Courtesy of Don Patrón Bistro and Social's Facebook page
Key Points
- Don Patrón Bistro and Social will open its nightlife venue in downtown Apopka with a soft opening on October 9 from 4 p.m. to midnight.
- Co-owners Steve Berigan and Joey Acevedo aim to create an inclusive ultra lounge with a menu featuring diverse cultural dishes.
- Don Patrón will operate noon to midnight Sunday through Thursday and noon to 2 a.m. on weekends at 34 E. Main St.
Don Patrón Bistro and Social is set to usher the nightlife scene into downtown Apopka soon, with its soft opening scheduled from 4 p.m. to midnight Oct. 9.
“We want to bring a little more upscale, uptown type of vibe to Apopka,” said co-owner Steve Berigan in a phone interview with The Apopka Chief. “It’s lacking in good food, good food, higher end establishments — not too high, but something that kind of fits the neighborhood more. We think we nailed it, honestly, but I guess the community will let us know.”
Although co-owner Joey Acevedo, who formerly owned the now-closed Longwood Social, noted Don Patrón’s potential resemblance to Morenas Latin Bar & Grill on Semoran Boulevard, he believes his concept will appeal to a broader variety of cultures.
“They only concentrate on Hispanic people,” he said. “We’re concentrating on everybody — Americans, Indians, Black, Chinese — we want you all coming, and I believe that this one is gonna be the spot for them.”
The menu on the restaurant’s website as of Wednesday morning includes steak and many Hispanic flavors and favorites, but also features influences from other cultures, whether through the wagyu sliders or fried chicken and waffles. A table for four in the corner of Don Patrón, however, will feature its own unique menu and exclusive service.
“I stole that idea from Vegas,” Acevedo said. “That place was always sold out. They didn’t have any reservations — people already had prepaid months to reserve those sections. They only had about five.”
Acevedo calls his concept an “ultra lounge” that will offer live music and customizable lighting while welcoming guests of all ages.
“We just can’t wait to jump in and see what we can offer the community,” Berigan said. “We can’t wait to meet all the local people.”
Don Patrón will be open noon to midnight Sunday through Thursday and noon to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday at 34 E. Main St.