We’ve been going to Disney with our parents since we were toddlers. As we get older, our interests change. We will always love the traditions we grew up with, including dining at Chef Mickey, watching the fireworks on Main Street, and attending Fantasmic. However, sometimes we like to change it up and take advantage of being 21+ (sorry Mouselet #3, you have a few more years). We’ve compiled a list of our top six favorite bars and lounges!
1. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is located at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. A little backstory to this bar: Trader Sam is the head salesman mentioned by Jungle Cruise skippers for decades! He took together some of his profits and opened his own tiki bar. This bar has inspired drinks including the Shrunken Zombie Head, made with rum and tropical juices and served in a shrunken head, and the Spikey Pineapple, our personal favorite, which features a Dole Whip spiked with rum! The best part of this bar are the “skits” put on by the waiters. Every time someone orders a cocktail, they do a little charade that represents that drink! We won’t ruin the surprise, but highly recommend this awesome, unique experience!
2. Nomad Lounge
This lounge is located in Animal Kingdom, and is part of the upscale Tiffins restaurant. This lounge is travel themed, and invites guests to share their travel stories by filling out cards hung from the ceiling. The lounge has mosquito net curtains, large wicker chairs and couches, and a delicious travel themed menu. The menu has food and beverage selections weaved inside traveler’s notes, sketches, and photos from Imagineers.
Our beverage recommendations are the Snow Leopard Salvation which is vodka, pear liqueur, mint and lime juice, and ginger beer as well as Dalang’s Delight which includes rum and tangerine liqueur from Africa!
3. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
This bar is located in Disney Springs, and is where Jock Lindsey, Indiana Jones’ pilot refuels! The story says that Jock turned this once-abandoned hangar into a bar, and filled it with treasures he found and recipes inspired by his adventures. Our drink recommendations include Reggie’s Revenge, which is orange vodka and melon liqueur with cranberry and lime juice, and the Cool-headed Monkey, rum and tangerine liqueur with lime, watermelon, and pineapple juice. The bar has 40s era aviation gear and artifacts inspired by Raiders of the Lost Ark.
4. AbracadaBar
This lounge is in Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and is a former magicians’ lounge. The illusionists have since left, but the bartenders are the real magicians. The story goes that in the Victorian era the boardwalk featured many magicians, and the bar was a secret hangout spot. Although they left, the bar still stands! Our drink recommendations include the Pepper’s Ghost which has Ciroc pineapple vodka and habenero lime, and the Parlor Trick, which includes four roses small batch bourbon, simple syrup, and a splash of soda water!
5. The Edison
The Edison opened January of 2018 in Disney Springs. Its story is a revamped 1920’s electric company building with a large Edison tower outside. The entertainment includes palm readers and contortionists, which we have yet to hear a review about. This lounge is based on the California version which serves a wide variety of scotch, bourbon, and whiskey as well a artisinal cocktails which include ingredients such as sarsaparilla bitters. The theming is amazing, and it’s one of our favorite spots in Disney Springs!
6. Jellyrolls
Jellyrolls is a dueling piano bar located on Disney’s Boardwalk. You can request almost any song, and they can play it! It’s a completely different bar experience than some of the others we recommended. The environment is so lively, and guests are encouraged to sing and dance along. No food is served here, but some of the drinks are great and they have a special drink each night! Tables fill up fast so try to get there early, and have a few songs in mind to request! Be aware that there is a cover charge of $15, so be sure to go on a night that you’ll stay for a while to get your money’s worth!