June 25, 2021 - (Orlando, FL) Garito Hospitality, LLC is partnering with The Parliament House to make the rehoming of Orlando’s favorite LGBTQIA+ nightclub a reality. Garito Hospitality purchased the property on 29 S. Orange Ave in Downtown Orlando to assist with the funding, concept, and buildout of the new space.

Since its opening in 1962, Parliament House has spent the last 50 years creating a lasting impression on the gay community. In the early 70s, the founders reinvigorated a bankrupt motel into an inclusive resort and entertainment destination with 120 rooms, a pool, several bars and a disco room. Their lavish stage played host to hundreds of iconic headliners and the most legendary drag queens. In the 80’s, Parliament House raised funds for AIDS awareness as the epidemic ravaged the community.

On October 28th, 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the struggle to keep the iconic gay resort and nightclub open was too great. In a heartbreaking Facebook post, Parliament House said goodbye to its community, “For over 45 years, The Parliament House has called Orange Blossom Trail our home. We put up a good fight over the last 11 months to secure financing and renovate our existing property. Unfortunately, that fight ended today with no deal.” For the owners of Parliament House, the hope wasn’t for a permanent goodbye.

Don Granatstein, owner of Parliament House, divulged, “Closing down the Parliament House legacy last year was heartbreaking especially since the business has been family-operated for the last 20 years.”

“Parliament House wasn’t just a building.. It was so many things to so many people”

With the spread of COVID-19 and the closing of Parliament House on November 2nd, 2020, the LGBTQIA+ scene has been limited and safe spaces even less so. It was in the heart of this tragedy that Garito Hospitality was born. Tim Garito, the founder of the Orlando-based entertainment group, saw the loss of businesses brought on by the pandemic and a need to revitalize historic Downtown Orlando with the desire to support the LGBTQIA+ community.

Remembering the words of Ms. Darcel Stevens, Parliament House’s entertainment director for the last 20 years, resonated with the Garito Team, “Parliament House wasn’t just a building, it was a refuge, a church, it was a safe haven. It was so many things to so many people,” The devastation to the Orlando queer community in the last few years hit home for Garito.

“Garito Hospitality has given us hope to bring back a new and re-invigorated Parliament House”

With just a phone call, the partnership between Garito Hospitality and The Parliament House was a no brainer. Granatstein mentions, “Garito Hospitality has given us hope to bring back a new and re-invigorated Parliament House. Without Garito Hospitality, it might not have been revived.”

With this month marking five years since the horrific Pulse shooting, Garito Hospitality is dedicated to reviving Parliament House and ensuring its place in Orlando’s nightlife with safe representation.

“We are excited for the opportunity. It’s our goal to provide an experience that not only speaks to the LGBTQ+ community but displays the cultural history of Parliament House in a unique kind of way,” says Tim Garito, Founder of Gartio Hospitality. The new 7,000 sq.ft. venue on 29 S Orange will house a video bar, sports bar, dance floor, and redeveloped stage with a state of the art entertainment system.

Reflecting on the Orlando LGBTQIA community, the new Parliament House will be dynamic, vibrant, and proud just like the community it stands to serve.