Beak and Barrel Seating Experiences

[Mle8308]

I’ll resurrect this thread and go on a little rant about B&B.

We had a party of 3 and were taken to the bar along the front corner of the main room immediately on the right after entering.

Standing.

We were given the option to wait 20 more minutes outside to be seated, but that did not fit into our day.

I think that after making an ADR 60 days in advance (on the minute) and being excited to get Beak and Barrel, having to stand is a horrible and very un-magical way to end up. Sort of the polar opposite of a chef’s kiss.

Possible solutions:
1. Get some freaking bar chairs in there.
2. Offer the standing areas for walk-ups. All people with ADRs should be seated.

In no way should standing for 45 minutes be considered an acceptable guest experience.

I agree standing isn't the best, but since you seem to have read this thread, it should not have been a surprise that you were standing, it's one of the options - like at Oga's. At least they offered seating to you, you chose not to wait! There are very few walk ups right now due to it's popularity, so I don't think that would work. The first time we went we were seated and it was in a booth in a far back corner about as far away from everything as you could be and with a stranger, not ideal for most (we actually liked it because it was easier to talk). I think people forget it's a bar and people stand at bars!

 

[tx911]

I agree standing isn't the best, but since you seem to have read this thread, it should not have been a surprise that you were standing, it's one of the options - like at Oga's. At least they offered seating to you, you chose not to wait! There are very few walk ups right now due to it's popularity, so I don't think that would work. The first time we went we were seated and it was in a booth in a far back corner about as far away from everything as you could be and with a stranger, not ideal for most (we actually liked it because it was easier to talk). I think people forget it's a bar and people stand at bars!

I read the thread after the trip

 

[HopperFan]

Guess I never responded after visiting. We had an early morning ADR but not first seated. We ended up being the second group (we were 3) sat at big table where you walk in. Before us was a couple with a baby that almost didn't get seated at all because they did not include the baby in the ADR. She was wearing him. Sometime after us a larger group I think 5-6 was seated on other side of us. It was fine. While we did no direct interacting the server engaged the whole table pointed out to group three what we had. I did get up and walk all around and take photos. Def a wide range of seating options. We will for sure return.

 

[Mle8308]

I read the thread after the trip

You've been to Disney quite a few times per your signature, we all knew the type of bar B&B was going to be as well as seating options. You can't tell me you heard absolutely nothing about it prior to visiting. It should not have been a surprise to find out that people actually have to stand at a bar! And I still go back to what you said, that they offered you seating, you declined due to your time constraints. At least you got in, most people don't!

 

[tx911]

You've been to Disney quite a few times per your signature, we all knew the type of bar B&B was going to be as well as seating options. You can't tell me you heard absolutely nothing about it prior to visiting. It should not have been a surprise to find out that people actually have to stand at a bar! And I still go back to what you said, that they offered you seating, you declined due to your time constraints. At least you got in, most people don't!

I really didn't know. Regardless, I think it's a poor guest experience for the 5% standing when 95% of the people are seated. Either decrease capacity or get some bar chairs. Again, this is just my opinion, and yours may certainly differ.

 

[Mle8308]

I really didn't know. Regardless, I think it's a poor guest experience for the 5% standing when 95% of the people are seated. Either decrease capacity or get some bar chairs. Again, this is just my opinion, and yours may certainly differ.

Absolutely! We can respectfully agree to disagree!

 

[zackiedawg]

Honestly, I don't mind the standing - I've been 3 times and only seated once.

But I do wonder why with only a few spots with standing, they couldn't modify it for seating. Small standard bar stools could fit at the main bar. The bar to the right of the entrance isn't that narrow that bar stools couldn't have been added there with the same capacity...and the map room table could have been just slightly narrowed to allow stools or small backless chairs to fit in there. Seems like they could just about match the capacity, or maybe lose no more than 3-4 total spaces, by adding full seating throughout.

I was there last week with a party of 2, and we were put in the map room which was standing.

I could see as a possibility that if the 'newness' wears off and it's not as hard to get a reservation there, that they might still add some bar stool seating in the standing areas. Then again, Trader Sam's remains difficult to get in even after 10 years, so maybe Beak and Barrel will always be as popular/hard to get in as now.

 

[BrianL]

2. Offer the standing areas for walk-ups. All people with ADRs should be seated.

I agree that this would be a good way to go - ADRs for seating, then standing for walk-ups. They'd still get the same number of people in there, though the reservations would be harder to get. Still, that's the way I'd go.

 

[tzolkin]

I think it's a poor guest experience for the 5% standing when 95% of the people are seated.

I normally don't mind standing and knew it was a possibility. But, it was not a good experience for us because of this setup. We wound up cancelling our second reservation for that trip.

Standing at the bar or at a high table chatting with a group of people (like we have at Oga's) is completely fine. But being stood in the corner facing a wall was a bit disappointing. It felt like we didn't really have a reservation and were just awkwardly standing with our drinks in our hands over all the people sitting at the big tables. The entire time the servers were having to squeeze by us with food and drinks while in rush to get people served and out before their time was up. There was not even enough bar/counter space at our spot to put our food down when it came out-- and we only ordered one plate of chips and two drinks.

We enjoyed the theming and artistic details, but the atmosphere was severely lacking for us due to the location we were "seated". It felt like we were an afterthought/in the way and they just wanted us to buy something and get out. I don't even think we stayed for the full 45min.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I really didn't know. Regardless, I think it's a poor guest experience for the 5% standing when 95% of the people are seated. Either decrease capacity or get some bar chairs. Again, this is just my opinion, and yours may certainly differ.

Seating/standing has to be closer to 20/80 or 30/70, I've seen a lot of people squeezed into that main bar and did you miss the "map room" off to the left side of the bar? Now THAT is the worst place in the house. Not only do you have to stand around a big table you can't see squat. It's been a bit since I got stuck there but that room has to hold at least 10 people.

Don't forget to leave Disney feedback...

 

[tx911]

Seating/standing has to be closer to 20/80 or 30/70, I've seen a lot of people squeezed into that main bar and did you miss the "map room" off to the left side of the bar? Now THAT is the worst place in the house. Not only do you have to stand around a big table you can't see squat. It's been a bit since I got stuck there but that room has to hold at least 10 people.

Don't forget to leave Disney feedback...

Didn't see the Map Room, but it sounds horrible. I don't understand the thinking and it feels like a miss to me. The first and only other time I've been I sat in the Brig, and didn't notice the SRO areas.