As the end of the year approaches, so does the closure of Tanqueray's Bar, a mainstay of downtown Orlando's nightlife since 1989. Come New Year's Eve, the establishment will pour its final drink and permanently close its doors, according to FOX 35 Orlando. The owner, Dan Charles, has cited the non-renewal of the bar's lease and a string of city regulations as the reasons behind the shutdown, marking another loss in the city's cultural scene.
It seems the struggles facing Tanqueray's are part of a larger issue for downtown Orlando watering holes, other venues like HighT and 1UP Orlando had also permanently closed up shop earlier this year. A combination of financial pressures and restrictions on the nightlife has been to blame. Tanqueray's, however, was not only known for its drinks but also as a vital venue for local musicians. With its closure, the community loses a unique underground spot that has been an integral part of Orlando's entertainment fabric for 37 years.
"The city has not been kind to the local bars in the downtown entertainment district since 2023, that have been in existence for a very long time," Charles lamented in a social media post, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando. To give a proper send-off, Tanqueray's is planning a "Tanqueray’s Appreciation Happy Hour Hang" with live music, set to occur today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., before the final New Year’s celebration.
Patrons of Tanqueray's, already reeling from the news, have begun to publicly share their disappointment. "We were devastated, we saw the Instagram post about it," said RJ Smith, a patron of the bar, in a statement obtained by WESH. He was not alone in appreciating the unique atmosphere of Tanqueray's, which also included the novelty of being an underground bar in Florida. Nick Diggs, another regular, told WESH, "It kind of sucks that another bar, just a normal bar, is closing down."
The historical building that houses Tanqueray itself garnered attention in November following a ruptured iron pipe, which led to significant flooding. An exclusive video captured the event as water surged around windows and walls, although fortuitously, the bar did not experience flooding itself. This incident, while not directly related to the closure, adds to the woes of what seems to be a beleaguered area for local businesses.
