I can't believe that I've lived her for 3 years and only just went to this place. My inaugural visit was with fellow Yelpers Jackie C. and Colleen B. We had a nice time dancing to awesome mash ups. It was the day before the fourth of July so everyone was excited to be out. I ended up going again the next night with my roomie after the Lake Eola fireworks also.
Fun place to dance without the whole clubbing vibe. It's relaxed.
I need to find all the hidden stuff next time. Was too busy on the dance floor.
Eye Spy is a really great place. I came in here after entering Sky Sixty. The music can be a miss on some nights (sometimes 90's pop isn't totally dance-able and I need to be in the right mood to tolerate it for a long period of time), but it's usually pretty good.
Drinks are pretty cheap, the dry ice is flowing, fans are blowing, and people are just jumping around and having a great time. It's def a big group type of place, although it can get really crowded and tight. I like coming here when I'm already bent. It's a good place.
this was a really really fun spot to go to for 2 out-of-town chaps. we came in earlyish on a friday & the girl to guy ratio was equal, but started to lean towards the guys side after midnight, as expected. casual dress code, dancy music (pop, rnb, no country) friendly girls out in packs. bar service was very quick & friendly & the drinks were strong. there is access to the next door bar, which had quite an emo crowd. also stairs that led up to some party electro-house rooftop nightclub (fkn wnker of a bartender there !!). we saw people of all ages & backgrounds @ eye spy. would recommend this to anyone who goes to downtown orlando (which has a large choice of bars side by side, perfect for crawls), but this one was our favourite.
Review Source:I sorta love this place. I stumbled into Eye Spy from BBQ Bar while visiting Orlando for a long weekend. I went looking for the bathroom and ended up in a completely different bar.
I dig the oddity of this place. It looks like a random crappy dive bar with nothing special, but it was one of my favorite places we hit that night. The place was packed and the dance floor was full of all walks of life dancing their asses off to music you hadn't heard in ages, but instantly remember how awesome they were. It was great people watching for sure but sooner or later you'll end up on the dance floor singing and dancing next to  them.
It was also neat that it had an open ceiling...not sure how that works when it rains.
This place is 100% on my list of bars to hit up again the next time I'm in the area.
Not a bad place, Â I just find the voyeuristic nature of the place a bit creepy. So that's why it's called Eye Spy.
Anyways, this can be a really fun place to go depending on the mood you're in. Decent priced drinks, especially for downtown, music that goes between hits from the 80s, 90s, 00s (is that a thing?), and today, and lots of hidden places to find and then be discovered in. There are cameras in most places that are connected to TV's at the bar.
The Saturday I went it was packed in the main dancing area. The cobblestones weren't even, so I was a bit worried about falling over. Yo Gabba Gabba was playing on the screens, which I found odd, but I guess it fits the general vibe. You also don't get judged for your dancing, which was nice. I also appreciated not being grabbed at by random guys, which seems to be more of a Church Street thing.
Overall it can be a fun place to check out downtown.
This place always has something going on. Events, music, etc. It's a dark and kind of run down looking place but don't let that push you away. The music is pretty good depending on the night. The best part about this place is that it is essentially connected to two other venues, Sky Sixty and I-Bar/BBQ Bar. Each area has it's own music playing depending on the night. The drinks are priced effectively and pretty cheap. The specials also vary depending on the night. I would definitely recommend checking it out if you want a good place that is cheap and affordable and want to have a good time.
Review Source:It used to be a fantastic bar 5 or 6 years ago, playing a smart selection of danceable music. Now, it's always overly crowded playing the same selection you would expect to hear anywhere else, and the popular stuff is no longer being played ironically. The doors to the secret rooms have fallen apart, losing the allure of having secret rooms. Drink prices are average, but it's so crowded that you now wait forever for a drink. There were a couple bartenders, but for the most part, the staff is rude.
Review Source:Check this place out. Â Don't stay all night! But you should check it out.
It's dark, wooden, there's little cavey cubby holes for hiding and the staff is friendly. Â You may find the furniture a little worn, but who cares? Â I particularly enjoy the open ceiling area. You can stare at the stars if you want.
I haven't verified this yet, but I was told that near the side entrance, using the black gated staircase, you can find an alternative way into Sky 60. Â I must investigate.
I figured I'd update my review of Eye Spy since it's been almost 1.5 years since I initially reviewed it, and that review wasn't anything special. (I was new to Yelp at the time and my initial review consisted of commentary about things others had said in their own reviews.)
Eye Spy is pretty cool. It's not my favorite place in town by any means, but I never have any issue when I find myself here. I think that it's improved over the last year - I can't quite put my finger on what, if anything, is new about it, though. I think that maybe the atmosphere and the quality of the patrons has improved. I remember not liking certain types of people who used to come here during my initial visits, which date back at least several years. In the past year or so, I've had more fun here than I had in years past. That probably is equal parts me hanging out with better people, there being fewer (to me) undesirable patrons around and perhaps better music being played.
I don't think I ever have been here on any day not named Thursday or Friday, so I'm unsure how Eye Spy is on weekend nights.
I don't have much more to say as I never really come here to pay attention to how the place looks or anything. It is what it is. Having said that, I like this place a lot and have no problem returning at any point.
There's something about Orlando. It's like a new world compared to Miami - albeit, one that seems stuck in the early 2000's. Don't get me wrong, I love a good weekend in our northern neighbor, and there's tons of entertainment and novel experiences.
But the bars - they're odd. The setups are totally sweet - old buildings, wooden walls covered in graffiti and scratchings, hidden rooms. The crowds and music are what I find a little bizarre.
This place was no exception. It wasn't quite as mixed of a crew as I-Bar, but it was eclectic nonetheless. Girls decked out in ridiculous hoochie gear, just to hit a dive bar? Older ladies getting down on the dance floor? Dudes standing on the sideline staring? Weirdness.
But as I said, I'm a huge fan of the layout of this unique spot. Very, very cool and old school.
However, I can't help but mention - after a night out in Orlando, I'm nothing short of thrilled to head home to my Magic City. When it comes to Florida, Miami is something special.
Remember when you single and in your 20's. Last call was just announced and you are drunk. You still haven't found a guy or girl to make out with for the night. You search the dance floor and find them. This is that place. Saturday nights is a crowded dance floor and top 40 hits from the 90's and today. Everyone is singing the words to the songs at the top of their lungs. Â If this kind of thing annoys you, don't go on a Saturday night.
There are hidden rooms and such (I have seen on previous visits) and a voyeuristic photo booth.
It makes for an fun and interesting evening.
I have lived in downtown Orlando for 7 years. This bar is the only place that has weathered the fickle bar scene. I love it and we end up there at the close of every weekend night. Start the night somewhere else then end your night dancing (every one does even if its not your thing) and hearing the coolest music in town. By far the best djs in downtown!!!! Very cool and don't be turned off by the Emo crowd in bbq bar. Eye spy is a melting pot of people just wanting to have fun.
Review Source:This was one of my preferred spots to kick it on a Friday or Saturday night. The music is usually decent (old school top 40, mashups, overall good dance music) and extremely loud. (Which I have no complaints.) The DJs do a good job of working in requests in orderly time too.
The atmosphere is wonderful! This is not an exclusive hang spot for any one group. You'll find hipsters dancing underneath the stars with college students who are getting drinks bought for them by professionals that are showing some out-of-town colleagues a night out in Orlando.
The drinks are cheap for a downtown Orlando bar (compared to $14 martinis at the Church Street bars that have dress codes).
If you're trying get your dance on, but want to avoid the douchey Church Street area, or just looking for a nice club to kick it and perhaps cut a rug, then Eye Spy comes highly recommended.
Plus, when you get bored or need a breather, you can always step over to BBQ bar and kick it with the hipsters.
Pretty much agree with the other reviewers. Â I have probably walked past this place a bazillion times and would have NEVER found it nor thought it was actually this big. Â I mean don't get me wrong its not a huge venue, but when you look at the doorway I expected a walk in closet type place. Â I went for the Lazy Sunday afternoon event so it was early, the bartenders were nice and helpful. Â They seemed a bit tired, but I'm thinking it had to do with the fact that they probably were up earlier than they would want to be. Â Had a great time and would love to go back to see what the usual crowd is.
Review Source:Part indoor, part outdoor, part techno, part top 40s, mash up of I don't know what!
I've only ever been on a Friday or Saturday night. Â It's usually mash ups and old school top 40 jams like Ice Ice Baby. Â The crowd is mixed from young, old, dressed up, dressed down, and of course the hipsters that walk over from BBQ Bar.
Super fun place to go if you're not in the mood to dress up and drink $10 martinis with pretentious people.
I am a huge fan of this place. The crowd here is like your all-American crowd. The club is like that person in high school who was friends with every single click. It doesn't matter how you dress or what kind of mood you are in you will fit in.
There's the outside "dancing" area and the inside "chill" area. The only downfall is in the middle of summer the outside area can be absolutely brutal, but that doesn't stop the crowd. The music is always so much fun. Outside usually plays the dancy 'pop' kind from all different era's so there is a little bit for everyone. Dancing at this place is the kind of dancing that at the end of the night you are like "wow, that was a blast" not the dancing where you are like "do you think that guy notice my booty and saw me caressing myself?" The inside music is usually a little more hardcore, but you still sing along while conversating with your peeps. My fave place in here is the semi-circle booth where everyone can just sit and have a good laugh.
The drinks won't break your bank either, and I do find it much quicker and easier to get a drink from the inside. I've never gone here and not had one of the greatest times of my life. Huge plus is Pizza Planet is outside the door :0)
This bar is the most accepting bar in Orlando in my opinion. Everyone just dances like they don't give a mess and they play a wide variety of music. Last night they were playing current pop hip-hop which makes everyone feel comfortable because you have probably heard the songs on the radio. The dance floor was crazy it looked like an orgy of nerds and hot 90's dance moves. For all of you who thinks this sound tame I also saw a fight! But of course in eye spy fashion the girl saw me and came to give me a hug for bothering me. awww.
Review Source:Highly enjoyable hidden bar that obtains their inspiration from inspector gadget. Strong theme and strong drinks. The music is tight more laid back and casual than their neighbor bbq bar. The fact that they have bookshelf here gets me hott. Eye spy keeps it real and thats why they have an empty random telephone booth by the bar. This is the perfect place I will love to waste my drunkness on.
There are 2 pool tables that are always taken by chain smokers so that room smells like a straight ash tray. I rather hang out in the hidden liberary and be a sexy nerd.
Having worked in the music industry for a number of years, I have been to pretty much every kind of club there is. Â That being said, I dont go to many clubs these days, as I find I would rather find a cozy bar where I can sit down, relax, and enjoy a beverage.
Eye Spy is a cool little spot. Â Beware of rain though, as the part I find most enjoyable is the open-air dance floor. Â I dont dance much these days, but it is nice to hang out under the open sky enjoying the gusts of the fans and catching the occasional glimpse of the Orlando skyline.
For the most part, the people I have run into there were out to have a good time. Â Never really got the "meat market" feel there. Â People really just dance like no one is watching.
Side note, in a digital age they actually still spin vinyl throughout the night. (well they go back and forth between digital music and vinyl)
I just want to dance, and this is where I go to do it! Saturday nights are my favorite. They play the best indie/dance music. The outdoor area is my summer past time. The fans cool me down, and the crowded dance floor keeps me going! Drinks are cheap, and you also might have to wait a while to get one because there is always a long line if you're at the outside bar.
Take some pictures in the photo booth, or make out with a cutie. It doesn't matter. You are guaranteed to have a good time!
We're the white guys, dancing like assholes. Seriously. If you've ever been in Spy Bar, and thought to yourself, "Hey, that kinda chubby jewish guy over looks a lot like Seth Roge.. HOLY SHIT THAT GUY CAN DANCE! ARE YOU SETH ROGEN?!? CAN WE TAKE A PICTURE?!", then, we've met. Â Seriously.
Spy Bar has been a regular downtown stop for my friends and I going on five years now. We're a little bummed they replaced the security team of late (You da man, J! We'll see you at Four Rivers!), but, we still go (we just get kicked out a little more, apparently, and they wouldn't let us in when we were dressed like "I'm on a boat" for Halloween. I think it was the large boats... )
Protip: if you're trying to feel up a chick (or a ... person. Let's just go with person...) in the secret room upstairs, you ARE on hidden camera, and the entire back bar is watching. Â Not that you need to let that stop you...
There's never a cover, and the music tends to be a fantastic smash-up of 70's and 80's glam rock, some mo-town sing-a-long faves, and nu-skool indie rock and (usually re-mixed) hip hop. Very danceable. It's been more crowded this year as the former Wall Street crowd figured out they were paying a six dollar cover to go to shitty bars, but it's still pretty fun.
Protip # 2: Save your singles for the photobooth.
If you're fun, wanna dance, and don't worry about getting too dressed up for bars, come to Eye Spy and party with us.
If you spend more than an hour getting ready for the club, are used to bottle service, or have ever been referred to as a penis-pusher (this includes having to ask yourself "What's a penis-pusher? Am I a penis pusher?"), please GTFO and head on over to Church Street. I hear there's easy girls at Mako's.
I have never seen a bar like this, so awesome!! There are "secret" rooms that you can access through bookshelves/etc. Dont be deceived on your privacy though - there are hidden cameras in the rooms that are connected to TVs at the bar. Soooo funny.... I was told the bar used to have more rooms and even more weird/fun stuff, but it has changed a bit more in the last year or so. Still great though.
This bar is connected to ibar, another great bar. I really liked the uniqueness of this setup.
It's like a secret hideaway of unadulterated bliss!
I mean when you want to end a night downtown, this is the ultimate place to go. Dress code? Ha! Not only do you get to go through BBQ bar and pass by the amazing door guy who could double as Elvis for the modern world, but you walk into this almost underground joint of kick-ass music and great drinks. Actually the drinks really aren't that great but the music and the people that go there make it irrelevant. Cru Jones frequents the DJ booth and even when he isn't there, they blast tunes from the best hip hop to indie to old school, and somehow mix it all in together for complete perfection.
Best part? It isn't trendy at all and those that go there aren't the least bit jaded. Everyone is cool to just hang out with whomever passes you by, and when you get the katty girls that come in expecting to own the place, they are easily picked out since they are standing by themselves wondering what gives.
I have been to Eye Spy now in shorts, jeans, club dresses, couture dresses and devil costumes (after downtown Charity events!) and to my amazement, never felt out of place!
And it's a rare moment if you are ever standing in line for the bathroom, and even the wait at the bar is a minimum.
Now apparently there's this whole "spy" decor to the place but I've yet to fall into these wonders. It took me weeks to finally notice the switchboard behind the main bar, but even without noticing all of the supposed cameras and phones and such, I still make it my Friday/Saturday weekly stop.
And definitely go up to the DJ booth...you are always welcomed:)
Great Place to chill, Most awesome feature there is no sealing (not the place to go when is raining). They play indie rock and some 80's and 90's (good songs though) drinks are well priced.
I usually go there to chill with friends since I'm not into dancing, undoubtedly the best night is Halloween that place is crowded, and every body there are usually pretty cool, not much of stuck up people and best of all no ghetto people!
I'm originally from Orlando, so I come into town about once a month. I've been going to Eye Spy for at least 5 yrs, since it opened I think. It is my favorite bar in downtown Orlando. A little hard to find, you either go around the corner from Orange Ave (next to a good pizza place by the way) or you can enter through BBQ Bar and get to Eye Spy from the back. They play really good indie rock and similar-type music early on in the evening, and then crank up the dance music, pop, rap, 80s, etc later on the night. The DJs are awesome and spin some cool stuff. The dance floor is always packed on the weekends and crazy. This past weekend it was a little too packed, and hot, but they had mist fans to cool everybody down.
I love the "spy" features of the bar. People going to the photo booth don't realize that there is a hidden camera in the booth broadcasting whatever they do on a TV screen in the inside bar. If you go through the doors to the inside bar, to your right there is a room hidden behind a bookcase, or the door is disguised. Back there they have a couple of pool tables, a pinball machine and some couches. Drinks are not too expensive and it's always a good time. My only complaint is that a couple of the male bartenders that work there are kind of a-holes, and treat people like crap, but the majority of the staff seems pretty cool and the music and atmosphere at Eye Spy is good enough to ignore them and the sometimes large crowds.
Super crowded place, but the music was so good to dance to! I love that they put in fans to cool off the dance floor, now if only they'd add a few more to cool off the people on the sidelines as well :) Â Hidden rooms are cool/funny. Especially if you catch people on camera who dont' know that they're there :) Â Also, you gotta love that there's no cover!
Review Source:This club is very interesting and weird with its hidden cameras (one in the photobooth, for example) and hidden rooms. They even have a secret room hidden behind a bookcase, a la Anne Frank. I think there were about eight people in that room that night. Â Eye Spy is definitely an interesting spot to check out when you want to go somewhere a bit more original than your average club.
The main dance floor is outside. Kind of small for the amount of people packed in there, but still really fun. The DJ was pretty good, playing some old skool hip hop music, which later turned into 80's-ish house music.
Eye Spy is joined to the BarBQ Bar so people often migrate between the two venues.
Read this as 3.5 stars. Â Depending on the night, and even the time of night, the crowd can either be cool or annoying. Â Friday night around 11 - crowd is annoying, almost as bad as a Church St. bar, but not quite. Â That you can duck into BBQ Bar when it gets like that, is what saves this place.
It's full liquor inside and out, Seadog Blueberry on tap. Â Good stuff.
I was at first a little tentative when I saw the exterior of this bar, and once I went inside I felt a TAD bit better. Â Eye Spy is a delightfully odd bar, complete with secret rooms and hidden cameras. Â It has somewhat of a creepy vibe, which somehow works for it's dark atmosphere. Â The music is eclectic and veers towards the 80s, which I definitely do not have a problem with. Â
I would recommend going on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, as there will be more people there and you may feel less creeped out. Â One room that is a good hangout is actually a patio (it has no roof, but is mostly enclosed with walls...) and can get pretty busy with people. Â While it is not your run-of-the-mill downtown Orlando bar, it is definitely worth checking out.
At first sight, this place is a bit creepy, not only because it's barely bigger than a whole in the wall and is always very dimly lit, but also because it's literally tucked away behind two other clubs...it's kind of like a secret of room of sorts. Eye Spy is definitely not your typical bar and stands among the rest in the Downtown Orlando area. However, it's not a bad place to hang out if you look past the creepy feel and sketchy people that tend to hang out there.
The music is quite fun, with a mix between 80's, 90's and other random stuff mixed in. Although some of the people do seem rather odd, everyone I have encountered there was very nice and simply trying to let loose. The bartenders are also nice and generous with the drinks. This is not a place I'd spend the whole night hanging out in, but it's not bad for a pit stop while perusing the nightclub seen.
Overall, not bad...but not a favorite either.
What a strange place! Â The music, mostly 80s hits, was great, and the drinks were strong, but the actual bar environment was completely different from any other bar I've been to. Â It was dark, cagey, and almost spooky. Â Which I believe is the actual feel the owners were going for. Â They get the name from the secret room in the back that looks like something from the movie Psycho. Â Picture a book case that also acts a door to secret place. Â You can go in this sketchy room but I am not sure I'd want to. Â It wasn't a bad time, just dimly lit and out of the ordinary which can be a great thing when you need to add some variety to your weekend plans.
Review Source:So my totally wild drunk roomie in college drug me here during opening week a few years back. Since I consider myself a club connoisseur, I wasnt expecting much from the local downtown scene. We entered in through the top secret back entrance with our key card....and what do I see? A maze of drunkin madness filled with secret passages and hidden rooms with cameras. I have to say this place rocks the first few times you go....always looking for trap doors and secret clue.....but then the place gets better....killer music, great bartenders....and NO TOURISTS! The best part about this place is it's so hard to find....tourists are always stopping you on the street and asking where the door is....how do you get in....GREAT STUFF!
Review Source:This place is like getting drunk inside the board game CLUE. Â Secret doorways that look like bookshelves, hidden cameras, fake cameras, monitors behind the bar that you can watch the unsuspecting completely embarass themselves on. Â And it isn't a loungy place - it is more of a dive bar with rooms folding into rooms.
The drinks here were fine, from what I recall. Â I drank beer and played pool. Â Watch out - there's a photo booth that people like to sit in to make out - it has a hidden camera inside! Â On a monitor, I actually saw a girl get up from a table and as she was walking away, the guy she had been sitting with sniffed her ass. Â Was it intentionally to give resident voyeurs some laughs or was he completely oblivious? Â Does it matter?
I didn't find it gimmicky, frankly. Â I heard they used to have a man dressed as a Russian soldier outside, who would only let you in with a password. Â That's gimmicky and I didn't see him there. Â Hopefully he's a rumor.
Check this place out next time you're in Orlando... a little crowded, but knock on the walls to find an empty room all to yourself.
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