The Best Disney World Lounges & Bars
Disney World isn’t just for the kids! Whether you’re traveling with family or adult friends, it’s always nice to take a minute to sit back and relax on your vacation. Of course, the best way to do that is with a drink in your hand!
Given the amazing guest service and impeccable resort theming, spending a day visiting the various Disney World lounges is a great way to see more of the resort and have a relaxing day during the middle of your hectic trip. Each bar and lounge is brimming with its own style and flair. Your favorite may depend on your own personal preferences, so here’s a list of some of our favorites to get you started!
Disney World Lounges and Bars
Disney World has tons of bars and lounges, but they aren’t all the same! The best bar is going to be the one that fits your tastes! That being said, our top picks for best lounges at Disney World are popular for a reason, and it’s likely you’ll find at least one of them jibes with your vision of a good time.
Whether you’re looking to get your groove on or simply enjoy some peace and quiet, you can find a winner at any of these Disney World lounges. As a backup, you can always grab a drink at the poolside bars, but it’s always a good idea to get a full experience somewhere else!
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1. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Often cited as one of the best bars at Disney World resorts, Trader Sam’s is a tiki bar with lots of character. It features impeccable theming from head to toe, some of the nicest and wittiest bartenders at Disney, and is in a great location for quick visits. It’s filled to the brim with things to look at, so be sure to take your time looking around at all of the knick-knacks to get the full experience.
The owner, Trader Sam (former shrunken head salesman at the end of the Jungle Cruise attraction in nearby Magic Kingdom), set up this hole-in-the-wall bar at the Polynesian resort. Though the bar is easily missed as guests come and go, it is often extremely busy due to its earned popularity.
One of the coolest parts of the bar is the recycled animatronic from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. Named “Uh Oa,” the animatronic comes to life when you order one of the special drinks on the menu. Though the bartenders used to be more loud and engaging, the fun theme still rings true throughout your experience. In addition to the amazing assortment of tropical drinks, the bar also has lots of great food options!
Trader Sam’s is open from 3 pm to 12 am daily. Kids are allowed in most of the day, but it becomes adults-only after 8 pm. Reservations are not allowed, so it’s a good idea to show up a bit earlier than you want to be seated in order to grab a spot on the waitlist. While waiting, you can explore the resort!
2. Dahlia Lounge
Located at the top of the Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs resort, this lounge has a perfect mix of fun theming, incredible views, and excellent food and drinks. The bar fits the Mexica/Southwest flair of the rest of the resort and features the best sangria options at Disney. The highlight of the bar is the outdoor seating, which offers views of a large section of Disney World.
The bar opens nightly at 5 pm, and sunset is by far the best time to go. It’s a great spot to enjoy your drinks and tapas. Whether you want to sit inside at the bar itself or relax in the comfy chairs on the balcony, the Dahlia Lounge is always a great choice. Be sure to keep an eye out for the photos of Walt Disney with Salvador Dali, the pair of artists responsible for the Destino short film, which served as an inspiration for some of the resorts!
3. Jellyrolls
Jellyrolls is a dueling piano bar located at the Boardwalk area of the Disney resort. This bar is loud, fun, and interactive. For those looking for their bar experience to be lively, Jellyrolls is a great choice. The bar feels like a lost remnant of Disney’s old nightlife district, which is now replaced by Disney Springs. Aside from the talented performers’ songs, there’s dancing, sing-alongs, and more! Custom song requests are taken throughout the night, and the performers do an amazing job of copying any popular artist.
4. AbracadaBar
Just a few steps down the boardwalk from Jellyrolls is the unique and mysteriously themed AbracadaBar. The cocktail lounge is themed after the mystique of magicians and features all sorts of nods to famous magicians of the past. The whole lounge transports you back in time (or maybe that’s just an illusion?), and although it isn’t quite as engaging as other spots around Disney World, it’s a nice, quiet spot to relax and just enjoy a drink.
The drink options are highlighted by a various assortment of interesting cocktails, though the bar also features an impressive wine selection, too. Food items are also offered, though there are lots of other restaurant options along the Boardwalk as well. Overall, it’s one of the best lounges at Disney World when you’re looking for a simple yet magical drinking experience.
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5. Scat Cat’s
Located in the lobby of the Port Orleans – French Quarter resort, Scat Cat’s is an awesome spot to enjoy a show while enjoying your drinks. It’s a jazz club featuring nightly musical performances from talented performers who perfectly emulate the New Orleans vibe. It features a full-service bar in addition to lots of incredible snack options, including sensational beignets! This includes alcohol-infused beignets, which are truly tasty!
The Port Orleans resort is massive and is ideal for getting in your steps during the day or night. The resort is also connected via boat to Disney Springs, so you can easily make a night out of a trip to the Scat Cat’s lounge!
6. California Grill Lounge
Located just across the way from Trader Sam’s, the lounge located at the tippy-top of the Contemporary Resort is a more refined way to enjoy an evening after a frantic day at Magic Kingdom. One of the biggest perks of the lounge is, of course, the amazing views it offers of the park (and nighttime fireworks!).
The drink menu features a long list of hand-crafted cocktails, so those looking for variety will be pleased. The lounge itself offers a bit to be desired since it’s actually more of a bar area in the middle of the restaurant. California Grill is known for its great food, and you can select items from the full menu, including its popular sushi and flatbreads. While it may have a less impressive theme, it also allows you to dine at a restaurant that’s often fully booked up without snagging a reservation!
To get a seat at the bar, you have to ask at the desk on the second floor of the resort. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, though waits often aren’t long. If you want to use the lounge for views of the fireworks, you should plan on visiting a little bit earlier to ensure you can get in.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our tour of some of the best Disney World lounges! Did we include your regular haunt or did we accidentally miss a hidden gem? Tell us all about your favorite Disney World resort drinking experience in the comments below!
Featured photo: Jacob Lund via Canva
