Our yearly Best of Orlando® poll takes the temperature of the entire Orlando area, asking our readers for their picks of best restaurants, best retail experiences, best theme parks and more.

But we all know what you’re really looking for after another hard year in the Florida here. Where’s the best place to get a drink around here?

Luckily, our readers had plenty of opinions on Orlando’s best bars in 2022. Read on to find out which watering holes made the cut.

Best Cocktails 1st: Tori Tori, toritoripub.com Tori Tori made it into the Florida Michelin Guide 2022, and it’s no surprise their cocktails were voted best by Orlando Weekly readers. This Japanese pub offers a stimulating cocktail card including such delights as the Oaxaca Flakka Flame and the Coconut Shinobi, plus a lovely selection of easy-sipping highballs. 2nd: Mathers Social Gathering, mathersorlando.com 3rd: Lil Indie’s, willspub.org Credit: Rob Bartlett
Best College Bar 1st: Sportstown, facebook.com/sptstown 2nd: Knight Library, facebook.com/knightlibrary 3rd: The Porch Winter Park, theporchwinterpark.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Best College Park Bar 1st: Ollie’s Public House, orlandopublichouses.com 2nd: Graffiti Junktion, graffitijunktion.com 3rd: PR’s Taco Palace and Margarita Bar, prstacobar.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Best Craft Beer Bar 1st: Redlight Redlight, instagram.com/redlightredlight 2nd: The Commission Beer Chamber, facebook.com/thecommissionbeerchamber 3rd: Hourglass Brewing, hourglassbrewing.com Credit: Redlight Redlight/Facebook
Best Dance Club 1st: Southern Nights, facebook.com/southernnightsorlando The regular weekend line of clubgoers around the block to get into Orlando’s Southern Nights should make it no surprise that the LGBTQ+ establishment won Best Dance Club this year. Drag shows, burlesque performers, sought-out DJs and VIP guest hosts keep the party going (along with a steady stream of heavy pours). In addition to the dance floor and outdoor patio of Southern Nights, the complex has grown over the years to include craft cocktails (Southern Craft), a sports bar (District Dive) and even a hot dog stand (vegan dogs available upon request). Southern Nights also supports the community that supports it, hosting regular public health outreach events outside the club. With the loss of Pulse Nightclub and the closure of Parliament House, Southern Nights is increasingly cherished in our town as a space for locals and visitors alike to find home among chosen family. 2nd: Cowboys Orlando, cowboysorlando.com 3rd: Barbarella, instagram.com/barbarellaorlando Credit: Southern Nights
Best Dive Bar 1st: Wally’s, wallysbarandliquors.com 2nd: Will’s Pub, willspub.org 3rd: The Hideaway Bar, thehideawaybar.net Credit: Wally's/Facebook
Best Downtown Bar 1st: Mathers Social Gathering, mathersorlando.com 2nd: Hanson’s Shoe Repair, thehansonbuilding.com/hansons-shoe-repair 3rd: Tanqueray’s, instagram.com/tanqueraysbar Credit: Mather's Social Gathering/Facebook
Best Gay Bar 1st: Southern Nights, facebook.com/southernnightsorlando 2nd: Savoy Orlando, savoyorlando.com 3rd: The Hammered Lamb, thehammeredlamb.com Credit: Southern Nights
Best Happy Hour 1st: Santiago’s Bodega, santiagosbodega.com 2nd: The Guesthouse, instagram.com/the_guesthouse 3rd: Savoy Orlando, savoyorlando.com Credit: Photo via Santiago’s Bodega/Facebook
Best Hookah Lounge 1st: Southern Nights, facebook.com/southernnightsorlando 2nd: Kush Ultra Lounge, instagram.com/kushultralounge 3rd: Ember, emberorlando.com Credit: Southern Nights
Best I-Drive Bar 1st: Tin Roof, tinrooforlando.com 2nd: Cafe Tu Tu Tango, cafetututango.com 3rd: Yard House, yardhouse.com Credit: Ashley Belanger
Best Ivanhoe Village Bar 1st: The Hammered Lamb, thehammeredlamb.com 2nd: The Lucky Lure, instagram.com/theluckylure 3rd: The Hideaway Bar, thehideawaybar.net Credit: Jessica Bryce Young
Best Cocktail Bar 1st: Mathers Social Gathering, mathersorlando.com A cocktail bar is about more than just cocktails, and Mathers Social Gathering has much to offer the downtown patron: kitschy Bathtub Gin cocktails, sure, but also a swinging blue velvet couch, dueling pianos, bustling burlesque nights and even a resident poet. Guests can also fill their stomachs from a limited shareable menu, when their hunger catches up to their cocktail consumption. 2nd: The Guesthouse, instagram.com/the_guesthouse 3rd: Tori Tori, toritoripub.com Credit: Mathers Social Gathering/Facebook
Best Club Night 1st: Southern Nights, Girl the Party, facebook.com/girltheparty 2nd: Lil Indie’s, BMF Fridays, willspub.org 3rd: Ember, Wine Down Wednesdays, emberorlando.com Credit: Girl The Party
Best Bar Overall 1st: Will’s Pub, willspub.org 2nd: Tori Tori, toritoripub.com 3rd: The Guesthouse, instagram.com/the_guesthouse Credit: Matthew Moyer
Best Altamonte Springs Bar 1st: Santiago’s Bodega, santiagosbodega.com 2nd: Kiwi’s Pub & Grill, kiwispub.com 3rd: Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen, tibbys.com Credit: Santiago's Bodega
Best Bar Patio 1st: The Wellborn, thewellbornorlando.com A perfect spot for a sociable night out with friends, playing cards and sipping a Delaney Park Swizzle while sampling the Wellborn’s new menu of “Floribbean” small plates. With a myriad of seating choices spread across a brick pavement, this enchanted patio fitted with mirrors hidden amongst hanging orchids and low-lying philodendron and ferns makes large groups or intimate outings equally comfortable. 2nd: Tuffy’s Bottle Shop/Lounge/Music Box, tuffyscider.com 3rd: Eden Bar, enzian.org Credit: Matt Keller Lehman
Best Bar Staff 1st: The Commission Beer Chamber, facebook.com/thecommissionbeerchamber 2nd: Will’s Pub, willspub.org 3rd: Hourglass Brewing, hourglassbrewing.com Credit: Matthew Keller Lehman
Best Bartender 1st: Tabitha Bonner, Corona Cigar Co. & Diamond Crown Lounge, coronacigar.com 2nd: Jenn Armas, Bowigens Beer Co., bowigens.com 3rd: Mark Cavallini, Cavo’s Bar & Kitchen, cavosbar.com Credit: Tabitha Bonner/Instagram
Best Beer Selection on Tap 1st: Celery City Craft, celerycitycraft.com 2nd: GB Bottle Shop & Tasting Bar, gbbottleshop.com 3rd: Hourglass Brewing, hourglassbrewing.com Credit: Erin Sullivan
Best Bloody Mary 1st: The Hammered Lamb, thehammeredlamb.com Located across from Lake Ivanhoe, The Hammered Lamb lays out arguably Orlando’s most extensive Bloody Mary bar. Try not to be overwhelmed when you’re faced with the choice between good old Tito’s or a vodka infused with either herbs, peppers, pickles, citrus or bacon, plus the roughly 75 items you can put in your drink (as a “garnish,” LOL) including shrimp, veggies, cheeses and local hot sauces. 2nd: Maxine’s on Shine, maxinesonshine.com 3rd: Hamburger Mary’s, hamburgermarys.com/orlando Credit: Jessica Bryce Young
Best Bottled Beer Selection 1st: GB Bottle Shop & Tasting Bar, gbbottleshop.com 2nd: Redlight Redlight, instagram.com/redlightredlight 3rd: The Commission Beer Chamber, facebook.com/thecommissionbeerchamber Credit: GB Bottle Shop & Tasting Room
Best Casselberry Bar 1st: Bowigens Beer Co., bowigens.com 2nd: Rachel’s North Men’s Club and Steakhouse, rachelscasselberry.com 3rd: Post Time Lounge & Cafe, posttimelounge.com Credit: Photo by Scott Horn
Best Zero-Proof Cocktail 1st: Tori Tori, toritoripub.com We’re glad that the infantilizing portmanteau “mocktail” has been replaced in most establishments with “zero-proof” or “NA” (non-alcoholic). But we’re over the moon that the actual thing, whatever you call it, is being taken seriously as well. The days of settling for a soda water with a dash of bitters (at full cocktail prices) are over in serious bars, and Orlando bartenders have begun using the same skills on mixtures that don’t include spirits that they do on the boozy ones. The same exotic juices, artisanal carbonated mixers, housemade infusions, herbs and more find their way onto the non-alcoholic section of Tori Tori’s drinks menu. And although they do use the M-word, the result when you “Ask Your Bartender for a Bespoke Mocktail ($8)” is worth the mild cringe. 2nd: The Guesthouse, instagram.com/the_guesthouse 3rd: Hungry Pants, eathungrypants.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Best Lake Nona Bar 1st: Boxi Park, boxiparklakenona.com 2nd: Don Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, donjuliomexicankitchen.com 3rd: Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen, chromalakenona.com Credit: Scott Cook
Best Lake Mary Bar 1st: Dexter’s of Lake Mary, dexterslakemaryfl.com 2nd: Liam Fitzpatrick’s Irish Restaurant, liamfitzpatricks.com 3rd: F&D Cantina, fdcantina.com Credit: Dexter's
Best Rooftop Bar 1st: Hanson’s Shoe Repair, thehansonbuilding.com/hansons-shoe-repair 2nd: Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, hollerbachs.com 3rd: AC Sky Bar, acskybar.com Credit: OW Staff
Best Sand Lake Bar 1st: Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, roccostacos.com/orlando 2nd: The Whiskey, downatthewhiskey.com 3rd: Domu, domufl.com Credit: Rocco's Tacos
Best Sanford Bar 1st: Tuffy’s Bottle Shop/Lounge/Music Box, tuffyscider.com 2nd: Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, hollerbachs.com 3rd: Celery City Craft, celerycitycraft.com Credit: Tuffy's/Facebook
Best Sports Bar 1st: The Hideaway Bar, thehideawaybar.net 2nd: Miller’s Ale House, millersalehouse.com 3rd: Cavo’s Bar & Kitchen, cavosbar.com Credit: Ashley Belanger
Best Theme Park Bar 1st: Finnegan’s Bar & Grill, universalorlando.com Most watering holes inside Orlando’s theme parks feature menus overflowing with overpriced premixed cocktails, and usually seek to shuffle their patrons off to their next ride as swiftly as possible. Located in the New York section of Universal Studios Florida, Finnegan’s has long been the exception to the rule, with a long-serving staff of welcoming barkeeps who make it the Cheers of area attractions. The bar’s traditional Irish-American trappings are only props on a movie set, but the properly poured pints of Guinness are perfectly authentic and pair well with the signature deep-fried “webb” of potatoes and onions. Just beware: The only thing scarier than the haunted houses at Halloween Horror Nights is the wait to get a drink at Finnegan’s before the event. 2nd: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, disneyworld.disney.go.com 3rd: Rose & Crown Pub, disneyworld.disney.go.com Credit: Finnegan's
Best Thornton Park or South Eola Bar 1st: Burton’s, instagram.com/burtonsthorntonpark 2nd: Aku Aku Tiki Bar, akuakutiki.com 3rd: Cavo’s Bar & Kitchen, cavosbar.com Credit: Burton's Bar/Facebook
Best Waterfront Bar 1st: Hillstone, hillstonerestaurant.com 2nd: The Waterfront, thewaterfrontorlando.com 3rd (tie): Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, roccostacos.com/orlando 3rd (tie): World of Beer Downtown Orlando, worldofbeer.com Credit: Hillstone/Facebook
Best Wine Bar 1st: The Wine Room on Park Avenue, thewineroomonline.com/winter-park 2nd: Eola Wine Co., eolawinecompany.com 3rd: Wine Bar George, winebargeorge.com Credit: Wine Room on Park Avenue
Best Winter Garden Bar 1st: Crooked Can Brewing Co., crookedcan.com 2nd: Pilars, pilarsmartini.com 3rd: Home State Brewing Co., homestatebrew.com Credit: Crooked Can
Best Winter Park Bar 1st: The Ravenous Pig, theravenouspig.com 2nd: Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub & Eatery, fiddlersgreen.pub 3rd: Prato, prato-wp.com Credit: The Ravenous Pig/Facebook
Best Pub 1st: Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub, claddaghcottagepub.com 2nd: Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub & Eatery, fiddlersgreen.pub 3rd: Harp & Celt Irish Pub & Restaurant, harpandcelt.com Credit: Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub/Facebook
Best Local Brewery 1st: Sideward Brewing Co., sidewardbrewing.com 2nd: Hourglass Brewing, hourglassbrewing.com 3rd: Crooked Can Brewing Co., crookedcan.com Credit: Sideward Brewing
Best Longwood Bar 1st: Hourglass Brewing, hourglassbrewing.com 2nd: Post Time Lounge & Cafe, posttimelounge.com 3rd: Mulligan’s, mulligansbeachhouse.com Credit: Scott Horn
Best Maitland Bar 1st: Eden Bar, enzian.org 2nd: Copper Rocket, thecopperrocket.com 3rd (tie): Luke’s Kitchen & Bar, eatatlukes.com 3rd (tie): Teak Neighborhood Grill, teakorlando.com Credit: Eden Bar/Facebook
Best MetroWest Bar 1st: Teak Neighborhood Grill, teakorlando.com 2nd: Sloppy Taco Palace, 407-574-6474 3rd: Friendly Confines, friendlyconfinesmw.com Credit: Teak Neighborhood Grill
Best Milk District Bar 1st: Sportstown, facebook.com/sptstown 2nd: Sideward Brewing, sidewardbrewing.com 3rd: Southern Nights, facebook.com/southernnightsorlando Credit: Rob Bartlett
Best New Bar 1st: Milkhouse, milkhousesocial.com 2nd: The Neighbors, theneighborsorl.com 3rd: Deadwords Brewing, deadwords.com Credit: photo by Matt Keller Lehman
Best Neighborhood Bar 1st: The Commission Beer Chamber, facebook.com/thecommissionbeerchamber The phrase “I got options” is appropriate in a variety of circumstances, but most fitting when you’re making a selection from the beer menu at The Commission. Good Lord! This Hourglass District mecca is an adventure for beer aficionados, and the bathroom decor is also charming. 2nd: Will’s Pub, willspub.org 3rd: Burton’s, instagram.com/burtonsthorntonpark Credit: Photo by Matt Keller Lehman
Best Mills 50 Bar 1st: Will’s Pub, willspub.org 2nd: The Guesthouse, instagram.com/the_guesthouse 3rd: Wally’s, wallysbarandliquors.com Credit: Matthew Moyer