Three Months without Orlando’s Tanqueray
Eulogy Of A Dive Bar
Mar 24
By Liam M. Hennessey
ORLANDO, FL - Tanqueray's first opened their doors many moons ago in March of 1989 on the corner of Pine Street and Orange Avenue. Immediately setting itself apart from most venues, Tanqueray’s was an underground bar, and not just in terms of being a breeding ground for culture in the scene; it was, quite literally, an underground bar - an architectural feat in a sea-level city such as Orlando. Many local icons, from Hannah Stokes to Ancient Sun, had made Tanqueray's a flagship venue for their performances. The atmosphere of Tanqueray’s was one that is beyond special, and it’ll be hard to find a venue that would ever quite fill that void. It was perfect for downtown Orlando, balancing the vibes of a grungy underground dive bar and an upscale, classy downtown attraction perfectly.
Wanting answers, if not restitution, for why Tanqueray’s closed and why Downtown Orlando has been experiencing a wave of venue closings. At the time of article publication, yet another important landmark within the Orlando Alternative community, Cocktails and Screams, also just went under. We reached out to some local officials who could comment on this trend; The Mayor of Orlando since 2003 Buddy Dyer, and current front-runner for Orlando’s Mayoral 2027 election Anna Eskamani.
Having been in office since 2003, Buddy Dyer’s tenure extends over two decades with six successful election bids, a career as a public servant that most politicians could only dream of aspiring to as Orlando’s longest serving mayor. I reached out to his office with the following question:
Liam, The Third Space; “I’m currently writing a piece on Tanqueray’s closing its doors not too long ago, a venue many in the local music scene considered very important to the fabric of Orlando’s culture. As someone who is well experienced as a public servant, what would you say to those who express concerns regarding regulatory restrictions for nightclubs negatively impacting the nightlife scene in Orlando? Do you think these concerns have any validity?”
I was unable to reach the mayor specifically, but his staff at the Office of the Mayor sent this statement on behalf of The City of Orlando;
The City of Orlando; "The City of Orlando has long supported businesses seeking to grow and succeed within our unique entertainment district, which attracts visitors from around the world. Guided by the Downtown Orlando Action Plan, we continue to advance the evolution of our streets, civic spaces, mobility options, and neighborhoods, fostering economic opportunity while strengthening a thriving, connected community.
Through significant and strategic investments, the city has helped revitalize downtown into the vibrant neighborhood and economic hub that it is today. We remain committed to shaping a downtown that is safe, welcoming, and supportive of local businesses, especially as they navigate today’s challenging economic climate.”
Next, we reached out to local favorite, Dr. Anna Eskamani, who is currently representing Florida House District 42, and is running for Orlando Mayor in the upcoming election.
Liam, The Third Space; "I’m currently writing a piece on Tanqueray’s closing not too long ago, a venue many in Orlando considered a cultural cornerstone. Tanqueray’s might have been one of the more iconic venues to shut down, but it seems to be part of a broader trend of nightlife venues closing down in Orlando as of late. To those who are concerned about this trend and what it means for Orlando, what can the people of Orlando expect from your administration if elected regarding addressing this issue?
State House Representative Dr. Anna Eskamani; “Tanqueray’s wasn’t just a bar. It was a cultural landmark that helped define Orlando’s music and nightlife scene for generations. When spaces like that close, it reflects broader pressures facing independent venues, from rising rents and redevelopment pressures to regulatory barriers and shifting economic conditions.
As someone born and raised in Orlando, I believe protecting the cultural spaces that give our city its character must be part of how we plan for downtown’s future.
My approach is centered around a Stabilize, Supply, and Showcase strategy for Orlando’s arts, small business, and nightlife economy.
First, we must stabilize the venues and businesses we already have by expanding small business support programs, exploring a cultural venue preservation policy, and adopting agent-of-change protections so new development near existing music venues bears responsibility for sound mitigation, not the historic venues that were there first.
Second, we must supply a greater mix of businesses and housing downtown so it becomes a true neighborhood that is active in the morning, afternoon, and night.
That includes updating zoning and permitting to support more small businesses, arts spaces, restaurants, and live music venues, while also encouraging more housing in the urban core.
Right now, the number of people who live and work downtown is relatively small compared to those who commute in and drive out. Unlike many major cities, Orlando’s convention center is not located downtown, so we don’t benefit from consistent daytime foot traffic. That’s why it’s critical to work with property owners to fill commercial vacancies, complete catalytic projects like the Magic complex and the Bob Carr Theater renovation, better promote our Downtown museums and galleries, and expand residential opportunities downtown. This is also why I am a big proponent of TDT reform and public transportation; if we can better connect our main streets through public transportation, it will be easier to bring foot traffic to and out of downtown without always having to have a car and parking.
Safety and the perception of safety are also critical to downtown’s future. I live downtown in Thornton Park and walk downtown daily. I’ve met with venue owners and business leaders and even joined the Orlando Police Department for a weekend 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. ride-along to better understand the challenges firsthand. We have to address safety concerns while also supporting a vibrant nightlife economy, through improved lighting and street design, stronger coordination between venues and public safety, and late-night transportation options. Not through bankrupting private businesses. Even in Florida’s open-carry environment, there are creative local solutions that can help ensure downtown remains safe, welcoming, and active.
And finally, we must showcase Orlando’s creative community by investing in music, arts programming, and cultural events that highlight the talent that already exists here. A thriving nightlife and arts ecosystem supports local jobs, strengthens tourism, and helps ensure downtown Orlando is a place people want to visit, work, and live.”
Ultimately, while these comments help us understand as to why Tanqueray’s went under and what can be done to prevent more closures from affecting downtown Orlando’s night-life, it will not fill the hole in our hearts that such an important third space left behind in us all. That responsibility lies in our community, to not just cherish the memories we have of Tanqueray’s, but to band together to rally behind our remaining third spaces. Tanqueray’s will never be replaced, but that doesn’t mean the energy we will come to miss is gone altogether. That energy has always, and will always, reside in our community itself.
Author’s note: This was initially not what I had intended for this article. Me and a group of friends were originally planning our final visit for the day after Christmas. However, I was not able to go due to illness. Whenever my party of friends arrived to go in as well, the line to get in circled the block, and they were also ultimately unsuccessful. So instead of a proper toast with friends as intended, this article will be how I say my goodbyes to one of the most iconic institutions in Orlando’s now (sadly) dwindling nightlife. Venues come and go in the scene, but few were as special as Tanqueray's was to us all.
