I introduced another friend to this unique restaurant and bar. We arrived a little after 6 PM and were seated promptly by Mel. We chose a little corner table against the wall. We looked over the happy hour menu (good all day on Monday nights and Tuesday through Friday 5-7pm). We ask Mel about the "Bartender's Choice" selection under happy hour drinks. She said the bartender will mix a drink of their preference. The customer cannot choose the alcohol or any mixers as the bartender makes the decisions all by him or herself. Mel asked if we had any allergies or any other issues that might affect the drinks the bartender would like to make. We said we did not and we decided to take on this "choice" experience. Serena was the bartender of the evening and she did an amazing job. She mixed up various concoctions for us throughout the night (we ordered a second round after the first one) and we enjoyed every drink she prepared. The presentation of the drinks were also well done. Serena's cocktails consisted of bourbon, rum, and various ingredients which could include bitters, lemon, agave or other cocktail mixers. She was the bartender extraordinaire of the evening. For food, we ordered the half dozen chicken wings (2 orders since they were so good) and the pizza empanadas to start. The two empanadas had mozzarella cheese stuffed inside and were served with a warm marinara. From the main menu, we ordered the Faroe Island Salmon, which was served on a bad of risotto and tomato butter, with capers. The portion of the salmon was somewhat small for the price of $28, but it and the risotto were cooked perfectly. We ended the night with their signature drink, "Death in the Afternoon" which contains absinthe and is one of my favorite drinks here in Orlando. It was another five star experience and my friend found a new restaurant she now loves. All in all, a great night thanks to the attentiveness and easy-going attitude of Mel, our server, and the exceptional cocktails from the bartender, Serena. Thank you both for a job very well done! read more

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Went to Death in the Afternoon for Happy Hour and it was sooo worth it. Got the Raspberry Tom Collin's And a mystery Bar tenders choice! I will definitely come back to try other options on the menu! Great service and gives speakeasy vibes. read more

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Wow! PESTO GNOCCHI house-made pasta with spinach and walnut pesto, tomato, parmesan Light and fluffy gnocchi with a delicious pesto sauce. So delicious! I'm still thinking about it! (Sadly forgot to take a photo) Bartender choice on cocktails - well balanced and perfect for a hot summer day! Great first experience - looking forward to visiting again soon! read more

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I love coming here! The cocktails and interesting, the menu is cute with the illustrations on the side, and the employees are so helpful! My favorite cocktail I've had there so far is the king's rise (not pictured). I will keep coming back and i love bringing people too :) it's a nice, dark, and cozy vibe. read more

Death In The Afternoon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Came in for a quick cocktail. First time for our group so we decided to get out of our comfort zone and go with the bartenders choice! 10/10 would recommend! So good and so many flavors we would have never picked on our own. Service was excellent too! We'll definitely be back! read more

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Great spot for Cocktails the menu is amazing they have so many options I love the style of the place as well as the service read more

Death In The Afternoon - Mezcal Negroni - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Always a good experience at Death in the Afternoon. Just a chill vibe, great service, cocktails speak for themselves. Really enjoy trying one of their creations and their take on a classic. Short wait for the bar...worth it!! Street parking available or ride share. Drink Responsibly....cheers! read more

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Death in the Afternoon always has such a great vibe. The staff is kind, the low lighting and intimate atmosphere is so refreshing. Their drink menu is so extensive. We ordered the dirty martini and mai tai, which were delicious. The chorizo burger was juicy, the fries were crispy, escargot was buttery and garlicky, and the squash seemed to have hot honey on it, which gave it a slight kick. I've never had a bad meal here and will continue to come back read more

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I couldn't help but compare this place directly to Lamp and Shade. Craft cocktails and light bites with a unique atmosphere. Their happy hour is all day Monday while L&S is all day Thursday. Both feature $10 cocktails and ~$10 bites. DA happy hour bites must rotate - the photo I have attached was different than the all-cheese options they had yesterday. Cheese dip, cheese empanadas, cheese croquettes. I love quick service but these cheesy bites came out a little too quick if you know what I mean. One of the hh drinks is a "bartender surprise" and you really need to love everything because it will be something very unique, possibly with a potent absinthe or bitter. But that's what they know for! read more

Death In The Afternoon - Happy hour menu 5-7 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

I had 30 places on my Mills 50 walking route that day, and Death in the Afternoon sat at the very top of my list. The name alone was enough to capture my imagination. It evokes another era, the 1930s and 1940s, a hidden place where people escaped reality for a few hours and where every whispered conversation felt a little more dangerous than it should. There is something about saying the name out loud that feels almost mischievous. Even before stepping inside, it conjures images of old Hollywood glamour, forbidden romance, and the kind of longing that filled classic films. The sort of place where people met not because they had to, but because they couldn't stay away. The space itself more than lives up to the promise of its name. Death in the Afternoon is one of the most visually interesting places Orlando has to offer. It feels intimate, mysterious, and wonderfully removed from the ordinary. I couldn't help but think of The Great Gatsby, not because of excess or extravagance, but because of that same sense of romance, possibility, and yearning for something just out of reach. In fact, I visited twice in the same afternoon. My first stop was simply to satisfy my curiosity and see if the reality matched the image I had built up in my head. It did. So after completing the rest of my three-hour Mills 50 walk, I found myself drawn back for a meal and a chance to enjoy the atmosphere a little longer. The menu is limited, so choose wisely. The salmon entrée was excellent and easily the standout of my meal. The Caesar salad was pleasant enough, but the salmon is what I would come back for. As a perfect ending to the day, a dear longtime Yelp colleague joined me and we spent some time catching up on the latest news and gossip in our circles. Good conversation, a memorable meal, and an atmosphere that feels like it belongs to another time. Death in the Afternoon is not just a restaurant. It's the kind of place that stays on your mind long after you've left. Make sure your stay is not over 2 hours tho .. read more

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Death In the Afternoon is such a little gem for libations and food to help continue celebrate my birthday festivities! I chose this spot for its French/Spanish/Euro feel for a speakeasy atmosphere, with its curated cocktails, and speciality food options, all in a soft lit bar. Our server was pretty knowledgeable especially with it came to helping us decide which cocktail met each of our palettes since we all have very different styles of drinks we like to enjoy. The Death in the Afternoon cocktail, Sauterelle and Caipirihna were especially good and we weren't so hungry at the time so we got a couple of tapas of shrimp ceviche and fries. When I come back another time I definitely want to try more of the food options like the seared scallops, faroe island salmon, and the gnocchi! They also have a happy hour menu Monday all night and Tues-Thurs 5-7pm with drinks being $8 and plates being &10, but we came on a Sunday so I'll have to experience it another time Definitely would recommend coming here and to make a reservation ahead of time. We chose to sit at the tables rather the bar top just so we can mingle better and take girly photos by the cat art piece and wall piece for birthday aesthetics. I'm sure it would be enjoyable to also sit a the bar top to be able to talk about the cocktails better and see how they are prepared! 10/10 read more

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It was great and the drinks were great! I love the vibe inside too The decor is really cool, I didn't get to try the food but the service is great too read more

Death In The Afternoon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Death in the Afternoon feels like stepping into a quiet, understated speakeasy... intimate, refined, and built for good conversation. What truly sets this place apart is the mixologist. Instead of ordering from a menu, I trusted him to craft something based on my vibe and somehow, he nailed it. Not once, but twice. It was like he scanned my palate and delivered exactly what I didn't even know how to ask for. Easily the best cocktail I've ever had made for me. Everyone I was with had the same experience. Drinks felt personalized, balanced, and thoughtfully executed. It's rare to find that level of intuition behind the bar. On the food side, I tried the corn ribs, which were a standout in their own way. Unique, flavorful, and an easy choice if you're a fan of corn. They worked perfectly as a shareable appetizer. The overall vibe leans toward a more decadent, intimate experience. It's the kind of place you go when you want to slow down, have meaningful conversation, and enjoy something crafted with care. If you're looking for a cocktail spot that goes beyond the menu and delivers something truly tailored, this place is special. read more

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Really cool lounge! The decore was so unique. The staff were incredibly kind and knowledgeable on the cocktail crafting. I came here late at night for a late night cocktail so I did not get to try any food, but the cocktails were all tasty and aesthetically pleasing! I will definitely be back to try some food next time. read more

Death In The Afternoon - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Stumbled upon this very intimate spot. The drinks were made perfectly by Cal. We order Flora Bora , The Brooklyn and a Martini. We didn't get to try the food so we'll be back. The service was also good. read more

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The ambiance here is everything!! It's moody, sophisticated, dark, and romantic, with an almost speakeasy vibe. We made an afternoon reservation and were seated quickly. It wasn't very busy at first, but it gradually filled up. Perfect spot for a intimate gathering. Not ideal for super large groups as the tables are small. While the menu sounded interesting, we mainly came for the drinks, and we left very satisfied. The cocktails are visually stunning and just as delicious (maybe a little too delicious). We ended up staying for a few hours and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Our server was fantastic and took the time to understand our preferences, recommending the perfect drink for each of us. A standout for me was the Flora Dora (dry gin, lime, raspberry, and ginger beer). I also loved how the cocktail menu is organized by spirit, which makes it easy to navigate. We ordered a couple of small bites, but the food didn't quite live up to the drinks. The shrimp ceviche was a bit plain in my opinion. I'm used to ceviche having more of a citrus or tomato-forward profile, and this one leaned toward a white sauce that didn't really work for me. I wouldn't order it again. After several drinks, we added the patatas bravas for something more filling. They were tasty, but the portions felt small for the price. There weren't any standout dishes that really made me want to return for food, and unfortunately, they were also out of the pork Belly ( this did sound tasty). That said, I would definitely come back for the drinks alone. Great cocktails and excellent service are always a win. read more

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dark and moody - Death in the Afternoon is a vibe for sure. I've gone a few times, mostly for girls nights and each time it was superb service and a perfect atmosphere to spill the tea. I imagine a date night would be great here as well though. While it's definitely a go for the drinks bar; the food is delish. But even the mains are what I would consider tapas style. Highly recommend the escargot and the melon salad off the main menu and the broccoli empanadas off the happy hour menu are divine! Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations and explore their vast, creative menu. I'm a huge fan of their porn star martini because I don't like drinks too sweet. But the absinthe cocktails are worthy of a try!! read more

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Death in the Afternoon - Where espresso martinis come to life Another night, another espresso martini -- and honestly, they nail it every time. Smooth, velvety, just the right balance of coffee and kick. This cozy little gem on Mills Ave has that "you-found-it" energy -- dim lighting, mellow crowd, and the kind of easygoing atmosphere that makes you lose track of time. It was a slower night tonight (which is rare here), but that just made the vibe even better -- unhurried, intimate, and perfect for sipping and people-watching. The staff? Friendly, genuine, and they make you feel like a regular by the second round. If you love a good cocktail with a side of character and charm, Death in the Afternoon deserves a permanent spot on your rotation. Come for the espresso martini, stay for the people and the playlist. read more

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I came here last minutes with some friends for happy hour. It was such a cool spot. Very small inside, and I think we lucked out being sat without a reservation, because two walk-in groups after us seemed like they would have a decent wait. Staff was very friendly. All three of us did the bartender's choice drinks off the happy hour menu and I was super impressed with how versatile the drinks that came out were and while none of them were bad, there was one for each of us that we really liked. We also had the cheese dip and french fries, both extra delicious. We weren't here for long, it was a perfect happy hour, but also looking forward to coming back and trying more!! read more

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We came in for late night drinks and appetizers and had a nice experience. We were able to get seated immediately. I love the music and the vibe here. It was nice and relaxing. To drink, I got the Aviation, which was sweet and tart. It was made with gin, lemon, cherry, and violette liquor. It was beautiful. I also enjoyed the patatas bravas, which were crisp and flavorful with a great aioli. My friends enjoyed their drinks and apps as well. This is one of my favorite places on Mills for a craft cocktail and chill vibes. They do not have a mocktail menu, but they can make pretty much any mocktail you want. 3 of my girlfriends were not drinking and got non alcoholic beverages. There was a misunderstanding and one of my non-alcoholic friends got a beverage with gin in it. After taking a sip, she inquired about the drink and our server was very apologetic and replaced the it. She was very nice and it was an honest mistake, but she did ask my friend if she was a recovering addict. I'm sure she was just concerned and wanted to check to make sure she was okay, but we did not think that was appropriate. Perhaps there is a training opportunity there. This incident did not ruin anyone's night and we still love DITA. Im excited to visit again. read more

Death In The Afternoon - Aviation - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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The lighting, vibe and jamon pastries are to die for. Had my first death in the afternoon (Ernest Hemingway drink) and it was fantastic! Our waiter was extremely nice and had good recommendations for drinks as well make sure you try the sinister kid if you like banana. 10/10. read more

Death In The Afternoon - Sinister Kid - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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I highly recommend this spot, great for a date night or to catch up with one or 2 friends. The food options are limited but delicious, the service and drinks are the focal point for me the times i have been. The waitstaff feels invested you and your party having a great time, i typically start off with and old fashioned and get the bartenders choice for the rest of my stay. Things to note, there happy hour is 5pm-7pm and there is limited seating so make a reservation or go midweek, also due to the limited seating they estimate/encourage 2 hours max at the table, that way the can accommodate more patrons in the space. read more

Death In The Afternoon - Bartenders choice - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

This place is like no other place I have been to before! The ambiance is dark and quaint but very relaxing! The drinks are so good and adventurous! We had a few drinks on their happy hour and some not on happy hour but still a good price! It's a perfect date night setting! Service was impeccable! They prefer for you to get a reservation but we walked in and got a seat right away. Parking is kind of a pain but we were able to get one on the street. read more

Death In The Afternoon - Surprise Reach Around - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

This may be my all time favorite restaurant. The food is exceptional, vibe is perfect, and the drinks are incredible. A must visit. Their chef knows how to cook. They combine latin and french flavors, and everything that comes out of that kitchen is unreal. The steak has the perfect sear, seasoning, and rest. Gnocchi is pillowy and perfect. Caesar salad is exactly what you want. I haven't had a dish here I disliked. And don't forget this is an Absinthe bar. The absinthe cocktails are unreal. Just tasting absinthe here is fun too. The atmosphere is perfect for an absinthe bar. French new wave goth, if that means anything. Super cool. Can't wait to come back. read more

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I'm joining the rest of the Yelpers who love this spot! My group chose Bartender's Choice for each of us and we all loved our bespoke cocktails. The waitress was so kind and friendly. The pizza bites and patatas bravas were delicious as well. Great spot for pre-gaming any Mills50 shenanigans. read more

Death In The Afternoon - Patatas bravas, Bartender's Choice (coffee-based) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Unfortunately no drink or food pics but was actually shocked that this place was completely dead for happy hour... I was the only person at the restaurant until my friend showed up like 15 min later! The place didn't get busy till maybe after 7. I know there are tons of bars on Mills but guys - don't forget about this one! Drinks and food were solid. Add this to your bar crawl! read more

Death In The Afternoon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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I definitely have to come back here I loved the ambiance. I didn't have too much time and could only grab a quick drink with a friend but I would love to try the food! The bartenders had such a great pour and I loved the aesthetic of the place. It felt very sexy speakeasy and is a perfectly intimate location for a good conversation. read more

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My favorite bougie place to have a cocktail and some light bites. Sexy vibes, excellent service. I've been here multiple times now and it never disappoints. read more

Death In The Afternoon - French Pearl - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Faaaaaaav. Time stand stands still while visiting DITA. This classic dive bar has small bites and plates menu but what really stands out it's their continued success in the drink scene. Their cockatiels and mocktails really make a customer become a regular. They have a very strong sense of organization and logistic where the grand majority of their recipes stand out and leave a mark, taste mark. While the ambience and decor stay on the darker side their food stands at a peak with vast flavors and textures. A favorite we have tried is the Chorizo Burger. Crunchy chorizo, chimichurri and a soft/crunchy bread that will make you want more. The aioli it's Devine. Overall our visit was amazing as the past ones. We do encourage a bar sitting experience as you will get the one on one on the bar service. We watch them make so many different drinks and each one was unique to its own style. P.S. we have noticed a "weird" smell from time to time inside. Maybe it's us. Maybe it's the on going downtown / mills sewer system yet doesn't seem to be a prolonged issue. Just FYI read more

Death In The Afternoon - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Ambience- lovely. Decor- beautiful Service- fine drinks- yummy food- no. First of all... finding this place at night was near impossible. We must have had to turn aroujnd three times. Once we went inside it was pretty dead. It was us and another couple at the bar. We were doing drinks and apps before going to a musical so we planned on a light meal. We decided on the pork belly sliders and the cheese dip for food and for drinks we both got a porn star martini (which was beyond delicious). I just can't get past the food. It was inediable. The pork belly was just a piece of fat on some bland bread. I couldn't even tell you what the flavor was of the "cheese" it was just very off-putting. So, in the future just come for the drinks and vibes. read more

I wish I could love this place like how my fellow reviewers did. Came here on a Monday afternoon closer to 6pm. We didn't have reservations, but the host sat us at the bar. The bartender told us to move down a chair because there was a reservation coming at 730pm. We ordered the bees knees and French pearl. Drinks were good and not too fancy. Affordable for this type of environment. Bar tender was nice and patient while we chose our drinks. What really made us leave after 30 minutes was the drunk people sitting at the bar next to us. Extremely loud and made unnecessary comments about other countries and ethnicities. He was talking so loud for the whole establishment to hear. It wasn't a personal conversation to the person he was with. The bartender should have cut them off. They were very obnoxious and not the type of audience that this place should host. read more

Monday night happy hour all night. Drinks are good, food is alright. We liked the ceviche but I've eaten better, the happy hour burger sliders were also good, we were not impressed with the cheese dip but we really liked the chips that came with it and the broccoli empanadas had a weird taste. Skip those also read more

Death In The Afternoon - Happy hour cheese dip - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Well, well, well... Not sure how we missed out on this place but it is amazing! Rush to Death in the Afternoon for fantastic specialty cocktails and delicious light bites. We've been trying to get here for over a year and finally managed to sneak in on a Saturday night early. The cocktails are next level... on par with the Courtesy or any other fine cocktail establishment in Orlando. And the light bites came out fast and were delicious. I really enjoyed the Clover Club. It was exactly as described... rich, fruity, and pinkish. They have a bunch of absinthe cocktails that are so well balanced. We sat at the bar and had four different cocktails and really enjoyed watching them be prepared. For snacks we had the spinach and artichoke dip and the jamon pastries and both were delicious. It's a small charming space in the Mills 50 district and typically requires a reservation. I rarely give a five star review but this spot was perfection... HIGHLY recommend! read more

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This is probably the most unique and well-executed bar concept I've seen in a long time. This is an absinthe bar, they have other drinks available, but they specialize in absinthe. There is also food available here. The menu is pricey, but it's worth it for the quality you get. I ended up trying the Scarlett cocktail - Blanc absinthe, blanc vermouth, strawberry thyme shrub, vanilla, lemon. The drink was small, potent, very delicious, not too sweet - kind of like a refreshing, herby strawberry sorbet. I think this is the quietest bar I've ever been to, even when it got more packed, which makes it a good spot to relax after a workday. They also have happy hour all day Monday and Tuesday to Thursday 5-7pm. I can't wait to come back here and try more of their stuff. read more

My Kind of Bar No Chaos, Just chills Vibes Next to The Courtesy (my other Orlando favorite), this place is my go to spot. It's totally my scene not loud, not in your face, and definitely not one of those bars where you have to shout your drink order. The bartenders are always nice, attentive, and friendly. If I had to nitpick (and I mean really nitpick), I'd say I wish they had some seasonal cocktails. As of last month, the menu looked the same but hey, if it's not broke, why fix it. Perfect spot for a relaxing scene o, great drinks, and actually being able to hear the person you came with. read more

Very cool laid back, divey and dark vibe. Drinks were strong and intense, no frills. But the glasses were super cool. Our server was very nice and attentive, very friendly which I was kind of not expecting from the vibe of the place honestly but it was a pleasant surprise! read more

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We've been here twice now and each time the cocktails have been crafted to perfection. They take a bit longer to make but there is a lot of care put into each cocktail. The staff is super friendly and accommodating. I love the ambiance with the low, dark ceilings - it gives me a vibe of some of my favorite haunts in Boston. read more

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Nice spot, with parking on the street or you might find some behind the building. Disappointed in the small ice cubes for an old fashioned, so I wouldn't order again. But the service was great and very helpful to those who wanted a mocktail. read more

Death In The Afternoon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Great vibes inside and the menu is very well designed with cute little doodles all over. The drinks are all so delicious, but the namesake is the best if you're trying out absinthe for the first time. The other cocktails are delicious as well if you're not a fan of absinthe/licorice. The bartenders are very friendly and helpful. read more

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Hidden in plain sight. Love the location, especially if I can find parking. Been there sometimes before they open because sometimes work is done early and parking becomes more difficult after work. Drinks and very good with knowledgeable bartenders. Food is standard fair for a bar food but with great quality. Love their ambiance the most. Automatically separates you from the street and transports to New Orleans. Highly recommend. Only complain is that they don't open until 5 pm. If they open at 4 pm, it will be even better. read more