Although none of us are old enough to remember the Prohibition Era when secret bars and speakeasies were a necessity, there’s still something exciting about entering through an unmarked door and enjoying a cocktail in a unique hideaway.
Orlando is home to several hidden bars and speakeasies. All you need is to find them—and maybe a password! Here are a few of them we’ve found:
Hanson’s Shoe Repair
This bar, located on the rooftop of the historic Hanson building in downtown Orlando, is a revival of a speakeasy from the Prohibition Era that disguised itself as a shoe repair shop.
To enter and enjoy the bar’s handcrafted cocktails, you’ll need a password, which you can find on Hanson’s Twitter page or by calling or texting or call or text 407-476-9446.
Vault 5421
Hidden inside the Gods & Monsters comic book store in Orlando, you’ll find wide selection of craft beer, cider mead, sake, wine, mixed drinks and shots, Guests can also play some of the retro games the bar has to offer for free. Named after the Fallout video game series, this bar also has free-to-play retro video games.
Ann Teague’s Lamp Supply
This “mixology lab” looks like a lamp and lighting shop–the original use of the1904 building—but now you can enjoy cocktails in a cozy environment surrounded by hundreds of antique lamps.
Taco Kat
Who would ever guess that behind a walk-in freezer in the downtown Mexican restaurant, you’d find a hidden nightclub called Cool Kats. In a nod to Mexican culture, the club is decorated with a wall full of Jarritos. If you’re in the mood for both tacos and tequila, this place is worth checking out.
The Imperial Wine and Beer Garden
This is an upscale furniture store (Washburn Imports) by day, refined neighborhood bar by night serving wine, craft beers, cocktails, and gourmet food. In addition to this Ivanhoe Village location, there is a second location in Sanford, and a standalone wine bar in Winter Park.
Mathers Social Gathering
On the third floor of this historic downtown Orlando building is this sophisticated bar with black leather sofas, high ceilings, exposed brick and book-lined walls. You can sip on drinks made with boutique spirits and seasonal fruits, while ordering from the small plate menu. Proper attire is required: No shorts, flip flops or baseball caps.
The Treehouse
To enter this secret club, look for the green door with the t-shaped handle. At the top of the stairs, you’ll find a tree house-themed venue with wood paneling on the walls and AstroTurf floors, and a selection of handcrafted cocktails.
Crystal Harlan Crystal is a bilingual editor and writer with over 20 years of experience in digital and print media. She is currently based in Florida, but has lived in small towns in the Midwest, Caracas, New York City, and Madrid, where she earned her MA in Spanish literature.
