NIGHTLIFE: I love the nightlife but not the Knight Lights

The inside of Dungeon Lounge, across the street from UCF (Credit: MikeAnthony Moffa)

The sudden closing of TD's Sports Bar & Grill and the swift opening shortly after for Knight Lights in that space piqued my curiosity last week. Supposedly there had been a grand renovation inside, to accommodate the type of bar UCF students deserve — whatever that means.

Yeah, not so much.

When I stopped by Knight Lights last Friday night I felt like I was having déjà vu: Only the name had changed. Same incompetent bartender too busy texting his friend at the other side of the bar to be bothered to get anybody's order. The same décor; the same wet, dirty bar top; same sticky floor; and the same rum and Coke. At least this time the guy could find the rum.

When I asked to speak with the owner, I was told the owner wasn't around and his number couldn't be given out. When I asked to speak to a manager, they said there was no manager on duty and he would be coming in closer to 10:30 to 11 p.m. I'm sorry, but that close to a college campus, you want a manager around at all times. Even though I had paid $5 at the door for the "all-you-can-drink" special, I had already had all I could take of TD's — ahem, Knight Lights. Moving on.

This is better

Next stop was Dungeon Lounge across the street from UCF. This is actually a new bar, opened by the owners of Knight Library next door. Another $5 cover at the door didn't get me all I could drink, but it did get me fantastic service and a clean bar top. In fact, the bar top was beautiful, as was the rest of the martini bar. Sparkling red flecks shine under the glass top of the bar, with a stone wall off to the side separating Knight Library from Dungeon. The Dungeon theme is felt throughout the bar, with a large wrought-iron candelabra, gargoyle statues and chain-mail curtains separating each VIP booth.

The place is definitely classy-goth. Even though I'm not a fan of covers — especially if I'm not getting anything in return, like a drink special or a live show — I think the cover, dress code (no hats, guys, even though you may catch an employee or two with one on) and price range of drinks will keep it from becoming another Knight Lights.

The martini list here ranges in the $7 to $10 area, which is more than reasonable for a martini bar. After shelling out $10 at both bars, I wasn't down for a ton more, so I opted for a $3 Michelob Ultra, also fair.

The theme doesn't extend to the back of the rather large space. The helpful bartender, who was not only pleasant but extremely knowledgeable about the bar, was more than happy to explain another bar will be built in the back. For now, a large, round red ottoman sits in the space, with the bathrooms back there too (again, beautifully decorated). Right now the bar is open Thursday-Saturday 8 p.m.-2 a.m. with a DJ spinning mostly Top 40, '80s through today. Definitely a refreshing change from the college-bar norm.