LGBTQ+ Space, Heatwave to close after less than a year in Orlando's Parramore District
- Alastair Mac
- Mar 6
- 3 min read
Heatwave, a multi-function LGBTQ+ space offering dining, coffee and nightlife has announed it's closure this weekend
A new "multi-function LGBTQ+ space" opened in the former home of Stonewall Bar Orlando at 741 W Church St in the Parramore Neighborhood in August last year.
The building which had been sitting vacant for almost three years since Stonewall closed on New Year’s Eve, 2021, found a new lease of life with Kevin Varanai and Andrea Dunn transforming the former nightclub into three distinct sections within the property, housing a café, tapas-style restaurant, and entertainment lounge.
But now less than a year after opening, Heatwave has announced that it will close forever this weekend.
Owners Kevin and Andrea Dunn shared the sad news on social media, announcing that the venue’s final day will be Sunday, March 8, inviting everyone to enjoy one last weekend at Heatwave before the doors close.
They added that the venue never had a grand opening so they are making this last weekend a grand closing party!
To help open the new venue, Kevin and Andrea received financial support via the Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency, which awarded a grant worth over $130,000 to help with building improvements, and rent assistance.
Kevin and Andrea say that running Heatwave has been one of the most exciting things the’ve ever done. They wanted to create a place where queer and like-minded people could gather, connect, perform, celebrate, and build community together. Sadly for Kevin and Andrea the financial realities of operating the venue has been tougher than they had hoped, deciding it was time to close the venue.
Here is the statement in full from Kevin and Andrea:
"Last call! We never got to have the grand opening so we figured we’d go out with a grand closing!
Running a space like Heatwave has been one of the most exciting (and hardest) things we’ve ever done.
Our vision was to create an elevated place where queer and like-minded people could gather, connect, perform, celebrate, and build community together. We deserve nice things too!
While the love for the space has been real, the financial realities of operating this large of a venue has been tougher than we hoped, especially after the countless roadblocks we’ve faced getting open. We’ve had a lot of difficult conversations, but it’s time to close our doors.
This isn’t the ending we imagined, but we’re incredibly proud of what was created here and deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring it to life. Before we go, we want one last weekend to celebrate it all. All our events this weekend will still go as planned, so we hope to see you there!
Our last day will be this Sunday, 3/8. If Heatwave meant something to you, come say goodbye and tip your staff one last time! We love you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Kevin + Andrea."
For more details check out their Facebook Page.
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