Aw, don’t look so glum, metalhead. Sure, there’s nary a place in Orlando for you to don your thrash wardrobe and rock to a metal show, but you see, that’s why we have Winter Park. There, at 6700 Aloma Avenue (at Forsyth) lies The Haven, where no one will yell at you to keep away from the jukebox. For you non-metalheads, yeah it’s a little loud in there but the staff is awesome and the drink specials are totally hardcore.
Décor: The Haven lurks around the corner from a rather plain strip mall, meaning the limited parking will probably send you back to the main lot for a longer walk. If you’re arriving on a live act night you’ll be hit with a cover so check the listings (though rare is the night without live metal). Divided into noisy and not-so-noisy sections, The Haven is divided by the central bar, which allows you to see the stage from a stool as well as block the music if you duck back to use one of the three pool tables. A lounge-like section near the door boasts tables and leather(esque) couches facing a huge TV displaying the show on the stage, for when you want to feel a part of the act but don’t want to feel the parts of any other patrons.
The Bar: The Haven’s full liquor offerings loom large and glowing in the center of the bar and complement the decent beer selection. On draft pitchers of domestics (Bud, Bud Light, Miller Lite) are $8; Bass, Killian’s, and Amber Bock are $9; and Guinness and Heineken are $11. Pints on draft run in the $3 range, while a well-poured wells mixer is a fair $4. Happy hour is where things get interesting with a hefty timeslot from noon to 7 p.m. daily, including 2-for-1 wells drinks, $1.50 PBR, $1.75 Rolling Rock bottles, $2 Yuengling, and $2.75 Sam Adams, Beck’s, and Blue Moon.
Sounds: Hardly a night goes by that The Haven isn’t hosting live music of some kind (including karaoke - yeesh, metal karaoke?), but there is a touch screen jukebox just in case. Despite the small space the sound for shows is excellent (meaning almost deafening).
Crowd: Halfway between downtown and UCF, The Haven appears to attract more of the latter, though there is a healthy following of regulars keeping the bartenders company.
Tips: When using a credit card keep in mind the $10 minimum, especially during happy hour (because those prices may make it the longest $10 of your life). Also, when you open a tab the bar staff is going to take your driver’s license, but if you’ve ever reclaimed a tab that’s had $40 of drinks on it that you didn’t order you’ll know why.
The Haven is at 6700 Aloma Ave. in Winter Park, call 407-673-2712.
