A Private Party Venue Near UCF That Actually Delivers
If you are a UCF student, alum, faculty member, or part of a campus organization looking for a private party venue near UCF, Pour Choice Taphouse should be at the top of your list. Located at 1225 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803 in the heart of the Mills 50 District, we are approximately 15 minutes from UCF's main campus and easy to reach via University Blvd, the 408 (East-West Expressway), or I-4. You do not need to drive across Orlando or settle for a generic chain restaurant with a roped-off corner. Pour Choice is a dedicated event space that gives you the flexibility, the atmosphere, and the experience that UCF celebrations deserve.
Pour Choice Taphouse is Orlando's largest self-pour craft beer bar, featuring 50 rotating taps of craft beer, hard seltzer, cider, and cocktails on tap. Every guest receives an RFID wristband and can pour whatever they want, whenever they want, paying only by the ounce. We also have a full liquor bar with bartenders ready to make cocktails, pour wine, or serve spirits. Whether your group is celebrating a 21st birthday, a graduation, a Greek life formal, or the end of the semester, the self-pour system turns every event into something memorable and genuinely fun.
What makes Pour Choice stand apart from other private party venues near UCF is the combination of our interactive tap technology, our open food policy, our entertainment setup, and our Mills 50 location. You bring the food you want from wherever you want, set up a DJ or live music, use our HDTVs for slideshows or presentations, and let your guests explore 50 taps at their own pace. There is nothing else like it within 15 minutes of UCF, and your guests will be talking about it long after the night is over.
Why UCF Students, Alumni, and Organizations Choose Pour Choice
There is no shortage of bars and restaurants in the Orlando area, but finding a private party venue near UCF that checks every box is harder than you might think. Most bars near campus are small, loud, and not set up for private events. Restaurant banquet rooms feel sterile and come with overpriced catering packages you are forced to buy. Generic event halls require you to bring in everything from tables to bartenders. Pour Choice Taphouse solves all of those problems in one place.
The self-pour tap wall is the centerpiece of the experience. Your guests are not waiting in a single-file line at a crowded bar. They are walking up to a wall of 50 taps with their RFID wristband, browsing the selections, trying a small pour of a new IPA or a cider they have never had before, and chatting with friends while they do it. This interactive element is a built-in icebreaker that works for every type of event, whether it is a close group of friends celebrating a birthday or a large organization bringing together people who may not know each other well.
The BYO food policy is another major reason UCF groups love Pour Choice. You are never locked into an expensive catering menu. Order pizza from your favorite spot. Bring trays of wings from a local restaurant. Hire a food truck. Set up a taco bar. Bring a homemade cake. The food is entirely your decision, and that flexibility is a lifesaver when you are working with a student organization budget or just want to keep costs down for a group of friends. You deal directly with whatever food provider you choose and pay their prices, not a venue markup.
The venue itself holds 91 guests indoors with a large outdoor area for additional capacity. That is big enough for a full fraternity or sorority social, a graduation party with family and friends, or a large UCF alumni gathering. And because we offer both full venue buyouts and semi-private options, you can tailor the setup to your group size and budget. Smaller groups can reserve a section while still enjoying the energy of the taphouse. Larger groups can take over the entire space for complete privacy and control.
Why UCF Groups Choose Pour Choice
- 15 minutes from UCF main campus via University Blvd, 408, or I-4
- 50 self-pour taps with RFID wristbands for an interactive experience
- Full liquor bar with cocktails, wine, and spirits
- BYO food from any source with no required catering packages
- Space for a DJ or live music
- 91 indoor capacity plus large outdoor area
- Multiple HDTVs for slideshows, presentations, or sports
- A large shared parking lot, free street parking, and easy rideshare access
Venue Features and Amenities
Everything you need for a memorable party near UCF.
50 Self-Pour Taps
Our rotating selection of 50 self-pour taps features craft beer, hard seltzer, cider, and cocktails on tap. Guests wear RFID wristbands and pour their own drinks, paying only for what they pour by the ounce. It is an interactive experience that keeps the energy high all night.
Full Liquor Bar
In addition to the 50 taps, we have a full liquor bar with experienced bartenders. Whether your guests want a cocktail, a shot for the birthday toast, or something off the taps, everyone can find exactly what they want to drink.
Bring Your Own Food
Our BYO food policy means you call the shots on catering. Bring pizza, order from your favorite restaurant, hire a food truck, or set up a full catered spread. No required packages, no menus you are stuck with, and no venue markups on food.
DJ and Live Music Space
We have space for a DJ or live music to take your party to the next level. Bring your own entertainment, or let us help you secure talent. The venue is ready for everything from a curated playlist to a full DJ set that keeps the dance floor packed.
Multiple HDTVs
Our venue features multiple HDTVs throughout the space. Display a slideshow for a graduation party, show a presentation for a student org meeting, put on the UCF game, or play custom content for your event.
Free Parking
Pour Choice has a large shared parking lot plus free street parking around the venue on Mills Ave and the surrounding streets, so your guests have options without hunting for paid lots or garages. The Mills 50 area is also well-served by Uber and Lyft for guests coming from the UCF area.
"LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BAR!!! They have the wristbands to self-pour drinks but they recently added an AWESOME bar inside! Best of both worlds! Great assortment of drinks to keep everyone happy. Lots of tv's but not too loud. Perfect spot to meet up with a group of friends."
Popular UCF Events We Host at Pour Choice Taphouse
Pour Choice Taphouse has become a go-to private party venue for UCF students, alumni, and campus organizations. Our location, our amenities, and our flexibility make us the right fit for a wide range of UCF-related events. Here are some of the most popular types of celebrations and gatherings we host.
21st Birthday Parties: Turning 21 is a milestone, and UCF students deserve a venue that matches the occasion. Pour Choice is the perfect setting for a 21st birthday because the self-pour taps give the birthday person and their friends an experience they cannot get anywhere else near campus. Everyone gets their own RFID wristband, explores the 50 taps, and pours exactly what they want. Add in a birthday cake (BYO, of course), a DJ, and a group of your closest friends, and you have a 21st birthday that nobody will forget. The pay-by-the-ounce system also means your guests control their own spending, which is ideal when you are organizing a party for fellow students.
Graduation Celebrations: You just walked across the stage at Addition Financial Arena. Your family is in town. Your friends want to celebrate. Pour Choice is the ideal place to bring everyone together after commencement. The venue is big enough for family and friends, the BYO food policy lets you bring in whatever you want for the celebration, and the self-pour taps give everyone something fun and interactive to enjoy. Use our HDTVs to display a slideshow of your college journey, from move-in day to cap and gown. It is a graduation party that feels personal, relaxed, and completely yours.
Fraternity and Sorority Events: Greek life at UCF is active and social, and Pour Choice is built for the kinds of events that fraternities and sororities love to throw. Whether it is a mixer, a social, a date night, a philanthropy event, or an end-of-semester celebration, our space handles groups of all sizes. A full venue buyout gives your chapter exclusive access to the entire venue, including all 50 taps, the full bar, the outdoor area, and the HDTVs. The BYO food policy keeps costs manageable for chapter budgets, and the self-pour system ensures your members and guests are always having a great time.
UCF Alumni Gatherings: Whether it is a homecoming reunion, a five-year reunion, or just a group of UCF grads getting together to catch up, Pour Choice provides a fun and memorable setting. The self-pour taps are a natural conversation starter for alumni who may not have seen each other in years. The venue is centrally located in Orlando, which is convenient for alumni who still live in the area as well as those coming in from out of town. Set up a slideshow on the HDTVs, bring food from a favorite campus-area restaurant, and give your fellow Knights a night to remember.
End-of-Semester Parties: Finals are over, projects are submitted, and it is time to celebrate. End-of-semester parties are one of the most popular event types we host for UCF groups. The timing works perfectly because Pour Choice is open late on Fridays and Saturdays (until 2 AM), and the self-pour system means large groups can serve themselves without long wait times at the bar. Whether it is a small group of roommates or an entire student organization, we can accommodate your crew.
Student Organization Celebrations: UCF has hundreds of student organizations, and many of them need a venue for award banquets, end-of-year celebrations, officer transitions, and social events. Pour Choice is a versatile space that works for all of these. The HDTVs can display presentations or award slideshows, the BYO food policy keeps things affordable, and the atmosphere is relaxed enough for a casual celebration but polished enough for a more formal occasion.
The Self-Pour Experience: Why It Works for UCF Parties
If you have never been to a self-pour bar, here is how it works at Pour Choice Taphouse. When you and your guests arrive, everyone checks in at the bar and receives an RFID wristband. That wristband is your key to the entire self-pour wall. Walk up to any of the 50 taps, tap your wristband to the sensor, and pour whatever you want. You pay by the ounce, which means you can try a small taste of something new or pour a full glass of your favorite. The system tracks everything automatically, so there is no need to flag down a bartender or wait in line during the busiest moments of the night.
For UCF events, this system is a game changer. Large groups at traditional bars often deal with bottlenecks at the bar, especially during the first hour when everyone is arriving and getting their first drink. At Pour Choice, the entire tap wall is available to everyone at the same time. Your guests spread out, explore the options, try new things, and start conversations while they pour. It is social, it is interactive, and it keeps the energy up from start to finish.
The rotating selection on our 50 taps covers a wide range of tastes. Craft beer enthusiasts will find IPAs, stouts, lagers, wheat beers, and seasonal specials. Guests who prefer something lighter can choose from hard seltzers and ciders. We also have cocktails on tap for those who want something mixed. And for anyone who prefers a classic cocktail, a glass of wine, or a spirit served neat, our full liquor bar with bartenders has them covered. No matter what your guests drink, they will find plenty of options at Pour Choice.
The pay-by-the-ounce model is also practical for groups on a budget. Your guests only pay for what they actually pour, which means no overpriced pitchers, no minimum drink orders, and no surprise bar tabs. Everyone controls their own spending, which is especially appreciated when you are organizing a party for fellow students or recent graduates. It is a system that is fair, transparent, and surprisingly affordable for the quality and variety of what is on tap.
"This is such a great concept. When you arrive, you check in at the bar, open a tab, and receive a RFID wristband. From that point on the wall of taps is at your disposal. The self pour/pay by the ounce system gives you the ability to try beers or ciders you may not normally order. Great place! We will definitely be back."
Capacity, Layout, and Private Event Options
Pour Choice Taphouse has an indoor capacity of 91 people, along with a large outdoor space that can accommodate additional guests. This size hits the sweet spot for many UCF events. It is big enough for a full Greek chapter social, a graduation party with extended family and friends, or a large student org celebration. It is also the right size for more intimate gatherings like a birthday party with your closest group or a small alumni reunion.
We offer both private and semi-private event configurations. A full venue buyout gives you exclusive access to the entire space, including all 50 self-pour taps, the full bar, the outdoor area, and all of the HDTVs. This is the best option when you want complete privacy and control over the atmosphere, the music, and the guest list. Semi-private options let you reserve a dedicated section of the venue for your group while the rest of the taphouse operates normally. This works well for smaller parties, casual get-togethers, and events where you want the energy of a lively bar around you.
The layout of the venue is open and encourages socializing. The self-pour tap wall is a natural gathering point where people explore options, compare pours, and strike up conversations. The bar area provides a more traditional setting. The outdoor space offers fresh air and a change of scenery that guests always appreciate, especially during Orlando's warm evenings. Whether you want room for a dance floor, a seated area for dinner, a DJ booth, or a cocktail-style standing reception, we can work with you to configure the space for your specific event.
Bring Your Own Food. Bring Any Caterer.
You are never locked into a set menu or an overpriced catering package. Order pizza, bring a food truck, set up a taco bar, or hire a professional caterer. The food is entirely your call, and that flexibility is one of the biggest reasons UCF groups choose Pour Choice for their events.
Getting to Pour Choice from UCF and Nearby Areas
Pour Choice Taphouse is located at 1225 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, in the Mills 50 District. The drive from UCF's main campus takes approximately 15 minutes, and there are several easy routes to get here.
From UCF via University Blvd: Head west on University Blvd toward downtown Orlando. Pick up I-4 or the 408 (East-West Expressway) and exit toward Mills Avenue. The venue is on North Mills Ave, right in the heart of Mills 50. Most UCF students find this to be the fastest and most straightforward route.
From UCF via the 408: Take the 408 westbound from the UCF area. Exit at Mills Avenue and head north. Pour Choice Taphouse is a short drive up Mills Ave. This route avoids surface street traffic and is a reliable option during busier times of day.
From Full Sail University: Full Sail is even closer to Pour Choice than UCF. Head west on University Blvd or take the 408 to Mills Ave. The drive is typically 10 to 12 minutes.
From Research Park and Waterford Lakes: Groups coming from the UCF Research Park or the Waterford Lakes area can take the 408 west to Mills Ave. The drive is usually 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic.
Rideshare from UCF: Uber and Lyft are popular options for UCF students heading to Pour Choice. The ride from campus to the Mills 50 District is affordable and takes about 15 minutes. This is a great option for groups where everyone wants to enjoy the 50 taps without worrying about driving.
Parking: When you arrive, a large shared parking lot and free street parking are available around the venue on Mills Avenue and the surrounding streets. There is no need for paid lots or garages.
Nearby Landmarks and Distances
- UCF Main Campus: approximately 15 minutes
- Full Sail University: approximately 10 to 12 minutes
- UCF Research Park: approximately 15 to 20 minutes
- Waterford Lakes Town Center: approximately 18 to 20 minutes
- Downtown Orlando: approximately 5 minutes
- Ivanhoe Village: adjacent neighborhood
Hours at Pour Choice Taphouse
Pour Choice Taphouse is open five days a week, with hours that work well for UCF events of all types.
- Wednesday: 5 PM to 12 AM
- Thursday: 5 PM to 12 AM
- Friday: 5 PM to 2 AM
- Saturday: 12 PM to 2 AM
- Sunday: 12 PM to 10 PM
- Monday & Tuesday: Available for private events by request
Friday and Saturday nights are open until 2 AM, which makes them ideal for 21st birthday parties, end-of-semester celebrations, and late-night gatherings. Saturday and Sunday both open at noon, providing plenty of time for daytime graduation parties, afternoon alumni reunions, and events that start early and run into the evening.
If your UCF event needs a Monday or Tuesday, we will open on days we are normally closed for private bookings. Just let us know your preferred date in the inquiry form below and we will work with you to make it happen.
"What a cool place! I love the idea of paying per oz and trying a little bit of everything or getting my favorites to sip on. The variety was amazing, I loved how they broke it down into sections. Our bartender was fantastic. I can't wait to go again."
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosting a Party Near UCF
Everything you need to know about booking your UCF event at Pour Choice Taphouse.
📅 Need a Day We Are Normally Closed?
Pour Choice Taphouse is typically open Wednesday through Sunday, but we will open on Monday or Tuesday for private events if your group needs it. If you have a specific date in mind that falls outside our regular hours, just let us know in your inquiry and we will make it work.
Related Event Pages
Learn more about the types of events we host at Pour Choice Taphouse.