Downtown Orlando is getting a new neighborhood hangout with the upcoming opening of Outpost Neighborhood Tavern, expected to open soon (maybe even next week) at 227 N. Eola Drive, in the former Persimmon Hollow Brewing space.

The concept comes from John Teixeira and Devon Tillman. Teixeira also runs the OUT Sports League, which boasts over 1,200 members and offers six sports plus bowling, with games happening almost every night of the week.

Tillman told us the idea sparked after he wasn’t able to renew the lease on his former Thornton Park hangout, Island Time. He was ready for something new and that’s when Teixeira stepped in. “After every OUT Sports game, players are looking for a place to grab a drink and maybe talk some sh*t,” Teixeira told him. “So what if we just create that space?”

Outpost is proudly gay-owned, but intentionally designed to be welcoming to everyone. They’re already printing T-shirts with the house motto: “All are welcome. Just don’t be a bitch.”

Credit: Zach Van Dyke

The project received $84,000 through the City of Orlando’s DTO Restaurant Program, which helped cover plumbing, drywall, and first-year rent relief. The grant is part of the city’s effort to bring more small, independent restaurants and bars to downtown.

Expect a Southern-inspired comfort food menu—fried chicken, burgers, mac and cheese, hushpuppies, fried okra—and of course, plenty of beer. The space will seat around 200 people, indoors and out, with flat-screen TVs everywhere so you never miss a game. For now, Outpost will open for dinner only, with brunch service coming soon and yes, that means a brand-new drag brunch is on its way to Orlando.

Follow the progress and get updates at outpostorl.com.

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