We spend a lot of time and energy here at Orlando Weekly telling you about the latest and greatest trends in the libation space. New bar programs, interesting cocktails and themed pop-ups are our bread and butter (to say nothing of butterbeer). But that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate a good special on pitchers from an everyday hole in the wall.
In fact, journalist salaries being what they are, you’re more likely to find a Weeklian holding court at one of Orlando’s many dives than any other corner of the city. There’s something to be said for a place that’s cool, dark and cheap. Luckily, Orlando has them in abundance.
From downtown institutions like Tanqueray’s to relative newcomers like District Dive, there are plenty of places to get a double of well whiskey and toast the City Beautiful. Check out a few of our favorites.
B Nice151 E Washington StDive’s aren’t normally noted for their stunning views. One upside of of Orlando being littered with lakes is that lakefront property isn’t quite so precious. Where other cities would plop a wine bar or a snooty restaurant, we’ve placed this space for loud music and cheap drinks. Credit: B Nice/FacebookBar One Orlando
1516 McCoy Rd., (407) 745-5829
Bar One has the spirit of a dive and the patio of a family-forward brewery. Doesn’t hurt that you can ask for a cocktail without being ushered out. Credit: Photo via Bar One/FacebookBig Daddy’s
3001 Corrine DriveEvery city on Earth has a dive bar called Big Daddy’s. If your city has only one dive bar, chances are it’s called Big Daddy’s. Orlando’s take on this time-honored tradition sets itself apart by being the spot for screaming karaoke at people who are just trying to play pool. Credit: Big Daddy's/FacebookBurton’s Thornton Park
801 E Washington St.This dive bar pushes back against the tonier influences of Thornton Park. Even among the high-end bungalows and snooty shops, Burton’s remains unapologetically itself: the kind of place to go when you really just want a High Life. Credit: Photo via Burton's/FacebookCasey’s On Central
50 E Central Blvd.
There’s always somebody playing in this memorabilia-decked hole. Venture into downtown after hours and see why its been a hit since 1998. Credit: Photo via Casey's On Central/InstagramCheers
6923 Municipal Dr., (407)248-0105
They probably don’t know your name at this Orlando bar. But you might not either if the cheap pitchers have anything to say about it. Credit: Photo via Cheers/FacebookDistrict Dive
2401 E South St, (407) 601-2813
This LGBT dive bar opened up behind many others on this list. Without the patina of years of hardcores, how would folks know that District is casual? They settled for putting dive in the name and going all out on the availability of pool tables, dart boards and cheap drinks. Credit: Photo via District Dive/FacebookGrumpy’s Underground Lounge
1018 N Mills Ave, (813) 898-4717
This haven for live music and late-night vegan food has kept its corner of Mills humming for years. Credit: Photo via Grumpy's/FacebookJerry’s Nice and Easy
5470 Hoffner Ave, , (407) 447-5222
It’s hard to find a good photo of the inside of Jerry’s which is always a good sign for a dive bar Credit: Screenshot via Google MapsThe Lucky Lure
1427 N Orange Ave, (407) 250-6949
Lucky Lure shows Orlando is spoiled for choice when it comes to dive bars with excellent views. Credit: Photo via Lucky Lure/FacebookNora’s Sugar Shack
636 Virginia Drive, (407) 447-5885
You can’t just take a name like Nora’s Sugar Shack. You have to earn it by being a proper dive. Luckily, this dog-friendly bar has the spirit. Credit: Nora's Sugar ShackO’Shucks Pub & Karaoke Bar
7467 International Drive, (407) 352-7892
Brave I-Drive for this great karaoke dive. Feel free to sing to confused tourists in a vintage ADTR ‘Fuck You From Florida’ tee. Credit: O'Shucks/FacebookOrena Sports Bar
6159 Westwood Blvd , (407) 370-0303
How often do you get the chance to play ping pong in a bar? This sports-focused dive also has decent bar grub. Credit: Photo via Orena/FacebookShovelhead Lounge
900 Hwy 17, LongwoodThis Longwood hangout is a great place to grab drinks and catch a metal act or three. Credit: Shovelhead/FacebookSly Fox Bar
63 N Orange Ave, (407) 601-4658
Another downtown Orlando staple, this pub is known as the home of the City Beautiful’s emo night and a hotspot for vegan hot dogs. Credit: Sly Fox/FacebookSt. Matthew’s Tavern1300 N Mills Ave St. Matthew’s name is only semi-ironic. The gathering space for all kinds of folks started its life as both a bar and a meeting space for a local Catholic group on Sunday morning. That group’s mass has moved on The Center but the “anyone’s welcome” vibe has remained. Credit: St. Matthew's Tavern/FacebookStagger Inn
100 E Central Blvd,, (407) 317-8484
Orlando might not be a hotspot for country music, but its propensity to pull folks from the piney woods of Central Florida is notable. They need somewhere to drink and Stagger Inn fits the bill quite nicely. Credit: Stagger Inn/FacebookSuffering Bastard
200 South Myrtle Ave, SanfordFlorida does things a little different and that goes double for its dives. While Sanford’s Suffering Bastard certainly nails the atmosphere of a typical dive, the menu is strictly tiki. Credit: Suffering Bastard/FacebookTanqueray’s
100 S. Orange Ave., (407) 649-8540
Tanqueray’s is quite literally a dive. You have to descend into this underground bar with live music everyday and an awesome atmosphere. Credit: Photo via Tanqueray's/FacebookThe Hideaway Bar516 Virginia Dr.This dive with a breezy patio has been a consistent presence for decades. New development in the area means that their home on Virginia drive might soon shuffle to a new spot across the street. Take in that hard-won essence while you can. Credit: Photo via The Hideaway Bar/FacebookUncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall1016 N Mills AveCompleting the trifecta of Mills music dives, Uncle Lou’s has long been a spot for the down and out to get a drink and take in a show. Credit: Uncle Lou's/FacebookWally’s Bar and Liquors
1001 N Mills Ave, (407) 440-2800
Wally’s is frequently named the best dive bar in Orlando based on the feedback of our readers. Even a fresh coat of paint and new ownership couldn’t quite shake the label its held since 1954. Credit: Wally's/FacebookWhiskey Lou’s
121 N. Bumby Ave. Orlando, FL 32803, 407-896-2593
This cash-only institution has been slinging cheap drinks for more than half a century. Credit: Whiskey Lou's/FacebookWill’s Pub
1042 N Mills Ave
Where would Orlando Weekly be without Will’s Pub? Our music pages would read like the Dubuque Daily Herald. This punky dive has been bringing heavy hitters and heavy pours to Mills for over two decades. Credit: Will's Pub/Facebook
