Epic Universe’s best-kept secret: Dueling guitars in overlooked bar
Live music in an Epic Universe bar called The Plastered Owl might be the best-kept secret of the new Universal Orlando theme park.
Just one month since the grand opening of Universal Epic Universe, the park’s high-tech roller coasters and innovative dining options have already made their mark on the theme park industry. One of the most charming attractions in Epic Universe, though, is one you likely won’t find in any sizzle reel, top-10 list, or even in the Universal Orlando app: dueling guitarists performing live music inside The Plastered Owl bar, buried deep within Celestial Park.
The two musicians take command of the room, livening up the space with a crowd-participation music program (and some improv comedy occasionally thrown in for flavor). The dueling guitarists each introduce themselves with the title “Plastered” in front of their names (we saw “Plastered Maura” and “Plastered Ben”), and encourage diners to do the same. They turn to guests for song suggestions, sing tunes about various Epic Universe attractions (while maintaining the lore of their current placement in Celestial Park), and frequently point out a squirrel stained-glass window on the wall and include the critter in their song lyrics. (Perhaps it’s destined to join the likes of Captain Cacao and Lil’ Boo in the Universal character hall of fame.)
While the scale of the show is much smaller than that of the Epic Universe’s headlining live productions — “Le Cirque Arcanus” in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and “The Untrainable Dragon” in Isle of Berk — the live music duo is equally worth seeking out as those other shows. It makes for a great option as a stress-free, mid-afternoon breather amidst a packed day of high-sensory rides and shows elsewhere in Epic Universe.
If Epic Universe’s overall theme is about traveling the cosmos — team members refer to guests as “travelers” throughout the entire day — then the live music in The Plastered Owl fits the bill for the exploration of finding it. The Plastered Owl itself sits within the back right section of The Oak & Star Tavern, a quick-service barbecue restaurant located in Celestial Park, just to the left of the portal leading into Dark Universe. The musicians’ performance times aren’t listed in Universal’s app, but the resort’s website says music starts daily at 10:45 a.m. We’ve seen performances take place throughout the park’s afternoon and evening hours. Those who explore are rewarded with a performance they’ll be glad they sought out.
Image courtesy of Universal
Guests can enjoy drinks from The Plastered Owl bar while taking in the live music, or they can scan the code on their tables to order food from The Oak & Star Tavern, which shares dining space with the bar area. (Despite having the word “tavern” in its name, Oak & Star serves full meals, not just beverages.) As a bonus, the bar’s Coca-Cola Freestyle machine serves Celestial Spritz, an exclusive Epic Universe soda. Audience members are just as welcome to grab a seat and enjoy the music and air-conditioning without ordering any food or drinks.
Photo by Seth Kubersky
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