The 5 Best Bars in Disney World- The Adventuring Millennial

Disney World is not just for kids. I know, if you only went as a kid it might seem that way. Why would you want to spend your hard-earned vacation time at Disney?

Maybe you are like me and are a huge Disney Parks fan. But if not, trust me. There is so much for adults to do at Disney World. Need a great example? You can drink! That’s right. There is alcohol at Disney World. And in some places, you can walk around the park with your adult beverage. I’ve created a list of the 5 best bars in Disney World. Ready to get your adult Disney vacay on?

Ok, let’s get started on the right track. If you are looking for an adult beverage (or 2) head to Epcot. Hands down the Magic Kingdom is my favorite Disney park. But if you are looking for a more “adult” experience you need to make Epcot a priority. At the Magic Kingdom, you can only order alcohol at table service restaurants (meaning you need to have a reservation). But at Epcot, you will literally be able to drink your way around the world. Sound good? Ok, read on!

So at Epcot, you need to head to World Showcase. This section of the park includes 11 “pavillions” themed to different countries. Yes it may sound a bit cheesy but let yourself get into it, you are going to be at DISNEY WORLD after all. World Showcase was one of my favorite parts of a Disney vacation as a kid. While other kids enjoyed the rides, I loved walking around the mini “countries” and hearing different languages, trying different types of food, and watching the themed entertainment. (Ok, maybe I was a weird kid. Whatever, I had fun!)

As I continued to visit Disney World as an adult I realized that World Showcase now had, even more, to offer: DRINKS! That’s right. Each pavilion serves a variety of alcoholic beverages from their respective country. And what’s even better is that you don’t have to be at a table service restaurant to enjoy these beverages. Most pavilions include a bar or walk-up window where you can order a drink. You can even take these drinks with you as you walk around the rest of World Showcase. If I haven’t made it clear already, most of the best bars in Disney World are found in Epcot.

Ok before we go any further. Can we just agree to be responsible? As fun as drinking at Disney World can be let’s not get Disney drunk ok? We don’t need any repeats of this.

The 5 Best Bars in Disney World

1. La Cava de Tequila

Alright, now that we are all on the same page let’s talk about the best bars in Disney World. If you couldn’t already guess we are starting in Epcot’s World Showcase.

Think about it. You have been in the hot Orlando sun for hours. What is more refreshing than a frozen marg? If you are standing in the World Showcase Plaza facing the lagoon, take a left. Mexico will be the first pavilion you reach. Head inside the pavilion (the large pyramid-structure) to find La Cava de Tequila. Once you walk inside you will be transported to a night market. Seriously, it always looks and feels like early evening inside the pavilion. Check it out- it’s pretty neat.

You will find the tequila bar on the right side of the pavilion. Their menu includes margs, tequila flights, and other specialty drinks. I know it might sound weird, but consider ordering La Cava Avocado. This frozen marg is made with fresh avocado. I promise it is very refreshing and light. If that’s not your thing don’t worry. You can also try a blood orange or pineapple margarita. Just be prepared to drop $15 on a drink.

Besides the avocado marg, another reason I love this bar is how close it is to ANOTHER margarita bar. I guess some people had trouble finding La Cava de Tequila since it is inside the pavilion. To help with this issue, another bar recently opened outside the pavilion. Choza de Margarita is a walk-up counter that serves more traditional drinks. Here you can find frozen strawberry, lime, and mango margaritas (or try the Fiesta drink which is a mix of all 3 flavors). You can also order some Mexican beers here too (like Dos Equis and Pacifico). These frozen margs are slightly cheaper (at $10.50) than the offerings at La Cava de Tequila.

You really can’t go wrong at either bar. And since you can take your drinks with you, enjoy the atmosphere around the Mexican pavilion (you may even catch one of the 2 mariachi bands) while you sip on your frozen marg. Cheers!

2. Baseline Tap House

Ok so for a while there Hollywood Studios was kind of a wasteland. I know progress takes time, and Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge will be HUGE once they are completed, but at one point they literally had 4 rides open. 4! (Toy Story Midway Mania, Tower of Terror, Rockin’ Roller Coaster, and Star Tours). So it was hard for me to justify going to this park when there really just wasn’t that much to do.

Hollywood Studios is finally starting to look alive again. Toy Story Land opened and Galaxy’s Edge is opening later this month. When Baseline Tap House opened, it brought a new energy to the park. This pub features California brews in a relaxed atmosphere. You can hang out inside the bar, but I suggest sitting under the string lights on the large open patio.

The menu includes wine, beer, beer flights, spirits, and cocktails on tap. I ordered the California Sunset cocktail which was fruity and refreshing. The pub also offers a limited snack selection of almonds, a Bavarian pretzel, and a cheese plate.

This was the perfect place to relax and enjoy a calm moment in the park. Sometimes it can be difficult to take a break on a Disney vacation. But with good drinks and plenty of seating, Baseline Tap House makes for a great spot to get refreshed before heading to your next attraction.

3. Bier Cart

You had to know we couldn’t stay away from World Showcase for too long. If you are looking for adult beverages this really is the place to go. I mean you can actually drink around the world! How fun is that?

Of course, I need to mention the German Pavilion. Germany is known for the beer so it only makes sense that their Epcot representation offers a great selection. While you could celebrate Oktoberfest all year long at the Biergarten buffet, you will find everything you need at the Bier Cart. This walk-up window is located on the right side of the pavilion under a green awning. Don’t worry, you should easily spot it by the long line waiting to order a stein.

The selection includes Beck’s Pilsner, Selbach Riesling Wine, and Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Beer. This is where I discovered just how delicious grapefruit beer is. Enjoy your drink in the cozy Bavarian atmosphere where you can easily forget you are actually in Flordia.

4. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

If you haven’t checked out Disney Springs in a while, you might not realize how much it has changed. I used to get bored with the same few restaurants and shops in Downtown Disney. But after the name change and recent expansion, there are plenty of places to explore.

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar was one of the earliest additions to Disney Springs. While I enjoy Indiana Jones, I have never been a die-hard fan. So I was unfamiliar with the connection. But the bar is themed to Jock Lindsey, Indy’s pilot friend from Raider’s of the Lost Ark. The backstory goes that Jock Lindsey found his way to Florida, built an airplane hangar, and eventually opened a family-friendly bar inside the hanger. Maybe it makes more sense if you are a big Indiana Jones fan. Either way, the atmosphere is fun and the drinks are great!

Apps include pork belly sliders, tuna tacos, and empanadas. The cocktails are all given themed names like Safari Sangria and Cool-headed Monkey. A selection of beer and cider is also available.

The patio overlooks a pond and is a relaxed place to hang out after a day at the parks. Most of the Disney Springs bars and restaurants close later than the parks, so it is a perfect place to go if you are not quite ready to head back to your hotel. You don’t need a park ticket to visit Disney Springs, so this is also a fun way to add some Disney time without venturing into a park.

5. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Bar

Save the best for last, right? This is absolutely my FAVORITE bar on Disney property. You will have to make your way to the Polynesian Resort, but trust me it is worth it. And you can get there on the monorail so it really isn’t that difficult.

Trader Sam’s has a similar menu to Jock Lindsey’s. They serve a variety of apps like sushi, poke, and flatbreads. The cocktails also have themed names including Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum and HippopotoMai-Tai. However, the atmosphere is different (and better in my opinion) at Trader Sam’s. The inside bar is dimly lit and screams beach tiki bar. A variety of different antics are performed by the bartenders related to the drink orders. Uh-Oa! and Dark & Tropical Stormy both cause the bartenders to perform (so order those to see what happens).

If you choose to sit on the patio you won’t see the bartender’s antics. Instead, you can enjoy the sounds from live ukelele performers. And, if you time it right, you can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the patio.

Hands down my favorite drink at Trader Sam’s is the Spikey Pineapple. If you love the famous Disney Dole Whip, this will be your jam. It is an adult version of that classic treat. I’m about ready to book a trip just so I can order one of these delicious drinks at one of the best bars in Disney World (yes, this is hands down my favorite!)

So there you have it! 5 of the best bars in Disney World. And some people think Disney is just for kids. Let me know in the comments below if you have visited any of these bars or if I didn’t mention your favorite one!

Looking for more? Check out these posts:

How to Celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World

The Essential Epcot Food & Wine Festival Tips