Peacock shows local color

Mills Avenue is a famous local strip that houses the Orlando Museum of Art and veteran dive bar Will's Pub, but there's one more local treasure with a crowd and atmosphere as eclectic as its name: The Peacock Room.

The lounge is so hidden away that once you find it, you have to park and enter through the back of the building.

The three-room bar has a mix of local and purchased art with ambient lighting and house music to give off a swanky, local feel.

"I come to this bar every Tuesday and Thursday night because I can't think of anywhere better to hang out at in Orlando," said Peacock patron, Caitlin Sullivan. "Nothing beats this awesome crowd of people, the good drinks and the service. I really like how every month the art changes and that there's no cover to get in during the week." 

The entrance to the bar opens up into the main area where the majority of the crowd hangs out. The walls in the main area are filled with work from local artists, which changes every four weeks.

The only bar is located in the main room, and despite the crowd, the service is quick and the prices are reasonable.

Daniel Matos, a senior English major, ordered a vodka cranberry his first time at the bar, and was impressed with how quickly he was served.

"I walked right up and it took about two minutes for the bartender to come up to me," Matos said. "The service is great and I like the atmosphere of this bar."

The second room of the bar offers a better lounge area with couches and chairs. The only downside is the DJ booth, which is located in the lounge, making it difficult to hold conversation.

The lounge connects to the venue portion of the bar where local and visiting bands play. The venue is the only room with doors separating it from the rest of the bar.

The Peacock Room opened in January 2001 and has been a growing local hot spot ever since, said manager and bartender Tania Bernard.

The bar is open seven days a week, with happy hour Monday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday is ladies night with two for one domestics and well drinks, which Bernard said is the bar's most popular night.