The most excellent bars focus on high-quality ingredients from local merchants, employ some of the state’s most skilled mixologists, and provide an ambiance that makes you want to hang your hat and stay awhile.
The best bars cater to a wide range of tastes, from elegant wine bars and craft cocktail lounges to local breweries and even some unique themed bars– and are located throughout the city, including hip neighborhoods, historic downtowns, and even a few inside the Walt Disney theme parks.
After a long day at the theme parks, tourists to Orlando may wish to spend the night relaxing and unwinding. And we can’t say we blame you. Fortunately, Orlando has much more than exhilarating rides and anthropomorphic mice, such as shopping, restaurants, and a thriving nightlife.
So, while you’re exploring the city in PG-13 fashion during the day, check out what the 18+ crowd is up to on a typical night in Orlando. It frequently includes happy hour, traditional cocktails, and a vibrant dance floor!
Have no idea where to start?? We’ve got your back.
So, keep reading if you want a night out with a tequila bar that focuses on premium spirits and innovative margarita flavors.
Are you more interested in a local brewery that produces amazing seasonal beers? There’s a drink for everyone in Orlando.
1. Mathers Social Gathering
Mathers Social Gathering is located on the third floor of a historic building in the center of downtown Orlando.
Dapper bartenders whisk up drinks created with small-batch spirits and house-made cordials, bitters, and syrups.
Bathtub gin, a surprisingly creamy drink prepared with Brokers gin, ground lavender, simple honey syrup, lemon, and half-and-half, is one of the bar’s Prohibition-era specialties.
Location: 3 Phoenix Building, 30 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
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2. Hanson’s Shoe Repair
Hanson’s Shoe Repair, located in another historical setting — built in the 1880s, the building may be the oldest in downtown Orlando – serves specialty cocktails both inside and on the patio.
You will need the daily password to enter, which may be obtained via social media or by contacting or texting the bar.
Phones and photographs are not permitted because Hanson’s is particularly committed to its speakeasy vibe. Allow this to serve as a lesson in how people entertained themselves before the invention of the iPhone.
Location: 27 E Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
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3. House of Blues
The House of Blues (HOB) outstanding roster of events reveals that this venue takes live music seriously. Regularly, they have some important domestic and international names booked in.
The large venue is divided into many zones, including a dining room, a relaxed bar area, and the main concert hall, where the music takes place.
Non-blues fans should not be thrown off; HOB is much more than simply soft rock, attracting hundreds of people every week with everything from EDM to pop, acoustic solo acts to thrash metal.
Location: Disney Springs 1490 E Buena Vista Dr, Orlando, FL 32830, United States
4. Courtesy
The Courtesy, Orlando’s first actual craft cocktail bar, serves seasonal beverages from a menu that varies three times a year.
Many of The Courtesy’s beverages are absinth or whiskey-based, with small-batch bitters and vermouth.
Those wishing to improve their cocktail-making skills at home can attend a cocktail-making class at the bar on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Everything you need to make three full-sized cocktails is included in the class and personalized instruction from one of the bartenders.
Location: 114 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
5. Guesthouse
If you enjoy bar hopping, The Guest House is an excellent starting place for your next night out. This sleek, laid-back cocktail bar offers inventive cocktails, an exceptional happy hour menu, and an outside patio ideal for colder Florida nights.
The cocktail menu ranges from inventive to traditional, the mood is low back, and when it’s time to eat, several of Orlando’s top food trucks can be found outside.
If you aren’t ready to call it a night after trying the infinite innovative cocktails, head over to their sibling bar, the Sunroom, for a fantastic Mills 50 experience.
Location: 1321 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
6. Howl at the Moon
Howl at the Moon is a renowned nightlife chain with 20 venues. The premise of this Orlando location is similar, with a high-energy event featuring live piano performances.
The presentation relies heavily on audience participation and the multi-talented support band, with singing, dancing, applauding, and even stomping encouraged.
Sweet drinks offered by the bucket are a must-try at Howl at the Moon.
Location: 8815 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819
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7. The Imperial
Have you ever wished to sip a glass of wine while surrounded by gorgeous vintage wares? If this is the case, The Imperial at Washburn Imports can assist you in making your idea a reality.
Consider a store that sells some of the most exciting furniture from India and Southeast Asia. Imagine a bar amid the store, and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what the Imperial inside Sanford’s Washburn Imports is like.
This full-service bar with diverse wine and craft beers is housed within a hand-crafted, sometimes vintage, furniture store. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance that should not be squandered.
The Imperials in Ivanhoe Village (the original) and the one in Winter Park have comparable decor, but only the Sanford location serves liquor, and its cocktail program caters to fans.
Location: 1800 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804.
8. The Woods
The Woods is a favorite destination for people looking for a low-key night of drinking or waiting for a neighboring event to start.
It’s classy, elegant, and an Orlando staple.
It is, first and foremost, a boutique bar, which means a large selection of craft beers and cocktails, all enhanced by a carefully designed atmosphere.
What about other essential characteristics? It’s on the second floor of a historic Orlando building (retro is ‘in’) and has a terrific view of Orange Avenue, so you can see all of the excitement of downtown Orlando from what amounts to balcony seating.
Location: 49 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
Jellyrolls promises a fun night with two pianists on stage competing with classical versions of famous hit tunes and crowd requests.
Audience participation is encouraged, with sing-alongs and even audience members being brought up to replace one of the pianists.
The cover charge for this adults-only pub on Disney’s Boardwalk is roughly $12. Consider Jellyrolls to be more of a live show (this is Disney, after all), and you won’t be disappointed – unless pianos aren’t your thing.
Location: Disney’s Boardwalk, 2101 Epcot Resorts Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA
10. The Lucky Lure
There are several beautiful lakes in Orlando, but there aren’t many that take advantage of the tropical scenery, especially around sunset.
On the other hand, the Lucky Lure is an excellent exception to the trend, serving a variety of beers, wines, and a limited but unique selection of liquor and hooch in an open-air setting directly on Lake Ivanhoe.
The décor is anything but beautiful — in fact, it almost slips into ‘dive bar’ territory with its complete lack of grooming – but that’s all part of Lucky Lure’s allure.
Make your way there in time to have a nice drink as the sun sets over the ocean. There’s also a pool table, foosball table, and live sports TVs to keep you entertained throughout the night.
Location: 1427 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804, United States
11. Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar
Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar is just off International Drive, close to Disney. During the day, you’ll find a very traditional Mexican eatery with all the usual taco, enchilada, and tortilla options.
This spacious bar comes alive after dark when the crowd moves away from the slightly less social booths in the back and towards the big bar.
We shouldn’t even have to tell you what the house specialty is when it comes to cocktails… tequila, of course, and enough of it! And when they say “plenty,” they mean “425 different varieties.”
Order one of their trademark margaritas if it’s not a work night, or shoot it back.
Location: 7468 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
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12. World of Beer at Lake Eola
World of Beer is a modern beer pub located in downtown Orlando, near Eola Park’s central-most lake.
WOB imports hundreds of bottles from all over the world, focusing on US craft ales and European pale ales.
The atmosphere is equally lovely, especially if you get a table outside the park’s green surroundings, with Lake Eola just a few meters away with your cold glass of beer.
There’s also an extensive buffet of wings, tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and other stodgy mains to drink up all that ale.
Location:431 E Central Blvd Ste B, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
13. The Matador
The Matador can only be described in one word: awesome. Everything in this artisan cocktail bar exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere, from the vintage furnishings to the pool tables.
The ideal location for people looking for a relaxed, chill night out without having to forgo enjoyable cocktails. You and your team can enjoy their outdoor patio space the most during the cooler months.
Location: 724 Virginia Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
14. Crooked Can Brewing Company
Crooked Can Brewing Company is located inside the Plant Street Market in Winter Garden. Crooked Can specializes in four types of beer, including an American IPA, lager, amber ale, hefeweizen, and a rotating assortment of seasonal and small-batch beers.
If you’re feeling daring, go for the brewer’s choice selections, usually one-off brews that combine diverse flavors to create something more unusual than a standard pale ale or IPA.
Every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., the brewery also gives tours where you can learn about brewing beer and then sample some of the local brews.
Location: 426 W Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787, United States
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15. Aku Aku Tiki Bar
Even those with a love/hate relationship with tiki culture will find it difficult to criticize this nostalgic bar, with enough South Pacific kitsch and rum to keep Richard Rodgers and Captain Morgan entertained.
Aside from the rattan furniture, grass skirts, and outlandish cocktail vessels, there are some stiff drinks to be had, the most notable of which is the signature and rum-free “Tiger Fu*ker.”
It is a Fuschia-hued cocktail made with 44° North potato vodka, jalapeno-blackberry syrup, lemon juice, and passion fruit juice served over ice in a schooner glass. It’s then topped with a blazing sugar cube on a lemon slice.
Location: 724 Virginia Dr, Orlando, 32803
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16. The Gnarly Barley
A local, legendary Orlando resident owns sixteen taps. The Gnarly Barley is a small yet friendly business that has been a staple of Orlando nightlife for more than a decade.
You can order a variety of highly acclaimed sandwiches, breakfast items, and, most significantly, a wide range of beer, including ciders, ales, and even mead.
Location: 7431 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32809
17. La Cava del Tequila
Tequila enthusiasts in Orlando should visit an unlikely location: EPCOT at Walt Disney World. La Cava del Tequila is located inside. The name translates approximately to “tequila cellar,” which you’ll find in the constant darkness.
The small but mighty bar offers a range of margaritas, including its iconic avocado margarita and a frozen mixture of blackberries and lime made by Neil Patrick Harris.
La Cava also has over 200 different types of tequila to try. True enthusiasts will enjoy The Agave Experience, which pairs you with a tequila expert who will walk you through tasting some of the world’s most renowned tequilas. Yum.
Location: 200 Epcot Center Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, United States
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18. The Treehouse
Hanging out at The Treehouse is a great way to get away from the city without leaving it.
The warm wood details and soft lighting make this Orlando’s coziest cocktail bar—sure to spice up your night out.
Location: 68 E Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
19. Chroma Modern Bar and Kitchen
The well-known seasonal cocktail selection and handcrafted sodas at Lake Nona’s Chroma.
The bar is warm and inviting, and many of the cocktails go well with the diverse food selection, which includes shareable dishes and appetizers from all over the world.
Choose the delightful Bottled Sunshine, which is presented in a bottle containing lemon, orange, and tangerine juices, Solerno blood orange liqueur, and Reyka vodka.
Location: 6967 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827, United States
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20. The Robinson Cafe & Cocktail Lounge
By day, it’s a coffee shop, and by night, it’s a cocktail bar. Everything is available in the Robinson Cafe & Cocktail Lounge.
It takes pride in being a lively, welcoming gathering place for every event at any time of day.
The upper floor features an exceptional happy hour menu, a beautiful ambiance, and energetic music. Everything you’ll need for a fantastic night out in Orlando.
Location: 63 E Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Read more about The Robinson Cafe & Cocktail Lounge -bars
Believe it or not, Orlando has more to offer than just theme parks (though we love them, too).
So, if you’re looking for a low-key pub to unwind at or a spot to continue the Orlando fun into the night, check out some of the most popular downtown bars to see a side of the city that many visitors never see.
Please share your thoughts, questions, and suggestions with us.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology