1881 Restaurant and Bar

Established in 2023, this bustling eatery is housed in what was, for centuries, the city’s premier hardware store. In fact, Makinson Hardware, opened in 1881, predates Kissimmee itself, which was only named and incorporated as a city two years later. 

At the time, Kissimmee was a regional transportation hub, with riverboats and railroads converging in town on the edge of Lake Tohopekaliga. Local farmers, fishermen and ranchers brought their local wares through its doors, where local patrons would then meet to trade everything from saddles to paint to gasoline. 

The Parsons family owns and operates 1881, having bought the property from the Makinsons with the promise to uphold its hardware store legacy. The space still maintains its rustic, 19th-century charm, with bolt bins that have been repurposed into light fixtures, old hardware signs, and vintage photos of cowboys on display. The Makinson Hardware sign still hangs above the door, welcoming new diners to this historic spot.

The restaurant’s menu honors Kissimmee’s large Latino population with new spins on traditional Latin dishes, as well as seafood dishes that spotlight Florida fresh catches. Customers note the robust steak menu, which includes fan favorites like the Kowboy Jake, a juicy 12 oz strip steak that’s a hearty ode to Kissimmee’s ranching history.  

1881 also boasts a thoughtfully crafted selection of unique cocktails. Favorites include Glistening Raspberry Rain, a refreshing, vodka-based drink with muddled raspberry, lemon juice, and a house-made simple syrup strained and topped with Cava, and Sparkling Forest, a gin cocktail with green Chartreuse that is garnished with cucumber ribbons and Thai basil. 

The New American restaurant has become an integral part of the city’s food scene, partnering with local nonprofits, small businesses, and other restaurants to host events and foster community. For Monday night football games, the bar has wing specials and an all-night happy hour, while on Wednesday nights, it slows things down with wine tastings and live acoustics. There are even occasional live improv shows and reality TV watch parties, which locals enjoy over shared cheese sticks and loaded fries.