Step into a world of vintage glamour and sophistication at The BANDBOX, a hidden speakeasy tucked away in the heart of the city. From the moment you enter through the secret entrance, you’ll be transported back to the roaring twenties. Take a seat at the elegant marble bar and peruse the extensive menu of handcrafted cocktails, all expertly mixed and alcohol-free. Sip on a tantalizing elixir or tonic, or indulge in a refreshing CBD beverage. With its Art Deco-inspired decor, fabulous live music, and expert mixologists, The BANDBOX promises a night of unforgettable fun and excitement.
The BANDBOX Brings Craft Mocktails to Orlando
“We’re one of a select group of fully non-alcoholic establishments across the country. We use alternative non-alcoholic spirits and distilled non-alcoholic spirits in our cocktails,” owner Kevin Zepf told us. “The alternative spirits are non-alcoholic versions of traditional alcoholic spirits. For example, we use a variety of NA tequila, rum, gin and whiskey in our cocktails. They give you a bit of the kick, spice and burn of the real spirit but without the alcohol or the calories. Distilled spirits are standalone and don’t try to mimic any particular existing alcoholic spirit. Some of our most popular cocktails include our three margaritas that use Ritual Tequila; Mango Margarita with Jalapeno, Passion Fruit and Pomegranate. Outside of those, we also feature CBD cocktails and one in particular, the Blueberry Ginger Mint CBD cocktail, has become one of the favorites.”
Expect a boutique experience at The BANDBOX, with limited seating but a stylish ambiance. “The BANDBOX is a tasting lounge and bottle shop; we’re not a full bar or restaurant. The interior dimensions of our current space don’t afford us the opportunity to have a full bar or the ability to serve food as it doesn’t have room for a full kitchen,” Zepf said of the space. “The design of the space was to focus on catering to date nights or a girls’ night out. By design, we kept it very intimate for that reason, with just a couple of main tables that typically seat two each; however, we can accommodate up to 5-7 guests for a reservation. The decor is designed to bring you back in time to the 1920s; it’s a fully immersive experience that resembles an Art Deco-inspired speakeasy bar/lounge that you might stumble into during the prohibition days, except this is a spirit-free speakeasy, with vintage collectibles, artwork, velvet drapery, gold tin ceiling tiles, chandeliers, swag lighting and bottle displays surrounding you.”
Enjoy the retro vibes—they’re authentic. “The building itself was built back in 1947, and many of the original Art Deco rounded corners, and tile flooring were in place when we took over the space from the previous tenant,” Zepf explained while discussing the design. “The design/build of the space was a collective effort utilizing the talents of many local interior designers, contractors, painters and artisans. It truly has been a labor of love for everyone involved, and the outcome is truly a unique, memorable experience.”
In an era where zero proof is seeing a real moment, The BANDBOX provides a fantastic break from club sodas and mere juices. “Our cocktails are unique and unlike other traditional “mocktails” you might have at other restaurants. We use alternative and distilled spirits to create sophisticated non-alcoholic craft cocktails or CBD cocktails,” Zepf told us. “Our cocktails are not just juice; they are crafted with not only the spirits but also with a variety of syrups, spices, fresh juices and bitters to provide a complex flavor profile in each of our drinks. In addition to our cocktails, we are also excited for guests to experience our photo booth, an old-fashioned photo booth kiosk with arcade buttons that prints out two photo strips for our guests. There’s a variety of hats and props to use to make it a fun experience. The photo booth provides our guests with a fun activity to do while they wait for their drinks to be crafted by our staff.”
