The Neighbors Orlando — Restaurant in Orlando

Hubby and I are coming up on two years back in Florida after 9 in New Orleans, and we are very aware that we are cocktail snobs. Our palates changed while there, and many Florida bars offer drinks that are far too sweet for our tastes. To make matters worse, we live in Lake County, which is not know for its vibrant cocktail bar scene (although shoutout to the team at Roasted Spirit, who we love).

Today, a random turn of events led us to darken the door of The Neighbors and our lovely bartender Jerry. After looking at the menu at TN, I noted that it had been a long time since I’d had trouble ordering a drink because they all looked exceptional. And they were. We had a College Park, a Formosa, and a Coytown, all exceptional and BALANCED, which is my main critique of most cocktails (that they are unbalanced).

Jerry is a gem. We swapped stories about New Orleans, as he will be going to compete in the Tales of the Cocktail competition later this month. He shared with us some of his concepts for drinks, and even let us sample a specialty ingredient he developed (with much work). He has the passion for the craft without the over-jaded attitude that (understandably) pervades the profession. I’m sure everyone at this bar is just lovely, but I hope to ask for Jerry when we return.

I forgot to nab a photo of their liquor selection, but they carry a lot of unique products, and additionally, their menu changes frequently with a seasonal menu plus a monthly focus. You would never get tired of drinks here.

I can’t speak to the food, as we did not eat, but the rest of the space houses a high-end, Florida-focused gift shop that was just delightful. I was especially pleased to find boutique perfumes, as (y’all I know this is nerdy) I’ve decided to try to better train my nose to scent different aromas, and I rarely see local perfumerie products.

Anyway! Enough rambling. This place is a gem. We try to build a happy life where we live, work, and play in Lake County, but this was an excellent field trip that I look forward to visiting again when life takes...

I love the east end market on a Sunday and I love Domu! However, I’ve never quite journeyed to the upstairs. I’ve been wanting to try The Neighbors for quite some time now and decided to head there for drinks and some small bites. Walking in the atmosphere was a bit confusing as the appearance is predominately more of a chic store than a place for drinks and small bites. We walked up to the bar, that had a sign, stating reservations only seating. Later found out that is for the tasting menu (weird cause there were only about 8 barstools). Fine print at the bottom of the sign said check in with the cashier for non-reservation’s. Briana at the cashier desk was Knowledgeable and very friendly. She explained the concept, recommended seating, explained the reservations for the tasting menu, we finally got some guidance. The seating was against the wall along with these small cute tables and adorable colored mini seats. The drink menu was extremely small and so was the a la carte small bites menu.

For drinks I ordered the Mills 50 (similar to a French 75, type of Gin was not specified), my partner ordered a Fall Fusion. The drinks were mediocre at best. For our second round I got the Baldwin and my partner got the Milk District, these two second time around were delicious! We got a small charcuterie box which was yummy for a light snack. Because seating was so limited we ended up not ordering any small plates.

The service is amazing and the staff is friendly, however seating is way too limited and a bit awkwardly set for conversations. I would definitely return to try some of the small plates however I’d be wary of...

“Cheers” might be where everybody knows your name, but “The Neighbors” is carrying on that tradition with a hip blend of local flare and some inspired food and cocktails. One part restaurant/bar, one part retail shop, this sweet little joint will have you wearing your Audubon Park swag with pride whilst sipping a concoction named after Floridian fauna.

The Neighbors is the epitome of eclectic. Located on the second floor of the now-famous East End Market (a food hall concept that sports Michelin-rated spots like Domu), this cute corner of the pavilion is warm and inviting. Roam the shelves for truly one-of-a-kind artwork from the area’s talented craftspeople, featuring buttons, pins, photography, and t-shirts. Take home a six-pack from one of the region’s delightful microbreweries, or a coffee table book about Orange County. It all makes The Neighbors a character in the local scenery, and a place worth seeking out - even if you’re not across the street.

If you’re waiting for a table at one of the purveyors on Corrinne, stop here first and test their mixologists. The bar is fun and the staff is engaging. As a beer connoisseur, I love the assortment of crispy lagers and unique selections, both in cans and on draft.

The food is decent, mostly appetizer-sized and sharable. Try the tostones and the flatbread pizzas - solid. Things do change periodically, so come back for the variations.

There’s also live music, so check the schedule. It adds to the ambience.

Swing on by. We loving meeting...