You could say any bar that can serves beer after work is a thing of beauty. You wouldn’t be wrong. But some places are just a bit nicer than others. Here are the 21 in the Orlando area that look good without any beer goggles.
The 21 most beautiful bars in the Orlando area
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Mon, Dec 7, 2015 at 9:58 pm
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Aku Aku Tiki Bar
431 E. Central Blvd.; 407-839-0080
It's a dark, intimate lounge ripe for a takeover – a group of a dozen could own the place. Comfy 1950s rattan furniture, a giant tiki idol, leaning surfboards, and hanging blowfish and glass floats set the scene for sweet-but-not-too Zombies, Singapore slings and Volcano bowls. Try (not to fall over after finishing) the Tigerfucker, built from 44 North huckleberry vodka and house-made blackberry-jalapeño syrup, topped with a flaming sugar cube and served in a huge glass goblet.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
431 E. Central Blvd.; 407-839-0080
It's a dark, intimate lounge ripe for a takeover – a group of a dozen could own the place. Comfy 1950s rattan furniture, a giant tiki idol, leaning surfboards, and hanging blowfish and glass floats set the scene for sweet-but-not-too Zombies, Singapore slings and Volcano bowls. Try (not to fall over after finishing) the Tigerfucker, built from 44 North huckleberry vodka and house-made blackberry-jalapeño syrup, topped with a flaming sugar cube and served in a huge glass goblet.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Boathouse
1620 E. Buena Vista Drive; 407-939-2628
The Boathouse is stunning in its attention to detail – the interior and exterior flow together seamlessly (as Schussler Creative creator/CEO Steven Schussler points out, you can see the water from the moment you walk into the bar), and while there’s something new to look at anywhere you let your eye fall, the space never feels cluttered or chaotic.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
1620 E. Buena Vista Drive; 407-939-2628
The Boathouse is stunning in its attention to detail – the interior and exterior flow together seamlessly (as Schussler Creative creator/CEO Steven Schussler points out, you can see the water from the moment you walk into the bar), and while there’s something new to look at anywhere you let your eye fall, the space never feels cluttered or chaotic.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Courtesy Bar
114 N. Orange Ave.; 407-450-2041
One of the first Orlando bars to kickstart the craft-cocktail movement here, 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.
114 N. Orange Ave.; 407-450-2041
One of the first Orlando bars to kickstart the craft-cocktail movement here, 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.
Eden Bar
1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; 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 by Rob Bartlett
1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; 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 by Rob Bartlett
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
Harry's Poolside Bar & Grill
9840 International Drive
With its Caribbean-inspired menu, Harry's Poolside Bar & Grill is the perfect destination for a sunny day. Chalk it up at the beautiful blue bar or kick it by the pool with your frozen beverage of choice.
Photo via harryspoolside.com
9840 International Drive
With its Caribbean-inspired menu, Harry's Poolside Bar & Grill is the perfect destination for a sunny day. Chalk it up at the beautiful blue bar or kick it by the pool with your frozen beverage of choice.
Photo via harryspoolside.com
Hooch
25 Wall St.; 407-849-9904
If you’re not into the heavy-duty party scene that is Wall Street Plaza after hours, but you dig the idea of drinking in what kind of looks like an old auto-repair shop mashed up with a moonshiner’s basement, this is a perfect place during happy hour. Or, really, up until about 10 p.m., when it starts to fill up with the party-hopping crowd. If you are into the party scene, you’re at Wall Street Plaza – by midnight, all of the bars around you will be bumpin’.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
25 Wall St.; 407-849-9904
If you’re not into the heavy-duty party scene that is Wall Street Plaza after hours, but you dig the idea of drinking in what kind of looks like an old auto-repair shop mashed up with a moonshiner’s basement, this is a perfect place during happy hour. Or, really, up until about 10 p.m., when it starts to fill up with the party-hopping crowd. If you are into the party scene, you’re at Wall Street Plaza – by midnight, all of the bars around you will be bumpin’.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Minus5 Icebar
9101 International Drive; 407-704-6956
More of a tourist experience than a straight-up bar, Minus5 is a great place to escape from the Orlando summer heat. You’ll get tons of selfies (you in a fur-trimmed parka! you in an ice cave!), plus other shots of the chiseled-from-ice wintry wonderland, to post on social media. And the shots of the liquid variety? Those come in glasses made of ice. Which you can drink while sitting on a bench made of ice. Chillax! (Sorry.)
Rob Bartlett
9101 International Drive; 407-704-6956
More of a tourist experience than a straight-up bar, Minus5 is a great place to escape from the Orlando summer heat. You’ll get tons of selfies (you in a fur-trimmed parka! you in an ice cave!), plus other shots of the chiseled-from-ice wintry wonderland, to post on social media. And the shots of the liquid variety? Those come in glasses made of ice. Which you can drink while sitting on a bench made of ice. Chillax! (Sorry.)
Rob Bartlett
The Imperial Wine Bar and Beer Garden
1800 N. Orange Ave.; 407-228-4992
Sneak out to the patio at The Imperial at Washburn Imports for cozy seating and twinkly lights.
Photo via Facebook
1800 N. Orange Ave.; 407-228-4992
Sneak out to the patio at The Imperial at Washburn Imports for cozy seating and twinkly lights.
Photo via Facebook
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
Mucho Tequila and Tacos (and Mucho Liquor Store)
101 S. Eola Drive; 407-843-9676
This Thornton Park staple is loosely themed on the Quentin Tarantino movie From Dusk Till Dawn.
Photo via Yelp
101 S. Eola Drive; 407-843-9676
This Thornton Park staple is loosely themed on the Quentin Tarantino movie From Dusk Till Dawn.
Photo via Yelp
NV Art Bar
27 E. Pine St.; 407-649-0000
A night at NV is like drinking at a pop-up gallery – the art on the walls is always changing, the booze is a nice selection of whatever they have available and it’s just so damn chill. The downstairs bar area is a dimly lit main gallery of sorts and features a new local artist every month. Upstairs has more of a lounge feel; there are retro arcade games like Ms. Pacman and Street Fighter and there’s even a cool little library – you know, for late-night studying … or waiting to get your shoes repaired (wink).
Photo by Colin Wolf
27 E. Pine St.; 407-649-0000
A night at NV is like drinking at a pop-up gallery – the art on the walls is always changing, the booze is a nice selection of whatever they have available and it’s just so damn chill. The downstairs bar area is a dimly lit main gallery of sorts and features a new local artist every month. Upstairs has more of a lounge feel; there are retro arcade games like Ms. Pacman and Street Fighter and there’s even a cool little library – you know, for late-night studying … or waiting to get your shoes repaired (wink).
Photo by Colin Wolf
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
Parliament House Resort
410 N. Orange Blossom Trail; 407-425-7571
This sprawling gay (and straight-friendly) resort doesn’t have one specific theme, unless that theme is partying it up. There’s usually so much going on you’re not likely to get bored here. Have dinner at the Rainbow Cafe, catch a show at the Footlight Theater, have a drink by the pool, dance in the club, repeat. Party too hard? There’s also a motel on site so you can get a room and stay over.
Photo by Marissa Mahoney
410 N. Orange Blossom Trail; 407-425-7571
This sprawling gay (and straight-friendly) resort doesn’t have one specific theme, unless that theme is partying it up. There’s usually so much going on you’re not likely to get bored here. Have dinner at the Rainbow Cafe, catch a show at the Footlight Theater, have a drink by the pool, dance in the club, repeat. Party too hard? There’s also a motel on site so you can get a room and stay over.
Photo by Marissa Mahoney
CityWalk’s Rising Star
6000 Universal Blvd.; 407-224-4233
If you’re into karaoke, check this out – rather than singing along to a pre-recorded track, at Rising Star you get a backup band and singers so you can really show people how good (or bad) you are.
Photo via universalorlando.com
6000 Universal Blvd.; 407-224-4233
If you’re into karaoke, check this out – rather than singing along to a pre-recorded track, at Rising Star you get a backup band and singers so you can really show people how good (or bad) you are.
Photo via universalorlando.com
Shark Bar inside the T-Rex Cafe
1676 E. Buena Vista Drive
At the Shark Bar inside the T-Rex Cafe, which probably attracts more extended families with kids (drawn, no doubt, by the animatronic dinosaurs and mammoths that roar and crane their necks at diners) than single people headed out for drinks, the bar is neither childish nor cheesy – rather, it’s stunning and graceful, with its massive saltwater fish tanks tucked into the arms of a giant octopus.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
1676 E. Buena Vista Drive
At the Shark Bar inside the T-Rex Cafe, which probably attracts more extended families with kids (drawn, no doubt, by the animatronic dinosaurs and mammoths that roar and crane their necks at diners) than single people headed out for drinks, the bar is neither childish nor cheesy – rather, it’s stunning and graceful, with its massive saltwater fish tanks tucked into the arms of a giant octopus.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Sideshow
15 N. Orange Ave.; 407-420-1515
You don’t go to a carnival to drink hoity-toity craft beer – you want to get drunk on the classics and ride some rides. In this case, the ride is your own class-act drunkenness. It’s a trip to see passers-by stop mid-stride and soak in the ambience. Can you blame them? The place is a visual marvel. The Sideshow is in town, and we’re the freaks – act accordingly.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
15 N. Orange Ave.; 407-420-1515
You don’t go to a carnival to drink hoity-toity craft beer – you want to get drunk on the classics and ride some rides. In this case, the ride is your own class-act drunkenness. It’s a trip to see passers-by stop mid-stride and soak in the ambience. Can you blame them? The place is a visual marvel. The Sideshow is in town, and we’re the freaks – act accordingly.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Stardust Lounge
431 E Central Blvd, 407-839-0080
It's easy to walk right by this bar, which is situated underground near Central Blvd and Osceola Ave. Once inside, you'll find a swanky speakeasy-style lounge with a fun dance floor, stiff drinks and there's even a damn gold tiger down there.
Photo by Orlando Weekly
431 E Central Blvd, 407-839-0080
It's easy to walk right by this bar, which is situated underground near Central Blvd and Osceola Ave. Once inside, you'll find a swanky speakeasy-style lounge with a fun dance floor, stiff drinks and there's even a damn gold tiger down there.
Photo by Orlando Weekly
Stigma Tattoo Bar
17 S. Orange Ave.; 407-615-6926
Though it’s not usually advisable to mix drinking and tattooing, you can do so at this downtown Orlando nightspot, which is home to five dancing poles, a trapeze swing, cages (for dancing in) and multiple tattoo stations. As the bar states clearly on its website, it doesn’t condone getting wasted and tattooed – but you can certainly have a drink to calm your nerves before going under the needle.
Photo via Facebook
17 S. Orange Ave.; 407-615-6926
Though it’s not usually advisable to mix drinking and tattooing, you can do so at this downtown Orlando nightspot, which is home to five dancing poles, a trapeze swing, cages (for dancing in) and multiple tattoo stations. As the bar states clearly on its website, it doesn’t condone getting wasted and tattooed – but you can certainly have a drink to calm your nerves before going under the needle.
Photo via Facebook
The Lodge
49 N. Orange Ave.; 407-650-8786
For you northerners who miss hanging out après ski at the bars near the slopes, the closest thing you’ll find in Orlando is the Lodge, where you can sip whiskey (or whatever) in a rustic lodge-themed setting. If you’re freaked out by taxidermy, beware: The walls are festooned with mounted animal heads.
Photo via Yelp
49 N. Orange Ave.; 407-650-8786
For you northerners who miss hanging out après ski at the bars near the slopes, the closest thing you’ll find in Orlando is the Lodge, where you can sip whiskey (or whatever) in a rustic lodge-themed setting. If you’re freaked out by taxidermy, beware: The walls are festooned with mounted animal heads.
Photo via Yelp
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