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    The Black Squirrel Bookstore

    4.8 (15 reviews)
    Open 6:00 pm - 11:30 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    The Black Squirrel Bookstore Photos

    THE BLACK SQUIRREL BOOKSTORE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    LB C.

    Delightful surprise in a cute little town, offers a social atmosphere for you and friends! Fantastic vibe! Just know it's only wine and beer but they do have books to check out during your visit!

    Speakeasy
    Mia K.

    A spectacular completely unexpected hidden gem in the beautiful town of St Cloud Florida. As you walk into the front doors, it looks you are walking into a bookstore with all a variety of nostalgic items for purchase. As your progress back there's a bookshelf it's a special one that will take you through to the other side which therein lies the cutest quaintest speakeasy I have ever seen. Currently it is decorated inside as a nostalgic Christmas scene something from the mid 1960s --70s! They serve wine and beer at the bar however I will say you'd be surprised it's not just always the typical wines that you would receive or think you would see. I love espresso martinis and there I was served one but it was made with wine instead. Very neat to have that experience with them. I wouldn't have known as a better but I knew how delicious that it tasted I had to find out what it was made with. Now I won't tell their secret but you will have to go to try I promise you will like it. And if you're not an espresso fan there is definitely a wide variety of wines and beers for others to choose. The environment itself is just spectacular to sit there enjoy whether you're with a couple of friends or a group of people. This one surprised me! Make sure you make this a stop while you are staying or just passing through sweet St. Cloud, Florida!

    My winning card
    Felicia B.

    The Black Squirrel hosted a Glo Bingo Night (saw it on Facebook). I really didn't expect much it's just your regular bingo night boy was I wrong!! The event started at 6:30pm so my friend and I showed up at 6:25pm the door was locked no worries we were 5 mins early. Another group of ladies showed up behind us and after waiting another 2 mins she asked if we rang the doorbell. We said no because why would I think to ring the doorbell if the event started at 6:30 so, she pressed the doorbell and just like that someone came to the door (WHO KNEW)!! We are finally in she scans our QR code because you had to pre register. Now while outside the place looks empty no one is there so I'm thinking it's going to be a full night UNTIL she opened a secret door that lead us to another room. THE PLACED WAS ALMOST PACKED!! The decor , neon lights, great music was playing and the bartender Aubrey was amazing!! The bingo host (I forgot her name) but she was great too. We didn't order food but they partnered up with a couple of the other local restaurants nearby to order from. Fun night I did win a $25 gift card to use at another visit.

    Beautiful chandelier
    Erin G.

    Cute speakeasy in the back of the Cloud 9 store. Solve 3 clues to gain entry. They are still open when the store is closed. There is a doorbell to gain entry. Cute lounge with a glitzy interior which is appealing and comfortable at the same time. They have a player piano that looks like a baby grand. Service was prompt and the menu offers several choices for beer and wine. Also available is several different sizes of charcuterie platters. We had a sangria as part of a St. Cloud Art and Food festival. I definitely want to return and spend some time to enjoy the ambiance and wine list.

    Campfire-squirrel
    Matt O.

    Great Speakeasy vibe. The room is well decorated, owner is friendly and knowledgeable and the bartender (mixologist) was great. A place to you want come and relax. Don't pass this up if you are in the area.

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    Ask the Community - The Black Squirrel Bookstore

    Review Highlights - The Black Squirrel Bookstore

    Another group of ladies showed up behind us and after waiting another 2 mins she asked if we rang the doorbell.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Lorelei - Beef carpaccio

    Lorelei

    4.5(55 reviews)
    21.8 miPark Lake / Lake Highland, Mills50

    Lorelei is just the CUTEST European-inspired wine bar! Upon arrival, you feel as if you've been…read moretransported to a wine bar in France, and, in all honesty, what more can one want? It is located in the Mills 50 district next to Tori Tori (another local FAV). It is truly a nice little getaway spot from the usual hustle and bustle of the Mills 50 bar scene. They have seating indoors and outdoors. Their outdoor patio area is charming and adorned with umbrellas, and the fountain just adds a special touch, as well as masks the typical street sounds of passing cars and passersby. In the cooler months, the patio is just a vibe! The interior is just as charming with "French-inspired" influences, lovely lighting & decor that ties in the European escape this wine bar beautifully embodies. On my first visit, we tried to sit outdoors, but the Florida heat (& bees) had other plans for us. So, we transitioned inside and sat at their bar area. We were immediately greeted by the kindest servers who guided us on their menu selections. My friend and I, with similar wine tastes (we both love our wines DRY like DESERT), both opted for a glass of rosé and YUM! We followed it up with a white selection recommended by our server, and we enjoyed it immensely. Truly ten, ten, tens across the board! We did not eat (which, in all honesty, is okay with me). And based on reviews from various other Yelpers, the consensus SEEMS to be to eat prior to coming to Lorelei. So, I kept that in mind and on my second visit to Lorelei, I decided to just try MORE of their wine selection. On my most recent visit, we did try some light bites. Typically, on all my visits, I usually cap around two glasses of wine, and it's reasonable. They are not the cheapest spot, especially if you add food to your tab, but for the quality, it is worth it (to me as it relates to the wine selection), as I haven't really had a terrible glass of wine there. Maybe on my next visit, I'll try more of their food menu. Beyond that, Lorelei has been a great addition to the Mills 50 District! I am looking forward to how they will grow with the community!

    I finally made it here for a craft event hosted on the patio! The ambiance is so fun and European…read morefeeling - it's like being transported to somewhere outside of Orlando! It was a hot night but they do keep some fans outside. They have a nice wine selection - we both enjoyed different whites and both were delish! The inside looks gorg as well - definitely small, but very well decorated. Service was attentive during the event. Giving 4 stars because the food menu seems a bit limited - the snacks weren't calling to me for the price point, but I'd definitely return just for drinks. So fun!

    Photos
    Lorelei - Interior

    Interior

    Lorelei - And yummier

    And yummier

    Lorelei - Cute bathroom decor

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    Cute bathroom decor

    Quicksand Bar à Vin - Happy Hour - skin contact (orange wine)

    Quicksand Bar à Vin

    4.8(34 reviews)
    21.6 miColonialtown North, Mills50

    I was only here for a glass of wine, but they had a cacio y pepe on the menu we had to try. It…read morecame out hot and fresh cooked and was super delicious. It was not too pepper forward (which I prefer). I was excited to try this out of the way wine bar, but was a little disappointed that their extensive list is more bottles and not by the glass. Just putting this out there for awareness since I will plan to come in for some food and be able to pair with a bottle of wine to explore the full experience. The staff was very knowledgeable about all of the different wines and helped to select the best glass for what I was in the mood for that evening. The bar was very clean and there is a lot more space then what you see when you first walk in. It was all very clean and modern looking inside. Looking forward to my next trip in.

    I guess this is what they mean when they say "hidden gem" No big sign our front just a quaint…read morelittle bar tucked on the backside of the building. Decorated nicely with amazing staff. They have a great patio outside too for those nice Florida nights. The wine list was extensive but the by the glass options were limited to about a dozen or so. I understand they have have 100 open bottles hanging around waiting for someone to order a glass. I assume (and hope) that the by the glass options change frequently. While speaking to staff I was informed of the full food menu that is available after 5 pm. I just had to see how they did with Cacio e pepe and wow I was surprised. This is a basic dish but it was executed perfectly. I certainly will be back again soon to order that again. I would take someone else who would enjoy but while they like Pasta they don't do wine. I did see they have some "mocktail" type drinks but maybe 1 or 2 soda or seltzer options might be nice to allow more people to enjoy.

    Photos
    Quicksand Bar à Vin - Portraits paying homage to all of their wine producers

    Portraits paying homage to all of their wine producers

    Quicksand Bar à Vin - Get the beans!!

    Get the beans!!

    Quicksand Bar à Vin - Interior/Bar seating

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    Interior/Bar seating

    Grape Expectations - From the parking lot

    Grape Expectations

    4.6(20 reviews)
    30.2 mi
    $

    This is a nice wine bar ! The service is excellent and it's a fun atmosphere. They usually have…read morecrackers and cut cheese and have nut mixes for customers. There is a pizza place next door that will deliver upon request. The piano player, Peter, is there on Wednesdays 6-9 and Fridays 6-7:30. He is fantastic! Then at 7:30pm there is karaoke, which is really fun. The wine selection is fabulous and they also have a humidor and seating outside! Excellent atmosphere! They had a customer recently have his book signing event there as well. Prices are reasonable. They have specials daily and dress is casual to dressy. Priced reasonably.

    Walking through the storefront entrance, wasn't expecting the level of sophistication inside…read more There is a working piano to the left when you walk in. The bar is on the right. And there are plenty of tables to sit. I think there were some ladies playing the Chinese domino game, it starts with an "m". Got to meet the owner Ray and he picked out a fantastic Cab for me, it was the Story Storypoint Cab out of California. Later I also had the Martin Ray and in my opinion it was not as good, but it was a heavier mouth feel and it had layers to it. They have a piano player Wednesday and Saturday. He shows up around 6pm. So they have free slasa and chips in the back corner most nights. On Tuesday the have tacos. And Tuesday there are meatballs. On Friday they have Karaoke around 7. If you like wine, or you are an enthusiast, this would be a great place to visit if you find yourself in Winter Haven Florida. They have buy one glass 2nd half price. If you buy a bottle and stay, it is a $15 corkage fee. We kind of did the math and depending on the pour, and their pours are generous, it is cheaper to buy by the glass. When you visit they your own math gymnastics. Bottom line, Grape Expectations, the wine is great. The service is exceptionally better. And if you like a mellow vibe with great wine. You won't be disappointed in this stop. Finally, shout out to Terra, between her and Ray we had such a great time. CAN'T WAIT TO COME BACK!

    Photos
    Grape Expectations - Love the inside

    Love the inside

    Grape Expectations - Inside

    Inside

    Grape Expectations - Peter playing and singing on the piano.

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    Peter playing and singing on the piano.

    The Black Squirrel Bookstore - speakeasies - Updated August 2026

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