HandleBar — Restaurant in Mount Dora

I’ve been a patron of Handlebar for over three years and I’m very disappointed to say I will never be returning. The owner, Dakota, is ignorant and unapologetically homophobic. My partner and I went to Handlebar last night to celebrate my birthday and the owner was there as a patron, drinking and watching football. He came up and started talking to us sitting at the bar and when I referred to my partner as “they,” Dakota started going off about how it was “confusing for his generation” (at his big age of 32). He then misgendered my partner multiple times and told them that if they want their pronouns respected, they should look less feminine. My partner was very upset and went to the bathroom, and I tried to explain why saying that is hurtful and rude, and honestly got nowhere other than more ridiculous and ignorant responses, including that sometimes people think he’s a different ethnicity and that’s the same as being purposely misgendered(???). I reluctantly still paid my tab before I left and the bartender profusely apologized for the behavior of the manager and gave us 20% off. The drinks are good, but there are a million places in Mount Dora with good drinks plus respectful owners that don’t get drunk and make their customers uncomfortable at their own...

The decor, music, and overall vibe of this place are so fun—definitely a great spot for a night out. Even on a busy Friday evening, I was able to snag a cozy round table in the back for my friend and me, which was a pleasant surprise.

Bonus points for the upstairs bathrooms not requiring a code (unlike the ones downstairs)—a small but appreciated detail!

I ordered an espresso martini that was dairy-free (which I love), but it ended up being a bit too sweet and slightly watery for my taste. I only took a few sips before deciding not to finish it—not bad, just not quite for me. Since I was the DD, I didn’t bother swapping it out, but it was still the right call.

My friend’s gin cocktail, on the other hand, was light, mild, and super refreshing—she loved it! Also, shoutout to the bartender for bringing the drinks over to our table—such a nice touch.

I’d absolutely come back and give another cocktail a try. The atmosphere alone makes it worth a...

If there was food, it would probably be 5 stars, so might as well give the Handlebar a full 5 stars. They deserve it.

If you’re looking for a third party space, somewhere that’s clean and upscale (and upstairs) where you can vibe solo, relax with friends/clients, or meet new people—Handlebar is the spot to be in Mount Dora. It’s comfortable for locals, and newbies to the area, the bartenders are always amazing regardless of what day you go.

Huge shoutout to Caleb for always making my martinis just right and giving the best service.

Jesse and Chek are also on the top of their game on the weekdays! These guys make the Handlebar what it is, don’t think it would be the same without them.

If you’re in Mount Dora for a quick minute, make sure to stop by and visit for interesting (and well-crafted) cocktails, and really just about anything besides food in a snazzy, cozy...