Although it seems like they move around more than a college student, Redlight Redlight (2810 Corrine Drive, 407-893-9832, redlightredlightbeerparlour.com) has long stood as Orlando’s craft beer authority, with a knowledgeable staff and some of the best themed beer nights around. Last year they relocated to Corrine Drive, positioning them close to brew club Taps From Scratch (1809 E. Winter Park Drive, 407-637-0553, tapsfromscratch.com), where locals can learn about home-brewing and sample some of the local brewery’s own batches. Orlando actually has accumulated a wealth of craft beer bars, including the cozy Milk Bar (2424 E. Robinson St., 407-896-4954, themilkbarorlando.com), an art bar with close to 100 craft beer options on any given night.
We’d be remiss not to mention the craft cocktail trend that took Orlando by storm last year when new-jacks the Courtesy Bar (114 N. Orange Ave., 407-450-2041) came to town, with a try-them-all menu featuring classic cocktails as well as inspired riffs off the classics. Tip: Get there at happy hour for the punch of the day. It’s Stardust Video and Coffee (1842 E. Winter Park Road, stardustie.com), though – no matter how much the name might mislead you – that has some of the city’s most inventive cocktails, often almost dangerously strong yet tasty.
Not into the frou-frou and just like a strong G&T with no silly names? Quit wasting your time then, and head to Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors (1001 N. Mills Ave., 407-896-6975, wallysonmills.com). Trust us, the ladies behind the bar know how you like it.
