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Top 10 Disney World Bars and Lounges


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I know there will be Fiends to weigh in on this topic! From the Disney Food Blog...

Top 10 Disney World Bars and Lounges

Sep 8th, 2011 by AJ. jiko-wine-350x524.jpgSouth African Wine at Jiko

When it comes to a happy hour beverage, a night out with your spouse or some friends, or…let’s face it…a margarita at the stroke of noon…there are a few spots in Disney World that get the job done better than others! FYI — The Disney Food Blog offers a full list of bars and lounges — complete with descriptions of each place — in our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book.

Now, let’s take a tour of our Top Ten Disney World bars and lounges — these are the places that really make us want to get up and dance. icon_wink.gif Don’t forget to check out our list of Honorable Mentions at the end! Many of these spots offer the standard Disney Parks bar and lounge menu should you be interested.

Top Ten WDW Bars and Lounges

1. La Cava del Tequila

Nestled in the twilit atmosphere of the Mexican pavilion in Epcot, La Cava del Tequila is popular with tequila and margarita fans. Try the Avocado Margarita while perusing the limited appetizer menu. See our margarita reviews here and a pic of the tequila flight here!

Due to its cozy and dark location, La Cava makes a great place to escape the heat and bright sunshine while touring World Showcase. However, it gets crowded quickly, so to ensure that you get a table, head over to La Cava at opening time — noon!

F-and-W-Day-1-138.JPGLa Cava Bar

2. Jellyrolls

While Jellyrolls isn’t for everyone, if you love music from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, and especially if you love dueling piano improv, it’s going to fit the bill for you!

An entertainment spot on Disney’s Boardwalk bringing you non-stop dueling pianos, the bar at Jellyrolls plays second fiddle to the fun. Arrive early to get a table; it’s standing room only by about 9pm each night. By the way, there’s a drink special every night that’s served in a giant red plastic cup. Order that. And bring plenty of $1 and $5 bills to slide onto the piano with your request for your favorite Billy Joel, Journey, or Beastie Boys song.

Oh, and save me a seat!

jellyrolls.jpgJellyrolls at Disney's Boardwalk

3. Dawa Bar

After your journey to Harambe, Africa, in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it’s clearly time to relax at the Dawa bar! When you need a break from touring, the Dawa Bar serves up spirits (South African wines and African beer) at a great people-watching location as guests race towards Kilimanjaro Safari. Watch the African drummers and dancers from this shaded spot.

ExEv-yachtsman-akpicnic-044.JPGDawa Bar in Harambe Village

4. Tambu Lounge

Travel to the South Seas and stop by the Polynesian Resort’s Tambu Lounge. The bartenders are great, and sipping a Lapu Lapu served in a fresh pineapple is always memorable!

This is a great place to grab a drink before heading out to the beach to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks!

Lapu-Lapu-367x550.jpgLapu Lapu at Disney

5. River Roost Lounge

Located at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, this little bar offers more than you’d ever believe! Fun drinks and a small appetizer menu at River Roost are greatly complemented by the performances of Yee-haa Bob Jackson, a ragtime improv pianist whose shows are always a hoot!

Become part of Bob’s dedicated following after just one evening here…

6. Tune-In Lounge

Stop by the Tune-In lounge for some laid-back fun in a 50’s-themed setting at this Disney’s Hollywood Studios location.

The full bar offers the standard Disney Parks bar and lounge menu, a specialized drink menu with some fun 50’s-themed drinks, and the 50’s Prime Time Cafe food menu! Yes, stop here without an Advance Dining Reservation and you can enjoy some down-home cooking with your beverage(s) while seated at the kitschy bar!

Don’t forget the s’mores for dessert!

Tune-In-Lounge-Bar.jpgFull Bar at Tune In Lounge

7. Raglan Road Pub and Restaurant

Enjoy great beer in an authentic, imported bar from Ireland (yep — they actually IMPORTED the bar!). And Raglan Road in Downtown Disney has some incredible food as well.

drink-and-beers.jpgOne for the Road

Head over to the pub at night to enjoy live Irish music and dancing!

8. Crew’s Cup Lounge

The dark and intimate Crew’s Cup Lounge is a relaxed location with good food from a menu that offers more than just appetizers (boneless buffalo wings!!!! — it’s the little things that matter most, really, isn’t it?). Best of all, you can usually find a table here!

Crews-Cup-Bar-500x333.jpgCrews Cup Bar

9. Kimonos

The WDW Swan is home to Kimonos — the only karaoke spot on property, and one of the best sushi bars in WDW. While some consider this a restaurant, the lounge-like feeling and seating make it feel like a bar/lounge to me.

Sample some Sake while watching the sushi chefs! Check out our review here! And don’t forget to join us at Kimonos for the WDW Foodie Fest Sushi and Sake meet — right before we head over to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic!

Sushi-Platter-500x333.jpgSushi Platter

10. Big River Grille and Brewing Works

While you know I don’t love the food here, I’m including this in the top ten solely for my beer connoisseurs! Homemade and seasonal brews are made fresh here at Big River. Find Big River Grille and Brewing Works on Disney’s Boardwalk.

There’s also some lovely outdoor seating if you’re visiting on a beautiful evening!

BIG-RIVER-GRILLE-AND-BREWERY-500x375.jpgBig River Grille & Brewing Works

Honorable Mentions

So many lounges, so little non-touring time to sit back and relax! If you find yourself near any of these lounges, put down your itinerary and treat yourself to a beverage.

la-cava-del-tequila-light-up-margarita-317x475.jpgDon't forget the light-up ice cube...

  • Bellevue Lounge at the Boardwalk Inn is an out-of-the-way retreat that’s perfect for afternoon rests and family game nights! Pick up a continental breakfast here, too! Check out this great Bellevue Lounge photo blog over on WDWforGrownups.com.
  • Sanaa Lounge at the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village is especially relaxing because it’s usually empty! There’s good food here too!
  • Mizner’s Lounge in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort offers laid-back elegance and the chance to hear live entertainment in the Grand Floridian lobby.
  • The Banana Cabana pool bar at the Caribbean Beach Resort has awesome bartenders and killer Pina Coladas.
  • At Pop Century Resort, our favorite Petals Pool Bar still serves up some unique drinks despite the standardized menus seen at many bars.
  • Travel back in time to the Shark Bar at the T-Rex Cafe in Downtown Disney. When you sit at this fun bar watch for the 45-foot, animatronic octopus!
  • While at Downtown Disney, the Tequila Bar in Paradiso 37 offers great appetizers and drinks (although it can be a bit loud and crowded at night).
  • Territory Lounge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers a relaxed, laid back atmosphere with some fun appetizers!

Did we miss any? What’s your favorite hang-out at WDW? Let us know in the comments below. icon_smile.gif

Just a reminder — look for a full list of bars and lounges, complete with descriptions of each place and recommended drinks, in our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book.

Jellyrolls photo credit

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/09/08/top-10-disney-world-bars-and-lounges/

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