The Top 6 Bars at Disney

Drinking with Donald and Friends

As an adult at Disney, one of my favorite things to do is find a good bar or lounge, relax on my phone, and people watch. That’s why I’ve made it (one of) my life’s work(s) to document the best bars at Disney. 

Disney knows that their movies will be more successful if they’re appealing to adults as well as kids and the parks are no different. If you’re an adult who enjoys adult beverages you won’t be disappointed.

In fact one of the many things Disney does right is that their drinks are never cheap pours. There are MANY bars and lounges to relax in, but I rounded up 6 of my favorites so you  can get responsibly buzzed in the most magical place on Earth.

Nomad Lounge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The Nomad Lounge is a great place to get some shade after you’ve spent the morning waving at animals who apparently have better things to do than partake in interspecies socializing.

It’s also a great place to start the day. If you want to get here early, you can get to the parks, stand in the vicinity of Nomad Lounge, and use the Disney app to join the standby line. There’s nice seating inside but a beautiful patio.

Personally, however, I prefer visiting here in the later afternoon, 3 pm or after, and I always get a spot on the patio. 

While the inside seating is nice enough, the patio is really beautiful. It’s along the river and it’s so relaxing.

But this isn’t a guide to the best views in Disney, it’s a guide to the best bar. Fortunately the food and drinks here are something special.

The Nomad Lounge menu features Asian Fusion offerings and it’s some of the best bar food in Disney. I crave the wings and the poke bowl. 

Also make sure to do the bread service. It comes with delicious chutneys and curries for dipping.

As for the libations, the drinks are always cold and the booze is not scant. There are a wide variety of rum cocktails with some vodka and gin options as well.

Plus if you have a sweet tooth and are looking for something in the “boozy dessert” category you could try the Smore’s Martini or “Mustang Coffee” with Crown Royal and Brown Sugar.

Rose and Crown Pub, World Showcase, UK Pavilion, Epcot

You know you’ve truly grown up when you stop thinking of Epcot as some boring 3D geography textbook and start thinking of it as a place to get buzzed around the world without needing a passport.

When it comes to international alcoholic drinks and food my favorite stop is the Rose and Crown Pub, representing Jolly Old England. Sorry to any of my British readers if it seems inauthentic but I think it’s still a great time!

Before I get into the specifics you’ll want to make sure you go INSIDE the bar to order, because there’s a stand outside that sells mediocre frozen drinks and I don’t think they’re British at all!

The line inside may be lengthy, but the bartenders are efficient so you shouldn’t have to wait too long. Personally I love the Pimm’s Cup they offer, but there’s a full bar so you can get nearly anything you want. 

They have whiskey flights as well as a rotating selection of aged scotch if that’s your thing. There are also a range of beers and “pub blends” where they mix different beers together which seems like an interesting idea.

You can sit inside and there’s sometimes live music. There’s also a patio overlooking the lake at Epcot that seems “reserved” but it’s not. 

I get there at about 6:30 PM and get a spot and camp out until the fireworks. It will seem like you can’t sit there, but you can. 

I have also seen Starlink rocket launches from this spot.

Note that the pours here are very generous so if you’re not careful you could get “right sozzled” as the British say. 

Fortunately the fan favorite fish and chips stand is right next to the Rose and Crown, so you can soak up the sozz. I’m pretty sure you can use mobile ordering for your fish and chips.

Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace, Disney’s Polynesian Resort

If you want a break from the parks, you can head to Disney’s Polynesian Resort using the resort ferry from Magic Kingdom or the monorail from Epcot.

This is where you’ll find the Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, which is very hard to get into unless you’re willing to show up to the line early. The Tiki Terrace around the corner, on the other hand, is much easier to access and has the same drink menu and collector’s cups.

Your experience will shift a bit depending on when you swing by. Earlier in the day you’ll be ordering your food and drinks from the bar but by late afternoon there are servers and live music.

Speaking of food and drinks, there is a great light bite menu with Polynesian themed appetizers served from 3 PM to 10. There is a big variety of tiki drinks on offer, and if you’ve never had a tiki drink then be warned: the sweet and fruity tastes hide some very strong drinks.

Enchanted Rose, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

The Enchanted Rose is on the upper level of the Grand Floridian so you can take the stairs or the elevator up. If you take the monorail over, you will be on the same level as this lounge when you exit. 

It opens at 3:30 PM but you’ll want to get there at 3 and wait in line to secure a good spot. You can indulge in some great people watching to pass the time.

The bar is themed after Beauty and the Beast and while it looks upscale, no one will judge you for wearing your park clothes if you pop over from Magic Kingdom to unwind.

As for the drinks, they’re strong and delicious. They have fancy twists on classic standards like an old fashioned or margarita. 

For the first couple of hours after opening you can snack on olives or nuts but once the clock strikes five you can try some bougie appetizers including sturgeon caviar and sausage croquettes.

I don’t normally order a cheese plate but the one on offer here was so interesting and delicious, featuring a rotating chef selection alongside various jams and crunchables. 

Peacock Alley, Lobby Bar at Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Yes the Waldorf Astoria lobby bar counts as a Disney bar, because it is an Official Disney Hotel. Don’t like it? Make your own list!

That being said, it certainly has a different feel than the “traditional” Disney venues so it’s a nice place to Uber to in the evening if you’re looking to dress up and enjoy some live piano music. 

I recommend making a dinner reservation at the Bull and Bear restaurant also located within the hotel for before or after your drinks. The fried chicken is an absolute must.

The super cozy seating at Peacock Alley makes it an ideal venue for getting away from the crowds and the hustle of the parks to have a more “classy” night. Be sure to make a toast to any wedding parties you see taking pictures in the lobby!

Summer House on the Lake, Disney Springs

Based on the Disney web page for the Summer House, it is apparently themed around endless summer in California but I just know it as a place to enjoy fresh and fantastic cocktails in Florida by the lake.

You might need to get on the waitlist if you want to sit on the patio, but the list moves quickly. Worst comes to worst you could always sit at the bar.

There are classic cocktails and a nice selection of wines and beers on offer. You can come to “Martini Hour” between 3 and 6 PM for discounted drinks.

The food options are really good and they have a cookie bakery that I adore. I love getting cookies here to take back to my hotel.

I hope you’ll check out all of these bar options on your next Disney trip! There are few greater joys than a great drink, great food, and a great view and each of these venues offer all three.