\n<\/p>\n
There was a time when I wasn\u2019t particularly impressed with Orlando\u2019s cocktail scene.<\/p>\n
There. I said it.<\/p>\n
When I first started getting more serious about cocktails, Orlando wasn\u2019t necessarily the first city that came to mind when I thought about great drinking destinations.<\/p>\n
Chicago? Absolutely.<\/p>\n
Miami? Of course.<\/p>\n
New York? That\u2019s almost too easy.<\/p>\n
But Orlando?<\/p>\n
Orlando was the city of theme parks, tourist bars, chain restaurants and drinks served with something neon attached to them.<\/p>\n
And while there\u2019s certainly nothing wrong with any of that\u2014sometimes you absolutely need a frozen drink on vacation\u2014I wanted something more.<\/p>\n
I wanted a real cocktail bar<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n A place where the drink mattered.<\/p>\n A bartender who actually knew what they were doing.<\/p>\n A menu that made me want to try something I\u2019d never had before.<\/p>\n And over the years, I\u2019ve watched Orlando\u2019s cocktail scene change dramatically.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve had the opportunity to visit some of the bars that helped make that happen, and today I can say something I wouldn\u2019t have said years ago:<\/p>\n Orlando has a legitimate cocktail scene.<\/strong><\/p>\n And it\u2019s getting better.<\/p>\n Here are five Orlando cocktail bars and cocktail-focused destinations I\u2019d recommend putting on your list.<\/p>\n If we\u2019re talking about Orlando\u2019s modern cocktail scene, I have to start with The Courtesy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Courtesy was one of the places that changed my perception of what Orlando could be as a cocktail city.<\/p>\n Walking into a dedicated cocktail bar and realizing that the focus was actually on the cocktails was a welcome change.<\/p>\n The drinks were thoughtful.<\/p>\n The atmosphere felt intentional.<\/p>\n And there was a level of attention to the craft that I wanted to see more of around Orlando.<\/p>\n But what I remember most about The Courtesy isn\u2019t necessarily one particular drink.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the experience they\u2019ve created around cocktails<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Their cocktail classes have always stood out to me.<\/p>\n There\u2019s something about learning how a cocktail is built that makes you appreciate it differently when you order one later.<\/p>\n And then there are the holiday-themed takeovers.<\/p>\n Those are the kind of things that turn a bar visit into an event.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s something The Courtesy understands particularly well:<\/p>\n A cocktail bar can be more than somewhere you go to get a drink.<\/strong><\/p>\n It can be an experience.<\/p>\n The Courtesy continues to emphasize education, seasonal cocktails and Florida-inspired ingredients as part of its program. (thecourtesybar.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in cocktails beyond simply ordering one, The Courtesy should be near the top of your Orlando list<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Take a cocktail class.<\/p>\n Try something from the seasonal menu.<\/p>\n Ask the bartender what they\u2019re excited about.<\/p>\n And if there\u2019s a holiday takeover happening, I\u2019d absolutely make an evening out of it.<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> Cocktail enthusiasts, date nights, cocktail classes and anyone who wants to experience a serious cocktail bar.<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s Otto\u2019s High Dive<\/strong>, and this is where Orlando\u2019s cocktail scene starts getting really fun.<\/p>\n Located in the Milk District, Otto\u2019s has a Cuban-inspired identity and a serious appreciation for rum and tropical cocktails.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s important because rum deserves more respect than it sometimes gets.<\/p>\n When people hear \u201crum cocktail,\u201d they often think of something frozen, overly sweet and served with a giant garnish.<\/p>\n Nothing wrong with that.<\/p>\n But rum can be incredibly complex.<\/p>\n Otto\u2019s understands that.<\/p>\n They currently have an excellent cocktail menu, and the drink that stood out most to me was the Todi Bird Cake<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s one of those cocktails that sticks in your memory because it has personality.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s what I want from a cocktail menu.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t necessarily want to order the same drink I could get at 500 other bars.<\/p>\n I want something that feels like this bar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This neighborhood.<\/p>\n This bartender.<\/p>\n This menu.<\/p>\n Otto\u2019s does that.<\/p>\n The Cuban influence, rum focus and tropical inspiration give the place an identity that\u2019s distinctly different from a traditional cocktail lounge. Current Orlando coverage continues to include Otto\u2019s among the city\u2019s standout bars. (theinfatuation.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n If you think you don\u2019t like rum, go to Otto\u2019s before making that decision<\/strong>.<\/p>\n And if the Todi Bird Cake is still available when you visit, that\u2019s where I\u2019d start.<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> Rum cocktails, tropical drinks, dinner and drinks, and anyone looking for a cocktail bar with personality.<\/p>\n If Otto\u2019s shows you what a rum-focused cocktail bar can do, Sunroom<\/strong> shows you how much fun a tropical cocktail bar can be.<\/p>\n Located in Mills 50, Sunroom has a completely different energy.<\/p>\n It\u2019s colorful.<\/p>\n It\u2019s tropical.<\/p>\n It\u2019s casual.<\/p>\n And it feels like a place where you\u2019re supposed to actually hang out.<\/p>\n That\u2019s one of the reasons I like it.<\/p>\n Not every great cocktail bar needs to be dark and serious.<\/p>\n Sometimes you want a great drink in a place that feels like you\u2019re already on vacation.<\/p>\n And Sunroom does that well.<\/p>\n One of the best reasons to check it out is the happy hour<\/strong>, which runs Sunday through Thursday until 8 p.m. and offers drink specials.<\/p>\n That\u2019s an easy way to turn an ordinary weeknight into a pretty good night out.<\/p>\n And Mills 50 makes the location even better.<\/p>\n You can start at Sunroom, grab a few drinks, get something to eat and then continue exploring the neighborhood.<\/p>\n That\u2019s one of the things I like most about Orlando\u2019s current cocktail culture.<\/p>\n You can actually build a night around cocktails<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Current local coverage continues to highlight Sunroom for its tropical cocktail program and Mills 50 location. (theinfatuation.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for great cocktails without the formality of a traditional cocktail lounge, Sunroom is an easy recommendation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n And if you\u2019re going Sunday through Thursday, take advantage of happy hour.<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> Tropical cocktails, happy hour, casual dates and starting a night out in Mills 50.<\/p>\n D.B.A. occupies a different spot on the Orlando cocktail spectrum.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the kind of place that works when you want a good cocktail but don\u2019t necessarily want the evening to feel like a formal cocktail experience.<\/p>\n And I think every good drinking city needs places like that.<\/p>\n Not every night needs to be an occasion.<\/p>\n Sometimes you just want a comfortable bar, a good drink and somewhere you can actually have a conversation.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the appeal of D.B.A.<\/p>\n It\u2019s relaxed without ignoring the cocktails.<\/p>\n The bar has become part of the broader Mills 50 drinking scene, where you can easily turn one cocktail stop into an entire evening out.<\/p>\n Current Orlando bar guides continue to include D.B.A. among the city\u2019s recommended drinking destinations. (theinfatuation.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n D.B.A. is a good choice when you want cocktails without the pretense.<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s a neighborhood bar that happens to take its drinks seriously.<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> Casual cocktails, conversation, dates and a relaxed night out.<\/p>\n And then there\u2019s Mathers Social Gathering<\/strong>, which takes the experience in a completely different direction.<\/p>\n Mathers is about atmosphere.<\/p>\n Located inside the historic Phoenix Building downtown, the bar leans heavily into a vintage, speakeasy-inspired aesthetic.<\/p>\n Dim lighting.<\/p>\n Cocktails.<\/p>\n Entertainment.<\/p>\n A little mystery.<\/p>\n A little theatricality.<\/p>\n It feels like a place where you\u2019re supposed to dress up a little and make an evening out of it.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s something I think Orlando has gotten much better at.<\/p>\n Creating nightlife experiences that feel intentional.<\/p>\n Mathers isn\u2019t simply saying:<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s a cocktail.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s saying:<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s your night.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The venue continues to offer themed programming and events, including its Whiskey Wednesday programming. (mathersorlando.com<\/a>)<\/p>\nThe Courtesy<\/h2>\n
My Take<\/h3>\n
Otto\u2019s High Dive<\/h2>\n
My Take<\/h3>\n
Sunroom<\/h2>\n
My Take<\/h3>\n
D.B.A.<\/h2>\n
My Take<\/h3>\n
Mathers Social Gathering<\/h2>\n
My Take<\/h3>\n