Bar dining

[gottalovepluto]

…most WDW restaurants don't allow you to "belly up." You gotta make a reservation first, then ask to sit at the bar when you arrive.

Well that’s wrong information. Disney doesn’t reserve bar seats for ADRs and having an ADR doesn’t give you a leg up on a bar seat vs no ADR. If there is space at the bar and you have an ADR you can ask to sit there (but at least at S71 you’ll get an entirely different menu from the restaurant). If there is space at the bar and you don’t have an ADR you can just walk up and sit down. If there is no space at the bar you don’t get to sit there no matter what.

Disney bars at nice restaurants are literally designed for those who don’t want to ADR.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Hi! I'm single. I dine at bars all the time. However, be warned: most WDW restaurants don't allow you to "belly up." You gotta make a reservation first, then ask to sit at the bar when you arrive.

Or get there early enough without a reservation and ask.

Either way, enjoy. Some of my best times have occurred because I talk to bartenders or strangers talk to me.

Interesting. I've had the opposite experience -- but as we all know experiences can vary at Disney! I do make a reservation when it's somewhere I that I absolutely want to eat & at a specific time without waiting & then ask at the podium but otherwise I've been able to walk up to bars at Jiko (small - very few seats), Flying Fish, Cake Bake, Boathouse (inside and outside), Wine Bar George, Yak and Yeti (also very few seats), bluezoo, Il Mulino, Topolino's, and probably others I'm forgetting. I do it a lot . I do typically stop at the podium and say I'm going to see if there are any seats at the bar. At Cake Bake you have ask because they have the velvet rope up but they've never had a problem just letting me through. Totally agree I've had some fantastic conversations with bartenders and fellow customers alike. Love bar seating!

 

[sotoalf]

Well that’s wrong information. Disney doesn’t reserve bar seats for ADRs and having an ADR doesn’t give you a leg up on a bar seat vs no ADR. If there is space at the bar and you have an ADR you can ask to sit there (but at least at S71 you’ll get an entirely different menu from the restaurant). If there is space at the bar and you don’t have an ADR you can just walk up and sit down. If there is no space at the bar you don’t get to sit there no matter what.

Disney bars at nice restaurants are literally designed for those who don’t want to ADR.

I think you read me incorrectly or I was unclear. I said that I make an ADR so I'm guaranteed some kind of seating, then at the host stand I ask if there's bar availability.

 

[sotoalf]

Interesting. I've had the opposite experience -- but as we all know experiences can vary at Disney! I do make a reservation when it's somewhere I that I absolutely want to eat & at a specific time without waiting & then ask at the podium but otherwise I've been able to walk up to bars at Jiko (small - very few seats), Flying Fish, Cake Bake, Boathouse (inside and outside), Wine Bar George, Yak and Yeti (also very few seats), bluezoo, Il Mulino, Topolino's, and probably others I'm forgetting. I do it a lot . I do typically stop at the podium and say I'm going to see if there are any seats at the bar. At Cake Bake you have ask because they have the velvet rope up but they've never had a problem just letting me through. Totally agree I've had some fantastic conversations with bartenders and fellow customers alike. Love bar seating!

Yup. Because Disney's system has trouble reserving for one person, I make an ADR for two or three. When I get to the restaurant I say, "Table for one, please" and either ask for the bar or am asked if I'd like bar seating. Jiko often offers me the Cooking Place space.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Yup. Because Disney's system has trouble reserving for one person, I make an ADR for two or three. When I get to the restaurant I say, "Table for one, please" and either ask for the bar or am asked if I'd like bar seating. Jiko often offers me the Cooking Place space.

Ah, yes. The dining system is notoriously an issue for single diners. I agree, it can be frustrating! But, just to be clear, you absolutely can walk up to a bar and grab a seat without a reservation ... subject to availability, of course. So, if the mood strikes, don't let not having a reservation or not seeing any availability in the system hold you back. It's often worth a try. The cooking place counter inside Jiko is an exception where you need to be sat at it by one of the hosts ... but the bar that's in the waiting area is first-come first-serve.

 

[RedHead0186]

Steakhouse 71. I've always eaten at the bar there and had a great experience (not it is a limited menu in the lounge, but still great). I also love eating at the bar at Boathouse, as well as Wine Bar George.

 

[js]

I love Topolinos bar dining and you don't need a ressie. We do it a couple of times every trip.

 

[fly girl]

Epcot Resorts area has many options. A few not mentioned yet: Kimonos at Swan if you like Japanese. Stir at Swan Reserve is a nice bar that has menu items from Amare (mediterranean) next door.

 

[sotoalf]

Ah, yes. The dining system is notoriously an issue for single diners. I agree, it can be frustrating! But, just to be clear, you absolutely can walk up to a bar and grab a seat without a reservation ... subject to availability, of course. So, if the mood strikes, don't let not having a reservation or not seeing any availability in the system hold you back. It's often worth a try. The cooking place counter inside Jiko is an exception where you need to be sat at it by one of the hosts ... but the bar that's in the waiting area is first-come first-serve.

Oh, for sure. I often have no trouble at Steakhouse 71 and the small bar across from the Jiko host stand, for example.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi! I'm single. I dine at bars all the time. However, be warned: most WDW restaurants don't allow you to "belly up." You gotta make a reservation first, then ask to sit at the bar when you arrive.

Or get there early enough without a reservation and ask.

Either way, enjoy. Some of my best times have occurred because I talk to bartenders or strangers talk to me.

This is the same policy that was in place last time I ate at a bar. However, that was about 15 years ago and I thought the policy had changed. Apparently not-or did it change recently?

 

[sotoalf]

This is the same policy that was in place last time I ate at a bar. However, that was about 15 years ago and I thought the policy had changed. Apparently not-or did it change recently?

Apparently there's confusion. If a restaurant with a bar has space, they'll accommodate you. If you really wanna eat at the restaurant with no guarantee of bar seating, make an ADR before arrival. That's all.

 

[picktails]

Thanks for this thread! I have my first solo trip coming up at the end of April, and all ready have a list of lounges to visit. I don’t believe anyone has mentioned Geo-82 (ressie required,) Brown Derby Lounge ( a MUST every trip,) and the small bar at Yak & Yeti (just saw a short video on that one. )

 

[Princess Tess]

It might be worth a dining alert if you would like Narcoosies

Ohhhh - what is that?

 

[Princess Tess]

Thanks for this thread! I have my first solo trip coming up at the end of April, and all ready have a list of lounges to visit. I don’t believe anyone has mentioned Geo-82 (ressie required,) Brown Derby Lounge ( a MUST every trip,) and the small bar at Yak & Yeti (just saw a short video on that one. )

We need to get to Brown Derby one of these days - I can’t believe we’ve never been!? Unfortunately, we’re not doing the parks this trip - we’re really looking for some R + R.

 

[Princess Tess]

Steakhouse 71. I've always eaten at the bar there and had a great experience (not it is a limited menu in the lounge, but still great). I also love eating at the bar at Boathouse, as well as Wine Bar George.

Thank you. We love the Boathouse but might shoot for something different this trip - I’ve heard there’s good people watching at Wine Bar George if you can score a balcony seat?

 

[Princess Tess]

Swolphin is great for this. Rosa, Il Mulino, bourbon steakhouse & Blue Zoo all have bars with good drinks and good food menus. Some of Amares items can be had at the lobby bar at SR if Mediterranean is more your vibe.

Also, S71 Lounge is great. I prefer lunch there as sometimes at dinner the lounge fills up.

Thank you!

 

[Princess Tess]

DH and I frequently go to the bar at Topolino’s Terrace for dinner.

We stayed at the RIV a couple of years ago - LOVED the outdoor bar at Topolinos!

 

[Princess Tess]

The bar at Flying Fish (on the Boardwalk) is one of my favorite places to dine ever. Food is always amazing and the bartenders are just outstanding.

At Animal Kingdom Lodge, there is Victoria Falls Lounge, a bar outside Jiko in the waiting area, and then a "chef's counter" of sorts inside the restaurant. I'd recommend any of these - the lounge has its own menu the others serve the Jiko menu.

Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge is fun and you could time for fireworks and or water parade.

It's $$$ but have had a good experience at the bar at Cake Bake Shop.

Thank you! I was able to split our stay so we have 2 nights at the Boardwalk now (woot woot). I was watching some YouTube videos on the Cake Bake Shop - we will definitely visit it! It looks gorgeous!

 

[zackiedawg]

When I travel solo, I often still make reservations and prefer to sit at a table...but there are times I decide to leave it unplanned and just decide where I want to eat that day - and I'll use the bar seating for that. Some of my favorite nicer restaurants to get full dining service at the bar with no reservations are:

Jiko; The Cooking Place
Steakhouse 71
Wine Bar George
Topolino's Terrace
Dahlia Lounge
Cake Bake Shop
Capa (at the Four Seasons) $$$$
Enzo's Hideaway
Ravello (at the Four Seasons)

Other bar spots that may not be high-end, but I enjoy getting a hearty meal there:

Art Smith's Homecomin
House of Blues
Frontera Cocina
Rosa Mexicano
Geyser Point
Three Bridges
Maya Grill
Lava Lounge (Rainforest Cafe Disney Springs)
Raglan Road
Summer House

I'll throw in with an asterisk - Nomad Lounge. Yes, they have their own small plate menu, and it's decent - they USED to offer the full menu from Tiffin's but stopped that. If it's off-season and not busy, I've been able to talk them into letting me order from Tiffin's menu even in the past year. No guarantees you'll get that lucky, and it helps if you're a 'regular' who knows most bartenders by name!