Happy Hour on International Drive

International Drive Finally Has a Happy Hour Worth Talking About

International Drive is one of the busiest stretches in all of Central Florida. Millions of visitors walk this strip every year, passing chain restaurants, souvenir shops, and overpriced bars. But tucked inside Vue at 360, just steps from ICON Park and minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, sits Vincenzo Cucina Italiana. This family-owned Italian restaurant has been a fixture in Orlando since 1991, and its happy hour is one of the best-kept secrets on I-Drive.

While the rest of International Drive pushes overpriced frozen drinks on tourists, Vincenzo is pouring craft cocktails, curated Italian wines, and cold draft beer at prices that make locals drive across town to get here. The setting alone separates it from everything else on the strip. Dark wood, candlelight, a polished bar, and servers who actually know their wine list.

I-Drive Happy Hour Schedule

Vincenzo structures its happy hour to give you multiple reasons to visit throughout the week:

• ✦ Monday: Happy hour specials ALL NIGHT from open until close at 10 PM
• ✦ Tuesday: Martini Night with specialty martini specials at the bar, plus happy hour 5–7 PM
• ✦ Wednesday: Wine Down Wednesday with half-price bottles of wine all evening, plus happy hour 5–7 PM
• ✦ Thursday & Friday: Happy hour at the bar, 5–7 PM
• ✦ Sunday: Wine Night specials

What Makes Vincenzo Different From Other I-Drive Bars

Walk into most bars on International Drive and you get a sports TV, a menu of frozen drinks, and a check that makes you question your choices. Walk into Vincenzo and you get a completely different experience. The cocktail program is run by bartenders who take their craft seriously. Negronis are stirred properly. Espresso martinis use real Italian espresso. The Aperol Spritz is not made from a premix.

The wine list is curated with an Italian focus. Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Barolo, Brunello, and more. During Wine Down Wednesday, every bottle on that list is half price. That means you can drink a bottle of wine that normally runs fifty or sixty dollars for half the price, in a restaurant that has been voted the number one Italian in Orlando since 2014.

Convention Center Crowd and After-Work Regulars

If you are attending an event at the Orange County Convention Center, Vincenzo is one of the closest upscale options for a post-conference drink. The restaurant sits right on International Drive, a short ride from the Convention Center's main entrances. Groups regularly book the bar area for informal networking events, and the Amalfi Room is available for larger private happy hour gatherings.

For Orlando locals who work on or near I-Drive, this is the after-work spot. The Tuesday through Friday 5 to 7 PM window is perfectly timed for the end of the workday. Come in, grab a seat at the bar, and decompress with a well-made cocktail and a plate of bruschetta or calamari before deciding whether to stay for dinner.

Food to Go With Your Drinks

A great drink needs great food beside it. The full dinner menu is available during happy hour, so you can start with appetizers and transition into a complete meal. The meatballs are legendary. The calamari is lightly fried and perfectly seasoned. The bruschetta uses fresh tomatoes and quality olive oil. If you are staying for dinner, the handmade pasta, veal chops, and fresh seafood are all on the table.

Complimentary Valet on International Drive

Parking on International Drive is notoriously frustrating. Between the traffic, the construction, and the crowded lots, finding a spot can eat into your evening. Vincenzo solves this with complimentary valet parking every night. Pull up to Vue at 360, hand your keys to the valet, and walk straight inside. When you leave, your car is waiting. No charge, no hassle.

Frequently Asked Questions