Inside: Lizzy McCormack’s

A lot of people avoid going to downtown Orlando because of the crowds, the scene, there’s no place to hang out, whatever. Poppycock (or whatever it is an Irish person would say that doesn’t include obscenities)! You mustn’t forget the little den of cool hangin’ that is Lizzy McCormack’s at 55 N. Orange Avenue, a sweet little Irish pub that doesn’t confuse easy-going with scruffiness, nor its downtown location as an excuse to jack the prices.

Décor: If you didn’t know any better, walking into Lizzy’s you might for a moment think you wandered into The Celt, as they’re laid out pretty similarly. But whereas The Celt’s long booths and big tables make it hard for small groups of people to sit and not hog spots, Lizzy’s uses small tables and short runs of seating to keep the walkway between the bar and the wall from getting crowded. There’s also seating on either end of the front door in the window rooms, and though it’s a little tight, you do get less of the music and a great opportunity to scope the people walking along Orange Avenue. But if there’s no room inside you can always try to score one of the outside tables, which are small but it’s better than standing the whole time. Smoking is allowed, and the ventilation is good enough that non-smokers probably won’t mind. For entertainment there’s a bunch of flat screen TVs showing sports (and often stuff like soccer and rugby from overseas), and in the back by the bathrooms there’s Silver Strike and Golden Tee video games.

The Bar: Lizzy’s proudly displays on posters, on every wall they can, their happy hour, which they call “the longest happy hour anywhere” (though they probably mean just Orlando). Every day (including weekends) from 2-8 p.m., you get 2-for-1 call drinks, 20 percent off all drafts (don’t worry, they’ll do the math for you), and a bunch of Jameson specials. If you don’t make happy hour, a well drink will run you $5, and though that seems a shade high for a pub, the glass it’s served in is good and large, and the pour is medium-strong. Guinness is $5.25 a pint, which isn’t too bad, but it is served at the proper temperature and with the loving attention to foam it deserves.

Service: One of the neat things about Lizzy’s is it’s a downtown bar where you stand a good chance of getting to know the bartenders without having to try too hard. They take time to socialize with the regulars, but they’re still quick to fill your glass.

Sounds: Music is pumped in by the bar and not some hideous touch screen, and it tends to be mostly popular ‘80s rock, and other dated but well-remembered hits. Bonus: they keep the volume below downtown-level so you can still talk to your friends and hear what they say to you.

Crowd: A few people dress up, but mostly it’s a pretty casual scene at Lizzy’s. You mostly get people in their mid-20s to mid-30s, and just about everyone is there to hang out, relax, and meet new people.

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