We gotta say, these are heady times for the Orlando beer drinker. Over the past few years, The City Beautiful has experienced somewhat of a beer renaissance. Have you driven down Virginia Dr. lately? So, what follows are a few local places that obsess over clean lines, appropriate glass wear and, of course, massive craft beer selections.
We also love breweries! Check out our favorite local breweries here.
Redlight Redlight Beer Parlour
2810 Corrine Drive | 407-893-9832
Redlight Redlight grew from a small Park Avenue boutique into the 23-draft, 250+ bottle wonderland on Corrine Drive. Be aware, if your looking for the everyday cheap domestics look elsewhere, this location is a true beer bar with no cocktails offered either!
Photo via Redlight Redlight/ FacebookRock & Brews
7131 Red Bug Lake Road | 407-956-4124
Rock & Brews is both equal pairing of a restaurant and bar with over 20 rotating drafts available. Dogs are welcome at this family friendly joint. Burger patties are offered for $3, pair that with a nonalcoholic Bowser Beer specifically made for pups, will have your dog drooling to come back.
Photo via saintbrewcifer/ InstagramTap & Grind
59 W. Central Blvd. | 407-455-1100
If you are ever unsure about complicated beer lingo, then say ‘Aloha!’ to this bar. The knowledgeable and non-snobby staff members will coach you through the rotating selection of beers filtered through extra ingredients like vanilla beans and berries.
Photo via tapandgrind/ InstagramThe Milk Bar
2424 E. Robinson St. | 407-369-1701
For those on a tight budget, this Milk District bar offers multi-page menus of sub-$5 beers, nightly specials, live music and board games. You can jam out to some great local talent will sipping on your brews with you furry friends.
Photo via renfuchs/ InstagramBarley & Vine Biergarten
2406 E Washington St. | 407-930-0960
The Biergarten has one of the best patio bars in town, perfect to sip on one of the 25 draft beers available. If you’re feeling hungry, your out of luck, except on Sundays during a cookout event, free food with a drink purchase is available.
Photo via uncommoncatering/ InstagramThe Rogue Pub
3076 Curry Ford Road | 407-985-3778
The friendly, laid-back vibe of Rogue Pub will make this your favorite hang out in the Conway ‘hood. This pub offers a selection of more than 300 craft beers and 20 different wines to try from even an organic, non-alcoholic dog beer for your pooch.
Photo via ucfbiggie/ InstagramBelle Isle Yacht Pub
7521 S. Orange Ave. | 407-850-3491
Make sure to hit one of South Orlando’s best-kept secrets for music Tuesday through Saturday nights, and $1 off craft beer happy hour specials. This dog-friendly establishment offers a large selection of more than 170 craft brews, and a homey, divey neighborhood bar feel.
Photo via belle_isle_yacht_pub/ InstagramThe Public House
12046 Collegiate Way | 407-658-0888
If you blink you might miss the best little craft beer joint in the UCF area. Nestled away in a small strip mall, The Public House, is a gathering place not just for students. They regularly host live entertainment every Friday and Saturday starting at 10 p.m. Happy hour begins when doors open until 7 p.m. So come lay claim to your favorite stool before someone else does, but careful you may see your history professor here!
Photo via mattuntapped/ InstagramThe Cloak & Blaster
875 Woodbury Road | 407-674-7435
Once you step inside you’ll forget you just parked your car in a Waterford Lakes strip mall. Not only is this location known for its decor and prime gaming table space, but also for its decent selection of beer and ciders, such as the Black Fang and the Pumpkick, which are perfect for fall.
Photo via cloakandblaster/ InstagramBrass Tap
1632 N. Mills Ave. | 407-270-9538
The Brass Tap offers an airy patio, with a variety of flatscreens usually featuring sports and a perfect noise level that you can still have a conversation. This bar offers an affordable menu of pub grub making it the ideal casual hangout with a wide-ranging beer menu (more than a hundred choices) that will satisfy even the pickiest craft-brew expert.
Photo via clubwakaorlando/ InstagramTaps Restaurant Bar and Lounge
480 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park | 407-677-5000
This beer joint features 25 rotating craft beers on tap, more than 300 bottles, plus a wine list and cocktails. Makes sure to try the roast beef sliders or some other goodies from their $5 food happy hour selections but keep an eye on those bites because this joint is dog friendly.
Photo via vivianpowers/ InstagramOblivion Taproom
5101 E. Colonial Drive | 407-802-4800
This Colonial mainstay offers a large selection of meaty bar bites and inventive burgers, along with the 40 beers on tap and more available by the bottle.
Photo via starknado407/ InstagramNona Tap Room
9145 Narcoossee Road | 407-440-4594
People of Lake Nona don’t have to travel far to get their beer fix with Nona Tap Room’s large food and beverage menu. There are more than 50 beers on tap and another 50 in bottles plus a wine and cocktail menu. Make sure to pair your ice cold brew with some funnel cake fries.
Photo via eyesdavisbette/ InstagramThe Gnarly Barley
7431 S. Orange Ave. | 407-854-4999
This pub features 16 beers on tap and a menu full of hangover preventers. It also happens to serve great food and drinks with a dog-friendly atmosphere .
Photo via skipm1/ InstagramGB Bottle Shop & Tasting Bar
531 Virginia Drive | 407-634-0110
This new hot spot is a sister company to The Gnarly Barley bar in South Orlando. GB claims, whether you’re a self-dubbed “beer geek” or casual beer drinker they can find you the perfect brew and with 20 rotating taps and over 200 bottle beers, we can see they’re not kidding. The retail shop is open 7 days a week at noon and the bar opens at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at 3 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. Sundays.
Photo via katymag/ InstagramFrank & Steins
150 S. Magnolia Ave., 407-412-9230 | 200 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-636-6757
Stocked with games, billiards, shuffleboard and more, this perfect craft beer bar gives you tons of beer options to choose from – more than 330 craft beers, plus wine, sake and food!
Photo via ccgawesome/ InstagramBuster’s Bistro
300 Sanford Ave., Sanford | 407-732-6880
Buster’s Bistro prides itself with providing a traditional Belgian experienced with a touch of contemporary flair. At this casual spot for dinner and drinks you expect to find over 20 taps of ever changing beer, wine and cocktails to choose from. Happy hour is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with $1 off Draughts.
Photo via christinageebee/ InstagramCelery City Craft
114 S Palmetto Ave, Sanford | 407-915-5541
Celery City Craft stocks a ton of craft beer and wine with more than 100 varieties. Enjoy some cheap eats like the Myrtle (basically a robust grilled cheese) for $2.50, and fully embrace those competitive spirits by challenging your friends to darts, shuffleboard and other games. Tuesday is bingo night, or stop by Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., to taste a wide selection of Florida craft draft beers for only $3.
Photo via acallephotography/ InstagramWorld of Beer
Multiple Locations
You’re not going to find a better view of Lake Eola and beer pairing. This craft beer chain has multiple friendly and laid-back locations in Orlando, but the downtown spot is truly awesome. Stop in for happy hour Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays from 10 p.m. to close for $5 tavern shares and $4 drafts.
Photo via lakeeola/ InstagramThirsty Topher
601 Virginia Drive | 407-491-4342
Thirsty Topher has moved from their old garage space in Ivanhoe, to its cozy new digs on Virginia. The new space is sort of hidden, but offers pretty big back patio and, of course, a large list of craft beers, meads and ciders.
Photo via ashraehall/ InstagramThe Hammered Lamb
1235 N. Orange Ave. | 407-704-3200
There’s nothing “baa”d about this bar! There’s tons of outdoor seating, a ping-pong table and a gorgeous view of the lake. There are two full bars. one for both inside and out, with over 70 beer options. The Lamb is known best for its tradition of offering free shots every time the train goes by and is cool with your furry friend tagging along.
Photo via padycake/ InstagramBrickhouse Tavern and Tap
8440 International Drive | 704-987-2022
A wide selection of specialty cocktails, drafts, imports, wines and beers with a kick are offered at Brickhouse Tavern and Tap. ‘Happiness’ hour starts 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. offering $3 craft drafts and $5 snacks.
Photo via mclp3/ instagramTeak Neighborhood Bar & Grill
6400 Times Square Ave. | 407-313-5111
While Teak Neighborhood Bar & Grill is largely known for its burgers, it also happens to offer a large selection of beer with 41 drafts and 51 bottles to choose from. So grab your favorite new brew and test your knowledge on Trivia Night, offered most Fridays.
Photo via g_uilhermel/ Instagram
