Hanson's Shoe Repair — Restaurant in Orlando

Let me start this review to help out any first timers like we were. There is no shoe repair, there is no fake store front hiding this speakeasy. That was very misleading, which caused us to walk up and down Pine street looking for the shoe repair that does not exist. This bar is hidden in... another Bar in a bar in a bar. Because we all love bars!! Look for the address 27 to find it. Once inside the bar, head up the first flight of stairs, then look over your right shoulder, if you are in the right place there will be a line about 15-25 people deep waiting to get into the hidden bar, that is behind the line of people. The bar appeared to hold about 40 people total. You really do not need the password, well, you will, except you can find that information while you stand in line from someone who has it already and is also waiting in line. Once inside the bar, the vibe is cool although very cramped, inside is really cramped outside is a little better, both areas may hold 20 people each. The drinks were on point made pretty quickly and run to you when done, we approached the bar, ordered, started a tab, then found someplace to sit down. My experience my be completely off base for the following reason: We thought this would be much harder to find, (beyond finding the building it was in) we were kind of bummed it was a bar hidden in a bar, still a cool concept nonetheless. We did not initially see the line, nor were we expecting one, we figured a hidden bar would not have a line giving away its location. We saw a bunch of people gathered upstairs and thought it was just an upstairs extension of the bar downstairs. We thought we had to put more effort into finding it, that assumption was wrong and lead us to a party foul. We saw a locked door, with the words Members Only on it, like morons we stood at it yelling the password hoping someone would open the door. Someone did! Some patrons leaving!! LOL!! We decided this was a sign and went up the stairs, we essentially walked in the exit. We got some funny looks as we walked through the place, we did not know why, we thought we cracked the code. (we are pretty good at escape rooms BTW) We ordered our drinks and grabbed a bench sitting outside. Shortly thereafter we were approached by a very nice lady who asked us how we got in. Proud of our Speakeasy finding skills we told the story. She informed us we just skipped a long line. We apologized, she said we were fine it happens from time to time. We finished our drinks quickly and vacated the premises, through the in door, because that seemed to be the right thing to do at that moment. We got some dirty looks from line waiters as we exited. We felt we needed to leave our stolen seats ASAP and let the people in line get in. We sat downstairs in the main bar and continued our drinking. To the bar staff, we apologize for our stealth line cutting skills. The the people in line, we GTFO of there the moment we realized...

After having supported Hanson’s, bragging about it to friends and strangers alike and being excited to bring people with us, you won’t see us again. Just like any other time we’ve come, we have the password ready and proceed upstairs to be let in. This time, it’s my wife and I along with another couple we told that we’re excited to give it a try. (We’re black) The male bartender comes to the door and we give the password. We had some food with us (First time having food, so we didn’t know. It was just leftovers but we understood and stayed down to finish the rest before going up.) There was another white couple there waiting as well and they were let up, and were told “we’re kind of full right now, so I’ll have to see if there’s room before I let you up.

As we’re finishing up our food, 2 people come down. Now, as we’ve finished, another 4 people exit, so we go up and we see some empty chairs inside and my wife starts to head to the patio to see if there’s some space outside. The same male bartender is now condescending and almost irate like “Oh, did those people let you up? You’re supposed to wait.”

So I respond and tell him that yes we came up because we did give you the password and 6 people have now exited so there should be room now. He says again, well, we are pretty full still (there’s 4 chairs inside,2 at the bar and 2 on the wall) and my wife says well there’s room outside on the patio. His response is no longer “we’re full”, it’s now “Well I have to clean those tables”. I begin to tell him it’s not a problem, we can wait. Why did this man tell us we needed to go back downstairs and wait until he comes down?

Why do all of that if we already gave you the password already and you knew we were just finishing our food that we couldn’t bring up? He could’ve easily said “Just hang tight and I’ll be right with you. Thank you for coming.” Instead, we were talked to with that same condescending tone like we’re 5 year olds and don’t have Master’s degrees or make 6-figures. So I tell him we’ll just go ahead and leave. On our way out, the lady at the door tells a thank you for coming to which my response is we won’t be coming back. So, she asks what happened and I begin to explain what happened and all she had o say was “Sorry you had a bad experience, bye.”

This was to say the least embarrassing especially in front of our friends we brought and just down right stupid. There were 4 empty chairs for us to sit in and we would’ve gladly waited for the bartender to finish serving to clean for outside seating instead of having to go back down and climb those steep...

Hanson's Shoe Repair, located at 27 E. Pine Street in downtown Orlando, is a historic gem that beautifully embodies the city's rich history. Erected in 1883-1884, this building showcases a charming nineteenth-century commercial style, making it a testament to the past. Stepping inside Hanson's is like stepping back in time, with its warm atmosphere and captivating ambiance.

During my recent visit to Hanson's, I had the pleasure of being attended to by Sebastian, Jon, and Josh. Their dedication to providing exceptional service was evident from the moment I crossed the threshold. They went above and beyond to ensure that my experience was truly memorable, tending to my every need with genuine care and professionalism.

Beyond the realm of mixology, I engaged in fascinating conversations with Sebastian, Jon, and Josh, exploring topics such as the mysteries of the universe. Their knowledge and passion created an intellectually stimulating environment, enhancing my visit and adding an extra layer of depth to the experience.

The highlight of my time at Hanson's undoubtedly came in the form of the cocktails crafted by this talented trio. Sebastian, Jon, and Josh took the time to understand my preferences and skillfully concocted special and unique cocktails that warmed my heart. Each sip was a delightful journey of flavors, crafted with precision and care. The attention to detail and the personalized touch truly set the cocktails at Hanson's apart.

Hanson's Shoe Repair offers more than just exceptional cocktails and service. It serves as a gateway to the past, immersing guests in the rich history of Orlando. As I savored my specially crafted drink, I couldn't help but appreciate the nostalgia and stories that emanated from the walls of this historic building.

In conclusion, Hanson's Shoe Repair is a true hidden gem, combining its historic setting with the exceptional service of Sebastian, Jon, and Josh, and the heartwarming cocktails they create. If you seek an experience that seamlessly blends history, engaging conversations, and exquisite libations, look no further than Hanson's Shoe Repair. It's a testament to Orlando's past, a haven of hospitality, and a place where delightful...