Death In The Afternoon — Restaurant in Orlando

Two friends and I decided to give this place a try after hearing so many good reviews about Death in the Afternoon. It is located on Mills Ave (between E. Marks St. and Weber St.) and may be hard to spot at first as it is a small restaurant. We passed by it the first time and came around back.

It has an excellent vibe and "underground" type quality to it. My one friend described it as "an East Village or St. Mark Street New York City" experience. I think she hit the nail on the head with that description. We had a reservation for 6:15pm on a Wednesday night. Although it was not crowded when we arrived, the place filled up quickly by 8pm so reservations are strongly recommended (especially on the weekends). There is limited table seating, but an extensive bar, which was also packed.

The food and drinks are all very good and fun to experiment with as we tried several menu items. For drinks, we started off with the Harvey Wallbanger, the Spicy Tommys Margarita (spicy indeed!) and a Blanton's bourbon. Later, we tried the "Death in the Afternoon" as we wanted the Absinthe experience. Loved this drink! They have a number of signature absinthe drinks that set this place apart from anything else in the Orlando area.

We moved onto the food menu, with the Chicken Sliders (very good-the ginger sesame slaw makes this slider!) and the Empanadas (ok-but a little dry, but the jalapeno creme compliments them well). For our main entrees, we went with the Short Rib Gnocchi (amazing!), the Escargot (the garlic and herb sauce was perfection!) and the New York Strip slices (the absinthe compound butter set this dish off!) Later, we did a potato medley (not sure the exact title of the menu item; the absinthe was working its magic!) and it was a perfect ending for the evening. All in all, an entertaining and enjoyable experience. I highly recommend Death in...

Death in the Afternoon stands out as one of Florida’s top cocktail destinations, especially for those who appreciate simplicity in their drinks. Their menu, focused on classics, neoclassics, and originals, showcases how excellence can be achieved without relying on overly complex recipes. While the price of food may feel steep, the drinks themselves set a high standard for the state, rivaling some of the best bars in the US. The drink prices are set very well, and I never feel like I am overpaying.

The cocktails are beautifully balanced and technically sound, with impressive attention to dilution and aeration. While the originals can vary in execution, the overall craft is undeniable, with standout performances from bartenders like Noah + Arthur.

However, the bar’s hospitality could be warmer. Bartenders might come across as reserved at times, and a more welcoming approach—especially on quieter nights—could enhance the guest experience. Personalized touches for table seating might also help bridge the gap between the service and the atmosphere.

The food is flavorful but small in portion size, with the burger being a notable exception. While it tastes great, the value might not match expectations for some diners.

The biggest opportunity for growth lies in the bar’s identity. The current decor feels somewhat generic, and leaning into a stronger, more cohesive theme could elevate the overall experience. Drawing inspiration from iconic venues like L’Escamoteur, Kaona Room, or Ranstead Room could bring more personality and charm to the space.

In summary, Death in the Afternoon delivers some of the best cocktails in Florida but has room to grow in hospitality and atmosphere. With a few thoughtful adjustments, it could easily become a world-class...

I was really looking forward to visiting this bar after hearing great things, but unfortunately, my experience fell short in several ways.

I ordered an espresso martini and noticed it was made with vanilla. Assuming it was a vanilla cream (my mistake), I asked our server if she could add cream to make it more dessert-like. She kindly offered to bring me a new drink instead. However, the first round of drinks for our table of three took about 20 minutes, so I was already wary of the wait time.

After another 15 minutes, she brought me a piña colada—which was not at all what I requested. I don’t like pineapple drinks, and I had specifically asked for cream in my espresso martini or a dessert-like cocktail. I politely asked her to take it back. I didn’t end up drinking anything, but I still tipped her before receiving the check, assuming I wouldn’t be charged for drinks I didn’t consume. When the check came, I was shocked to see both drinks on it and had to argue to have them removed. While I ultimately refused to pay, it left a sour taste in my mouth that I had to ask for what I felt was fair after already tipping.

To top it off, the server brought back the wrong credit card when my friends were closing out, and we had to track down the other couple it belonged to ourselves (she never reappeared). Nobody apologized or tried to address these issues, which left a really sour impression.

One bad night doesn’t define a place, but the lack of care and communication from the staff made this visit disappointing. It’s a shame because the bar came highly recommended, but I can’t see...