/2026

Today we proudly recognize an exceptional employee, Craig Williams, who has now been here at the Citrus Club for 45 incredible years!

Thank you, Craig, for your dedication, hard work, and for being a valued part of our team. Your commitment and contributions make a meaningful difference, and we are truly grateful to have you as part of our Citrus Club family! Thank you for everything you’ve done! 👏

🍊Come visit Craig & our incredible team at the Club today!

05/04/2026

City District Main Street History … did you know?

Sports in Downtown Orlando are dominated by big names like the Orlando Magic, the Orlando City Soccer Club, and Pride, the Storm, Solar Bears, and more - all with equally domineering spaces like the Kia Center and Camping World Stadium, which host upwards of 20,000 people, and Inter&Co. Stadium four blocks away in the historic Parramore neighborhood. But an unassuming building at 16-18 West Pine Street, known as the Tinker Building, has an equally legendary status in the world of sports and in the history of the City Beautiful.

The Tinker Building was named after its first owner, Joseph B. “Joe” Tinker. Born in Kansas, Joe Tinker’s journey to becoming a household name began when he joined the Chicago Cubs as a shortstop in 1902. While Tinker was on the team, the Cubs claimed several World Series victories in 1906, 1907, 1908, and 1910. Tinker’s prowess on the field also earned him five All-Star Game appearances during his time in the major leagues. In 1920, Tinker entered a new chapter as he moved to Orlando, where his impact would reach beyond the confines of the baseball diamond.

In the heart of Orlando, right here in City District proper, he constructed a brick, terra cotta, and glazed tile building in 1925 to house his real estate business. This two-story, 6,128 square foot building bore witness to a diverse array of endeavors, including the Singer Sewing Machine Co., the Balfour Hardware Store, a pool hall, and the offices of the Orlando Magic and the hyperlocal journal, Orlando Weekly. The building’s rich history and architectural significance led to its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Today, Chronic Guru Downtown Orlando is fortunate to claim the historic Tinker Building as its home base.

This artistic representation of the modern-day Tinker Building was created by City District Main Street Design Committee volunteer and local artist and resident, .bridget. Learn more about the origins and steeped history of the Tinker Building and YOUR downtown Main Street - City District Orlando!

https://citydistrictorlando.com/the-tinker-building/

04/30/2026

04/30/2026

A big CITY DISTRICT MAIN STREET thank you to all who attended the North Quarter Merchant Mixer on Tuesday, April 28th at Reyes Mezcaleria; a longstanding Good Salt Restaurant Group establishment in Downtown Orlando!

To the North Quarter business owners who came out to meet-and-greet, learn about City District Main Street and ways that their business can become part of the “Main Street” community - THANK YOU!

Main Street programs thrive on a combination of local small business support, historic preservation, and community-focused economic strategies. Key drivers to this success include creating dense, walkable environments with mixed-use spaces, such as combining residential units with retail to increase foot traffic. North Orange Avenue’s North Quarter has a strong, unique local identity and community engagement, which are essential for long-term sustainability!

The Call To Action: City District, 1 of 12 fantastic Orlando Main Streets programs, is YOUR downtown Main Street! In 2025, city commissioners and the Orlando Main Streets team approved a 2-block extension in our annual agreement, expanding our district borders north from Washington Street up to Robinson Street! This added 60+ businesses to our Main Street footprint and allowed for more collaboration with like-minded professionals in this area. With that expansion, we’ve heard from even more business owners in the North Quarter who want to partner with us by joining the Main Street movement - we LOVE that! Even though we’ve just dipped our toes into the North Quarter district, we see and feel the potential for further expansion!

If you want to become a community partner with City District Main Street, reach out via email, IG or FB message, or shoot us a text! We’d love to work with you!

04/29/2026

City District, Parramore, and West Lakes Main Streets, along with District 5 Commissioner Shaniqua “Shan” Rose, Downtown Orlando, MLS Greener Goals, and Inter&Co. Stadium (Orlando Pride & Orlando City Soccer)...

…extend a massive thank you to our 3rd Annual Earth Day volunteers for making a tangible difference in our community! Your hard work removing trash and restoring local parks, cleaning up streets, and working alongside your families and community partners directly improves our environment here in the urban core, making our public spaces safer for wildlife, residents, improving water quality, and keeping Orlando cleaner and greener for everyone! Seeing everyone come together shows a shared commitment to protecting our planet and The City Beautiful! Without our volunteers, our shared community programming would not be successful - your helping hands MATTER!

A special thanks to our food and beverage sponsor Publix Super Markets

A BIG thank you to City District Main Street's Promotion Committee chairman Paul Kline, without whom our promotions programming would not be possible!

And an EXTRA special shout of thanks to Brandon Miles of Phaeros Films for always being there to capture our special events and hashtag community and promotions programming!

04/29/2026

HEADS UP CITY DISTRICT - The Kentucky Derby is THIS Saturday and we are throwing a huge party for it! Horse Racing and Best Dressed competition.

We are hosting the Hobby Horse Derby Tournament at À La Cart City! With Brendan O’Connor MCing it! We will also have drink and food specials.
has their beef julep.
with the hot brown fries.
rounding it out with derby bars.

While the thoroughbreds prepare in Kentucky, À La Cart will host its own high-stakes competition: The Hobby Horse Races. Starting at 4:00 PM, 16 racers will go head-to-head in a bracket-style tournament.

$15 entry to participate in the tournament and includes a complimentary beverage. (Reserve your through link in bio)

The Format: Four racers per heat, with the top two advancing through the first and second rounds.

The Finale: The “Final Four” will gallop for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place honors and prizes, to include a Yeti Cooler

At 6:00 PM, the focus shifts from athleticism to aesthetics with the Best Dressed Contest. Presented by The Orlando Shine, attendees are encouraged to lean into the over-the-top fashion of the Derby. Judges will be looking for the most impressive looks in three categories:

Best Female
Best Male
Best Couple

The day reaches its fever pitch at 6:57 PM for the official Derby Race Time. Fans can gather in front of the big screen to witness the legendary race in real-time, surrounded by the craft beverages and diverse food truck flavors that define the À La Cart experience.

See you Saturday in Downtown Orlando

04/29/2026

CITY DISTRICT MAIN STREET is excited to recognize À La Cart City as our April Business of the Month in our Central Business District & North Quarter Main Street neighborhoods.

À La Cart City is a vibrant, community-driven dining destination that brings together some of the best street food in Central Florida—all in one place. Inspired by the food truck parks of Oregon, owners April Williams and Dustin Williams set out to create a space where great food and great company come together, right here in Orlando!

Featuring a rotating lineup of local mobile food vendors, À La Cart City offers something for everyone—from bold, creative bites to comfort food favorites. Guests can gather under the open-air pavilion or enjoy the outdoor courtyard, creating the perfect setting to dine among the food trucks and under the Florida sky. Inside, the bar keeps things fresh with a curated selection of craft beers, wines, ciders, seltzers, and more.

City District Main Street (your DOWNTOWN Main Street!) is known for its energy, dining, and entertainment—but it’s also about connection and community. À La Cart City embodies that spirit by creating a welcoming, family-friendly environment where locals and visitors alike can come together, explore new flavors, and experience one of Orlando’s most unique social dining concepts.

A special thank you to One Florida Bank, the MAIN SPONSOR of City District Main Street’s 2026 Business of the Month program. Their support of our Economic Vitality Committee helps us spotlight and celebrate the local businesses that continue to shape and strengthen our downtown community.

04/29/2026

Downtown Orlando’s long-promised bike loop is one construction project closer to closing another gap.

The City of Orlando has broken ground on the Downtown Gap Trail, a new Washington Street segment that will add a sidewalk-level bike lane between Garland and Magnolia avenues as part of the larger 8.5-mile Downtown Loop.

Read more at link below.

https://bungalower.com/2026/04/28/downtown-orlando-bike-loop-inches-closer-to-completion-with-new-washington-street-segment/

04/24/2026

A La Cart City in downtown Orlando is hosting a full Derby Day celebration on Saturday, May 2, and Orlando Shine is a proud media sponsor. The all-day event blends Kentucky Derby tradition with craft beer, food trucks, fashion, and hobby horse racing.

https://orlandoshine.com/a-la-cart-city-is-throwing-a-derby-day-celebration-on-may-2-with-hobby-horse-races/

04/21/2026

04/21/2026

This week we launched the Small Business Enterprise program, furthering our city’s commitment to being one of the best cities in the nation for small businesses to grow and thrive.

The Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program ensures small and locally owned businesses who provide supplies, construction, professional and general services have an equal opportunity to participate in upcoming city development projects alongside larger, well-known companies.

The program also offers reciprocity with other government agencies, including Orange County, Florida Government. Offering reciprocity streamlines the certification process and allows eligible businesses to use their existing certification to gain access to additional contracting opportunities without needing to complete a separate certification application for each government agency.

We encourage interested businesses to attend the Small Business Enterprise Certification Workshop, hosted on the second Monday of each month at the National Entrepreneur Center, located at 3201 E. Colonial Drive.

To learn more about the program or workshops, or apply to become a certified business, visit orlando.gov/sbe.

04/17/2026

Located in the heart of Downtown Orlando, Wall Street Plaza is home to eight unique bars and restaurants, offering an unmatched blend of daytime family-friendly events, sporting events, and high-energy weekend nighttime block parties.