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 bars in the Orlando area that you might not know about, but should.
How to find the 25 best hidden bars in the Orlando area
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Thu, Nov 19, 2015 at 8:04 pm
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Belle Isle Yacht Pub
7521 S. Orange Ave., 407-850-3491
You hear this a lot, but the Yacht Pub really is like drinking at a friend’s house (well, the big covered porch is, anyway, with its dartboard, air hockey table and random assortment of battered couches). Inside it’s a compact, cozy spot to get a decent beer or three, watch the game, or maybe take in a band on the tiny stage.
Photo by Erin Sullivan
7521 S. Orange Ave., 407-850-3491
You hear this a lot, but the Yacht Pub really is like drinking at a friend’s house (well, the big covered porch is, anyway, with its dartboard, air hockey table and random assortment of battered couches). Inside it’s a compact, cozy spot to get a decent beer or three, watch the game, or maybe take in a band on the tiny stage.
Photo by Erin Sullivan
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 by 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 by Yelp
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 by Rob Bartlett
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 by Rob Bartlett
The Guest House
1321 N. Mills Ave., 407-630-6574
All vestiges of the old Peacock Room are erased at the Guesthouse, Mills 50’s newest, 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 by Jessica Bryce Young
1321 N. Mills Ave., 407-630-6574
All vestiges of the old Peacock Room are erased at the Guesthouse, Mills 50’s newest, 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 by Jessica Bryce Young
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 by Facebook
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 by Facebook
The Hideaway
516 Virginia Drive, 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 by Ashley Belanger
516 Virginia Drive, 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 by Ashley Belanger
George’s Hideaway
5507 Edgewater Dr, 407-291-6562
Looks kinda sketchy on the outside, but the inside of George's is surprisingly nice. It has plenty of pool tables, pinball machines (including the Walking Dead) and they even have ping pong. Great place to grab a cheap stiff drink and some lunch.
Photo by Yelp
5507 Edgewater Dr, 407-291-6562
Looks kinda sketchy on the outside, but the inside of George's is surprisingly nice. It has plenty of pool tables, pinball machines (including the Walking Dead) and they even have ping pong. Great place to grab a cheap stiff drink and some lunch.
Photo by Yelp
Park Social
358 North Park Avenue, Winter Park, 407-636-7020
Walk up a flight of stairs on Park Ave and you're suddenly hanging out in a bar suitable for Austin Powers. 60s-style furniture and decor furnish this hidden Winter Park gem. They have a nice selection of fancy cocktails and beers. and if you're into cutting a rug, this place goes off here weekends.
Photo by Yelp
358 North Park Avenue, Winter Park, 407-636-7020
Walk up a flight of stairs on Park Ave and you're suddenly hanging out in a bar suitable for Austin Powers. 60s-style furniture and decor furnish this hidden Winter Park gem. They have a nice selection of fancy cocktails and beers. and if you're into cutting a rug, this place goes off here weekends.
Photo by Yelp
Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub
4308 Curry Ford Rd, 407-895-1555
It looks a little tough on the outsde, but don't let the exterior fool you. This bars has great live music on the weekend, darts boards, pool and arguably some of the best Irish food in town. Their Scotch eggs are insane!
Photo by Facebook
4308 Curry Ford Rd, 407-895-1555
It looks a little tough on the outsde, but don't let the exterior fool you. This bars has great live music on the weekend, darts boards, pool and arguably some of the best Irish food in town. Their Scotch eggs are insane!
Photo by Facebook
Colonial Lanes
400 Primrose Drive, 407-894-0361
The no-frills bar snugged away inside Colonial Lanes has everything you want for a true old-school drinking experience: cheap beer, cheap drinks, friendly-but-take-no-shit bartenders, a fine selection of beer mirrors, enough TVs to keep your eye on the game but not so many that you feel like you’re at Best Buy, karaoke, pool tables, darts, bartop gambling. Belly up to the sunken bar (so ’70s!) to the distant crashes of the lanes outside, order up the cheapest grilled cheese in town, and lean back in your padded vinyl rolly chair while your fellow drinkers fret about baby-sitters, compare Tinder profiles and rate Bieber’s peen. About those rolly chairs, though: Be careful getting up out of them after you’ve had a few.
Photo by Jessica Bryce Young
400 Primrose Drive, 407-894-0361
The no-frills bar snugged away inside Colonial Lanes has everything you want for a true old-school drinking experience: cheap beer, cheap drinks, friendly-but-take-no-shit bartenders, a fine selection of beer mirrors, enough TVs to keep your eye on the game but not so many that you feel like you’re at Best Buy, karaoke, pool tables, darts, bartop gambling. Belly up to the sunken bar (so ’70s!) to the distant crashes of the lanes outside, order up the cheapest grilled cheese in town, and lean back in your padded vinyl rolly chair while your fellow drinkers fret about baby-sitters, compare Tinder profiles and rate Bieber’s peen. About those rolly chairs, though: Be careful getting up out of them after you’ve had a few.
Photo by Jessica Bryce Young
Julie's Waterfront
4201 S Orange Ave, 407-240-2557
Sipping on a gin and tonic and taking in the view of Lake Jennie Jewel on this beautiful patio cannot be beat. It's also a dog-friendly patio so bring your pooch.
Photo by Yelp
4201 S Orange Ave, 407-240-2557
Sipping on a gin and tonic and taking in the view of Lake Jennie Jewel on this beautiful patio cannot be beat. It's also a dog-friendly patio so bring your pooch.
Photo by Yelp
Red Lion Pub
784 Howell Branch Rd, 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 by redlionpub.org
784 Howell Branch Rd, 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 by redlionpub.org
Gnarly Barley
77431 S. Orange Ave., 407-854-4999
Even if all the Gnarly Barley had to offer was their extensive-to-the-point-of-obsessive beer menu, they’d still be competitive in the craft brew game among other beer spots in Orlando. But when you add in the friendly service, the shaded patio, fun events like movie nights and trash can beer pong (yep), and some of the best bar food we’ve ever gobbled up … well, there’s really no reason not to head south and wrap your paws around a can, bottle or glass from their diverse, ever-rotating list.
Photo by Holly Whelden Carpenter
77431 S. Orange Ave., 407-854-4999
Even if all the Gnarly Barley had to offer was their extensive-to-the-point-of-obsessive beer menu, they’d still be competitive in the craft brew game among other beer spots in Orlando. But when you add in the friendly service, the shaded patio, fun events like movie nights and trash can beer pong (yep), and some of the best bar food we’ve ever gobbled up … well, there’s really no reason not to head south and wrap your paws around a can, bottle or glass from their diverse, ever-rotating list.
Photo by Holly Whelden Carpenter
The Caboose
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 by 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 by Orlando Weekly
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. Tucked behind the TD building (in the old Club Sound spot), Herman’s Loan Office offers up creative and top-notch cocktails in a swanky atmosphere without the secret passwords.
Photo by Herman's Loan Office/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. Tucked behind the TD building (in the old Club Sound spot), Herman’s Loan Office offers up creative and top-notch cocktails in a swanky atmosphere without the secret passwords.
Photo by Herman's Loan Office/Instagram
The Woods
49 N. Orange Ave., 407-203-1114
The Woods is one of the linchpins of the craft cocktail scene in downtown. Accordingly, there’s very little in the place to distract you from the business at hand: trying new cocktails. Though the menu they had when we stopped by for happy hour skewed a little sweet for our tastes (is that just a downtown thing?), the list of interesting ingredients will bring us back. (There was cachaça, apple bitters and poblano pepper syrup in the Raising Cane we tried.) Check out their website to stay informed of Iron Bartender competitions or other distillery- or brewery-sponsored events, often with complimentary booze for attendees.
Photo by Jessica Bryce Young
49 N. Orange Ave., 407-203-1114
The Woods is one of the linchpins of the craft cocktail scene in downtown. Accordingly, there’s very little in the place to distract you from the business at hand: trying new cocktails. Though the menu they had when we stopped by for happy hour skewed a little sweet for our tastes (is that just a downtown thing?), the list of interesting ingredients will bring us back. (There was cachaça, apple bitters and poblano pepper syrup in the Raising Cane we tried.) Check out their website to stay informed of Iron Bartender competitions or other distillery- or brewery-sponsored events, often with complimentary booze for attendees.
Photo by Jessica Bryce Young
Vanbarry's Public House
4120 S. Orange Ave., 407-704-8881
Vanbarry's is the kind of gathering place South Orlando/Conway has needed for a long time. It doesn't cater to any one type of person – it's a low-key hang that's welcoming to all. The food is good, there's plenty of covered outdoor seating on the patio, and on weekends, the firepit is a good place to kick back with a group.
Photo by Erin Sullivan
4120 S. Orange Ave., 407-704-8881
Vanbarry's is the kind of gathering place South Orlando/Conway has needed for a long time. It doesn't cater to any one type of person – it's a low-key hang that's welcoming to all. The food is good, there's plenty of covered outdoor seating on the patio, and on weekends, the firepit is a good place to kick back with a group.
Photo by Erin Sullivan
Barley & Vine Biergarten
2406 E. Washington St.
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. They have a nice assortment of board games and every Sunday they have free protein!
Photo by Orlando Weekly
2406 E. Washington St.
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. They have a nice assortment of board games and every Sunday they have free protein!
Photo by Orlando Weekly
Tanqueray's
100 S. Orange Ave., 407-649-8540
Tanqueray's is a great spot for a happy hour if you want to feel like you're in a northern city. There's something about descending the stairs to a basement bar that feels, well, like you're on Cheers. The bar room can get a little tight, but there are several tables in the side room, where musicians of the funk, jazz, blues and jam persuasions perform for free pretty much every single night. Drinks are reasonably priced, and service is friendly and unobtrusive.
Photo by Thaddeus McCollum
100 S. Orange Ave., 407-649-8540
Tanqueray's is a great spot for a happy hour if you want to feel like you're in a northern city. There's something about descending the stairs to a basement bar that feels, well, like you're on Cheers. The bar room can get a little tight, but there are several tables in the side room, where musicians of the funk, jazz, blues and jam persuasions perform for free pretty much every single night. Drinks are reasonably priced, and service is friendly and unobtrusive.
Photo by Thaddeus McCollum
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 by Facebook
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 by Facebook
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