Orlando, Florida, October 25, 2025
News Summary
Walter’s Tavern, a new 3,800-square-foot bar, will open next month at the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in Orlando’s Packing District. Named after Walter Phillips, the bar will feature craft cocktails, live entertainment, and a unique sports-viewing experience. Managed by Zack Zeisloft and operated by Pine Street Hospitality, known for other popular venues, it aims to become a community hub for locals and visitors alike. The venue is currently hiring for bartenders and barbacks in anticipation of its launch.
Orlando — Walter’s Tavern, a 3,800-square-foot bar, is set to open next month at the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in The Packing District. The new venue will offer craft cocktails, live entertainment, and an elevated sports-viewing experience, and aims to serve as a community hub for both locals and visitors.
What’s opening and where
Walter’s Tavern, a 3,800-square-foot bar, is set to open next month at the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in The Packing District. The bar is named after Walter Phillips, the son of Dr. Phillips. It will offer craft cocktails, live entertainment, and an elevated sports-viewing experience.
Management, operator and staffing
Zack Zeisloft will serve as the general manager of Walter’s Tavern. Pine Street Hospitality, known for other venues like Bullitt Bar and McQueen’s, is behind the opening of Walter’s Tavern. Walter’s Tavern is currently hiring bartenders and barbacks for its opening team.
Community role and visitor experience
The venue is being positioned to create a local gathering spot with a mix of beverage service, live shows and enhanced viewing for sporting events. Programming and staffing are being organized to support a combination of evening entertainment and daytime social traffic within the food hall.
Other recent and upcoming openings in the area
- Mamazzita Gastrobar, a new Peruvian/Latin restaurant, has opened near the Florida Mall at 1949 W. Sand Lake Road.
- Dumpling house Jiang’s Kitchen will open downtown at 27 E. Robinson St. early next year.
- Eric Jiang, owner of Jiang’s Kitchen, will also open Fan Hwa, a Chinese dessert and bao shop at 709 N. Mills Ave.
- Food truck Suya Bite has opened at 1023 W. Colonial Drive offering West African cuisine.
- Gallo’s Pollo & Grill will open at 490 N. Semoran Blvd. specializing in Latin American-style rotisserie chicken.
- Dr. Drips, a coffee shop and kava bar, has opened at 1618 N. Orange Ave. in Ivanhoe Village.
- Talkin’ Tacos, an all-halal Mexican taquería, has opened its fourth location at 2007 W. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee.
- Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has closed its Lake Eola location at 31 E. Central Blvd. a little over a year after its opening.
Timing and hiring
The opening timeline is set for next month at the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in The Packing District. Staffing notices indicate open positions for bartenders and barbacks as the venue prepares to launch service. Recruitment is focused on hiring a front-of-house team experienced in cocktails and live-event service.
Why it matters
The introduction of a 3,800-square-foot bar within a food hall adds a larger-format beverage and entertainment anchor to the complex, offering a mix of nightlife and daytime activity. The combination of craft cocktails, live entertainment and enhanced sports viewing seeks to broaden the food hall’s appeal to different customer groups and extend operating hours. The entry of Pine Street Hospitality into this location leverages the operator’s background with other city venues.
Operational context
The Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall is being used as a location for multiple new and expanding food and beverage concepts. Walter’s Tavern will join other openings and new concepts across the Orlando area that include restaurants, dessert shops, food trucks and specialty beverage operations. These moves reflect ongoing turnover and investment in local dining and hospitality offerings.
FAQ
When and where is Walter’s Tavern opening?
Walter’s Tavern, a 3,800-square-foot bar, is set to open next month at the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in The Packing District.
What will Walter’s Tavern offer?
It will offer craft cocktails, live entertainment, and an elevated sports-viewing experience.
Who is operating Walter’s Tavern?
Pine Street Hospitality, known for other venues like Bullitt Bar and McQueen’s, is behind the opening of Walter’s Tavern.
Who will manage Walter’s Tavern?
Zack Zeisloft will serve as the general manager of Walter’s Tavern.
Is Walter’s Tavern hiring?
Walter’s Tavern is currently hiring bartenders and barbacks for its opening team.
Have there been other recent restaurant openings nearby?
Mamazzita Gastrobar, a new Peruvian/Latin restaurant, has opened near the Florida Mall at 1949 W. Sand Lake Road.
What is coming downtown early next year?
Dumpling house Jiang’s Kitchen will open downtown at 27 E. Robinson St. early next year.
Are there related openings from the owner of Jiang’s Kitchen?
Eric Jiang, owner of Jiang’s Kitchen, will also open Fan Hwa, a Chinese dessert and bao shop at 709 N. Mills Ave.
What new food truck has opened locally?
Food truck Suya Bite has opened at 1023 W. Colonial Drive offering West African cuisine.
What other restaurants are planned or opened?
Gallo’s Pollo & Grill will open at 490 N. Semoran Blvd. specializing in Latin American-style rotisserie chicken.
What new beverage spots have opened?
Dr. Drips, a coffee shop and kava bar, has opened at 1618 N. Orange Ave. in Ivanhoe Village.
Are there new locations for existing concepts?
Talkin’ Tacos, an all-halal Mexican taquería, has opened its fourth location at 2007 W. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee.
Have there been any recent closures?
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has closed its Lake Eola location at 31 E. Central Blvd. a little over a year after its opening.
Key features chart
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Size | 3,800-square-foot |
| Location | Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in The Packing District |
| Name origin | Named after Walter Phillips, the son of Dr. Phillips |
| Offerings | Craft cocktails, live entertainment, and an elevated sports-viewing experience |
| Operator | Pine Street Hospitality, known for other venues like Bullitt Bar and McQueen’s |
| General manager | Zack Zeisloft |
| Hiring | Currently hiring bartenders and barbacks for its opening team |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Orlando Weekly: Restaurant Openings
- Wikipedia: Orlando
- WFTV: Atlanta Hospitality Group
- Google Search: Orlando restaurants
- Bungalower: Walter’s Tavern Opening
- Google Scholar: Orlando food scene
- Orlando Date Night Guide: Rooftop Bars
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Orlando
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
