Hank’s
5026 Edgewater Drive, 407-291-2399, hanksorlando.com
If you are looking to have a good time on your girlfriend’s phallus-themed bachelorette party, do not go to this bar. If you are, however, looking for a serious gay bar, then by all means, pull on your chaps, sign into Grindr and have a ball or two.
The Parliament House
410 N. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-425-7571, parliamenthouse.com
It may not have the sophisticated ritz of a SoBe nightclub, and some of the clientele look like characters right out of Andy Warhol’s Trash, but the unpretentious vibe is precisely why the sprawling Parliament House Resort is widely lauded as the premier LGBT – and, some would even argue, straight – nightlife destination in town. The clubs and bars scattered throughout the complex attract throngs of revelers and come Gay Days, it’s raining men.
Pulse
1912 S. Orange Ave., 407-649-3888, pulseorlandoclub.com
This place is three glitzy, throbbing rooms of club boys, twinks and twinks at heart. Every night has something different in store, but Pulse is known to have some pretty impressive drag shows, and the bar’s dancers are usually gorgeous.
Revolution
375 S. Bumby Ave., 407-228-9900, revolutionorlando.com
Revolution’s got a little bit of everything tucked into 14,000 square feet of glittered awesomeness. There’s the Hydrate Video Bar in the front and a big old dance floor in the middle, which is arguably the best place to catch a drag show in town.
Savoy
1913 N. Orange Ave., (407) 898-6766, savoyorlando.com
Savoy has always been a good place to have some fun and see some familiar gay or gay-friendly faces, but the recent change in ownership has really upped this bar’s game. Brandon “Savoy” Llewellyn, Chris “Tadpole” Hannay and their super squad of adorable and friendly bartenders make this place a standout. The conjoined Locker Room just next door is smoke-free, too.
Stonewall Bar
741 W. Church St., 407-373-0888, stonewallorlando.com
While Stonewall Bistro’s drab gray edifice is reminiscent of a gun shop, inside is a laid-back neighborhood bar complete with pool table, dartboards and an antique wine press that’s quite the conversation piece. It’s a casual vibe, made all the more so by motel lobby furniture and a menu of standard pub fare.
