25 essential Orlando bars that aren't downtown

The Waterfront

4201 S Orange Ave, 407-240-2557
Originally known as Julie’s Waterfront, this redone spot has an upgraded menu and views overlooking Lake Jennie Jewel. Happy hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with half-off drinks starting at 10 p.m. until close.

Photo via Waterfront/Facebook

Southern Craft

2405 E South Street, 407-412-5039
Located in the Milk District, this bar is known for its craft cocktails and beers. Their art is in their drinks. They offer events like dog-friendly happy hours, $7 speciality whiskey cocktails and live music.
Photo via Southern Craft/Instagram

The Guesthouse

1321 N Mills Ave., 407-630-6574
This relatively new addition to the Mills 50 bar scene is becoming a bit of a local’s favorite. With lots of greenery, string lights and stiff cocktails, Guesthouse is pretty much a mandatory weekend stop.

Photo via Guesthouse/Facebook

Park Social Retro Cocktail Den

358 N Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-636-7020
Vintage couches and decor ranging from the ‘50s to ‘70s makeup this blast-from-the-past retro bar. Holding true to their theme, they play music ranging from old school to modern so you can boogie all night.

Photo via Facebook

The Nest Bar

4953 New Broad St., 407-629-6605
The Nest Bar offers a cozy atmosphere with plush couches and chairs in a living-room style space. Right in front of Lake Baldwin, this bar with a view takes pride in its creative, craft cocktails and for using quality ingredients, such as fresh squeezed juice, homemade syrups and a wide selection of bitters.

Photo via The Nest Ba/Facebook

Eden Bar

1300 S Orlando Ave., Maitland,407-629-1088
Eden Bar is the outdoor bar for the Enzian Theater. Although you don’t need to purchase a movie ticket to dine or drink, it offers daily food and drink specials, as well as lunch and a late night menu.

Photo via Enzian Theater/Facebook

Will’s Pub

1042 N Mills Ave.
Will’s Pub has been a host and cornerstone to Orlando’s live music scene for years. But it’s not just music, comedy, fairs, art shows– just about every night of the week you can find something weird enough for even the seasoned Orlandoan.

Photo via Will's Pub/Facebook

Stardust Video & Coffee

1842 E Winter Park Rd., 407-623-3393
This bar disguised as a coffee shop and bookstore is for the artists, poets and the wandering soul. They offer a new Scotch Bar and speciality drinks. The staff picks are the Blackberry Peach Old Fashioned and the Scottish Heavy beer. The bar opens in the evenings but the staff will gladly make you a drink in the morning to cure your hangover.

Photo via Facebook

Wally's Mills Avenue Liquors

3231, 1001 N. Mills Ave., 407-896-6975
Just reopened under new management, Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors is a long-time Orlando landmark, existing even before Disney. A hub for Orlando locals, you can usually find people of all types drinking at this watering hole, from late-shift workers to city commissioners.

Photo via Wally's/Facebook

The Imperial

116 E 1st St., Sanford, 407-732-6956
This bar is located smack in the middle of an imported furniture shop. Shop your heart out while enjoying signature cocktails and beers in downtown Sanford.

Photo via The Imperial/Facebook

Whiskey Lou’s Lounge

121 N Bumby Ave.,407-896-2593
Whiskey Lou’s Lounge is about as classic a dive bar as you can go to. They have pool tables, a jukebox and live music throughout the week per the new management.

Photo by Amanda Reh

Gnarly Barley Gnarly Barley 7431 S Orange Ave.,407-854-4999
This restaurant is more than just brisket tacos and gourmet grilled cheese. They offer 16 beers on tap and events like Kill the Keg on Saturdays which is $3 drafts starting at 6 p.m. until the keg runs out.

Photo via Gnarly Barley /Facebook

Sportstown

2414 E Robinson St., 407-894-6258
Existing since 1958, this pool hall offers craft beers, speciality sandwiches and drink specials every night. This is a place to challenge your pool skills, pinball or maybe even ping pong while drinking from a selection over of 30 beers.

Photo via Sportstown/Facebook Sportstown

Vanbarry's Public House

4120 S Orange Ave., 407-704-8881
Casual dining eatery and bar with extensive outdoor seating that includes a fire pit and lounge chairs. Their food selection ranges from typical bar food to full-size family meal options. They have various craft beers, but their specialty lies in cocktails and mixed drinks.

Photo via Vanbarry's Public House/Facebook

Big Daddy's

3001 Corrine Dr., 407-644-2844
Located in Audubon Park, this bar was voted the #1 karaoke spot in Central Florida in last year’s Best of Orlando voting. Karaoke is offered here every night, plus they have pool tables and dart boards for those less-inclined to get up on stage. Martini Mondays are worth it as well, which means 50 cents off Martinis from 9 p.m. to close and Hospitality Nights on Sundays which offers $3 sake shots and 50 cents off all draft beer from 9 p.m. to close.

Photo via Big Daddy's/Facebook

Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub

2421 Curry Ford Rd., 407-895-1555
Imported beers and wines, traditional pub grub and live traditional music are what this Irish pub boasts most about. Their selection includes stouts, lagers, pilsners and ales to be paired with sandwiches, pies and soup all made from scratch.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Fiddler's Green Irish Pub & Eatery

544 W Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-645-2050
Featuring authentic Irish decoration, live music and Irish-inspired food, this bar teleports you right into the heart of Ireland. Since it opens in the morning, you can live like a true Irishman and start your day off with a pint.

Photo via Fiddler's Green/Facebook

Imperial Wine Bar & Beer Garden

1800 N Orange Ave., 407-228-4992
Imported furniture for sale as well as sitting fill the room and give this space its unique atmosphere. Equipped with a bar and patio area to kick back and hang out in a relaxed environment, it also has local food trucks rotate in and out Monday through Saturday.

Photo via Imperial Washburn Imports/Facebook

M Lounge

2000 N Orange Ave. Suite 300, 321-430-1140
A trip on a glass elevator takes you to this rooftop bar and acoustic music accompanys your night overlooking Winter Park. Guests can enjoy speciality drinks and cocktails with happy hour Wednesday through Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Photo via M Lounge/Facebook

The Porch

643 N Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-571-9101
The Porch offers daily food and drink promotions with special brunch menus for the weekends. Picnic style benches and tables fill the space while food is served on classic red and white checkered paper sheets reminiscent of a sunny summer’s afternoon barbeque.

Photo by Rob Bartlett