New members-only Remedy Lounge open at the Florida Theatre

The Florida Theatre announced that its new “Remedy Lounge” opened Jan. 20 in the historic venue Downtown at 128 E. Forsyth St.

The 3,000-square-foot space on the mezzanine level is accessible only by members of the Florida Theatre Center for the Performing Arts, the nonprofit that manages the city-owned theater and office building.

The lounge is open when there is a performance at the venue.

Amenities include specialty cocktails, private restrooms and displays of historical memorabilia collected during the theater’s nearly 100-year history.

Auld & White Constructors LLC renovated the space at a cost of $1.1 million.

The project is part of the $10 million restoration and refurbishment announced in July 2019 that is scheduled to be completed in time for the venue’s centennial celebration in 2027.

Larger seats were installed in the orchestra and balcony along with a new sound system in 2020 when the venue was forced to close to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, new stage lights were installed.

The first major upgrade since the theater opened in 1927 is supported by $5 million in matching funds approved in 2019 by City Council.