10. Disney Springs' Morimoto's Forbidden Lounge: This is Disney's newest and hippest bar. Skip past the hostess and work your way up the grandiose stairwell of the restaurant to sip on careful concocted cocktails, a wide selection of beer and wine, and Morimoto's own sake. Grab a full menu and order a few appetizers like their Rock Shrimp Tempura that will melt in your mouth. Order some sushi and sip on a refreshing Morimoto Soba (buckwheat beer) ale. A great place to drink and hide away from the crowds, though the drinks are quite expensive.
9. Animal Kingdom's Dawa Bar: I call this drinking in the jungle. The bar is a nice getaway from all the trails and animal exhibits. Located across the bridge in Africa, the bar offers specialty cocktails, African wine and beer. I always like to go for the Safari Amber on draft which is nice and light beer, perfect for the usually hot and humid Florida. No snacks, but you can get desserts at Tamu Tamu's quick service across from the bar and enjoy the market entertainment.
8. Epcot's La Cava de Tequila: It's probably a good thing that this place is hidden inside the Mexico pavilion because only Poncho Villa can withstand this Tequila onslaught. Order from their very expansive tequila list, get a tequila flight, or have a margarita (the Avocado margarita is surprisingly good), or take out a small loan for their $250 a shot Jose Cuervo 250 Year Anniversary Tequila. One tequila, two tequila…well you know how it goes.
7. Disney Springs' Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar: With self-seating both inside and out on the surrounding dock, this new bar is full of drinks themed to the Indiana Jones' franchise. Try a mixed drink like "Anything Goes" or a "German Mechanic." Have some bubbly, scotch or beer flight, or one of their many beers or wines. Prices are on the back of the menu. Check out the contraption that looks like a Juke Box in front of the hangar to see it instantly make ice spheres.
6. Disney Springs' Hole in the Wall: Located between Raglan Road's main restaurant and Cooke's of Dublin quick service, this small outdoor bar offers one of the few happy hours (daily 3pm-7pm) in all of Disney. Order their Raglan Road Irish Stout and ask for a full restaurant menu from the bartender. Finish it off with dessert: a Bailey's Iced Shake…mmmm…
5. Epcot's Rose & Crown: This is your typical English pub: small, packed, but charming. The Pub has friendly bartenders and sometimes a piano player that takes requests. The bar boasts many beers from the UK on tap, so grab a Guinness with your Scotch Egg. If you’re enough lucky to grab a seat, raise a pint and cheers!
4. Wilderness Lodge's Territory Lounge: The lounge is one of the coziest places to grab a drink with its low lighting and limited seating. They serve multiple beers on tap (many from the Pacific Northwest), wines, and specialty cocktails. Chicken wings, pork nachos, and fries with roasted garlic aioli are some of their delicious bar foods. The rustic atmosphere makes you feel like you're in a little sanctuary away from the wilderness that makes up Disney.
3. Disney Springs' Boathouse Dockside Bar: There's something about sipping a drink and being on the water that is simply relaxing. Especially at night. Located behind the Boathouse restaurant, this bar features a large menu that has various mixed drinks, wines, and beer (many of which are on tap). The full restaurant menu is also available. Although pricey (most drinks are $7+), it's a nice respite away from the all the hustle and bustle.
2. Polynesian Resort Trader Sam's Grog Grotto: This bar sold me on the atmosphere. It's like sitting in a ride with a drink in hand. When you order a specialty drink, the room responds. For example, order the over $50 Nautilus (serves 3+ people) and the room goes blue and a castmember comes out donning swimming equipment. The drinks are excellent…maybe because they are large and full of alcohol. This is a great place to bring a group, but show up at least 30 minutes prior to open to get a table at this limited seating bar.
1. Epcot's Tutto Gusto: Great drinks, good food, and a cozy atmosphere makes this my top bar/lounge. Hidden in the back of the Italian Pavilion, the lounge boasts dozens of delicious Italian wines and fresh food. They have a few different wine flights, including white and red flights. Mix and match appetizers such as freshly shaved Prosciutto, bruschetta, and cheese. Take a seat on the couch with wine in hand, and relax in front of the fireplace.
With the exception of Magic Kingdom's Be Our Guest, which gave parents a break by offering beer and wine at dinnertime, just about every place in Disney offers some sort of area to sit down and enjoy a nice alcoholic beverage. Most places are seat yourself once inside (except Tutto Gusto), so don't be afraid to sit down in a seat where people just left. Kindly ask your server to have your table cleaned. Not sure about a beer? Just ask your server for a sample. Although these bars do come with Disney pricing (most drinks start around $7) and may deter you from ordering more than a couple drinks, please drink responsibly.
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Also drinking at home or in the hotel room is missing the point of going out for drinks. You generally can't get the same variety and you burn a lot of time trying to find those drinks. Plus you're not in public, and the whole point of going out for drinks is... going out and having fun.
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