As with the Table Service Restaurants post, it was difficult to narrow this list down to ten Walt Disney World watering holes! Once again, the criteria had to be places to which I’ve actually been and had drinks – even then, it was challenge to pick only ten!
#10 High Octane Refreshments – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Tucked back in the corner of Streets of America across from the Studio Backlot Tour, this outdoor walk-up offers a variety of frozen and specialty cocktails (I like the Rum Runner!) as well as wines and beers, both bottled and on tap. There are several small tables, but with the afternoon sun beating down, I had a hard time finding some shade. Note: This location has been closed to make room for the new Star Wars and Toy Story Lands.
#9 Cookes of Dublin Patio – Downtown Disney – Watch the crowds walk by at this little spot next to Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant. I like to grab a pint here and relax after hours of shopping. And it may be one of the few places in America that serves a proper pint of Magner’s over ice, a perfect refreshing beverage for a warm day. It’s also a great place to meet up with friends without going into a restaurant. You can grab a bite from the Cookes counter and bring it out to the patio.
#8 Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar – Italy Pavilion, Epcot – Just like the name says, this is a cozy, somewhat dark wine “cellar” that also offers small plates. They have a nice selection of Italian wines, meats and cheeses as well as a few dishes from the Tutto Italia kitchen. It’s a must-do for every wine lover.
#7 Tune-In Lounge – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – This would rate much higher on my list except for the fact that there aren’t really tables to sit at since it serves as the “waiting room” for the 50’s Prime Time Restaurant. The bar has a dozen or more seats and you can actually order off the restaurant menu and dine here. The rest of the room is decorated to look like a mid-20th century suburban rec room, complete with black & white TV screens playing clips of old shows. They have nice drinks here like Dad’s Electric Lemonade and Grandma’s Picnic Punch and I do like the atmosphere.
#6 Tambu Lounge – Polynesian Resort –This iconic bar next to ‘Ohana restaurant features delicious tropical beverages like the Lapu Lapu served in a fresh pineapple. A visit to this lounge is a tradition with many long-time Disney guests, whether they’re staying at the Polynesian or hopping off the monorail from the Magic Kingdom.
#10 High Octane Refreshments – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Tucked back in the corner of Streets of America across from the Studio Backlot Tour, this outdoor walk-up offers a variety of frozen and specialty cocktails (I like the Rum Runner!) as well as wines and beers, both bottled and on tap. There are several small tables, but with the afternoon sun beating down, I had a hard time finding some shade. Note: This location has been closed to make room for the new Star Wars and Toy Story Lands.
#9 Cookes of Dublin Patio – Downtown Disney – Watch the crowds walk by at this little spot next to Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant. I like to grab a pint here and relax after hours of shopping. And it may be one of the few places in America that serves a proper pint of Magner’s over ice, a perfect refreshing beverage for a warm day. It’s also a great place to meet up with friends without going into a restaurant. You can grab a bite from the Cookes counter and bring it out to the patio.
#8 Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar – Italy Pavilion, Epcot – Just like the name says, this is a cozy, somewhat dark wine “cellar” that also offers small plates. They have a nice selection of Italian wines, meats and cheeses as well as a few dishes from the Tutto Italia kitchen. It’s a must-do for every wine lover.
#7 Tune-In Lounge – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – This would rate much higher on my list except for the fact that there aren’t really tables to sit at since it serves as the “waiting room” for the 50’s Prime Time Restaurant. The bar has a dozen or more seats and you can actually order off the restaurant menu and dine here. The rest of the room is decorated to look like a mid-20th century suburban rec room, complete with black & white TV screens playing clips of old shows. They have nice drinks here like Dad’s Electric Lemonade and Grandma’s Picnic Punch and I do like the atmosphere.
#6 Tambu Lounge – Polynesian Resort –This iconic bar next to ‘Ohana restaurant features delicious tropical beverages like the Lapu Lapu served in a fresh pineapple. A visit to this lounge is a tradition with many long-time Disney guests, whether they’re staying at the Polynesian or hopping off the monorail from the Magic Kingdom.
#5 Territory Lounge – Wilderness Lodge – If you’re looking for a nice quiet place to relax and enjoy a cocktail, this is it. Back off the lobby of Wilderness Lodge, this rustic lounge has quite a few tables and a nice little menu of small plates including cheese fondue (oh, yes!) and buffalo nachos. It’s easy to get to Wilderness Lodge if you have a car, but you can also take a Disney bus from one of the parks or Downtown Disney or take a boat from Magic Kingdom.
#4 River Roost Lounge – Port Orleans Riverside – I realize this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is mine! This place is more about the entertainment than anything else. It serves up the standard Disney cocktail menu, but Wednesday thru Saturday nights, ‘Yehaa’ Bob Jackson entertains with his wacky sing-along show and rockin’ piano. He’s a real hoot!
#3 California Grill Lounge – Contemporary Resort – It’s first-come, first served at this lounge within the California Grill restaurant. If they’re full, you may not even be able to get up there. Check in at the CG desk and, if there’s room, they’ll escort you to the elevator that goes straight to the 15th floor. Their hand-picked wine list includes dozens that are available by the glass and the inventive cocktails created by their expert mixologists are worth the trip. I’m told at present you do not need to have a dinner reservation to go to the lounge, but that could change seasonally. If you can get in, it’s also a great place from which to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
#2 & 1 – Perhaps not surprisingly, Epcot boasts a tie between my personal favorites: La Cava del Tequila (Mexico Pavilion) and the Rose & Crown Pub (United Kingdom Pavilion). They are both wonderful places to escape from the hot Florida sun or just to relax over drinks and conversation.
#2 & 1 – Perhaps not surprisingly, Epcot boasts a tie between my personal favorites: La Cava del Tequila (Mexico Pavilion) and the Rose & Crown Pub (United Kingdom Pavilion). They are both wonderful places to escape from the hot Florida sun or just to relax over drinks and conversation.
At the bottom of the ramp inside the Mexico pavilion, La Cava del Tequila has become a very popular place. There are rumors that they’re going to expand the lounge because there is usually a line to get in. It features over 100 tequilas and they concoct such interesting margaritas as avocado-melon or jalapeno, rimmed with a hibiscus Himalayan salt or blood orange, topped with a wild berry foam – delicioso! While you can get drinks to-go from the bar, it’s even better when you can sit and sip while enjoying a basket of warm tortilla chips with queso or something else from their small tapas menu. They frequently have special promotions like free chips and salsa for following them on Twitter. Ask your server if there are any promos going on while you’re there.
The Rose & Crown Pub on the opposite side of the lagoon has the look and feel of a traditional English pub. The large carved-wood bar serves both the restaurant and the lounge area in the front. If you’re lucky enough to get one of the handful of tables here you may want to order something from the limited pub menu. I recommend the fish & chips or the cheese plate! One of the best things about hanging out here was the opportunity to be entertained by “The Hat Lady”. Apparently things have changed somewhat of late… WDWMagic reported “…the entertainment at the Rose and Crown will be purely music, with guests being able to sing along and make requests. The former ‘Hat Lady' will continue to appear, but as a pianist only, and she will not perform the 'Hat Lady' show.”…not sure exactly what that means, but let me know if you’ve been there lately and have more info.
Honorable Mention: One of my favorite cocktails, the Yak Attack, comes from the Yak & Yeti restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. I couldn’t include it on this list, however, because it’s really not a lounge – just a service bar inside a restaurant. Do stop in and get a Yak Attack to go or, if you’re lucky, you might be able to enjoy it at one of the few stools at the bar.
There are other places I need to try, but it’s hard not to visit my favorites and there’s never enough time to do everything! I hope you’ll make time to enjoy some lively libations on your next visit. Leave comments here and let me know your favorite spots. Happy and safe travels!
Honorable Mention: One of my favorite cocktails, the Yak Attack, comes from the Yak & Yeti restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. I couldn’t include it on this list, however, because it’s really not a lounge – just a service bar inside a restaurant. Do stop in and get a Yak Attack to go or, if you’re lucky, you might be able to enjoy it at one of the few stools at the bar.
There are other places I need to try, but it’s hard not to visit my favorites and there’s never enough time to do everything! I hope you’ll make time to enjoy some lively libations on your next visit. Leave comments here and let me know your favorite spots. Happy and safe travels!
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