Quicksand: Orlando’s New Natural Wine Bar and Community Hub

Orlando. Quicksand, a natural wine bar at 1903 E. Colonial Drive, has become a local community hub less than nine months after opening. Led by Heather LaVine of Golden Hour, the venue presents a mix of a relaxed, inviting atmosphere and a wide wine selection that has drawn regular visitors and a range of collaborative events with Orlando food and beverage creatives.

Key facts first

Quicksand opened under nine months ago and positions itself as more than a place to drink wine. The bar offers a thoughtfully designed interior and an outdoor patio with large tables for game nights, while also providing a patio environment cozy enough that dogs commonly nap underneath. The venue stocks hundreds of wines, focuses on natural wine styles, and hosts recurring nights of music and food along with pop-up events created in partnership with local talents.

What the space offers

The interior combines elements meant to feel both comfortable and upscale, described by its operators as purposely welcoming. The patio is configured to support communal activities such as board and party games, while also accommodating quieter socializing. The wine list is broad, with a focus on natural and small-producer selections, enabling a wide range of tasting options for visitors. The business maintains an online presence at quicksand.wine where basic information about events and the venue is available.

Collaborations and programming

Quicksand works with established and emerging figures in Orlando’s culinary and beverage scene to create rotating programming. Collaborations have included known local names such as Kaya and EdoBoy, and the venue curates themed food nights, musical performances, and pop-up partnerships. The aim of programming is to offer recurring reasons for patrons to return and to provide a platform for local creative projects.

Community role and positioning

The operators describe Quicksand as a “third space” — a place that sits between home and work where people can gather, socialize, and attend community-focused events. Since opening, the bar has attracted a mix of regulars and first-time visitors and is positioned as an accessible place to spend time, whether for casual drinks, organized events, or small gatherings. The layout and activity schedule are intended to make time spent at the venue feel deliberate rather than transient.

Nearby nightlife and broader scene

Quicksand joins a broader constellation of nightlife and specialty beverage venues in the Orlando area. Notable local spots include Lucky Leprechaun Irish Pub and Murphy’s Pub Orlando among traditional nightlife destinations. Barbarella nightclub has relocated and revived prior event concepts in Winter Park. Other locally notable formats include a boba-pop up called Starbaby that has evolved into a weekly gathering at Koko under Hai and Kelley Truong, and Alfie’s HiFi, a listening lounge emphasizing disco-era music with cocktails and mood lighting.

Specialty and event-driven venues also contribute to the scene: Sideward Brewing runs an annual heavy metal event called Sideward Sabbath with no cover charge, and Conduit hosts a horror-themed trivia night presented by Scream Queen Janecka Olen. For wine-focused experiences beyond Quicksand, locals can visit Imperial Wine Bar & Beer Garden, Eola Wine Company, Lorelei, and a number of other wine bars and restaurants offering varied dining and wine selections.

Background and context

The growth of small, community-oriented beverage venues reflects a broader trend in urban neighborhoods where operators combine curated drink lists with social programming to create steady foot traffic and recurring events. Quicksand’s emergence in this context underscores an intent to blend wine service with social functions — including game nights, pop-ups, and partnerships with local creatives — making it part of a diverse and evolving Orlando hospitality landscape.

Practical information

Location: 1903 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando. Operating details, event schedules, and additional contact information are listed on the venue’s website at quicksand.wine. For a wider view of nightlife options and wine bars in the area, visitors can explore the other establishments noted above.