Behind the laughter and lust, the scene is still recovering from 2016’s vicious Pulse shooting that has left its members scarred but resilient. These qualities combine for a jubilant energy that celebrates in crowds after dark at establishments like Parliament House, Hank’s, Southern Nights and Hamburger Mary’s. Many of the citys queer residents have relocated to Orlando for its creative, entertainment, tourism and hospitality industries. Orlando’s queer nightlife is characterized by the city’s warmth and transient visitor population. Krintz tends bar at Hank’s a relaxed spot that helps to complete the city’s set of diverse clubs and bars.īecause even on his day off, Krintz, with his husband of four years, is drawn to a place where Orlando’s queer community congregates. The 60 year old savours the Sunday scene in a bar other than his own. At the pool bar, bartender Tish Pruitihep prepares a Godfather – a blend of amaretto and scotch – for a Sunday regular, Stan Krintz. As Orlando’s LGBTQ community continues to move beyond but not forget the 2016 Pulse shooting, we take a look at the city’s nightlife scene…Īs Beyonce’s voice permeates from a speaker through the humid Central Floridian air, men frolic, flirt and fraternize in the sun-warmed pool behind Parliament House, a centre piece of Orlando’s far-reaching queer establishments.