Some of these watering holes are off the beaten path, some of these might be your regular hangouts, and some you may have driven by a thousand times without even knowing it. But regardless, here are a few of our favorite hidden bars in the Orlando area that you might not know about, but should.

Belle isle Yatch Pub 7521 S. Orange Ave., 407-850-3491 You hear this a lot, but the Yacht Pub really is like drinking at a friend’s house (well, the big covered porch is, anyway, with its dartboard, air hockey table and random assortment of battered couches). Inside it’s a compact, cozy spot to get a decent beer or three, watch the game, or maybe take in a band on the tiny stage. Photo via Erin Sullivan
Little Fish Huge Pond 401 S. Sanford Ave, 407-221-1499 This bar might have more character than any other watering hole in Central Florida. The entire bar is furnished with all kinds of art and trinkets. There’s usually live music on the weekends. It’s also a great place for picky beer lovers looking for something new. Photo by Yelp
The Treehouse 68 E. Pine St., 407-205-2062 The Treehouse is so perfectly twee that it makes you feel like you’re drinking in an elf’s apartment. Find the green door on Pine Street and walk up stairs carpeted in fake grass and under “branches” that frame the stairwell, into a cozy wood-paneled room scented like pine needles. Craft cocktails are the bar’s specialty, but be forewarned: The menu skews toward the sweet. Fortunately, the bartender was more than happy to mix us something a little less cloying off-menu. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Hanson’s Shoe Repair 27 E. Pine St., 407-476-9446 The speakeasy theme has been done to death, but Hanson’s does it right – you have to call ahead to get a password; only a limited number of people are allowed into the dim, narrow, impeccably designed space; and the craft cocktails are out of this world. No vodka served here – vodka wasn’t part of the American cocktail lexicon during the Prohibition era – but the bartenders will be happy to mix you something that’ll prove even more satisfying than that Cosmopolitan you may have had in mind. Photo by Facebook
The Hideaway 516 Virginia Drive, 407-898-5892 The Hideaway is open at 7 a.m. every day but Sunday (when they open at 9 a.m.), so it’s very aptly named any time you want to duck away. The bartenders have got your back day or night, making anybody feel welcome but sternly against any bullshit in the bar. It’s a perfect place to catch a game, shoot pool, bury your face in a dark room with fried food, or post up on the patio and watch another day in the Ivanhood slip by. Photo by Ashley Belanger
George’s Hideaway 5507 Edgewater Dr, 407-291-6562 Looks kinda sketchy on the outside, but the inside of George’s is surprisingly nice. It has plenty of pool tables, pinball machines (including the Walking Dead) and they even have ping pong. Great place to grab a cheap stiff drink and some lunch. Photo by Yelp
Park Social 358 North Park Avenue, Winter Park, 407-636-7020 Walk up a flight of stairs on Park Ave and you’re suddenly hanging out in a bar suitable for Austin Powers. 60s-style furniture and decor furnish this hidden Winter Park gem. They have a nice selection of fancy cocktails and beers. and if you’re into cutting a rug, this place goes off here weekends. Photo by Yelp
Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub 4308 Curry Ford Rd, 407-895-1555 It looks a little tough on the outsde, but don’t let the exterior fool you. This bars has great live music on the weekend, darts boards, pool and arguably some of the best Irish food in town. Their Scotch eggs are insane! Photo by Facebook
Julie’s Waterfront 4201 S Orange Ave, 407-240-2557 Sipping on a gin and tonic and taking in the view of Lake Jennie Jewel on this beautiful patio cannot be beat. It’s also a dog-friendly patio so bring your pooch. Photo by Yelp
Red Lion Pub 784 Howell Branch Rd, 321-972-8844 Red Lion Pub is a fun, dog-friendly beer and wine only spot in Winter Park. Their Twisted Tuesdays are pretty much an institution at this point, featuring fire twirlers, hula hoops dancers, live music and local craft vendors. Photo by redlionpub.org
The Caboose Bar 1827 N. Orange Ave., 407-898-7733 The Caboose is as unpretentious as a bar gets, with loud music, a piecemeal approach to furnishing the space – which is now twice as big as when they started – and no-frills ways to get wasted with stiff drinks and domestic pitchers. You can disappear here. Photo via Orlando Weekly
Herman’s Loan Office 22 W. Pine St., 407-649-0000 Though it’s a little hard to find, the sister bar to Hanson’s Shoe Repair is worth the journey. Tucked behind the TD building (in the old Club Sound spot), Herman’s Loan Office offers up creative and top-notch cocktails in a swanky atmosphere without the secret passwords. Photo by Herman’s Loan Office/Instagram
The Woods 49 N. Orange Ave., 407-203-1114 The Woods is one of the linchpins of the craft cocktail scene in downtown. Accordingly, there’s very little in the place to distract you from the business at hand: trying new cocktails. Though the menu they had when we stopped by for happy hour skewed a little sweet for our tastes (is that just a downtown thing?), the list of interesting ingredients will bring us back. (There was cachaça, apple bitters and poblano pepper syrup in the Raising Cane we tried.) Check out their website to stay informed of Iron Bartender competitions or other distillery- or brewery-sponsored events, often with complimentary booze for attendees. Photo by Jessica Bryce Young
Vanbarry’s Public House 4120 S. Orange Ave., 407-704-8881 Vanbarry’s is the kind of gathering place South Orlando/Conway has needed for a long time. It doesn’t cater to any one type of person – it’s a low-key hang that’s welcoming to all. The food is good, there’s plenty of covered outdoor seating on the patio, and on weekends, the firepit is a good place to kick back with a group. Photo by Erin Sullivan
Barley & Vine Biergarten 2406 E. Washington St. One of the patio bars in town, the Biergarten is inviting, with a friendly bar staff, tons of beer options and a great atmosphere. Expect a mixed crowd of all ages, especially on the weekends when folks are day-drinking. They have a nice assortment of board games and every Sunday they have free protein! Photo by Orlando Weekly
Tanqueray’s 100 S. Orange Ave., 407-649-8540 Tanqueray’s is a great spot for a happy hour if you want to feel like you’re in a northern city. There’s something about descending the stairs to a basement bar that feels, well, like you’re on Cheers. The bar room can get a little tight, but there are several tables in the side room, where musicians of the funk, jazz, blues and jam persuasions perform for free pretty much every single night. Drinks are reasonably priced, and service is friendly and unobtrusive. Photo by Thaddeus McCollum
Rogue Pub 3076 Curry Ford Road, 407-985-3778 Why drink here? Because you’re looking for good beer in a laid-back atmosphere in a non-hipster-infested neighborhood. Photo by Facebook
Celery City Craft 3114 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, 407-915-5541 Have you been to Sanford lately? If you haven’t, you’re missing out. Celery City Craft is one of a bunch of cool hole-in-the-wall places that make this city so perfect for bar-hopping. It’s a friendly place if you’re by yourself, there are 51 craft beers on tap, and there’s a lovely back deck for summer beer-sipping and a bistro menu of soups, sandwiches and snacks. Go for lunch, go for a light bite or just go and have beer for dinner. Photo by Erin Sullivan
North Quarter Tavern 861 N. Orange Ave, 407-757-0930 A great neighborhood pub serving up some of the best bar faire on the North side of downtown. Though, to be fair, calling their chef-driven menu “pub faire” doesn’t do it justice. Stop by on a Sunday and post-up on their outdoor patio for mimosas and brunch. Photo by Facebook
The Falcon Bar & Gallery 819 E. Washington St., 407-423-3060 In Thornton Park, this art bar provides a hip alternative setting amid burger joints and sports bars with original concepts that form the basis of both art shows and DJ nights; it’s a fun escape on certain nights and otherwise divinely low-key. Don’t miss out on their music-themed brunches, either! Photo by Yelp
George’s Tavern 1011 S French Ave, Sanford, 407-322-7394 George’s is a Sanford pillar. A is classy, old drinker’s bar, where you can saddle up to the pool table, play a game of shuffle board, or just guzzle a pitcher of cheap cold beer. Photo by Flickr
Stardust Lounge 431 E Central Blvd, 407-839-0080 It’s easy to walk right by this bar, which is situated underground near Central Blvd and Osceola Ave. Once inside, you’ll find a swanky speakeasy-style lounge with a fun dance floor, stiff drinks and there’s even a damn gold tiger down there. Photo by Orlando Weekly