Best Bars in Orlando

The Orlando bar scene is evergrowing with speakeasies, holiday themed bars, and craft breweries. Going to a bar has become so much more than just drinking. It's about socializing in a setting you enjoy. Whether you prefer a chill night or more lively one, this city has it all. There's truly something to fit everyone's needs. Here's a list of the best bars in Orlando.

The Robinson Cocktail Room

Stepping into this bar is like stepping back in time. The disco room, velvet couches, and mood lighting gives you a 60's feel. The building itself is from the 19th century. It was commissioned for Norman Robinson (a chemist) in 1884. The bar stays true to its history with the "lab" where all the drinks are made and the decor that leans itself to the theme with pill bottles, flasks and artwork.

We highly recommend their craft cocktails. The "Just Be Clear" is delicious if you like something light and fruity. If you're hungry, their small plates are more than just bar food. We're obsessed with their Parmesan Truffle Fries and Korean Short Rib Bites. Make sure to check out their happy hour every day from 6-8pm for $3 off cocktails and $2 off beer and wine. This place has become our favorite bar in Downtown Orlando!

The Wellborn House Bar

I’ve never been to a place that’s not my house that genuinely makes me feel at home until I came to the Wellborn. It’s a boutique hotel with a bar. You go in through the backyard and are greeted with antique furniture pieces, colorful plants, and a random assortment of decor. Once you walk into the house there's a bar, movie room, and staircase leading up to the main bar. Everyone treats you like you're a familiar face. With all of the couches and vintage decor it makes you feel like you're in your grandparents house. They have different rooms surrounding the main bar for people to gather and enjoy the drinks and atmosphere. There's so much attention to detail from funky wallpaper, to a vinyl record player, to outdated books and games placed throughout the home.

We got there just in time for happy hour so we had 4 drinks between the 2 of us. They were all equally delicious and visually appealing. You can tell the bartenders were experienced and take pride in making you something you'll love. You can walk around anywhere in the house with your drink. They even have a balcony overlooking the backyard where you can order some bites. This is the perfect place to come to with a group of friends for a more laid back and homey alternative to going to a bar.

Hours:
Wednesday -Thursday 5pm-1am
Friday & Saturday 5pm-2am
Sunday 11am-5pm

Sunroom

If you love the Guesthouse then you'll also love their sister bar right next door. It's the ideal spot to come to on a sunny afternoon right before sunset to enjoy the sunbeams shining through their huge windows. The bar has groovy yet chic decor with plants in every corner. It's has a great calming and sophisticated ambience which is very different from most of the bars in Orlando. 

The Sunroom has an extensive drink menu so there's honestly something for everyone. You would think that the drinks wouldn't be so great with such a huge selection but that's not the case. Every drink is made with care and so much attention to detail. I have yet to order something I don't like. I love that the menu is organized by the type of liquor so you know exactly where to go if you prefer one liquor over the other. This is the perfect spot if you love craft cocktails and a quiet atmosphere.

Hours: 
Wednesday - Saturday 6pm - 2am

Guesthouse

This is the ideal bar for an intimate date night. It's dim lighting, minimal decor, and soft background music sets the mood for you. I always enjoy their cocktails which range from $7-$10. I usually go for the Humming Bird, a very light and refreshing drink. 
They have a patio out back equipped with string lights and an air stream. I've never been while the airstream is open, but they also serve drinks there occasionally. This is the optimal weather to enjoy cocktails outdoor. This bar is definitely on the more classy side so it's best for those days you want to dress up a bit.

Hours: 
​Monday - Friday 4pm-2am
Saturday - Sunday 12pm-2am

Mathers Social Gathering

We're suckers for speakeasies. We love the vintage decor, quiet environment, and perfectly crafted cocktails. Mathers Social Gathering is definitely one of our favorites. We won't give away how to get in (that's the fun part), but I will tell you a huge hint is in these photos. Once inside, you'll notice the exposed brick, dim lighting, mix-matched furniture, and displays of old school pictures that are hung up on the walls. The building itself was constructed in the 1800s and was once home to a post office, music school, and a medical office.
Every drink is a unique concoction of goodness. I love the refreshing taste of their Frosé. On certain days, they have a burlesque show which is as much of a popular occurrence here as it was back in the day. The bartenders stick to the theme with their dress code, suspenders and button downs. This is the spot you come to if you want an intimate date night with a historic atmosphere and good drinks.

Hours: 
Monday & Sunday Closed
Tuesday - Saturday 4pm-2am​

Hanson's Shoe Repair

There isn't any other bar like this in Orlando, which is why we love it so much. Not only is it a speakeasy, but it's a rooftop speakeasy! In order to get in you have to get the password. If you don't know about this bar, it's very easy to miss it. You have to enter another bar to get to it. 
Once inside you'll feel like you took a step into the past. The building itself is believed to be one of the oldest still standing in Orlando. Andrew Hanson acquired it in 1894 for his "Hanson Shoe Repair Shop". It's small and intimate which allows for just a few people inside at a time. You can tell that a lot of thought and work is put into the drinks. We love to come here when we're in the mood for a chill night downtown. 

Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8pm-2am
Friday 5pm-2am
​Saturday - Sunday 8pm-2am
​

Cocktails & Screams

There isn't a holiday I love more than Halloween. When I heard they were opening up a Halloween themed bar in Orlando I lost it. My favorite holiday ALL YEAR LONG!?? There's nothing that brings more joy to my heart. When I first stepped into the bar, it exceeded my expectations. A wall of masks greets you at the door and every corner has decor from a classic Halloween movie. The bartenders play the part of witches and every drink is like their own little potion. On some days, there's a performance on the main stage with a singer taking classic songs and giving them her own dark twist.
As if I didn't already love this place, they recently opened up a hidden bar inside. Again, I won't tell you how to get in but the pictures above have a huge clue. Once inside, you'll notice there's no drink menu. The bartender will make you a drink according to your taste. There's also a card reader on some nights. It's much darker in there and kind of gives you the chills in the best way. This bar is a must if you're into the darker things in life.

Hours:
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - Saturday 7pm-2am
​Sunday - 12pm-2am

A La Cart

A craft beer bar with food trucks sounds like our ideal spot, which is why we love A La Cart so much. It has an open-air pavilion which gives you the option to sit indoors by the bar or outdoors in their courtyard. They have multiple mobile food vendors, so there's something for everyone to enjoy. We love getting food from Steak It Easy, a Brazilian barbecue food truck. 
Inside, they have a bar with 15 taps. It's constantly rotating so every time we come, we get something different. They're always hosting events like Movie Mondays or Trivia Tuesdays. Sometimes we like to come here with our laptops to get some work done while sipping on a beer and enjoying the weather.

Hours:
Sunday - Thursday 1130am-10pm
​Friday & Saturday - 1130am-11pm

M Bar

This bar is an antique car lovers dream. There are over 60 classic and rare vehicles for you to admire as soon as you walk through the door. It's truly impressive to see so many old school cars in one place. They even have a billiard table made from an old Mustang. You can play pool or vintage arcade games for free while enjoying an exceptional drink. I had an Aperol Spritz and Duncan opted for the Gold Rush, both very refreshing and light cocktails. We went during their happy hour which is from 4-8pm. 
If you explore a little more, you'll find the rooftop. It's an open space with a bar and tons of seating. Rooftops aren't very common in Orlando, probably because it's always way too hot, but it's the perfect night time setting during this time of year. This bar is definitely on the more classy end of the spectrum so casual dressy attire is encouraged. It's the best spot in Orlando to take the car lovers in your life.

Hours: 
Monday - Thursday 4pm-11pm
Friday - 4pm-2am
Saturday - 11am-2am
Sunday - 11am-11pm

The Whole Enchilada Rooftop Bar

This is one of those hidden gems in Winter Garden. The Whole Enchilada is a Mexican restaurant. You order your food and you have the choice to stay downstairs or enjoy your food and a cocktail at the rooftop bar. It's the perfect place to go to on a beautiful day. It has mismatched wooden furniture, vintage decor, and a variety of seating. I highly recommend their mango margarita! 

Hours:
Sunday - 11am-11pm
Monday - 11am-12am
Tuesday - 11am-1am
Wednesday & Thursday - 11am-12am
​Friday & Saturday - 11am-1am

As Orlando grows, so does its night scene. Duncan and I love going to new bars after a long work week. It's the best way to wind down and enjoy the city life. Let us know about some of your favorite bars!