Feb. 13, 2017

When Chicago's Jill Lloyd Flanagan casually confessed to horror movies being a major influence on her Forced Into Femininity project during an Orlando Weekly interview, we didn't know how deeply that obsession cut until an eerily dispassionate disclaimer played before her set that all but warned the faint of heart to flee. And from that moment – it was on. Skittering noise blasted as Flanagan threw herself at the assembled throng, clad in a cocktail dress and a mask of crumbling flesh. Melding performance art confrontation with grindhouse aesthetics and emotional empathy, Flanagan's set took place all over Spacebar and even outside, where she climbed up on the roof of the building to continue her performance. Beautiful, moving, terrifying, exhilarating, Forced Into Femininity reminded us that we are alive, why we liked music in the first place, and that there is belonging for all of us.

30 S. Magnolia Ave.

407-250-5005

mathersorlando.com

Downtown's poshest newcomer this year is undoubtedly Mathers Social Gathering. Located on the third floor of the historic Mathers building – one of the few remaining downtown buildings that predate the fire of 1884 – the space is decked out in sumptuous furnishings, photos of Old Orlando, and even a turn-of-the-century-style general store tucked into a corner. Here, you can plop into an armchair with a craft cocktail in one hand while regaling your friends with stories of Orlando's past – either real or made-up – while sitting underneath the oversized U.S. flag that once flew at Tinker Field – as long as you adhere to the dress code, of course.

801 E. Washington St.

407-412-5140

When Burton's Bar closed in February of this year, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth as it seemed that Thornton Park's cheapest and friendliest neighborhood bar was to be no more. But while we waited to find out what the developer vultures that circle the city would do to the beloved casual boozer, the owners of downtown staples the Lodge and the Woods were making moves to take over the space. And when they announced that they'd not only be taking over Burton's but keeping it pretty much the same, Thorntonites rejoiced, comforted by the knowledge that they'd still be able to dig into a bucket of reasonably priced domestics while chilling on one of the best people-watching perches – Burton's patio – indefinitely.

2. The Guesthouse, 1321 N. Mills Ave., 407-630-6574

3. Southern Nights, 375 S. Bumby Ave., 407-412-5039, facebook.com/southernnightsorlando

2. Trick Shots, multiple locations, trickshotsbilliards.com

3. Spatz, 1025 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-647-3354

2. Dave Merkli, Tanqueray's Bar, 100 S. Orange Ave., 407-649-8540, facebook.com/tanqueraysbar

3. Lee Courtley, Independent Bar, 70 N. Orange Ave., 407-839-0457, facebook.com/independentbar

2. Shake N Bass, facebook.com/shakenbass

3. Girl the Party, girltheparty.com

2. World of Beer, 431 E. Central Blvd., 407-270-5541, worldofbeer.com

3. Thirsty Topher, 601 Virginia Drive, 407-491-4342

2. Hanson's Shoe Repair, 27 E. Pine St., 407-476-9446, facebook.com/hansonsshoerepair

3. The Guesthouse, 1321 N. Mills Ave., 407-630-6574

2. Parliament House, 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-425-7571, parliamenthouse.com

3. Southern Nights, 375 S. Bumby Ave., 407-412-5039, facebook.com/southernnightsorlando