A new upscale, craft beer-focused restaurant and lounge announced earlier this month that it would be opening in downtown Orlando. Today, the Draft Global Beer Lounge & Grill confirmed its opening date. Here’s the release:
An all-new restaurant-bar-lounge concept that takes craft beer to a new, more sophisticated level is set to open Thursday, March 31, on West Church Street. Draft Global Beer Lounge & Grill, located directly across from the new Amway Center, will feature 40 drafts on tap and more than 100 bottled brands amidst contemporary custom-lit furnishings, private sofa seating and a gleaming acrylic bar.
“We’re very excited to introduce Orlando to Draft,” said owner and long-time restaurateur Willie Fisher. “We’re taking advantage of a huge interest in craft beers, but we’re doing so in a more urban, upscale environment. It’s really unlike anything else Orlando has to offer.”
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer pointed to Draft as an example of the continued revitalization of downtown Orlando and the fulfillment of the original vision of the Amway Center as an economic engine for neighborhoods west of Interstate 4.
“Dining, retail and entertainment options for our residents and visitors has increased tremendously in Downtown Orlando with more than 150 new businesses opened since the beginning of 2010,” said Dyer. “We’ve seen impressive momentum on West Church Street with the opening of the Amway Center in October of last year and we expect great things from Draft and the many other establishments in that area. I would like to congratulate Willie and his team and thank them for their investment in our community.”
Draft will serve lunch and dinner Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from a menu created by Executive Chef Bryce Balluff. Balluff, whose influence can be seen in local favorites like Luma On Park and Funky Monkey Wine Company, also brings experience from the kitchens of Asia de Cuba and Per Se in New York. His Draft menu is an eclectic mix of American fare as well as many specialties: Spring Rolls, Fried Mac and Cheese, Pina Colada Salad and Pork Shank.
“We expect to attract a diverse clientele, simply because of our location,” said Fisher. “We think our menu and ambience will attract the business crowd during lunch; we’ll become a pre-and post-game hang-out for Magic games and other events at the Center; and we’ll also attract late-night patrons looking for a hip, new spot to socialize. We’re ready for them all.”
For more information on Draft Global Beer Lounge & Grill, visit DraftOrlando.com. To book a reservation, call 407.826.1872.
I’ll try to get down there as soon as I can, but if anyone else makes it there before I do, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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