The Best Disney World Bars
Photos courtesy of Disney, except Nomad Lounge photo by Garrett Martin Travel Lists disney world
Disney World is one of my favorite places to drink. No, I don’t go “drinking around the world” at EPCOT, and rarely walk around the parks with a beer or cocktail in hand, but at this point I’m pretty sure that the thing that most makes Disney World special–that transformative sense of exploring a massive, interactive art project–becomes more powerful when I have a little bit of rum in me. (And usually a lot more than that.) Sure, it helps to deal with the crowds and the screaming children and the Florida heat, and yes, I just like to drink, period, but drinking at Disney World is especially fun because it’s home to some of the most gorgeously designed bars in the world. The best Disney World bars don’t just serve drinks; through their design and theming they offer a unique experience that makes any drink taste even better than usual.
If you don’t go to theme parks all that often and just assume they’re exclusively for kids or families, you might be surprised that drinking is an important part of Disney World for a lot of guests. Disney itself has fully embraced the power and profit of booze; not only is alcohol a major draw at EPCOT’s World Showcase, but Disney World’s numerous resort hotels all feature their own bars, many of which are themed alongside the hotel itself. And Disney Springs, the shopping and nightlife area that’s free to visit, is full of restaurants with great bar programs, and one of the best themed bars on the entire resort. Disney wants to get adults drunk (responsibly, I would assume), and who am I to say no to that?
After hitting up pretty much every bar at Walt Disney World over the last decade, I’ve finally taken the time to write up my personal guide to the best places to drink there. Don’t expect any kind of ranking, or anything like this; I’ve split ’em up between the theme parks, hotels, and Disney Springs, but within those sections they’re listed in no specific order. (If I absolutely had to choose, my fave would come down to either Abracadabar for the most relaxing and personal favorite, Oga’s Cantina for the best theming, and Nomad Lounge for best overall.) So if you’re interested in the wonderful world of drunken Disney World, here’s everything you need to get started.
At the Theme Parks
Nomad Lounge
Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
People who like Nomad Lounge tend to love it, and it’s not hard to see why: in addition to wonderful drinks, it’s one of the best combinations of smart theming and comfort you’ll find anywhere. And if you sit on its wraparound porch you’ll have a quiet, hidden view of one of the park’s rivers. Inspired by the real-life adventures of Disney Imagineers, Nomad will make you feel like you’re exploring some far flung corner of the globe, while also making you think about the rewards and responsibilities of travel. You can also get drunk there, off of cocktails inspired by Africa and wines from South America and Africa. Nomad doesn’t rely on technology to enrich its atmosphere, and stands as a testament to what design and aesthetic alone can create.
Oga’s Cantina
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Ready for a Bloody Rancor or a Dagobah Slug Slinger? One of the signature experiences at Star Wars—Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios is this real-life version of a Star Wars cantina. You won’t meet any aliens, sadly, but at least that means you won’t see any arms getting chopped off with a lightsaber while you’re sipping your space booze. There is a droid, though, and it’s the best one in the whole park: DJ Rex, the former pilot at Star Tours, spins a mix of original Star Wars-style pop music, regularly interjecting with the voice of the dearly departed Paul Reubens (we’ll always love you, buddy.) The drinks aim for otherworldliness through various means, like a cocktail that briefly shocks the taste buds, and another that never stops fizzing. There are also collectible mugs here, too, one in the shape of a porg, the other with a forest theme from the ewoks’ home moon of Endor. Oga’s also serves a handful of tasty snacks, like the “Happabore Sampler” charcuterie plate, and the Oga’s Obsession snack mix that pops in your mouth. There’s a 45-minute limit and a two drink maximum, so sadly you can’t just make like Norm at Cheers and stay all night, but thankfully that does ensure constant turnover and not too much of a wait. Even if you don’t like Star Wars you might fall in love with the alien charm of Oga’s Cantina.
Space 220
Location: EPCOT
EPCOT’s Space 220 is more of a restaurant than a bar, and one of the harder ones to get into at Disney World. If you can’t get a reservation for a table, you can take a chance on the first come, first served line for its bar; you can order some of its menu items a la carte there, but, more importantly, you can sample a variety of exciting space-themed drinks. I’m partial to the Black Hole Fashioned (an old fashioned with Demerara) and the Saturn 2.0 (basically a tiki drink with a galactic twist), but you can’t go wrong with any of Space 220’s “atmospheric spirits.” Themed after a space station, Space 220 sells the illusion with the latest in the long history of fake Disney elevators; a screens in the elevator make it look like you’re riding the tallest elevator in the universe to the station above, and inside the restaurant there’s a massive wall-length screen designed to look like a window with a view of Earth and the cosmos around it. It can be tricky to get into (the bar doesn’t have a lot of seats and there’s a solid chance you’ll be waiting an hour or more to make it in), but if you don’t mind burning park time waiting for something that isn’t a ride or attraction, you should take a chance on Space 220.
At Disney Springs
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
Location: Disney Springs
Or, as I tend to call it, the Indiana Jones bar. It’s named after an obscure character from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Remember the guy with the water plane at the start of the movie? The one in a Yankees cap and with a pet snake? That’s Jock Lindsey, a pilot and adventurer who settles down in the Florida town of Disney Springs in the 1940s. (None of that is real, of course—the Disney Springs shopping district has its own backstory that tries to give the space a bit of history.) He eventually retires from flying and turns his hangar into a bar filled with various artifacts collected from his pilot days, as well as letters, gifts, and other trinkets from his old friend Indiana. There’s even an African Queen-style river boat that serves as part of the bar’s patio, complete with an old engine that’s constantly acting up all day long. Bring a large party and you might get to sit in the diving bell booth. Expect exotic cocktails alongside hearty bar fare like sliders and a giant pretzel with beer cheese.
The Edison
Location: Disney Springs
This giant 1920s-inflected restaurant and nightclub might look like an old power plant, but inside you’ll find one of the best cocktail lists in the Orlando area. If visiting Disney’s theme parks somehow hasn’t drained your wallet, you can splurge on one of the Edison’s excellent “high roller” cocktails, which combine top shelf ingredients with unique presentations, or turn some of its standard cocktails into a jumbo-sized punchbowl for the whole table. And of course there’s a full menu of food for both lunch and dinner. Like most Disney Springs spots, The Edison doesn’t have the charm or the small, personal warmth of something like Abracadabar or Trader Sam’s, but you can’t argue with the quality of its drinks.
Wine Bar George
Location: Disney Springs
If wine’s your poison, Wine Bar George should be the first Disney bar on your list. This Disney Springs restaurant is home to a large and constantly changing collection of diverse wines from around the globe. I won’t pretend to be a wine guy (although I’ve been known to dabble), but the wine list on George’s online menu is truly overwhelming. For those of us who aren’t in love with the grape, George also serves cocktails, beer and cider, along with a large menu of small plates for brunch and dinner. It’s not themed (unless you think “classy” is a theme) but Wine Bar George has cultivated a notable rep for both its wine and its charming sense of relaxed sophistication.
At the Hotels
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Bar
Location: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s beloved tiki bar has an outpost in the Polynesian Resort with a line as long as any ride. Expect to wait an hour or more for your name to be called; you can have a drink while enjoying live ukelele music at the bar outside as you wait for your text. It’s worth the wait, especially if you love tiki drinks and bars. Sam’s has a deep menu of rum-heavy classics—your Mai Tais, Zombies, Navy Grogs, and the like—as well as inspired originals and cocktails that use different spirits. Many of the drinks have unique mugs available for purchase, and yes, I have more than a few among my tiki collection. Beyond the great drinks, Sam’s is known for its interactive elements tied into specific drink orders, from volcano “paintings” that erupt, to a statue of the goddess Pele that seemingly comes to life, to the more low-tech fun of bartenders lightly spritzing customers with a water bottle. If you miss the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride at the Magic Kingdom, grab a friend and order a Nautilus; it comes in a bowl shaped like the submarine from the ride and movie, and the ride’s opening narration plays throughout the bar whenever one is served.
Abracadabar
Location: Disney’s Boardwalk
With its 1920s atmosphere and fantastic cocktail menu, Abracadabar is one of Disney World’s best hidden gems. Located at the Boardwalk and themed to early 20th century stage magic (think Houdini and guys in capes pulling rabbits out of top hats), Abracadabar specializes in classic drinks with a twist. You’ll find a top notch sazerac and side car, and originals include the superb Black Manhattan, the dangerously drinkable Magic Mirror (seriously, I could single-handedly drink an entire two liter bottle of this mix of Sprite, rum, soda water, and mango and lime juices), and the Pepper’s Ghost (a habanero pineapple vodka cocktail named after a practical effects trick used heavily in the Haunted Mansion). Animated posters for fictional stage magicians and shelves adorned with the props and tricks they would’ve used if they were real complete the immaculate theming, and it also boasts perhaps the best soundtrack of any Disney World bar with its selection of ‘20s and early ‘30s jazz. It’s become my preferred bar at Disney World, and almost any day at EPCOT ends with a nightcap at Abracadabar.
The Enchanted Rose Lounge
Location: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Probably the classiest joint on this list, the Enchanted Rose is a swanky cocktail bar with a light, tasteful Beauty and the Beast theme in the Grand Floridian resort. Expect to pay a few dollars more per drink than most of the other places on this list, but it’s worth the price if you want to indulge in some old world elegance. Its cocktail menu is full of the classics, both in their traditional form and with some inventive twists. You don’t have to dress up to go here, but I definitely felt like an uncouth slob the one time I went straight here from a theme park in my shorts, T-shirt, and ball cap.
Territory Lounge and Geyser Point Bar & Grill
Location: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The Wilderness Lodge might be the best all-around hotel at Disney World, so it’s fitting that it has not one but two great bars. Let’s start with the Territory Lounge; much as the Wilderness Lodge is themed after grand old Pacific Northwest hotels (think the Great Northern Hotel in Twin Peaks), the Territory Lounge evokes the lobby bars and watering holes you’d find inside them. Rustic is the word here, with log roofing, wooden bear carvings, and about 20 different shades of brown. The drinks are hearty (over half the featured cocktails are whiskey-based) and the small plates punch above their weight, with a salmon flatbread, deviled eggs with candied bacon and a bourbon “drizzle,” and roasted bone marrow served with brie. Make sure to grow out your beard and wear some flannel. If you’d rather sit outside amid nature, Geyser Point Bar & Grill is the second killer bar at the Wilderness. This open air bar looks out upon Bay Lake, making it a serene and restful place to relax when fireworks aren’t going off at the parks. It’s also one of the best vantage points for the nightly Electrical Water Pageant. Geyser Point is light on theming but that works for it, as its location next to the lake should be the main focus anyway.
Senior editor Garrett Martin writes about videogames, comedy, travel, theme parks, wrestling, and anything else that gets in his way. He’s also on Twitter @grmartin.