The best bars in Orlando for excellent drinks and good vibes

Situated in the swanky Winter Park neighborhood is Flûtes Champagne Bar, which specializes in all types of bubbles. The Plush seating, the cozy atmosphere, and the seemingly endless options of sparkling wine make this a spot to sit and hang out for a while. Besides the impeccable drinks and service, the bar lures you in with live music, ranging from an electric violinist playing Taylor Swift to DJs spinning the latest tunes. Flûtes is a great spot for a friend's night out or celebrating a life milestone.

Winter Garden is home to Crooked Can Brewing Company inside the Plant Street Market. Crooked Can specializes in four different kinds of beer—American IPA, lager, amber ale and hefeweizen—and offers a rotating selection of seasonal and small-batch beers. If you’re feeling adventurous, be sure to opt for the brewer's choice selections, which usually include a one-off brew that combines different flavors to make something more unique than a standard pale ale or IPA. The brewery hosts some sort of live music or trivia daily, so there’s always something going on here.

Wine Bar George at Disney Springs boasts a curated list of over 200 wines by the ounce, the glass or the bottle. Each server is uber-knowledgeable and can suggest a pairing with food or make you a flight of wine based on your answers to a few simple questions. The food is just as impressive and includes shareable plates and charcuterie boards. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot resident master sommelier George Miliotes, who can sometimes be seen pouring wine and greeting guests.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aku Aku Tiki Bar (@akuakuorlando)

Walking into Aku Aku Tiki Bar, you’ll instantly be transported back to the 1960s. The menu is filled with classic rum-based tiki libations, and the bar shelves are filled with kitschy decorations that make you want to sit and stay a while so you can soak it all in. If you’re headed here with a group, consider getting the Volcano Bowl: 48 ounces of juices and rums all mixed together.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Ravenous Pig Brewing Co. (@theravenouspigbrewingco)

The Ravenous Pig Brewing Co. is run by the same team that owns the next-door restaurant, The Ravenous Pig. The craft beer spot has year-round staples like Lone Palm golden ale and the Working Man porter, as well as a rotating selection of seasonal and limited-edition beers. You'll also find their selections at a number of pig-themed eateries, like The Polite Pig at Disney Springs and Cask and Larder at the Orlando International Airport. If you like what you taste, purchase a growler to take home with you.

If you’re looking for a place that specializes in zero-proof cocktails, head over to The BANDBOX near Lake Ivanhoe Park. The 1920s speakeasy-style bar specializes in spirit-free cocktails that aren’t just fruit juices mixed. The menu features everything from a zero-proof take on an old fashioned to a few different margaritas sans alcohol. Even though this spot is technically not serving alcohol, the age limit is still 21 and older, and reservations are required for indoor service, although the outside patio is open on a first-come basis.

Housed in a historic building in the heart of downtown Orlando (it's been on Magnolia Street since 1894!), Mathers Social Gathering is where dapper bartenders shake up drinks made with small-batch spirits and house-made cordials, bitters and syrups. The bar is known for Prohibition-era specialties like bathtub gin—a surprisingly creamy drink made with Brokers gin, ground lavender, honey simple syrup, lemon, and half-and-half.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Courtesy Bar (@thecourtesy_bar)

The first real craft cocktail bar in Orlando, The Courtesy serves seasonal drinks from a menu that changes three times a year. Many of the drinks at The Courtesy are absinth or whiskey-based and include small-batch bitters and vermouth. Those looking to upgrade their cocktail-making game at home can take a cocktail-making class at the bar every Saturday. The class hosts 16 people and spots fill up quickly.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hanson's Shoe Repair (@hansonsshoerepair)

Housed in another historic setting—completed in the 1880s, the building might just be the oldest in downtown Orlando—Hanson's Shoe Repair serves craft cocktails inside and outside on the patio. Be warned: You will need the daily password to enter, but it can be acquired through social media or by calling or texting the bar. Hanson’s is very committed to its speakeasy theme, so phones and photos are not permitted. Let this be a lesson in how people had fun before iPhones existed.

Tequila lovers in Orlando should make their way to an unusual destination: EPCOT at Walt Disney World. Inside, you'll find La Cava del Tequila. The name roughly translates to the tequila cellar, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in the perpetual darkness. The small but mighty bar features a variety of margaritas like its signature avocado or a frozen concoction of blackberries and lime created by Neil Patrick Harris. La Cava also boasts more than 200 different types of tequila to sample. True connoisseurs will enjoy The La Cava Experience, which partners you with a tequila expert to guide you through trying some of the most renowned tequilas in the world. Yum.

Chroma in Lake Nona is known for its seasonal cocktail menu and handcrafted sodas. The bar is warm and welcoming, and many of the cocktails pair well with the eclectic food menu, which includes shareable plates and appetizers from all kinds of cuisines (pad Thai, pasta, sliders, and curry fried chicken all bump elbows on the menu). Opt for the refreshing Sunset Shandy, which mixes tequila with blackberries, jalapeños, and Prosecco. The glass is rimmed with lava salt for a smoky, salty vibe, too.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Player 1 Video Game Bar (@player1orlando)

As you would expect, Player 1 Video Game Bar is filled with arcade games, but it's actually the drink menu that most impresses here with dozens of different beers, nearly 20 ciders, 5 different meads and a few sakes. A $5 cover charge for Florida residents, or $8 for non-residents, gets you unlimited access to the rotating selection of classic arcade cabinets and consoles from every era—a great deal when you consider how long it's going to take you to sample everything you want to on the menu.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Guesthouse (@the_guesthouse)

Just on the outskirts of downtown, The Guesthouse is a craft cocktail bar known for its fantastic happy hour, which runs from 4pm to 8pm daily, and cocktails are just $8. The drink list runs the gamut from creative to classic cocktails, the vibe is laid back, and when it’s time for a bite to eat, many of Orlando’s top food trucks can be found outside.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The DINKs - Travel & Foodie Bloggers (@theorlandodinks)

Step into the world of Alice in Wonderland at High-T Orlando. The immersive bar is a feast for the eyes from the moment you walk in, with larger-than-life sets, colorful characters and whimsical drinks. Drinks at the bar are also themed in name and presentation. Be sure to try a Drowsy Dormouse, which combines tea with gin, honey, tonic and a few other elixirs for a powerful kick, all mixed and served in a teacup.