Fans of The Beacon in Thornton Park won't notice much of a change inside The iMansion, a restaurant and lounge that has taken its place.

The furniture is the same. Structurally nothing is different. Management plans to change the patio furniture to all white in the near future, according to Cristina M. Calvet-Harrold who is doing marketing for The iMansion. Otherwise, more flat-screen TVs on the walls and a cheaper menu are a couple of differences between the old and the new.

And that name?

"Wayne [Maingot, managing partner of iMansion] thought the space looked like a mansion from the outside," says Calvet-Harrold.

Whose? Steve Jobs'?

New events at iMansion help distinguish it from The Beacon. On Thursdays, there's a ladies night that features free wine 10-11 p.m. and $3 drinks for ladies until midnight. There is no cover, and according to Calvet-Harrold, there never will be as long as iMansion is hosting the night.

Saturday nights are not a night hosted by iMansion. Rehab Orlando takes over the space to bring in world and international sounds, performed by bands and DJs, as I found out when I was there last Saturday. There's a $10 cover but between 10 p.m. and midnight it's free for ladies. Even with the cover the lounge was packed with people by midnight. Service was a bit slow, but that's not uncommon for an opening weekend. Not a bad start for a new night at a new lounge.

One of the high points was the Toasted Almond martini. At $12 it's at the high end of the price scale for a martini at the bar (prices range between $8-$12) but was both creamy and crunchy at the same time, and so delicious. If you're a fan of those Good Humor Toasted Almond ice cream bars you'll think so too.

Other drink prices include $3.50 for domestic and $4.50 for imported bottles, and $6-$8 for mixed drinks. Food stays between a $7-$15 price range.

There is a weekly Sunday brunch with $3 mimosas and $4 Bloody Marys; iMansion will host a variety of themes from time to time including their first on Nov. 1, aptly coined " The Detox Brunch: Cure Your Halloween Hangover."

The football playing on the flat screens all day Sunday and on Monday nights may seem a bit odd, considering the modern decor and lounge feel don't really evoke screaming your team's name at the TV. But I know there are better-mannered sports watchers than myself.

Part lounge, part restaurant, part nightclub and part sports bar — there are a lot of folks being targeted by iMansion. And that's not always a good thing.

But I think it's the fans of the former Beacon that will enjoy the lower prices with the same atmosphere the most while it finds its niche.

Source: Kelly Fitzpatrick - Orlando Sentinel BARS & CLUBS