1. Jen Harton, Lil Indies, facebook.com/lilindiesorlando
2. Rick Big, The Thirsty Topher, thethirstytopher.com
3. Lee Courtley, Independent Bar, independentbar.net
Previous Winners
Best of Orlando: Music and Nightlife: The best in local bars, clubs, bands, DJs and more
1. World of Beer Lake Eola, worldofbeer.com
2. The Hammered Lamb, thehammeredlamb.com
3. Eden Bar, enzian.org
The Copper Rocket
Ah, the Copper Rocket. The Maitland pub has gone through plenty of ups and downs with its different owners over the years, but the most recent owner, Selman Markovic, was really something special. And after the episode of Spike TV's Bar Rescue featuring the Rocket finally aired this spring – about a year after filming – everyone got to see exactly how special. As loudmouth host Jon Taffer pointed out several times throughout the episode, Markovic had problems taking responsibility for any of the problems at his bar, from poor service to health code violations to mistreatment of employees. To no one's surprise, the Copper Rocket was sold shortly after the filming of the episode, and since then, new owners AKT Enterprises have put a ton of work into rescuing the bar from Markovic's reputation.
1. Sportstown, sportstownbilliards.com
2. Trick Shots Billiards, trickshotsbilliards.com
3. Spatz, facebook.com/spatz1025
1. '80s New Wave Night at Independent Bar, independentbar.net
2. Mac & Cheese, independentbar.net
3. Girl the Party, girltheparty.com
1. Thomas Wynn and the Believers, thomaswynnandthebelievers.com
2. Whiskey Sharts, shartsville.com
3. Sean Holcomb, seanholcomb.com
1. Hayfire, hayfire.com
2. Nirvanna, facebook.com/nirvannatributeband
3. Skin Deep, skindeeprocks.com
