9 Best Bars and Pubs in Orlando

Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar sits just off International Drive, not too far away from Disney. Pay a visit during daylight hours and what you’ll find is a pretty standard Mexican joint, with all the usual taco, enchilada, and tortilla offerings. This hugely popular bar really comes alive after dark when the crowd descends upon the spacious bar, migrating away from the slightly less-social booths at the back.

On the drinks front, we shouldn’t even have to tell you what the house specialty is… tequila, of course, and lots of it! And when we say ‘lots’ we mean 425 different varieties, or so they claim. Order one of their signature margaritas or just shoot the stuff back if it’s not a work night.

For cocktails, Hanson's Shoe Repair is about as unique a place as you’ll find in Orlando. Intimate might be an understatement at this former cobbler’s shop-turned-speakeasy rooftop bar, with only a dozen or so seats and standing space for around 20 people.

Take your spot at the dilapidated main bar to chew the fat with the bartender, or head outside to the slightly more modern (but just as compact) rooftop terrace to catch the live band or a movie screening. Explore Hanson’s impressive cocktail menu as much as your liver allows – it’s rated as one of the best in the city.

There are so many great lakes on Orlando, but not so many great watering holes that take advantage of the tropical views to be had, particularly at dusk. The Lucky Lure, however, is a fine exception to the rule, offering a range of beers, wines and a small but interesting line-up of liquor and hooch in an open-air setting right by Lake Ivanhoe.

There’s absolutely nothing glamorous about the décor – in fact, it pretty much falls into ‘dive bar’ status with its complete lack of grooming, but that’s all part of Lucky Lure’s charm. Make sure you arrive in time for a cold beer as the sun sets over the water. There’s also a pool table, foosball table, and live sports screens to keep you occupied for the rest of the night.

World of Beer is a modern beer bar next to Orlando’s central-most lake at Eola Park, in the very heart of Downtown. WOB has hundreds of bottles imported from every corner of the planet, with a focus on US craft ales and European pale ales. The setting is just as good, particularly if you grab a table outside amid the leafy surrounds of the park, with the water of Lake Eola just a few meters away from you and your cold glass of beer. There’s also a hearty menu of wings, tacos, burgers, sandwiches and other stodgy mains to soak up all that ale.

Jellyrolls promises a lively night with 2 pianists on stage battling it out with classical takes on popular hit songs, as well as requests from the crowd. Audience participation is more than encouraged, with sing-alongs and even audience members being invited up to take the place of one the pianists. An adults-only bar on Disney’s Boardwalk, there's a cover charge of around $12. Think of Jellyrolls as more of a live show (this is Disney after all) and you won’t leave disappointed – unless pianos really aren’t your thing.

A must-visit for cocktail lovers, The Courtesy mixes things up with some inventive takes on all the classics, as well as evolving their drinks menu regularly. They’ve got about 10 different kinds of absinthe and 3 different cocktails on tap, just going to show how seriously the young and friendly team behind The Courtesy take their liquor. It’s a classy affair inside, with exposed brickwork, dangling fairy lights and a tiled floor, all helping to create an industrial-chic look that never goes too over the top.

Imperial Wine Bar is a non-nonsense beer and wine bar at the top of North Orange Avenue near Lake Ivanhoe. It oozes a definite rustic charm, with its no-frills wooden tables and collection of worldly trinkets cobbled together behind the bar. The venue is actually part of Washburn Imports, a popular furniture retailer specializing in Asian items. Craft beers are a big deal in Orlando, and The Imperial offers around 40 different varieties and about the same number of wines by the bottle.

A glance at House of Blue’s (HOB) impressive calendar of events and it’s clear to see that this is one venue that takes its live music seriously. They’ve got some huge homegrown and international names booked in on a regular basis. The massive venue is divided up into several zones, include a dining room, laidback bar area, and the main concert hall, which is where the music happens. Non-blues fans shouldn’t be put off either; HOB is much more than just soft rock, with everything from EDM to pop, acoustic solo artists to thrash metal, attracting hundreds of fans every week.

Howl at the Moon is a popular nightlife chain with some 20 locations nationwide. The premise of this Orlando spot is no different, creating a high-energy show with live piano performances. The show really relies on audience participation, as well as the multi-talented backup band, with singing, dancing, clapping and even stomping all encouraged. Must-tries at Howl at the Moon are its sweet cocktails available by the bucket.