The Best Seven Bars at Disney Springs
Do you like Pina Coladas? And makin…you know what, that part doesn’t matter for the purposes of this discussion. Today, my goal is to get you drunk. Okay, maybe not drunk but tipsy enough that you’re in the best mood of your life.
I’m going to send you to the finest watering holes at Walt Disney World. From there, you make the call on what you’ll order from the bartender, whom I truly hope is named either Sam, Woody, or Coach. Here are the seven best bars/nightclubs at Disney Springs.
7) Dockside Margaritas
As a diehard Parrothead, I welcome any and all references to margaritas, Jimmy Buffett’s preferred drink. At this particular bar, you’re not getting anything fancy, though. The menu options are right there in the restaurant’s name. It’s a walk-up bar where you may order seven different kinds of margaritas.
Yes, they do have a few other spirits on the menu such as wines, ales, and lagers, but that’s not why you’re here. You’ll find better options for that at other bars. Here, you’re either ordering a margarita or you’re walking on by to the next place. I strongly suggest the Strawberry Margarita, which has Herradura Reposado Tequila and fresh Lime Juice blended with Strawberry Purée. It’s extremely sweet but also has a kick.
6) Stargarzers Bar
Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs doesn’t have the best reputation. After hearing years of complaints about its mediocrity, management finally decided to renovate the building to largely mixed results. Its planetary theme works well and provides a distinctive touch to a formerly nondescript establishment. The food, especially the entrees, is still of questionable quality.
The drinks, tho…
Many of the drinks on the menu have space-themed names such as Planetary Punch, the Space Monkey, The Moonwalk, and Halley’s Comet. These drinks are heavy on the rum, seem to love SKYY brands the most, and may even glow. They’re not the best at Disney Springs, but they’re probably the best themed.
5) Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar
The irony of ordering cocktails in a bar with a Prohibition theme should never be lost on you. These speakeasy joints popped during that odd period in American history when the very law of the land barred people from imbibing spirits. People were desperate enough to hang out in clandestine establishments, oftentimes hidden beneath credible ones.
While the 18th Amendment is no longer the law of the land (thank you, 21st Amendment!), the concept of the Prohibition-era has remained fresh, possibly due to this classic television episode. In 2018, Disney Springs added a restaurant that celebrates the premise.
At Enzo’s, you’re drinking in a bar near a series of rum-runner tunnels, making all your rounds feel illicit. Sure, you hated waiting until you were 21 to drink legally, but imagine if you’d celebrated that birthday in the 1920. You were completely out of luck! This extra layer of naughtiness adds to the proceedings, even if the booze here is just okay. To date, Enzo’s is better at theming than mixing drinks, but it’s barely a month old. Give it time to become one of the best bars at Disney Springs.
4) Raglan Road Irish Pub
What do the Irish know about drinking? Or poetry? Look, I’m not a huge fan of stereotypes about countries, but Raglan Road isn’t subtle about its influences. It plays up the idea that the Irish love a good beer. Baileys Whiskey is the preferred brand, of course, but the drink menu is remarkably diverse.
Even perceived girly drinks like mojitos are available on those days when you’re not up for a whiskey sour. Plus, a raucous live band plays here on most nights, fueling your drinking efforts with a bit more energy. You’ll have to supply your own depressing poetry, though.
3) Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
A lot of folks have expressed disappointment with Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, lamenting that the Indiana Jones connection isn’t overt. Well, as one of the world’s biggest fans of Indiana Jones (and his father!), it doesn’t bother me in the least. In fact, I think such critics are missing the forest for the trees here.
This bar is located in an ideal position, offering a gorgeous view of the water. It’s especially pretty at night, adding to the ambience of the well-themed adventurer bar. The menu spells this out by displaying those critical words that Disney fans love, Society of Explorers and Adventurers. Of course Indy and his friends would participate in this group!
As for the drinks, they’re the finest “Jocktails” in all of Disney Springs. Featuring goofy names like Donovan’s Dilemma, these are designer beverages with high-end recipes. Some of them have direct callbacks to the Indiana Jones franchise such as Shorty’s Shanghai, while others are just funny names like the Bitter Bartender.
You’ll have almost as much fun ordering as you will drinking. And you’ll do it in a wonderful setting that makes you feel like an explorer grabbing some liquid courage before the next encounter with snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
2) The BOATHOUSE
I previously gave a glowing review to this restaurant, noting that it was among my favorites at Walt Disney World. Everything I said there applies to the bar, too. You’re still in basically the same setting, although you have the option to order outside on the pier.
Here, you can watch Disney’s boats transport guests to and from Disney Springs. You can also see some lucky folks ride the Amphicars around the river. Wherever you choose to sit, you’ll enjoy the signature drinks of a Signature Restaurant, and you’ll love every second of it.
1) The Edison
The moment that The Edison finally opened, it instantly became the best nightclub at Walt Disney World. Sure, it’s got a virtual monopoly on the title, but it would win anyway thanks to the theme. It’s just what everyone on the internet wanted, a steampunk bar celebrating the innovative age of Edison and Tesla, the time when mankind mastered electricity.
The drinks at The Edison are works of art. They’re also apparently going to fluctuate during the year. On opening night and for the first couple of weeks, the star of The Edison was a divine concoction called the Airship Pirate.
It was thematic and delicious and not long for the menu. I presume that it will come back soon due to overwhelming demand. Until then, you’ll have to settle for wonderful beverages with engaging names like the Time Turner, the Samantha Sterling (yes, named after the S.E.A. character), and the Electric Mule.
The Edison combines style and substance, delicious flavors with phenomenal theming. The only downside is the pricing here, as the drinks are among the most expensive at Disney Springs. They’re charging those prices because the beverages are worth the money. Also, people will pay it as the cost of doing business at the best nightclub at Walt Disney World. The Edison’s the place to be at Disney Springs right now, and the drinks live up to the hype.
