Drinks Near the Convention Center

Skip the Hotel Bar

You just finished a long day at the Orange County Convention Center. Your feet hurt, your badge is still around your neck, and someone in your group suggests getting drinks. The easy move is the hotel bar. You already know what that looks like: a small menu, overpriced well drinks, and a TV in the corner playing a game nobody is watching. You can do better. You should do better. You are in Orlando, and there is a place minutes from the convention center that serves craft cocktails, real martinis, and Italian wine in an atmosphere that actually feels like a night out.

Vincenzo Cucina Italiana is located on International Drive, a short drive or rideshare from any entrance of the OCCC. The full bar opens at 5 PM, which lines up perfectly with the end of most conference sessions. Walk in, take a seat at the bar or grab a table, and start the evening with something made by someone who actually cares about what goes in the glass.

After-Conference Drink Specials

• ✦ Monday — All-Night Happy Hour — Drink specials from 5 PM to close
• ✦ Tuesday — Martini Night — Specially priced craft martinis all evening
• ✦ Wednesday — Wine Down — Half off wines by the glass
• ✦ Every Night — Full bar open from 5 PM — Craft cocktails, Italian wines, premium spirits

Perfect for Groups and Team Dinners

Convention nights mean groups. Sometimes it is four people who met at a panel. Sometimes it is a team of twenty celebrating a product launch. Vincenzo handles both. The bar area is perfect for casual after-conference drinks where people can sit, order individually, and catch up without the pressure of a formal dinner. For larger groups or team events, the Amalfi Room is a private dining space that accommodates up to 24 guests at $110 per person with custom menus, dedicated service, and complete privacy.

If you need to plan a group dinner or reception during a convention, Vincenzo's catering team can put together a custom menu that works for your group size and budget. Call (407) 745-4030 or visit vincenzosorlando.com/catering.html to start planning. The restaurant has been hosting convention groups and corporate events for over three decades, and the team knows exactly how to make it work.

The Cocktail Menu

The bar at Vincenzo serves craft martinis including the classic Dry Martini, Dirty Martini, Espresso Martini, and house specialties. Italian cocktails like the Negroni and Aperol Spritz are menu staples. Classic American cocktails including the Old Fashioned and Manhattan are built with premium spirits and proper technique. The Italian wine list features bottles and glasses from Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, and beyond, with new selections rotating throughout the year.

Drinks and Dinner, All in One Place

The real advantage of choosing Vincenzo over the hotel bar is that you can turn drinks into dinner without moving. The full menu is available at the bar and in the dining room. Start with cocktails and appetizers, then order Lobster Ravioli ($44), Chicken Marsala ($27), a USDA Prime steak, or fresh seafood. Handmade pasta, scratch sauces, ocean-fresh fish. This is not convention food. This is one of Orlando's best Italian restaurants, voted number one every year since 2014, with over 4,000 reviews. And it happens to be minutes from the OCCC.

Complimentary valet parking is included every evening, which matters when you are navigating International Drive traffic during convention season. Walk out of the car, hand the keys over, and walk into a craft cocktail. That is how the evening should start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vincenzo Cucina Italiana is a proud member of the International Drive Chamber of Commerce.