Locals Only

The origin story of A Drink Between Friends.

It's Orlando, 2004. For the love of God, there's more to do than visit the theme parks!

Here's what you do:

1. Lose your mind at Independent Bar, dancing to the best of 80's & 90's alternative music on a Sunday night. Drag your ass to work the next day.

2. Go to the Enzian Theater and watch an indie film. Also, check out the Orlando Fringe Festival.

3. Breakfast at Brian's - DO order the cinnamon rolls. Also, indulge in the Puerto Rican food across the city.

4. Go to Will's Pub. Catch a live show with The Heathens. The lead singer might jump from the stage and grab you for a dance.

5. Go to Park Ave CDs. Buy all the music. The lead singer of The B-52's might be doing the same.

Last, and most importantly, go to Urban Think! Bookstore. Buy some books. Drink some wine. And find yourself in the presence of Katie Ball.

Katie was one of Orlando's most vibrant characters. In my eyes, she and Billy Manes gave Orlando its identity while also celebrating the many people who lived up to its nickname, "The City Beautiful." Sadly, we lost both of them in 2017 (but I'm willing to surrender that Billy was an even bigger Duran Duran fan than I am!)

I don't know if Katie realized how important she was to my first few years out of college. I was the sheltered daughter of two immigrants who was finally out on her own in the real world - that can be intimidating. But Katie gave me a starting point. She had just released a book called Any Cool Music? It was the guide I needed to explore Orlando's music scene. Thanks to Katie, I adore Terri Binion's music. Her book also sent me down rabbit holes that helped me (as a young journalist) discover and understand Orlando itself.

Then, Katie lit a spark in me when she made me realize that I could write my own books. I was obsessed with the idea of writing the next Bridget Jones's Diary. I wanted my books on the shelves at Urban Think! So, I bought an autographed copy of See Jane Write. Then, Katie alerted me to a scheduled book signing at the store with a new Harlequin Red Dress Ink author - Susan Hubbard, who has since become a friend.

And if Katie had not introduced me to the Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub, my book, A Drink Between Friends, would not exist. She invited me on a Wednesday night. The first thing I noticed - it was next door to a funeral home (at its original Curry Ford Road location.)

I walked into the Claddagh Cottage, and it felt like I was in an actual Irish pub. Stone walls and floors, a fireplace, darts. Vintage Guinness posters on the walls. Small dining spaces that forced you to get close to your friends. And of course, every kind of alcohol known to man. I did ask if it was weird being next door to a funeral home. One of the workers said, "Naw. They don't bother us, and we don't bother them."

Katie was serving and bartending. She invited me on a night when a group of musicians gathered at a table and filled the space with traditional Irish music. But nothing made me feel more at home than taking a bite of the cottage pie.

The Claddagh Cottage feels like the kind of place where you leave your troubles at the door and have a laugh with complete strangers. It's the place I needed as I tried to figure things out in my life. Then it hit me years later - write a hopeful story about all the things I wish someone would have told me as I navigated my career, my family, my love life, etc. And the setting would be an Irish Pub...that's next door to a funeral home.

Urban Think! and Brian's have unfortunately closed. The glory days of Independent Bar seem to be behind us. But they're still serving up pints at The Claddagh Cottage, and it's still a piece of Ireland outside of Ireland. And its inspiration has taken me on such a writing adventure! Visiting various pubs. Meeting people from Ireland and taking in their culture at local festivals. Traveling all the way to Dublin and Malahide. Learning from multiple authors and receiving their encouragement. And with a twist of fate, connecting with an amazing editor in Ireland to make sure A Drink Between Friends is culturally authentic and accurate.

And the strings from each of these storylines lead back to Katie.