BEST OF ORLANDO® READERS' CHOICE NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

Where to find the 19 best speakeasies in Orlando

By on Sat, Oct 28, 2023 at 10:16 am

The nightlife and drinking scene in Orlando is no joke — there are places perfect for any type of nighttime mood you may find yourself in. But maybe most exciting is discovering some of our watering holes and speakeasies off the beaten path.

Some of these spots offer clandestine bars or patios, some are fully concealed from oblivious passersby, some just give off that '20s speakeasy vibe ... but all of them offer good drinks and good times. Here are 19 of Orlando's best speakeasies you might not know about, but definitely should. 
Scroll down to view images
Hanson’s Shoe Repair 27 E. Pine St., Orlando Don't let the "shoe repair" name fool you — this is a classic bar in downtown Orlando serving tasty cocktails and a good time. And if you didn’t know already, this place is a speakeasy, so you’ll only be allowed in with a secret password. Call 407-476-9446 or check their X account (formerly Twitter) on the day of your visit to get it.
Photo via Hanson’s Shoe Repair/Facebook

Hanson’s Shoe Repair

27 E. Pine St., Orlando
Don't let the "shoe repair" name fool you — this is a classic bar in downtown Orlando serving tasty cocktails and a good time. And if you didn’t know already, this place is a speakeasy, so you’ll only be allowed in with a secret password. Call 407-476-9446 or check their X account (formerly Twitter) on the day of your visit to get it.
Vault 5421 5421 International Drive, Orlando The speakeasy-style venue, located in the back room of I-Drive comic shop Gods & Monsters, has a large selection of beers, ciders, meads, wine, sake, themed cocktails and shots. Vault 5421 celebrated its sixth anniversary this year, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to head out and wish them a happy belated if you haven't already.
Photo via Google Maps

Vault 5421

5421 International Drive, Orlando
The speakeasy-style venue, located in the back room of I-Drive comic shop Gods & Monsters, has a large selection of beers, ciders, meads, wine, sake, themed cocktails and shots. Vault 5421 celebrated its sixth anniversary this year, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to head out and wish them a happy belated if you haven't already.
The Courtesy Bar 1288 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park One of the first Orlando bars to kickstart the craft-cocktail movement here, the Courtesy is a don't-miss on any true connoisseur's barhop. In addition to the delicious drinks, the vibe is sophisticated without being stuffy: Lighting and sound levels are both pleasingly low, while style points for the vintage furnishings are high.
Photo via The Courtesy Bar/Facebook

The Courtesy Bar


1288 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park
One of the first Orlando bars to kickstart the craft-cocktail movement here, the Courtesy is a don't-miss on any true connoisseur's barhop. In addition to the delicious drinks, the vibe is sophisticated without being stuffy: Lighting and sound levels are both pleasingly low, while style points for the vintage furnishings are high.
The Courtesy Bar 1288 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park The Bandbox is one of the few establishments specializing in non-alcoholic drinks – and quite possibly the most dedicated to its craft. The Bandbox aims to provide an intimate, exclusive speakeasy atmosphere for everyone, even those who prefer a mocktail.
Photo via The Bandbox/Instagram

The Courtesy Bar


1288 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park
The Bandbox is one of the few establishments specializing in non-alcoholic drinks – and quite possibly the most dedicated to its craft. The Bandbox aims to provide an intimate, exclusive speakeasy atmosphere for everyone, even those who prefer a mocktail.
Mathers Social Gathering 3 Phoenix Building, 30 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando Several times voted Orlando's best downtown bar and best cocktail by our readers, Mathers Social Gathering will really take you back in time with its speakeasy atmosphere and the elaborate process you'll go through to get inside. There's kitschy Bathtub Gin cocktails, sure, but also a swinging blue velvet couch, dueling pianos, bustling burlesque nights and even a resident poet.
Photo via Mathers Social Gathering/Facebook

Mathers Social Gathering


3 Phoenix Building, 30 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando
Several times voted Orlando's best downtown bar and best cocktail by our readers, Mathers Social Gathering will really take you back in time with its speakeasy atmosphere and the elaborate process you'll go through to get inside. There's kitschy Bathtub Gin cocktails, sure, but also a swinging blue velvet couch, dueling pianos, bustling burlesque nights and even a resident poet.
Imperial Wine and Beer Garden 1800 N. Orange Ave., Orlando This unlikely drinking spot is tucked away in the back of Washburn Imports, a high-end furniture store in Ivanhoe Village. When you step inside the homey living room-esque bar area, you may be hesitant to sit on (or even touch, for that matter) the exquisitely crafted furnishings. We suggest grabbing a drink from the moderate list of boutique wines and heading to the comfortably squished outdoor beer garden embellished with natural cedar loveseats and soft, twinkly lighting.
Photo via Imperial Wine and Beer Garden/Facebook

Imperial Wine and Beer Garden


1800 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
This unlikely drinking spot is tucked away in the back of Washburn Imports, a high-end furniture store in Ivanhoe Village. When you step inside the homey living room-esque bar area, you may be hesitant to sit on (or even touch, for that matter) the exquisitely crafted furnishings. We suggest grabbing a drink from the moderate list of boutique wines and heading to the comfortably squished outdoor beer garden embellished with natural cedar loveseats and soft, twinkly lighting.
High T 23 W. Church St., Orlando This tripped-out themed bar is an ode to Alice in Wonderland in every way possible. From craft cocktails with a play on words such as “Maybe I’m Dreaming” and “Travel by Hat” to over-the-top decor, this spot is really a trip down the rabbit hole.
Photo via High T/Facebook

High T

23 W. Church St., Orlando
This tripped-out themed bar is an ode to Alice in Wonderland in every way possible. From craft cocktails with a play on words such as “Maybe I’m Dreaming” and “Travel by Hat” to over-the-top decor, this spot is really a trip down the rabbit hole.
Cocktails & Screams 39 W. Pine St., Orlando If you like your craft beverages with a generous dose of horror and dark camp, then this downtown spot is for you. Also features themed nights, drag shows and a secret speakeasy, The Craft witch bar, in the back (oops).
Photo via Cocktails and Screams/Facebook

Cocktails & Screams

39 W. Pine St., Orlando
If you like your craft beverages with a generous dose of horror and dark camp, then this downtown spot is for you. Also features themed nights, drag shows and a secret speakeasy, The Craft witch bar, in the back (oops).
Permanent Vacation 106 Lake Ave., Maitland This spot just north of downtown Orlando promises a “never ending” night of drinks and tiki-themed vibes.
Photo via Permanent Vacation/Instagram

Permanent Vacation

106 Lake Ave., Maitland
This spot just north of downtown Orlando promises a “never ending” night of drinks and tiki-themed vibes.
Argonaut Bar 122 W. Ruby St., Tavares This submarine-themed bar and lounge is decked out in colorful lights and oddball decor. The spot serves wine, craft beer, tiki drinks, specialty cocktails and tapas-style food offerings.
Photo via Argonaut Bar/Facebook

Argonaut Bar

122 W. Ruby St., Tavares
This submarine-themed bar and lounge is decked out in colorful lights and oddball decor. The spot serves wine, craft beer, tiki drinks, specialty cocktails and tapas-style food offerings.
Argonaut Bar 201-205 E.First St., Sanford Hollerbach's is an Orlando-area mainstay that's been around for decades. But what you may not know about is the restaurant and bar tucked away on the building's second floor. Überkeller serves craft cocktails and plenty of beer.
Photo via Hollerbach's/Yelp

Argonaut Bar

201-205 E.First St., Sanford
Hollerbach's is an Orlando-area mainstay that's been around for decades. But what you may not know about is the restaurant and bar tucked away on the building's second floor. Überkeller serves craft cocktails and plenty of beer.
The Vintage Speakeasy 13526 Village Park Drive, Orlando This bistro and speakeasy-inspired bar offers a traditional prohibition era-themed handcrafted cocktail experience with a modern twist.
Photo via The Vintage Speakeasy/Instagram

The Vintage Speakeasy

13526 Village Park Drive, Orlando
This bistro and speakeasy-inspired bar offers a traditional prohibition era-themed handcrafted cocktail experience with a modern twist.
The Treehouse 68 E. Pine St., Orlando From the outside, you'd never guess this spot was actually a bustling bar. Big with college kids, the spot offers craft cocktails and plenty of high-energy dancing.
Photo via The Treehouse/Instagram

The Treehouse

68 E. Pine St., Orlando
From the outside, you'd never guess this spot was actually a bustling bar. Big with college kids, the spot offers craft cocktails and plenty of high-energy dancing.
Ann Teague's Lamp Supply 22 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando, Take a step in, and you'll find this unsuspecting "lamp supply" store is really a dimly lit cocktail bar (although they like to call themselves a mixology lab). You'll find a neighborhood bar feel with the experience of a prohibition era-style speakeasy.
Photo via Ann Teague's Lamp Supply

Ann Teague's Lamp Supply

22 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando,
Take a step in, and you'll find this unsuspecting "lamp supply" store is really a dimly lit cocktail bar (although they like to call themselves a mixology lab). You'll find a neighborhood bar feel with the experience of a prohibition era-style speakeasy.
Taco Kat 11 S. Court Ave., Orlando This downtown spot is the first taquería in town to specialize solely in Sonoran-style tacos, of which harina, not maíz, tortillas form the base. But maybe more exciting than the specialty tacos is the wide array of tequila-based drinks guests can get into before the spot closes each night at 3 a.m.
Photo by Rob Bartlett

Taco Kat


11 S. Court Ave., Orlando
This downtown spot is the first taquería in town to specialize solely in Sonoran-style tacos, of which harina, not maíz, tortillas form the base. But maybe more exciting than the specialty tacos is the wide array of tequila-based drinks guests can get into before the spot closes each night at 3 a.m.
The Guesthouse 1321 N. Mills Ave., Orlando Watch out – if you're not paying attention you might just drive right past this Mills 50 bar and hangout spot. The Guesthouse offers a sprawling bar with ample seating indoors, plus the worth-the-wait patio out back. It's more intimate (meaning you might need to fight for a spot) but the vibe is worth it.
Photo via The Guesthouse/Facebook

The Guesthouse

1321 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Watch out – if you're not paying attention you might just drive right past this Mills 50 bar and hangout spot. The Guesthouse offers a sprawling bar with ample seating indoors, plus the worth-the-wait patio out back. It's more intimate (meaning you might need to fight for a spot) but the vibe is worth it.
Sunroom 1319 N. Mills Ave., Orlando Located on the same block as The Guesthouse, Sunroom is similarly tucked away along Mills Ave. This cocktail bar offers a creative menu, ample bar and table seating and good vibes.
Photo via Sunroom/Yelp

Sunroom

1319 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Located on the same block as The Guesthouse, Sunroom is similarly tucked away along Mills Ave. This cocktail bar offers a creative menu, ample bar and table seating and good vibes.
Enzo’s Hideaway 1560 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista Disney created the fictional Enzo’s as an underground, Prohibition-era, rum-running tunnel, which the no-last-name bootlegger Enzo happened upon one day and duly transformed into a subterranean grotto for hungry drunks. Even if you don’t choose to suspend disbelief in the backstory, it’s a sprawling warren of secret tunnels in which to get lost, as well as to find some damn good drinks.
Photo via Enzo’s Hideaway/Facebook

Enzo’s Hideaway


1560 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Disney created the fictional Enzo’s as an underground, Prohibition-era, rum-running tunnel, which the no-last-name bootlegger Enzo happened upon one day and duly transformed into a subterranean grotto for hungry drunks. Even if you don’t choose to suspend disbelief in the backstory, it’s a sprawling warren of secret tunnels in which to get lost, as well as to find some damn good drinks.
Wally's Bar and Liquors 1001 N. Mills Ave., Orlando Wally's has more than once brought home the title of best dive bar in Orlando, according to Orlando Weekly readers. There's a full bar, patio, darts annndd its very own liquor store. Everything a quaint dive bar should have.
Photo via Wally's Bar and Liquors/Facebook

Wally's Bar and Liquors


1001 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Wally's has more than once brought home the title of best dive bar in Orlando, according to Orlando Weekly readers. There's a full bar, patio, darts annndd its very own liquor store. Everything a quaint dive bar should have.

Chava Communications

Read our sister publications

Orlando Weekly

PO Box 953127.

Lake Mary, FL 32795

Facebook Twitter Instagram Icon Apple News Icon Google News Icon
© 2024 Orlando Weekly
Powered By Foundation
Support Us