City approves funding to support upcoming LGBTQ-owned restaurant Outpost near Lake Eola

City officials on Monday agreed to ink a funding agreement with the owners of the upcoming LGBTQ-owned Outpost Neighborhood Tavern as part of a program the city has had in place for over a decade to support new and existing restaurants downtown.

The DTO Restaurant Program, first established in 2023, allows qualifying restaurants in downtown Orlando to receive up to $400,000 for tenant improvements, $50,000 for rent expenses and $25,000 “for the addition of or improvements to outside seating areas,” according to city documents. The exact funding amount applicants are eligible for is based on criteria such as square footage, location and restaurant classification (e.g., full-service, fine dining, etc.). The most that qualifying businesses can receive is $475,000.

Outpost Neighborhood Tavern, a new venture by former Island Time owner Devon Tillman and OUT Sports League creator John Teixeria, received approval from the Orlando City Commission for $25,000 in qualifying rental assistance from the program, and $59,000 for “tenant improvements,” described as expenses related to plumbing, flooring, mechanical, electrical and interior finishings.

The restaurant and LGBTQ-friendly sports bar concept, set to open this year, will occupy the 4,800-square foot building across from Lake Eola that was formerly occupied by Persimmon Hollow Brewing. Owners of the new Outpost have already signed a five-year lease agreement for the space at 227 N. Eola Drive, according to city documents, which will include a restaurant area, outdoor patio space and about 200 seats.

Outpost Neighborhood Tavern is currently hiring all positions and recently released a sneak peek of their Southern-inspired food menu, which will include hearty salads, shareables, “burgers and such,” and main entrees featuring comfort food such as fried chicken, mac & cheese, and a fish fry with fried catfish, hush puppies, Southern slaw and fried okra.

Tillman, formerly of Island Time and the Garden Bistro in Thornton Park, will serve as executive chef and manager of the tavern. According to an initial announcement of the new venture, shared with media in October, Outpost will offer a weekly drag brunch (a former staple at Island Time and Ivanhoe Village’s Hammered Lamb). It will also serve as a “game-day destination for sports fans” and host recreational sports leagues like cornhole as well as trivia.

Teixeria, one of Outpost’s owners, is owner and commissioner of OUT Sports League, a beloved LGBTQ+ recreational sports league that serves Orlando and Central Florida. “The Outpost will serve as an oasis, like Lake Eola, for locals who want to take a break and enjoy great food, drinks, sports and entertainment,” Teixeira shared in a news release. “We’re excited to help make downtown a bit more fabulous and hope our space will be inviting for everyone.”

Funding from the DTO Restaurant Program was also recently approved to help cover qualifying expenses for Acropolis Greek Taverna (in the former Dovecote space on Orange Avenue) and a new Buffalo Boss location (serving up buffalo wings and the like) at 333 N. Orange Ave.

The focus area of the business-friendly program was recently expanded eastward from Magnolia Avenue to Rosalind Avenue, covering Livingston Street to the north and Pine Street to the south, according to city documents, with a goal to “attract new restaurants and food halls to this area while also encouraging the growth of existing ones.”

Downtown sure hasn’t suffered from a lack of closures recently, with a number of bars in particular shutting their doors following the adoption of nightlife regulations in 2023. The regulations, which include security requirements and requiring businesses to get a permit to sell alcohol after midnight, were ostensibly adopted to deter late-night crime. But they have also upset some bar and nightclub owners in the area who find the regulations costly and oppressive.

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This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2025.