By Nicholas Ware
Twitter
On Friday evening I got a chance to swing by Pharmacy, a new speakeasy in the Dellagio complex on West Sand Lake Road. Pharmacy opened in mid-February and is the brainchild of the same group behind the next-door, easily-accessed restaurant The Table, which has been in the Dellagio for two years. The whole complex is excessively nouveau riche in design, closer to a theme park than a dining complex. However, some of the restaurants it houses are incredible.
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The door to Pharmacy is unmarked. There is no signage in the Dellagio to help you find out where it is. The parking valets will tell you if you ask. I hate to spoil a surprise, so I'll just tell you that it's best to Bank on a certain Region if you plan to visit. Also, green means go. Ohhhh, ain't I a stinker!
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The bar is small but fabulous. When we arrived around 7:45pm, the place was packed. We were advised that any time after 6pm on a Friday or Saturday night is often standing room only, and reservations are not accepted. However, it's totally within bar protocol to over a drink over someone's shoulder at the bar. The bar staff and patrons were both excessively friendly, and everyone seemed to really be enjoying the speakeasy conceit. Next time I'll have to wear my zoot suit and talk like this, see? Like a gin-u-wine gangster, see?
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Pharmacy's fixtures add subtle yet substantial charm to the space. I'm particularly fond of the mason jar chandeliers above the bar, as they marry elegance and catch-as-catch-can bootlegging in a really fun way. The (working) scale is also a highlight. I did not corroborate whether or not they accepted pure sterling silver as currency.
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Food is also available. My friend and I ordered the garlicky rock shrimp appetizer (divine) and a sightly-too-oily-but-still-very-tasty corn-and-arugula pizza. Again, the prices were very reasonable (around $20 for both) and the dishes were enough to feed two people.
I went to Pharmacy expecting it to be a little chintzy and gimmicky, but was wonderfully surprised to find it inviting, homey, delicious, and a surprising value. It's the kind of place I definitely would make an effort to visit again despite living 20 miles away, and a must-hit spot for Orlando visitors that want to do something for the grown-ups. When I speak about Pharmacy, it's easy to recommend.
On Friday evening I got a chance to swing by Pharmacy, a new speakeasy in the Dellagio complex on West Sand Lake Road. Pharmacy opened in mid-February and is the brainchild of the same group behind the next-door, easily-accessed restaurant The Table, which has been in the Dellagio for two years. The whole complex is excessively nouveau riche in design, closer to a theme park than a dining complex. However, some of the restaurants it houses are incredible.
.jpg)
The door to Pharmacy is unmarked. There is no signage in the Dellagio to help you find out where it is. The parking valets will tell you if you ask. I hate to spoil a surprise, so I'll just tell you that it's best to Bank on a certain Region if you plan to visit. Also, green means go. Ohhhh, ain't I a stinker!
.jpg)
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The bar is small but fabulous. When we arrived around 7:45pm, the place was packed. We were advised that any time after 6pm on a Friday or Saturday night is often standing room only, and reservations are not accepted. However, it's totally within bar protocol to over a drink over someone's shoulder at the bar. The bar staff and patrons were both excessively friendly, and everyone seemed to really be enjoying the speakeasy conceit. Next time I'll have to wear my zoot suit and talk like this, see? Like a gin-u-wine gangster, see?
.jpg)
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Pharmacy's fixtures add subtle yet substantial charm to the space. I'm particularly fond of the mason jar chandeliers above the bar, as they marry elegance and catch-as-catch-can bootlegging in a really fun way. The (working) scale is also a highlight. I did not corroborate whether or not they accepted pure sterling silver as currency.
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The drinks are delicious and strong. Above is the King Mark, a smooth combination of 44 North Huckleberry Vodka, Great King Street Scotch, maraschino liqueur, and gas (for fizz). On the bottom is the Aviator, which includes Ford's Gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon, Creme de Violette, West Blueberry Tincture, and gas. The dark spot in the upper left of the Aviator is one of two maraschino cherries floating in the drink that are flown in from Italy. The Pharmacy does not mess around when it comes to poppin' some cherries in your mouth! All the non-liquor ingredients except the cherries are made on site, including cola and tonic. Every cocktail at Pharmacy is $12, which I considered to be very reasonable considering the exceedingly high quality and strength of the drinks.
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Food is also available. My friend and I ordered the garlicky rock shrimp appetizer (divine) and a sightly-too-oily-but-still-very-tasty corn-and-arugula pizza. Again, the prices were very reasonable (around $20 for both) and the dishes were enough to feed two people.
I went to Pharmacy expecting it to be a little chintzy and gimmicky, but was wonderfully surprised to find it inviting, homey, delicious, and a surprising value. It's the kind of place I definitely would make an effort to visit again despite living 20 miles away, and a must-hit spot for Orlando visitors that want to do something for the grown-ups. When I speak about Pharmacy, it's easy to recommend.
