Owners of HighT and 1Up took to social media Wednesday to announce the joint closures.
The popular bars have faced “overwhelming financial strain” from recent restrictions placed on nightlife in downtown Orlando, like the After Midnight Alcohol Sales permit rule, plus the “decline of Church Street,” owners say.
“We tried. We tried everything. We adapted, we restructured, we fought against the tide, but in the end, the weight of insurmountable costs and unforeseen challenges proved too much to bear,” a Facebook post reads.
The city’s After Midnight Alcohol Sales permit rule requires businesses to apply for a permit to sell alcohol downtown after midnight, and puts in place additional security requirements for higher-capacity spots, including extra police protection. These supplemental requirements are to be paid for at the expense of club owners, not the city.
The After Midnight Alcohol Sales permit rule was first implemented in 2023. In March 2023, the city also implemented a six-month moratorium on new nightclubs downtown, prompted by security issues and safety concerns in the area. It was extended for another six months the following August, through September 2024.
The City Council passed another ordinance in fall 2024 to permanently limit the opening of new nightclubs to one club per block in downtown’s entertainment area, requiring a 300-foot distance between each business.
Orlando police department launched an extensive sting operation dubbed “Operation Night Cap” in December 2024, which found nearly two clubs and businesses in violation of the city’s after-midnight alcohol sale rules and involved in drug sales. Shortly after, five downtown nightclubs — Chillers, Irish Shannon’s, Cahoots, High Tide and Ember — announced permanent closures.
The Alice in Wonderland-themed cocktail bar HighT opened downtown in spring 2024, while the largely loved retro gaming and arcade bar 1Up opened in 2022. The two were located side-by-side at 23 and 25 W. Church St. Owners say their downtown bar Cocktails & Screams on West Pine Street will remain open.
The ownership team behind HighT and 1Up had been working toward a new venture, Outer Rim Tiki Cabaret and Society, which was unable to successfully power through “ever-changing requirements” downtown, owners say.
“Thank you for the memories, the laughter, and the unforgettable nights. This may be the end of one journey, but we hope to see you again,” the announcement reads.
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This article appears in Apr 2-8, 2025.