The Manikin Lounge

This place was weird. I liked the vibe, but it was not high end by any means...Everyone one was nice. I was there earlier in the evening. Not sure what goes down here later at night...the beds/pillows they were setting up that were wrapped in plastic concerned me...

Great alternative 80's style bar and club. GreatDrinks, dance club vibe and dance floor. Outside hangout. Great dj and friendly staff. It's my regular in downtown Sanford

Despite the fact that this place looks like John Waters and Trent Reznor tried to design a goth bar, it's a great little spot. The staff is super friendly, it has a great vibe, strong inexpensive drinks, and a giant dance floor, as well as an outside (covered) area if that's more your speed. The music is great, and while does lean more towards goth music (in a goth bar? How shocking!) Throughout the night you can expect to hear a wide variety, everything from your favorite music in high school to a trap remix of the "Talespin" theme song. Highly recommended.

We used to love this place to relax at the end of the night. They play great music and have a fun dance floor... until they decided to discriminate if you don't fit the mold of people they like. If you look even remotely different, you'll be called out by the DJ to leave the dance floor and labeled a douche bag and told everyone is laughing at you over the loud mic. My husband and his friends truly liked the vibe and music but clearly are no longer welcome. DJ tried to blame it on the manager/owner. No one wanted to own up to why this group of people weren't welcome to dance even tho they paid cover just like everyone else. They absolutely deserve to apologize to this group that continuously attended in the past and were disrespected and embarrassed. We won't be back, and I suggest you don't go unless you look exactly like everyone else.

Review #666 - Halloween 2021 - Fitting, right? This place is creepy in a way that welcomes you into a different world. Walking in, you get the sense you're in a serial killers basement with a slight haze and dark lighting which makes you question if the mannequins strewn throughout the venue are real or not. The crowd grows as the night goes one into what the Oingo Boingo "Dead Man's Party" video should be.The staff was friendly and quick with getting drinks. They had 2 DJs, one inside and 1 outside playing a little different music. Inside was loud with dancing and music while in the back, the music was at a level where you could hang and discuss what twisted things you can get yourselves into. The Bouncer was cool and he would routinely walk from the front door to the back patio giving a sense he's keeping an eye on things and making sure it's all on the up and up. He looked like most people could take him down, but he was the bouncer and I wouldn't try anything. He'd probably mess you up bad just for making him wrinkle his suit. Just guessing of course.The music was goth/industrial in nature and the attire of the patrons indicated that's why they were there. If you don't like seeing bare asses, faces painted like skeletons, non-binary genders and public displays of affection, then this place probably isn't for you. TV's play videos that sometimes go with the music and sometimes don't, but yet they do!But honestly, it's a thing of beauty where everyone from every persuasion is welcomed in. All were just having fun and getting along just fine. If the world was more like this place, we'd have a much friendlier society. Thanks to the people behind this place for creating a world to escape this one. It's good to get away! Happy Halloween!!!

Great Goth bar in Sanford Florida. Open Wednesday through Saturday.Check the Facebook page for different nights of music.Inside and outside bars.Cages and all kinds of crazy shenanigans going on inside.A great place to dance and enjoy a cocktail or two.Plenty of free parking around the area but please check signs if it says tow-away do not park there! This place gets packed on the weekend but I love The people watching - all types of gothic clothing.Make sure you say hi to Heather with the blond hair on the sidebar she is an amazing bartender beautiful inside and out.

I really don't do nightclubs much/ever these days but I've been dying to go here since we walked by one day and I saw all the band posters in the window. I LOVE me some new and dark wave, goth, all the great synthy goodness that makes me feel like I'm in a sexy 80's vampire movie. And man did Manikins deliver!! We met some fellow Yelpers that live in the area for dinner and bar hopping around Sanford and I immediately new I was gonna love it as soon as I walked through the door. There is an indoor area with two bars and decent sized dance floor, as well as an outdoor area with separate DJ so if you don't like the music inside, take a walk outside and you might find something more to your liking. I really enjoyed myself and eventually had enough liquid courage to get out on the dance floor and really get into the music. Once I started, I don't think I stopped till it was closing time. I haven't danced like that in YEARS. When I first moved to Orlando I used to frequent I-Bar aka Barbarella weekly. This offers the same awesome goth and dark wave music and experience without all the hassle of downtown Orlando. I just loved it SO MUCH!

They call it a goth club but I didn't see many creepy things inside. The exterior absolutely more of a modern goth look. I don't think they have food here. It's a drink and dance situation. Very dark and very loud. Back area had more seating

"Every day is Halloween"I didn't even know this place existed until last week. I was meeting up with some friends at Throwbacks but got there about an hour earlier than they did. While I was waiting, I decided to bounce around town to see what trouble I could get into before they arrived. Well, just down the street on Sanford Avenue there is a new venue called The Manikin Lounge. Although this is a new bar and is still not fully established, they have a good thing going. Manikins is like a mix between Independent Bar (in Orlando) and Halloween. They play great dance music (80's new wave style) with videos. There are Mannequins in several areas of the bar dressed in lingerie two of them actually feel real to the touch. In addition to the Mannequins there is also a creepy Pig man butcher and other spooky Halloween themed items throughout the bar. The venue is a bit on the small side but I don't think anyone seemed to mind. There is a disco ball which encourages dancing and adds to the excitement of this place. There is limited seating and at times the venue can be standing room only however, the staff and bartenders were great since I never had to wait for a drink.Overall, I think The Manikin Lounge is a unique and strange addition to Sanford Avenue. I hope word gets out about this place because I look forward to see The Manikin Lounge become successful in the downtown area. We needed something different to bring in new visitors to the Sanford area and I look forward to see how this venue progresses in the near future.

Literally damaged my hearing from one night there. I wouldn't go back for that reason alone. It could be a cool place if they built on the theme a little more. Very low effort. Drinks were basic, but I didn't expect much else. Bartender was quick and kind.