Some of these watering holes are off the beaten path, some of these might be your regular hangouts, and some you may have driven by a thousand times without even knowing it. But regardless, here are a few of our favorite hidden-gem bars in the Orlando area that you might not know about, but should.
23 hidden-gem bars in Orlando you should be drinking in this weekend
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Fri, Jul 8, 2016 at 10:24 pm
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North Quarter Tavern
861 N. Orange Ave, 407-757-0930
A great neighborhood pub serving up some of the best bar faire on the North side of downtown. Though, to be fair, calling their chef-driven menu "pub faire" doesn't do it justice. Stop by on a Sunday and post-up on their outdoor patio for mimosas and brunch.
Photo via annastamatic/Instagram
861 N. Orange Ave, 407-757-0930
A great neighborhood pub serving up some of the best bar faire on the North side of downtown. Though, to be fair, calling their chef-driven menu "pub faire" doesn't do it justice. Stop by on a Sunday and post-up on their outdoor patio for mimosas and brunch.
Photo via annastamatic/Instagram
Herman’s Loan Office
22 W. Pine St, 407-649-0000
Though it’s a little hard to find, the sister bar to Hanson’s Shoe Repair is worth the journey. Herman’s Loan Office offers up creative and top-notch cocktails in a swanky atmosphere without the secret passwords.
Photo via kareliee/Instagram
22 W. Pine St, 407-649-0000
Though it’s a little hard to find, the sister bar to Hanson’s Shoe Repair is worth the journey. Herman’s Loan Office offers up creative and top-notch cocktails in a swanky atmosphere without the secret passwords.
Photo via kareliee/Instagram
The Guesthouse
1321 N. Mills Ave., 407-630-6574
All vestiges of the old Peacock Room are erased at the Guesthouse, Mills 50’s chillest hangout. The many hanging plants (and the nifty palm-print wallpaper in the restrooms) give it a fern-bar feel; the lighting’s soft glow and the cushion-strewn couch pick up on that pick-up vibe. The walls, ceiling and floor are all dark, and the flickering candles and hanging globes give this bar the most flattering lighting ever. You’ll feel like you’re floating as you sit at the bar, quaffing carefully shaken craft cocktails. Don’t miss the Army-Navy, a gin-based wonder.
Photo via The Guesthouse/Facebook
1321 N. Mills Ave., 407-630-6574
All vestiges of the old Peacock Room are erased at the Guesthouse, Mills 50’s chillest hangout. The many hanging plants (and the nifty palm-print wallpaper in the restrooms) give it a fern-bar feel; the lighting’s soft glow and the cushion-strewn couch pick up on that pick-up vibe. The walls, ceiling and floor are all dark, and the flickering candles and hanging globes give this bar the most flattering lighting ever. You’ll feel like you’re floating as you sit at the bar, quaffing carefully shaken craft cocktails. Don’t miss the Army-Navy, a gin-based wonder.
Photo via The Guesthouse/Facebook
The Thirsty Topher
601 Virginia Drive, 407-491-4342
There’s a massive amount of interesting beers, a well-curated wine list and well-informed bartenders to help you make good choices – plus interesting decor and outdoor tables. Meet a blind date here if you want to seem cool, or bring your regular honey for a low-key but grown-up date night.
Photo via erinsullivan/Instagram
601 Virginia Drive, 407-491-4342
There’s a massive amount of interesting beers, a well-curated wine list and well-informed bartenders to help you make good choices – plus interesting decor and outdoor tables. Meet a blind date here if you want to seem cool, or bring your regular honey for a low-key but grown-up date night.
Photo via erinsullivan/Instagram
Sly Fox
63 N. Orange Ave.
Cheap drinks downtown are no longer a distant fantasy now that former Bar-BQ-Bar owner Hurst Marshall has set up Sly Fox across the way. With $2 wells frequently offered all night (check their Facebook to find out when), it’s a stingy method to slosh through the night in a slick new bar without thinning out your wallet.
Photo via sly_fox_orlando/Instagram
63 N. Orange Ave.
Cheap drinks downtown are no longer a distant fantasy now that former Bar-BQ-Bar owner Hurst Marshall has set up Sly Fox across the way. With $2 wells frequently offered all night (check their Facebook to find out when), it’s a stingy method to slosh through the night in a slick new bar without thinning out your wallet.
Photo via sly_fox_orlando/Instagram
The Matador Orlando
724 Virginia Dr.,
Matador is the best of both worlds: It’s a dark dive with plenty of seating, where you can get an adventurous craft cocktail or just order up your usual drink. The patio is typically jumping after hours, but happy hour is normally chill. It’s almost too easy to order round after round in this well-rounded Ivanhoe watering hole.
Photo via letsroam_orlando/Instagram
724 Virginia Dr.,
Matador is the best of both worlds: It’s a dark dive with plenty of seating, where you can get an adventurous craft cocktail or just order up your usual drink. The patio is typically jumping after hours, but happy hour is normally chill. It’s almost too easy to order round after round in this well-rounded Ivanhoe watering hole.
Photo via letsroam_orlando/Instagram
Red Lion Pub
784 Howell Branch Road, 321-972-8844
Red Lion Pub is a fun, dog-friendly beer and wine only spot in Winter Park. Their Twisted Tuesdays are pretty much an institution at this point, featuring fire twirlers, hula hoops dancers, live music and local craft vendors.
Photo via Red Lion Pub/Facebook
784 Howell Branch Road, 321-972-8844
Red Lion Pub is a fun, dog-friendly beer and wine only spot in Winter Park. Their Twisted Tuesdays are pretty much an institution at this point, featuring fire twirlers, hula hoops dancers, live music and local craft vendors.
Photo via Red Lion Pub/Facebook
Stardust Video and Coffee
1842 Winter Park Road, 407-623-3393
OK, bear with us for this one. Yeah, we know, you go here for your coffee, but there’s more to order than a macchiato or cappuccino, kiddos. There’s a bar for a reason, and that specialty cocktail list keeps on growing. Keep cool during the upcoming hot Florida months of hell with a Mint Julep, or check out what’s featured on their constantly rotating menu.
Photo via audubonparkgardendistrict/Instagram
1842 Winter Park Road, 407-623-3393
OK, bear with us for this one. Yeah, we know, you go here for your coffee, but there’s more to order than a macchiato or cappuccino, kiddos. There’s a bar for a reason, and that specialty cocktail list keeps on growing. Keep cool during the upcoming hot Florida months of hell with a Mint Julep, or check out what’s featured on their constantly rotating menu.
Photo via audubonparkgardendistrict/Instagram
Celery City Craft
3114 S. Palmetto Ave, 407-915-5541
Celery City Craft is one of a bunch of cool hole-in-the-wall places in Sanford that make this city so perfect for bar-hopping. It’s a friendly place if you’re by yourself, there are 51 craft beers on tap, and there’s a lovely back deck for summer beer-sipping and a bistro menu of soups, sandwiches and snacks.
Photo via hannah_harber/Instagram
3114 S. Palmetto Ave, 407-915-5541
Celery City Craft is one of a bunch of cool hole-in-the-wall places in Sanford that make this city so perfect for bar-hopping. It’s a friendly place if you’re by yourself, there are 51 craft beers on tap, and there’s a lovely back deck for summer beer-sipping and a bistro menu of soups, sandwiches and snacks.
Photo via hannah_harber/Instagram
Little Fish Huge Pond
401 S. Sanford Ave., 407-221-1499
This bar might have more character than any other watering hole in Central Florida. The entire bar is furnished with all kinds of art and trinkets. There's usually live music on the weekends. It's also a great place for picky beer lovers looking for something new.
Photo via Elisha P./Yelp
401 S. Sanford Ave., 407-221-1499
This bar might have more character than any other watering hole in Central Florida. The entire bar is furnished with all kinds of art and trinkets. There's usually live music on the weekends. It's also a great place for picky beer lovers looking for something new.
Photo via Elisha P./Yelp
Hanson’s Shoe Repair
27 E. Pine St, 407-476-9446
The speakeasy theme has been done to death, but Hanson’s does it right – you have to call ahead to get a password; only a limited number of people are allowed into the dim, narrow, impeccably designed space; and the craft cocktails are out of this world. No vodka served here – vodka wasn’t part of the American cocktail lexicon during the Prohibition era – but the bartenders will be happy to mix you something that’ll prove even more satisfying than that Cosmopolitan you may have had in mind.
Photo via hansonsshoerepair/Instagram
27 E. Pine St, 407-476-9446
The speakeasy theme has been done to death, but Hanson’s does it right – you have to call ahead to get a password; only a limited number of people are allowed into the dim, narrow, impeccably designed space; and the craft cocktails are out of this world. No vodka served here – vodka wasn’t part of the American cocktail lexicon during the Prohibition era – but the bartenders will be happy to mix you something that’ll prove even more satisfying than that Cosmopolitan you may have had in mind.
Photo via hansonsshoerepair/Instagram
The Hideaway Bar
516 Virginia Dr., 407-898-5892
The Hideaway is open at 7 a.m. every day but Sunday (when they open at 9 a.m.), so it’s very aptly named any time you want to duck away. The bartenders have got your back day or night, making anybody feel welcome but sternly against any bullshit in the bar. It’s a perfect place to catch a game, shoot pool, bury your face in a dark room with fried food, or post up on the patio and watch another day in the Ivanhood slip by.
Photo via lemonhearted.com
516 Virginia Dr., 407-898-5892
The Hideaway is open at 7 a.m. every day but Sunday (when they open at 9 a.m.), so it’s very aptly named any time you want to duck away. The bartenders have got your back day or night, making anybody feel welcome but sternly against any bullshit in the bar. It’s a perfect place to catch a game, shoot pool, bury your face in a dark room with fried food, or post up on the patio and watch another day in the Ivanhood slip by.
Photo via lemonhearted.com
The Courtesy Bar
114 N. Orange Ave., 407-450-2041
The Courtesy is a don’t-miss on any true connoisseur’s barhop. Truly creative drink recipes are tested exhaustively before hitting the menu – no “hey, this might be good” sloppiness here – and only a few customer favorites stick around through the menu’s seasonal updates. In addition to the delicious drinks, the vibe is sophisticated without being stuffy: Lighting and sound levels are both pleasingly low, while style points for the vintage furnishings and long banquette are high.
Photo via orlandodatenightguide/Instagram
114 N. Orange Ave., 407-450-2041
The Courtesy is a don’t-miss on any true connoisseur’s barhop. Truly creative drink recipes are tested exhaustively before hitting the menu – no “hey, this might be good” sloppiness here – and only a few customer favorites stick around through the menu’s seasonal updates. In addition to the delicious drinks, the vibe is sophisticated without being stuffy: Lighting and sound levels are both pleasingly low, while style points for the vintage furnishings and long banquette are high.
Photo via orlandodatenightguide/Instagram
Barley and Vine Biergarten
2406 E. Washington St., 407-930-0960
One of the patio bars in town, the Biergarten is inviting, with a friendly bar staff, tons of beer options and a great atmosphere. Expect a mixed crowd of all ages, especially on the weekends when folks are day-drinking.
Photo via Barley and Vine Biergarten
2406 E. Washington St., 407-930-0960
One of the patio bars in town, the Biergarten is inviting, with a friendly bar staff, tons of beer options and a great atmosphere. Expect a mixed crowd of all ages, especially on the weekends when folks are day-drinking.
Photo via Barley and Vine Biergarten
The Copper Rocket Pub
106 Lake Ave., 407-636-3171
Copper Rocket offers a warm atmosphere, with live bands on the weekends, a nice selection craft brews and a pretty good menu for late night eats.
Photo via Cooper Rocket Pub/Facebook
106 Lake Ave., 407-636-3171
Copper Rocket offers a warm atmosphere, with live bands on the weekends, a nice selection craft brews and a pretty good menu for late night eats.
Photo via Cooper Rocket Pub/Facebook
Rogue Pub
3076 Curry Ford Road, 407-985-3778
Why drink here? Because you’re looking for good beer in a laid-back atmosphere in a non-hipster-infested neighborhood.
Photo via roguepuborlando/Instagram
3076 Curry Ford Road, 407-985-3778
Why drink here? Because you’re looking for good beer in a laid-back atmosphere in a non-hipster-infested neighborhood.
Photo via roguepuborlando/Instagram
Eden Bar
1300 S. Orange Ave., 407-629-1088
It’s a place that can make a couple looking for craft cocktails just as happy as a crowd who just want to split a few pitchers of beer. The splashing fountain and tropical landscaping make it picturesque (when the weather’s nice), the menu is a good balance of satisfying bar snacks and more upscale fare, and the best movies in town are screening inside, just steps away. Unbeatable.
Photo via enziantheater/Instagram
1300 S. Orange Ave., 407-629-1088
It’s a place that can make a couple looking for craft cocktails just as happy as a crowd who just want to split a few pitchers of beer. The splashing fountain and tropical landscaping make it picturesque (when the weather’s nice), the menu is a good balance of satisfying bar snacks and more upscale fare, and the best movies in town are screening inside, just steps away. Unbeatable.
Photo via enziantheater/Instagram
The Treehouse
68 E. Pine St., 407-205-2062
The Treehouse is so perfectly twee that it makes you feel like you're drinking in an elf's apartment. Find the green door on Pine Street and walk up stairs carpeted in fake grass and under "branches" that frame the stairwell, into a cozy wood-paneled room scented like pine needles. Craft cocktails are the bar's specialty, but be forewarned: The menu skews toward the sweet. Fortunately, the bartender was more than happy to mix us something a little less cloying off-menu.
Photo via thetreehouseorlando/Instagram
68 E. Pine St., 407-205-2062
The Treehouse is so perfectly twee that it makes you feel like you're drinking in an elf's apartment. Find the green door on Pine Street and walk up stairs carpeted in fake grass and under "branches" that frame the stairwell, into a cozy wood-paneled room scented like pine needles. Craft cocktails are the bar's specialty, but be forewarned: The menu skews toward the sweet. Fortunately, the bartender was more than happy to mix us something a little less cloying off-menu.
Photo via thetreehouseorlando/Instagram
The Caboose Bar
1827 N. Orange Ave., 407-898-7733
The Caboose is as unpretentious as a bar gets, with loud music, a piecemeal approach to furnishing the space – which is now twice as big as when they started – and no-frills ways to get wasted with stiff drinks and domestic pitchers. You can disappear here.
Photo via Orlando Weekly
1827 N. Orange Ave., 407-898-7733
The Caboose is as unpretentious as a bar gets, with loud music, a piecemeal approach to furnishing the space – which is now twice as big as when they started – and no-frills ways to get wasted with stiff drinks and domestic pitchers. You can disappear here.
Photo via Orlando Weekly
Lil Indies
1036 N. Mills Ave., 407-748-8256
The bartenders at Lil Indies know how to make a damn good drink. There's an ever-rotating cocktail menu, but if you have the chance to try a Drug Mule, then go ahead and ride that donkey. They also serve up some fun cheaper drink options if you're sipping on a budget, like bendejos (Corona filled with tequila).
Photo via Lil Indies/Facebook
1036 N. Mills Ave., 407-748-8256
The bartenders at Lil Indies know how to make a damn good drink. There's an ever-rotating cocktail menu, but if you have the chance to try a Drug Mule, then go ahead and ride that donkey. They also serve up some fun cheaper drink options if you're sipping on a budget, like bendejos (Corona filled with tequila).
Photo via Lil Indies/Facebook
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