The Gnarly Barley

The Gnarly BarleyThe Gnarly Barley
The Gnarly BarleyThe Gnarly Barley
Bar, Eatery

7431 S Orange Ave
Orlando, Florida, 32809-6056
United States

(407) 854-4999 | map
thegnarlybarley.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.56
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
37
pDev:
7.02%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by alienlifeforcecube:
Photo of alienlifeforcecube
Reviewed by alienlifeforcecube from Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +4.2%
Really enjoyed my 1 hour that I could spare. Went with coworkers who are craft beer drinkers but not into sours. Had the breuery's oude tart. Awesome but coworkers didn't as much as I did. First and foremost the staff was phenomenal. Without great staff, the experience sours. Selection was great. Tap selection was well balanced; they have a small tap selection but each style was represented. Recommend highly.
Nov 20, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of robotic_being
Reviewed by robotic_being from Illinois

4.41/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
The location is semi ghetto and on a busy street but that aside, the beer selection is on point. They have really limited beers on draft and a fairly large selection of cans and bottles. The atmosphere is a mix between a Tiki lounge and a log cabin shack with a small patio and picnic tables out back. The food menu is mostly sandwiches but all of them will be delicious and very filling as the portions are ample. Service was very quick and friendly. Go grab a brew and something to eat here!
Apr 15, 2019
 
Rated: 4.45 by LisaPizza from Florida

Jul 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.19 by eawolff99 from Minnesota

Jun 25, 2018
 
Rated: 4.75 by Beerbuddha from Florida

Jun 15, 2018
 
Rated: 4.36 by Prost76 from New Hampshire

Feb 26, 2018
Photo of NeroFiddled
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

4.29/5  rDev -5.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
The Gnarly is a small comfortable place in what used to be someone's home a long time ago, but this is at least its third incarnation as a bar. It's got a wooden bar without any back bar, wooden floors (except for the faux wood tiles right around the bar - easier to clean), and a mural of a field of barley with a windmill. It can get a little loud seeing as it's so small, but there's seating outback that's calm and relaxing despite the traffic going by on 527. Also, I've heard it said that it's out in the middle of nowhere but that's not true (at least anymore), it's right up the street from the Bauern-stube German restaurant, and not really that far from the outlets in Oak Ridge.

The food is good, although perhaps a touch pricey, but probably worth it (depends on your tastes and level of thriftiness - $9 for a sub doesn't seem that bad to me if it's done right).

There are 16 beers on tap, and there's space on the beer board for a placard that would have made 17, and a beer engine sitting behind the bar, but it's apparently not in use any more. All of the beers on tap are top notch, there's no crap, and I've been impressed by their selection (I've currently got 4,780 reviews done, so I think that says something). The line-up is a mix of locals, domestics, and a few imports which is nice.

What I enjoy most about the Gnarly is that it's laid back, charming in its simplicity, and easy - the service is really good and very friendly. I might even go there if the beer selection wasn't as good as it's just so much nicer in my opinion than the more polished places like Brick House and World of Beer. Worth trying.
Dec 27, 2016
Photo of michiganbeerdrinker
Reviewed by michiganbeerdrinker from Michigan

4.81/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 5
Great little spot! Limited seating inside and outside seating, Food selection was decent. Tacos hit the mark and the tap list was "okay". Goose Island and Dog Fish had most of the tap's tonight. Would I return? for sure!
Jul 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.94 by Squire from Mississippi

Jun 27, 2016
 
Rated: 5 by tugg407 from Florida

Apr 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3.98 by MNBeerGeek from Minnesota

Apr 12, 2016
 
Rated: 5 by DisneyDaddy from Florida

Dec 18, 2015
Photo of rjp217
Reviewed by rjp217 from Massachusetts

4.89/5  rDev +7.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
Incredible spot. Really quality food and service. You would never know about this spot from the side of the road. Looks like a little shack but it is awesome. Really great local draft list. Expansive bottle and can list. Food is really good as well. A must stop.
Oct 04, 2015
Photo of KVNBGRY
Reviewed by KVNBGRY from Florida

4.23/5  rDev -7.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Small and very quaint. The food was very tasty and seemed to slightly pair with the beer. The tap list wasn't highly impressive, but was eclectic. The service was as quick and precise as you'd expect. Will keep in mind for another trip.
Aug 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4.35 by suckaj from Florida

Jul 08, 2015
Photo of MacSon1982
Reviewed by MacSon1982 from Florida

4.74/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5
Amazing food, great selection of draught and bottles (couple of whalez too). Place can get a bit overcrowded at times and this forces people to sit outside in the Florida heat. Besides that, absolutely one of the best beer spots around.
Jun 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4.48 by pagriley from Illinois

Jun 12, 2015
Photo of shivtim
Rated by shivtim from Georgia

4.4/5  rDev -3.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
Great stop in the Orlando area. Just 16 on tap, but they're all good. Nice little porch and outdoor section.
Feb 24, 2015
 
Rated: 4.46 by Mangbus from Florida

Feb 16, 2015
Photo of floridadrift
Reviewed by floridadrift from Florida

5/5  rDev +9.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
A great spot, a little ways from mainstream downtown Orlando, its in the SoDo region.

Top notch beers all day long, with great food. You can buy whales if they have them in stock for double the standard price.

Awesome anniversary parties.
Feb 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.6 by pmangold from Florida

Jan 19, 2015
 
Rated: 3.83 by iTunesUpdates from Florida

Dec 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Agentveba from North Carolina

Dec 15, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by bmur112 from Maryland

Nov 10, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by joeymorris from Florida

Nov 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by joemochas from Florida

Jul 28, 2014
 
Photo of Stiggy
Reviewed by Stiggy from Florida

4.69/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
One of the best craft beer bars in Central Florida, and certainly the best in the south Orlando area. Only 16 taps and modest but decent bottle selection, but man are their craft beer selections outstanding. Beer for beer one of the best selections of local and hard to find craft beers anywhere. And they offer an imaginative casual pub food menu...sandwiches, tacos, salads, flatbread pizzas...of outstanding quality food!

Located in what looks to be a small old house with a cozy, rustic feel inside. Dirt parking lot surrounding decent sized outdoor back porch and biergarten area. Staff is young, hard working, extremely friendly and very knowledgable about the beers they serve. Satellite TVs showing sports, and board games and free wifi available for times when all you want is a casual hangout. Usually will find a relaxed crowd of varied ages hanging there. Highly recommend!
Jun 28, 2014
Photo of sonnylemmons
Reviewed by sonnylemmons from Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.75
If you're in the Orlando area and want/need to get away from everything mouse related (and overpraised), take the time to make the drive here. You may think you're heading into an abandoned industrial area, but that's due to the massive amount of trains in the area.

The menu is slightly limited, but the taste of everything is great. I suggest the "Build Your Own Grilled Cheese," but do what I did: select Mac & Cheese as one of your cheeses, and add bacon and/or jalapeños. You'll thank me.

The bottle selection is fairly standard with a few gems, but the ten drafts they have are sometimes unreal (Prairie Bomb, anyone?).
Jun 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by gymst20 from Florida

Jun 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Zack_B from Florida

Jun 11, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by cjgator3 from Florida

Jun 07, 2014
Photo of dannyhead
Reviewed by dannyhead from Florida

4.3/5  rDev -5.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
This is a great place to grab above par pub style food. It's an even better place to grab great craft beer in Orlando. They have a decent amount of great beer on tap and their bottle selection is impressive. The place doesn't look like much from the outside but it's nice and cozy on the inside. There's word that they will be expanding soon. I recommend going for the food (try the brisket) and highly recommend going there for the beer selection and atmosphere.
Mar 24, 2014
Photo of Durge
Reviewed by Durge from Connecticut

4.29/5  rDev -5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
First impression from outside as you pull in the dirt parking lot is that it's a dive of a tiny roadhouse/ shack. But as you enter it quickly warms up to being a small but cozy little beer hideaway. Dark and relaxing with a small crowd late on a Tuesday night we had no problem finding a couple stools at the 12-14 seat bar and getting quality attention from the staff to select from their 16 taps and a cask. The cask was Cask & Larder and poured nicely with great results. Didn't try the food but they were still serving at nearly 11 PM. Although 16 taps isn't huge by today's beer bar standards, the selection and quality was pretty terrific with a very good variety of styles. There's outdoor seating, a couple televisions if you need one and a number of indoor tables for small groups. The staff seems plenty knowledgeable and definitely friendly by my experience. It's now a definite regular stop for me when in Orlando. May get crowded at times I suspect but worth checking out for sure!
Mar 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by deleted_user_722966 from New Hampshire

Feb 18, 2014
Photo of Kenyon
Reviewed by Kenyon from South Carolina

4.51/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
We were sitting at Rossi's Pizza in Orlando enjoying what we thought was the best well rounded craft beer selection in the city. (I realize Redlight, Redlight has great Belgium beer.) A gentleman next to use suggested that if we liked craft beer we should try Gnarly Barley. We finished our beers, paid the tab and walked into Gnarly Barley about 10 minutes later. We are now overjoyed to know 2 really good craft beer bars in Orlando. Gnarly Barley has 16 taps all devoted to great craft beer. The generally have several Cigar City beers and others from Green Flash, Dog Fish Head, Brooklyn Brewing and several imports. The owners are also eager to help select beers as needed and to talk about the craft beer scene in general.

The Gnarly Barley is not big but very laid back. Its a place that makes you feel at home with a bar and tables inside and a patio out back that should be a great place to kick back with a brew in the Spring and Fall. Food menus is generally pub grub with an emphasis on house specialty tacos. We didn't eat but the food looked and smelled great. I think the website is pretty accurate as to food and beer selection.

We will certainly be going back to The Gnarly Barley the next visit of Orlando and encourage you to give it a try as well.
Feb 07, 2013
The Gnarly Barley in Orlando, FL
Place rating: 4.56 out of 5 with 37 ratings