Orlando’s bar scene is ever-growing and ever-evolving. From swanky lobby bars to artsy craft cocktail bars to no-frills dive bars, Orlando is packed with places to sip a cocktail or down a beer. But if you're looking for something different, maybe a little off the beaten path, we suggest you give these stellar spots a try.
Updated August 2023 Dani Meyering
18 Unique Bars in Orlando for Drinks and Atmosphere
- Hanson’s Shoe Repair
- The Courtesy
- The Bellhop
- The Falcon Bar & Gallery
- Cocktails and Screams
- Stardust Lounge
- Tanqueray’s Bar
- VAULT 5421 at Gods and Monsters
- Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
- Oga’s Cantina at Disney’s Hollywood Studio
- ICEBAR Orlando
- Player 1 Video Game Bar
- Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto & Tiki Bar
- Bars at Universal's Great Movie Escape
- The Robinson Room
- Aku Aku Tiki Bar
- Tori Tori Pub
- The Neighbors
Hanson’s Shoe Repair
E Pine Street, Orlando, FL 32801
Love a great speakeasy? Hanson’s Shoe Repair is the place to go for a very unique, stylish bar vibe that takes you back in time to the Prohibition-era days. Check their Twitter account (@hansonsshoeshop) for the daily password, which will be your key to getting into the bar.
Once in, enjoy a variety of expertly crafted cocktails all night long on their intimate, rooftop terrace setting. Welcome to one of the best bars in Orlando.
The Courtesy
1288 N Orange Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
Many Orlandoans give credit to The Courtesy for helping to lead the craft cocktails in Orlando movement. Their Winter Park location replaces their original destination in Downtown Orlando. Just about 10 minutes away from where it all began, The Courtesy now calls Winter Park home.
We feel compelled to put The Courtesy at the top of our list of bars in Orlando for date night because it has it all. Modern craft bar atmosphere, plenty of seating, handcrafted cocktails, and expert bartenders. And on top of it, all is an exclusive menu from Swine and Sons, dubbed Bar Swine.
Here you can relax, sip on expertly crafted cocktails, soak up the ambiance, and keep the evening going with some delicious nibbles. The Bar Swine menu from Swine and Sons is only available here and it is put together thoughtfully. Definitely add The Courtesy to your Orlando bars date night bucket list.
The Bellhop
37 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
A stunning bar called The Bellhop is already a downtown Orlando icon, on the bottom floor of the historic Angebilt Hotel. The bar is designed by former Walt Disney World Imagineers and has a glamorous vintage hotel lobby feel, with a gleaming wood bar, glass and feathered chandeliers, leather chairs and plush lounge seating, a display of brass hotel keys, and more.
The space functions as a moody coffee bar by day, and an elevated cocktail lounge by night.
The Falcon Bar & Gallery
819 E. Washington St. Orlando, FL 32801
The Falcon fuses the best of two worlds—music and the art, all in a bar setting. The focus at this bar is combining those two elements into a distinctive experience for customers. Home for many original art pieces, The Falcon hosts themed art shows, open mic nights, trivia, comedy showcases, and live music.
With an ever-changing menu selection of craft beer and wine, The Falcon is a terrific neighborhood-type spot in Thornton Park to visit. You can even pop in while you’re taking your pup for a stroll around the community– this casual hangout spot is also dog-friendly.
Cocktails & Screams
39 W Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801
If you are a Halloween enthusiast, you can celebrate the spooky holiday all year long at Cocktails & Screams. This haunting, horror-themed bar and cocktail lounge offers both booze and boos, no matter what season it is. Their drink and food options are so creative and festive, including favorites like the Witches Brew, Frank’s Stein, Drunken Pumpkin, or the Cereal Killer Brunch menu. My personal favorite is the Neurotoxin—a gin and strawberry vodka cocktail mixed with their house-made “spider venom” that just might leave you paralyzed.
Stardust Lounge
431 E. Central Blvd. Orlando, FL 32885
The Stardust Lounge is located adjacent to Lake Eola Park, nestled beneath the downtown area. It is home to some of the best live entertainment in Orlando, whether that’s the burlesque show they host on Wednesdays, dirty bingo nights, or the Back to the 80s night. Its underground location flaunts a retro, Vegas-inspired style with red leather booths, chrome lamps, and décor that will make you forget you’re not back in the 60s and 70s.
Tanqueray’s Bar
100 S. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32801
Follow the steps to Orlando's underground and you’ve landed in the heart of Tanqueray’s Bar (usually called “Tanq’s” for short). This Downtown Orlando bar always has great drink specials and live music—that’s why lots of locals always come back to this unique spot. Tanq’s prides itself on being one of the few local dive bars that has live entertainment seven days a week, every night from 10:30pm to 2am. Plus, don’t forget Happy Hour every weekday night between 5pm and 8pm.
Unique Bars in Orlando's Attractions Area
VAULT 5421 at Gods and Monsters
5421 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
Whether you're a full-on nerdy couple or just appreciate a cool environment, Vault 5421 is one of the most unique bars in Orlando. Sip from a 100+ bottle selection of craft beer, cider, mead, sake, wine as well as rotating seasonal selections of themed saketinis, mixed drinks & shots. Plus, free-to-play retro gaming to help you pass the time between raids.
Enjoy the VAULT’s theming & props, created by some of the best movie production designers and artists working in Central Florida.
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
Disney Springs – 1486 Buena Vista Drive, Orlando, FL 32830
Disney Springs has so many incredible dining experiences to offer, but Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is one of the most immersive and eclectic. Inside this cozy, vintage-inspired dive bar, you are fully transported into one of the greatest action cult movies of all times—Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. The bar is modeled after the 1940s airplane hangar of Jock Lindsay, the ex-home of Indiana Jones' sidekick and pilot.
Disney really went all out in making this experience as close to the movie as possible, even down to making the drinks Indiana Jones-themed. You even can pair your exotic cocktails with themed small plates and tapas, from the Snakebite Sliders (the tomato bacon jam is to-die-for) or Air Pirate’s Pretzels.
Oga’s Cantina at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
351 S Studio Dr. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Sure, you need a Disney ticket for this bar, but trust us when we say it is worth it for an out-of-this-world bar experience. Fully immerse yourself in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Oga's Cantina. You don't even need The Force to enjoy a Jedi Mind Trick — a fruity, botanical vodka-based cocktail with stellar presentation. The line can get pretty long, so try to make a reservation before you go.
Don’t forget: in addition to a dining reservation, you will need a theme park reservation to Hollywood Studios through the Walt Disney World app before arriving. (This is changing soon – stay tuned).
ICEBAR Orlando
8967 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
This bar is definitely one of the “coolest” Orlando bars, featuring more than 70 tons of hand-carved ice. Guests must begin this one-of-a-kind experience by entering through the Fire Lounge, where you are prepped for your Arctic evening by being provided with thermal coats and gloves.
Once you transition to the below-freezing room, you are served perfectly chilled cocktails out of ice-sculpted cups and accompanied with vibrant entertainment, a diverse food menu, and an overall unique atmosphere. If you don’t want to stay frozen all night, you can migrate back to The Fire Lounge at any time to warm up with some flaming cocktails.
Player 1 Video Game Bar
8562 Palm Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32836
Player 1 Video Game Bar is the only spot in the Orlando area that brings video games and craft brews together. What’s better than a bar and arcade combined into one? In addition to their diverse draft beer and wine selections (liquor is not served), you have unlimited access to Xbox, Nintendo Wii, Playstation, and old fashioned arcade games.
To gain entry, it’s $5 for Florida residents, $8 for out-of-state guests, and don’t forget to always follow their gamer’s etiquette.
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto & Tiki Bar
1600 Seven Seas Drive, Orlando, FL 32830
If you want to end your day at Disney World with a drink or two, stop by Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto & Tiki Bar nestled in the Polynesian Resort lobby. Trader Sam’s has an exotic, tropical theming with a drink menu to match. Their handcrafted cocktails are fruity, refreshing, and island-inspired. You can also grab a bite to eat with some shareable plates like the Kalua pork tacos or famous pan-fried dumplings.
The dimly-lit lounge definitely has an exclusive feel to it. It can be pretty tricky to get in, so arrive early and be prepared to wait. You can hop upstairs to Tambu Lounge or out to the pool bar if you need some refreshment while you wait.
RELATED: Our guide to a monorail pub crawl
Bars at Universal's Great Movie Escape
The newest bar at Universal Orlando's CityWalk is actually two small bars inside one really cool experience. The bars at Universal's Great Movie Escape are free for anyone to visit – you do NOT need to purchase admission to the new Universal's Great Movie Escape. This escape room-style experience is awesome for movie fans, especially of Back to the Future and Jurassic World.
However, you do not have to purchase admission to the actual experience to enjoy the two bars in this venue. If you or your date are movie fans then you'll want to check this place out. There is no cover charge to enjoy either the small downstairs bar or the larger bar upstairs.
Head upstairs for more space and better views. Sip on cocktails or mocktails themed after Back to the Future and Jurassic World. These little bars are a fun place to kick off your night before having dinner at these Best Universal Orlando Restaurants for Date Night.
More Unique Orlando Bars
- The Robinson Room 63 E Pine St., Orlando, FL 32801
- Aku Aku Tiki Bar 431 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801
- 1UP Orlando, arcade and retro bar at 25 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801
- Tori Tori Pub 720 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
- The Neighbors at East End Market 3201 Corrine Dr STE 201, Orlando, FL 32803
- Ann Teague's Lamp Supply, 22 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
- Mather's Social Gathering, 3 Phoenix Building, 30 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801