Orlando is home to a thriving nightlife scene, with many exciting options in the tourism district, downtown Orlando and in the surrounding areas for those looking to experience a new spot for date night or a new location to have a moms night out. In fact, according to Wallethub.com, Orlando is among the top three cities in the nation for nightlife, meaning you can have an awesome date night in Orlando! Specially themed bars and theme park quality entertainment create even more unforgettable memories after dark, from Indiana-Jones themed cocktails to amphibious car rides, perfect for a much needed date night or moms night out!
And if you are looking for some of the BEST cuisine in Orlando, from August 27 to October 3, you can take part in Magical Dining for a super romantic date night or extra special moms night out!!
QUIRKY BARS
The attractions and theme parks only tell half of the story of Orlando’s unique culture. The area is also rich with themed bars and quirky hangouts that attract everyone, from first-time visitors to long-time residents.
- Aloha Beautiful, an island inspired tropical karaoke bar in downtown Orlando, is located on the second floor of a vintage furniture store from the late 1800’s and features boutique spirits and seasonal fruit, combined with house-made cordials, bitters and blends to create innovative tiki cocktails and modern libations. The bar also features two secret entrances to sister lounges, Mather’s Social Gathering and the Robinson Room – both popular speakeasies.
- Cocktails & Screams, Orlando’s first and only Halloween-themed bar features décor, creepy music and an all-around spooky atmosphere that will chill even the most sinister spirits. Signature cocktails include Frogs Breath and Jack & Sally straight from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
- Imperial Wine Bar & Beer Garden, located inside Washburn Imports at Ivanhoe Village, is a neighborhood bar housed in a furniture store specializing in boutique wines, craft beers and cocktails.
- Enchanted Rose Lounge is a new Beauty and the Beast themed lounge at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. It features four unique spaces inspired by Belle and the Beast, including a signature bar, formal library, garden room and outdoor patio.
- Hog’s Head, located in the back of Three Broomsticks at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, is a British pub straight out of J.K. Rowling’s imagination. It offers a variety of adult beverages, including the pub’s exclusive Hog’s Head™ Brew, and other Wizarding World of Harry Potter classics, like Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice.
INTERNATIONAL DRIVE
International Drive, commonly referred to as I-Drive, features an abundance of shopping, dining and entertainment for daytime or nighttime fun. In the last couple of years, the area has expanded rapidly to offer even more to do.
- Topgolf Orlando, a 65,000-square-foot entertainment and golfing venue, features cocktails and bar bites such as injectable donut holes, which can be enjoyed while taking a swing until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Andretti Indoor Karting & Games features indoor electronic go-karting, ropes course, bowling, racing simulators and laser tag. After a day of play, guests can fuel up at Andretti Grill, or grab a drink at their Sky BAR featuring an 180 degree view of the track.
- At ICON Park visitors can watch the city light up at night on The Wheel or soar close to the stars on the world’s tallest StarFlyer. Sugar Factory is where guests can grab a late-night treat or sweet cocktail or enjoy a Red Neck Mai Tai while listening to some live country music from local talent at ICON Park’s newest restaurant, Ole Red Orlando.
- Visitors can sip on a cocktail at a bar made entirely of ice at ICEBAR Orlando, enjoy a fiesta at Señor Frog’s or rock out to dueling pianos at Howl at the Moon.
- Pointe Orlando fuses dining and entertainment with spots ranging from Greek dancing on the tables at Taverna Opa to nightly comedy at Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre. Pointe Orlando is also home to nighttime hot spot Blue Martini, featuring signature cocktails and daily happy hour, as well as newly opened The Hampton Social, Themed after the New York coastal resort region, the restaurant specializes in seafood, pizza and brunch, with unique dishes like chicken and doughnuts and a signature “rose all day.”
“RESTAURANT ROW”
Located within close proximity to Orlando’s world-famous theme parks and a short drive from the Orlando Orange County Convention Center, “Restaurant Row” is a 1 mile stretch of Sand Lake Road featuring over two dozen exquisite restaurants. Many feature extensive bars and comprehensive wine lists.
- American Social offers handcrafted signature cocktails and craft beers. This music-centric restaurant & bar is the perfect place to either watch the big game or just enjoy some all-American comfort foods.
- More than 225 tequilas are featured at Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, along with table side guacamole and a diverse menu full of authentic Mexican flavors.
- One of the largest and most comprehensive wine lists in Orlando is waiting at Vines Grille & Wine Bar, an upscale locally-owned restaurant.
- Sip on elegant cocktails over some of the best seafood in town at Eddie V’s.
UNIVERSAL CITYWALK
Universal CityWalk is a vibrant place for guests to grab a quick snack, relax over dinner, mingle over cocktails, see an electrifying concert or dance the night away.
- Classic American cuisine hits the spot at the world’s largest Hard Rock Café, while world-famous names in music and comedy perform at the adjacent Hard Rock Live Orlando.
- Diners can drink in paradise at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, the popular landmark restaurant featuring live music every night and a menu filled with Key West and Caribbean influenced flavors.
- The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen is where guests with a sweet tooth can savor gourmet treats, specialty custom milkshakes and menu items with a chocolatey twist.
- Nightclubs and other after-hour hot spots include CityWalk’s Rising Star karaoke club, where visitors can take center stage and perform with a live band complete with backup singers and Pat O’Brien’s, home of dueling pianos and the world-famous Hurricane drink.
- For a night of dancing, there’s Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom, a vibrant club modeled after Bob Marley’s actual home in Kingston, Jamaica featuring live nightly music and Caribbean cuisine.
- For a pre-park snack, head to Voodoo Doughnut where the doughnuts are delightfully weird and sinfully delicious. The shop serves 50 types of doughnuts daily; Signature doughnuts include the Voodoo Doll and the Bacon Maple Bar.
DISNEY SPRINGS
This 120-acre entertainment-shopping-dining complex at Walt Disney World Resort provides four distinct neighborhoods for guests to explore: The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center. Thursday through Saturday guests can take advantage of special late-night menus and live music offered until 2 a.m. throughout various locations at The Landing.
- Enzo’s Hideaway is a speakeasy serving Prohibition-era cocktails and has the largest selection of rums and scotches of any other Disney Springs restaurant.
- Wine Bar George offers wine enthusiasts the opportunity to taste over 100 wines from acclaimed wineries all handpicked by Master Sommelier George Miliotes.
- Industrial-style restaurant and bar The Edison, inspired by the 1920s era, is
known for craft cocktails and live entertainment, including themed stilt walkers, musicians and performers. - Additional nightlife fun within the area includes House of Blues, an eclectic music hall that hosts world-famous musicians and soulful eats.
- The Boathouse offers live music, waterfront dining and guided tours aboard the Captain’s piloted Italian Water Taxi. Those looking for a post-meal adventure can take a 20-minute guided tour on the waters of Lake Buena Vista while riding in a vintage Amphicar—a rare amphibious vehicle that can drive on land and float on water.
DOWNTOWN ORLANDO
Downtown Orlando is home to a wide range of clubs, rooftop bars, and modern hangouts for anyone wanting a great date night out in Orlando.
- At Mathers Social Gathering, guests are brought back to the 1800s. Located in a renovated vintage furniture store, jazz music vibrates while guests can choose from an extensive list of unique cocktails. Hanson’s Shoe Repair, located in potentially one of the oldest buildings still standing in downtown Orlando, is a speakeasy bar requiring a password at entry.
- SHOTS Orlando is a lively hangout that offers throwback music and innovative and creative shots such as the Campfire, the Unicorn, Skittles and Harry Potter to name a few.
- For a more intimate setting, The Robinson Cocktail Room pushes boundaries in the local cocktail culture. This laidback music orientated space gives guests an unparalleled experience with award-winning mixologists creating hand-crafted cocktails.
WINTER PARK
Located just 30 minutes from the tourism district, Winter Park is filled with outdoor spaces and great restaurants.
- The Wine Room, a rustic-casual venue, features 100+ wines, tapas, flatbreads and a selection of small items to share.
MILLS 50
Mills 50 is located about 1 mile from downtown Orlando. This district shares vibrant cultures and an electric environment for a date night in Orlando.
- Ten10 Brewing Company constantly adds to their ever-changing menu. Wine barrels from Quantum Leap Winery are used to ferment and age their beers and their partnership with Lineage Coffee Roasters allows them to utilize the rich flavor of the coffee bean to demonstrate how the contrasting flavors work well together.
- Wally’s Bar & Liquors, an Orlando tradition since 1954, is a landmark dive bar, complete with a rocking jukebox and famously strong drink specials.
- Winner of the “Best Bloody Mary Bar in Town” award, The Hammered Lamb offers Lake Ivanhoe views and food served until 2 a.m. Catch a game on one of their nine flatscreen TV’s;
- The Guesthouse offers an outdoor area for relaxing and a cozy indoor area decorated with foliage and greenery. The custom-made square bar sits at the center of the building and serves an array of signature cocktails and beers.
- Quantum Leap Winery is a local winery with a sustainable focus and global reach offering guests with wines made from the world’s premier growing regions, art and merchandise, food and more.
ROOFTOP RESTAURANTS AND BARS
When staying in Orlando, taking in a good sunset view is vital. Luckily, there are plenty of options to enjoy the view and sip a cocktail while doing it.
- High Tide, Orlando’s largest rooftop bar, has a tropical atmosphere that makes it the perfect place to party all year round.
- At the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, head up to the 17th floor and enjoy Capa, a steakhouse and bar that specializes in Spanish-influenced cuisine and has an outdoor patio where guests can enjoy nightly fireworks.
- At Disney Springs, guests can enjoy Asian-influenced meals created by Iron Chef America’s Chef Morimoto at Morimoto Asia. The second-floor rooftop patio offers a great view of Disney Springs.
- After a concert or an Orlando Magic game at the Amway Center, keep the night going at SkyLounge at Amway Center, Located at the top of the building, this vodka-centric rooftop bar is the perfect hot spot for night owls.
- Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, Aero Rooftop Bar & Lounge features mood lighting and an amazing view of Orlando’s starry skies while nightly DJs perform today’s top dance hits.
LGBTQ HOTSPOTS
- For the past 30 years, Hank’s Bar has been serving Orlando as a friendly local gay bar, with pool tables, a Jukebox and a large outdoor patio.
- Savoy Orlando is full of themed events for any mood, such as Flashback Fridays and Martini Mondays. It also contains the Starlite Room, a cabaret room for a variety of events, such as stand-up comedy, solo or duet musical acts and more.
- Southern Nights nightclub features a wide variety of event nights, with something for everybody, including drag nights and GIRL The Party, the largest Saturday night event for lesbians in Florida and top-rated club night by Orlando Weekly readers.
- Stardust Lounge is an underground bar in downtown Orlando with a retro, chic Vegas-style. The club hosts a variety of events including 80s hip-hop and dance music throwback nights on Friday and Saturday.
- Hamburger Mary’s is an “open-air bar for open-minded people.” The restaurant features a dining experience with drag shows, trivia nights and burgers.
What is your favorite date night or moms night out spot in Orlando?? Tell us in the comments!
