ORLANDO, FL. – From the minds of True Grit Hospitality’s Carolina Sanchez and Curtis Peery comes Orlando’s hottest new destination for creative cocktails and unique dining, Voodoo Bayou. Located in Orlando’s thriving Doctor Phillips neighborhood, the restaurant is already making a splash after just a few weeks of opening their doors. Welcoming over 72 million consumers each year, Orlando is a global destination with unique competitive advantages when it comes to hospitality, which made it an attractive location for the restaurant.

“The Orlando area is a true melting pot of cultures and dining options,” shared Peery, the mastermind behind True Grit with over 23 years of extensive hospitality experience. “We knew it was the perfect area to showcase our passion for offering the freshest, most vibrant ingredients through our seasonal dining and drink menu in the sexiest Gothic setting and made the leap. Central Florida holds a special place in our hearts and it appears that the area feels the same way about us so far. We are looking forward to truly becoming a part of this community for both residents and visitors.”

Taking the lead on interior design, Sanchez created a gothic inspired outpost featuring many handcrafted pieces that will transport diners to the halls of a vivid gothic cathedral on the streets of New Orleans. Think rotating platforms, vaulted black brick ceilings, stained glass and neon purple lighting. The design can only be matched by the hand selected drinkware such as the Elvira inspired vessel to serve The Mistress, their top-selling libation and award-winning culinary delights.

Orlando will be the third Voodoo Bayou location in Florida. The concept launched in 2020 in Palm Beach Gardens and quickly rose to notoriety (even amid a worldwide pandemic) as the first southern cajun restaurant serving exotic craft cocktails, the largest, most extensive collection of bourbon and whiskey imaginable, and mouth-watering buttermilk biscuits, kickin’ gator bites, and the best fried chicken (as per the awards already racked up in Southern Florida) around. As with all restaurants in their portfolio, guest experience is a priority and the southern hospitality can be felt from the moment a guest enters the double doors.

Tucked into Voodoo Bayou Orlando is the seductive speakeasy, Roka Hula. Also designed by Sanchez, who took into account every inch of the space to create an immersive experience, guests will enter via the hidden entrance promising to take you on a provocative journey into a world of exotic cocktails and exquisite elevated dishes. Start with the Kinky Karrot (Pierre Ferrand 1840, naked malt blended scotch, absinthe, corn, carrot and honey) before moving on to the tastes that will tantalize such as the Kobe Beef Jewels or the Unagi Royale Roll.

Close to the theme parks of Universal Orlando Resort, the affluent Doctor Phillips suburb is defined by its elegant estates, golf courses, luxury spas, fitness studios, shops, and Restaurant Row.

Visitors to the area can get excited about Voodoo Bayou’s Happy Hour and Daily Specials – Mondays offer half-off select bottles of wine and bubbles, Fat Tuesdays feature smoked wings (minimum order of three) for $1.25/each, and Wild Oyster Wednesdays have special prices on raw, wood-fired, and fried oysters. Prime Rib Thursdays feature a 12 oz house-smoked Angus prime rib served with au jus for just $36. Weekend Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with $20 bottomless mimosas or endless Bloody Mary glasses. Special monthly whiskey flights are featured for $35. Happy Hour at the bar is Monday-Friday from 4-6 p.m. and Monday-Thursday from 10 p.m. to close. Voodoo Bayou offers something for everyone with featured spirits, including mixers, select cocktails, and the best old-fashioned drinks anywhere in Florida. Enjoy half-off cocktails, $2 off draft beer and wines by the glass, and $4 off select appetizers. Feast on select Happy Hour bar bites, wings, and oysters (minimum order of three) from 4-7 p.m.

Voodoo Bayou Orlando (with Roka Hula tucked inside) is located at 7525 W. Sand Lake Rd, Building A, Orlando, FL. Voodoo Bayou is open Monday-Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to midnight, and Fridays until 1:30 a.m. Saturday hours are 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Roka Hula is open Monday-Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday-Saturday 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and Sundays from 4 p.m.to 10 p.m. Live music coming soon!

For additional information, or to see menus, please visit https://voodoobayou.com or https://rokahula.com/orlando/, or contact Alvaro Sanchez at alvaro@truegrithospitality.com.