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The Ultimate Guide to Downtown Orlando’s Bar Scene

Downtown Orlando, otherwise known as the Central Business District, is a little slice of metropolis within The City Beautiful where you can find a diverse array of places to get a drink when you need to go out and blow off some steam. 

people having fun drinking alcohol at a bar in orlando

Most people, when they hear “Orlando, Florida”, jump right to amusement parks like Walt Disney World or Universal Studios Resort, but the real fun, in my opinion, is grabbing some friends and heading to these awesome Downtown Orlando bars for a night out on the town. If you’re wondering about where to get drinks in Downtown Orlando, then wonder no more. Down below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the bar scene in Downtown Orlando, including all the best watering holes to really get a taste of the nightlife. 


Hanson’s Shoe Repair

27 E Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-476-9446
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Number one on my list of most popular bars in Downtown Orlando, Florida is Hanson’s Shoe Repair, a slyly-named, speakeasy-style bar with unmatched ambiance and handcrafted cocktails. In true speakeasy fashion, you actually need a password to enter Hanson’s. Luckily it’s not a secret, and you can find the new password daily on their Twitter account, @Hansonsshoeshop, or by calling, texting their phone number. Check out this stylish cocktail lounge off of East Pine Street, right next to SAK Comedy Lab and right across the street from Corona Cigar Company & Diamond Crown Lounge.


The Courtesy

114 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-450-2041
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Next up is The Courtesy located off of North Orange Avenue near The Social live music venue and Orange County Regional History Center in Downtown Orlando. This cocktail bar has some of the best drinks in the city because they are all so unique. They also have a very interesting collection of absinthe to sample, if that’s your thing. I recommend The Lone Wolf and Cub cocktail. It’s crafted with Japanese whiskey, honey, tart cherry saffron bitters, and yuzu. Absolutely delicious!


B. Nice Patio Bar

151 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 315-447-1974
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This next place is called B. Nice Patio Bar located off of East Washington Street, right across from the gorgeous and popular Lake Eola Park. It’s perfect for a stroll around the lake before grabbing a drink. B. Nice is an open-air bar with a spacious outdoor patio that I seriously recommend to anyone looking for a laid-back haunt on a Saturday night. They are fully stocked with beer, seltzers, wine, and cocktails here at B. Nice, and their menu changes all the time, so you can keep coming back and trying new drinks.


Mathers Social Gathering

3 Phoenix Building, 30 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-486-3457
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Getting a drink at Mathers Social Gathering is like walking into a charming antique store that also sells booze. The mismatching furniture and myriad tchotchke decorating the walls give the entire establishment a whimsical ambiance that will have you wanting to stay all night. I have to recommend their drink called Bathtub Gin that references the old-fashioned, prohibition-era method of making gin in a bathtub, somehow. Something tells me their Bathtub Gin tastes a bit better than that of our predecessors. Check out Mathers Social Gathering off of South Magnolia Avenue next to the Celine Orlando event venue and just about a block away from the CMX Cinemas Plaza Café 12 which used to be Cobb Theatres.

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Tanqueray’s Bar & Grille 

100 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-649-8540

We’re heading underground for this next one, Tanqueray’s Bar & Grille. This place is unlike any other and it’s easily one of the best bars Downtown Orlando has to offer, loved by residents and visitors alike for many years. Tanqueray’s Bar & Grille is unpretentious and down-to-earth for those of us that just want to jam out to some live music and have some drinks. They’re open 7 nights a week and you can come see live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday. Check them out over off of South Orange Avenue inside⸺or should I say underneath⸺The Historic Metcalf Building. 


Wall Street Plaza

25 Wall St, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-849-0471
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Next up is a massive block-long complex of fun and drinks called Wall Street Plaza located off of, you guessed it, Wall Street. This is one of the greatest bars in Orlando because it’s actually made up of 8 bars that line a cozy little alleyway of debauchery. Every weekend here at Wall Street Plaza is a literal block party. You’ll see concession stands pop up alongside a stage for live music and much more as the whole city comes out to play. It’s almost impossible not to have a good time with this much excitement in one locale. 


The Guesthouse

1321 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, United States
Phone: 407-630-6574

Next up is a place called The Guesthouse, but trust me, it’ll soon feel like home. They offer a massive selection of cocktails, wine, beer, and all sorts of premium liquors from across the country. I love The Guesthouse because they are one of the most popular bars in Orlando with indoor and outdoor seating. The back area is spacious and great for a breath of fresh air, but indoors is even more lively. Come on down to The Guesthouse for happy hour every day from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM for great deals on drinks!


The Woods

49 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-203-1114
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The Woods is located off of North Orange Avenue and it’s another Downtown Orlando favorite of mine when it comes to classic cocktails inside of a historic building. You can find The Woods on the second floor of an old building, right next to the Historic Angebilt Hotel. What I love about this place, besides the vintage setting, is that they have over 70 craft beers to choose from as well as an extensive collection of Scotch whiskeys, American gins, European gins, and so much more. No matter what you drink, they’ve got something for you. 

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Lizzy McCormack’s Irish Pub

55 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-426-8007
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Right next door to The Woods is a delightful place called Lizzy McCormack’s Irish Pub. I love popping in here on weekends when I’m out bar-hopping because it’s right in the heart of the action. Not only is Lizzy McCormack’s surrounded by other great bars and pubs, but some awesome places to eat late at night like Planet Pizza Orlando and Gringos Locos Washington. Lizzy’s is cozy and intimate and I especially like it on those cold winter nights when I need a warm ambiance to defrost in.


The Lodge

49 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-650-8786

This next place, The Lodge, is a classic tavern complete with an assortment of taxidermied trophies mounted on the walls. This is one of Downtown Orlando’s best bars for that no-frills, quiet place to grab a drink. The Lodge is a great Western-themed atmosphere to let loose and relax while feeling like you’re somewhere in the Rocky Mountain countryside. They’ve got all kinds of craft beers, cocktails, premium liquors, and whatever you’d like to drink, so come on down and check them out during happy hour!


The Monkey Bar

26 Wall St 2nd floor, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-481-1199
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The Monkey Bar is an absolute fixture of Wall Street Plaza and definitely a phenomenal place to visit for drinks in Downtown Orlando. It all takes place on the second floor here at The Monkey Bar in a modern, stylish balcony setting that gives you a great view of the action in the streets down below. Martinis from their delectable martini bar are the specialty here at The Monkey Bar, but they also have everything else you could possibly want to drink. Be sure to stop by frequently because they have some of the most entertaining DJ’s come by at night when the whole place turns into an EDM party. 


McQueens Social Lounge

33 E Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-839-0999

Up next is MsQueens Social Lounge located off of East Pine Street next to SAK Comedy Lab and Shakai Sushi Lounge. It’s the perfect spot for a delectable sushi dinner, drinks, and seeing a show all on the same block! I highly recommend trying one of the signature cocktails from McQueens. My favorite is The Escobar made with Avion silver tequila, lime, and “Colombian powder”. The whole drink menu here is loaded with creative, inventive cocktails like The Escobar that are even more impressive when they’re served to you in person, so go check them out tonight!


Casey’s on Central

50 E Central Blvd Suite E, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-648-4218
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Casey’s on Central is one of the most fantastic bars in Downtown Orlando, mainly due to their location, but also because they have live music 7 nights a week with no cover charge! Always be on the lookout for Casey’s ever-changing chalkboard sign out front sporting humorous messages. It perfectly reflects the fun attitude and atmosphere that Casey’s on Central does so well to cultivate. They’ve been around since 1998, so you know they’re doing something right. Come on down and check out Casey’s on Central this weekend for some late-night fun!

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Stagger Inn

100 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-317-8484

Stagger Inn is a fun place to get drinks in Downtown Orlando that I highly recommend to anyone in the area who is either visiting or lives there full-time. The Stagger Inn is a classic sports bar-style place that has great drink specials and a lively atmosphere that’s perfect for having a little bit of fun after a long day of work. Stagger Inn is right in the middle of it all, located off of  East Central Boulevard and South Magnolia Avenue, right down the road from the Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Orlando. 


The Harp & Celt Irish Pub & Restaurant

25 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-481-2928
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Next up is another Irish pub and restaurant called The Harp & Celt. You can find them right next to the Library Garage for convenient parking, and also by Redefine Art Gallery, right off of South Magnolia Avenue. You can come here for both good food and great deals on drinks in this charming, two-story pub. I highly recommend their Irish stew or the fish and chips, with a pint of Guinness of course! This is the perfect place to start a night of bar hopping in the city because it’s smack-dab in the middle of all the other best places to drink in Downtown Orlando. 


The Basement Orlando

68 E Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-250-4840
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Right on the corner of East Pine Street and South Magnolia Avenue is a place called The Basement Orlando that you can find right across the street from Venture X Downtown Orlando building, adjacent to The Solaire at The Plaza condo complex. They have deals going on almost every day of the week here at The Basement Orlando. Saturdays and Sundays are for boozy brunches; Wednesday and Thursday, you can get $4 drinks and $4 shots; and happy hour is every weekday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. You can literally always find something good happening here at The Basement. 


Downtown Pourhouse

20 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
Phone: 407-425-7687
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Last, but not least, is Downtown Pourhouse, a local favorite that you can find over off of South Orange Avenue next to Dapper Duck Bar and across from Underground Public House. Downtown Pourhouse is stacked with TVs for watching the big game, a massive selection of beer and booze, as well as an outdoor patio to enjoy some drinks outside. They also serve great bar food here like burgers, wraps, wings, and even hot sandwiches. They’ve got something for everyone down here at Downtown Pourhouse. That’s what makes them one of the best bars in Downtown Orlando. 

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.