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.

 

[Disneyhanna]

I've been 3 times now.

• 1st time, we were a reservation for 4 but only had 3 check in, and we got seated at the long table in the main room. Great spot!
• 2nd time, group of 2, we were standing around the large table in the map room which was empty but then quickly filled with other groups of 2. Not my favorite but at least you can sort of see/hear each other. Can't see anything happening of course, but you can always walk into the main room.
• 3rd time, group of 5, we were standing in the corner in the main room by the entrance. Super loud, worst spot yet as you could basically only talk in groups of 2-3. We had food and you had to face the wall to eat on the little wall counter. By this point I was just ordering beer because the batched cocktails are not worth it and the N/A drinks are awful

Oga's is a better experience than B&B, I wish Disney would just use little round stools or something. No harm in letting people sit if there is a strict time limit!

 

[Nabas]

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.

My daughter and husband had the same experience about 2 weeks ago. They briefly discussed the situation and left after about one minute.

A most assuredly unmagical experience!

 

[gatordoc]

We went for the first time a couple of days ago, and were given standing space at the bar. We thought this was great - would not have wanted to be anywhere else. We could see/hear everything happening in the main room, and were able to interact with the bartenders. And when our time was up, the bartender told us to take as long as we liked on our way out, so we got to see each of the other rooms as well (being sure to stay out of the way of servers and other guests).

 

[mtv13]

We definitely saw both things going on when we were there. There are some tables that seat 2-3 but there are some larger tables that had multiple parties seated at them. However, the multiple parties weren't really together-together like at Ogas. They were seated close but still seemed separate. We did order snacks and did not feel like we had to scarf them down, although there were 4 of us and we were hungry, so maybe we did and just didn't realize it! LOL. We all only got 1 drink but could have easily gotten a second and had time!

 

[MyKindOfDisney]

We were there last week with our family of six. We were lucky to be seated in a table in the back (inside a "keep" with a hinged gate that thankfully stayed open) all to ourselves. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the food. The octopus ceviche was not what we expected but was delicious!

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Beak and Barrel is a one and done that I'm looking forward to doing again...

Went for the first time last week with a group of 4 adults and a 7 yo. Was given the dreaded standing room only map room. Was immediately upset by this especially because I wanted a seat for my kid. Was ready to complain/walk out but stayed cool, had a CM get a stool for my kid, then proceeded slowly to relax and enjoy what turned out to be some decent drinks and food offerings. However I did walk into the main room a few times with my kid when the "show" was on. There were many spots that weren't on top of anyone else or blocking anyone's views. Then walked back to join the group. By the end of our 45 minutes what started off as a very negative experience turned into one of the more memorable and pleasurable ones.

I still think this is a one and done type experience in general but I know I'll be doing it again. I enjoyed it. Next time I will be asking for a seat. Although to be fair I walked all around the place and I can say there are some seated areas that would be worse views/locations than the map room. It's too bad they made so many coves and nooks and walled off areas. The seating and drinking experience should be a little more uniform in regards to views and you know...chairs.

 

[3gr8boys]

Just sharing our experience - the short version is that I recommend Beak and Barrel for breakfast.

For context, my husband and I recently made our first "just us" trip to WDW. I knew we wouldn't be back for years and I wanted to check out Beak and Barrel even though we aren't big drinkers and I was concerned about the seating (or lack thereof) situation. I decided to make the earliest ADR possible, 10 in the morning, in hopes of a full lounge not pushing us to standing in a sight-obstructed area.

I went to the podium to check in instead of doing it online (after a leisurely MK arrival, a Jungle Cruise LL and a Pirates walk on - day was off to a great start!). I explained it was our first and last-for-a-while visit and that I would appreciate being in the Mess. The CM asked if we wanted to sit and I wasn't going to be pushy, but my husband piped up "yes" before I could say anything. A couple of minutes later, we were taken to a couple of stools. The bar is standing, but at the end towards the door, there is a lower section with two low stools at it. Great spot! Easy to look around the mess and front row seats to the action behind the bar. From the end stool, you can turn around and watch the ship-in-a-bottle battle. People were being put in the standing positions at the bar and seated spots in the Mess and the Captain Quarters. In our 45 minutes, it definitely did not reach capacity. No one was standing along the back wall. A group was put in the Mapmakers room and wasn't in there long.... but I wasn't paying attention.

I was worried about going to a lounge in the morning... but it turned out to be a great thing. The "Island Provisions" made for a great breakfast. (I was thinking we'd also try the veggie Corn Griddle Cake, but didn't.) I had the "Cursed Treasure" drink and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. (The cookie crumbs are in the beverage- the texture could be off putting to some.) I ended up drinking two! My husband ended up indulging in some rum. I think he was inspired by the heavy theming

We stayed for our entire 45 minutes. Between the drinks and the provisions, we left quite satisfied having had a relaxed, fun and filling breakfast.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Just sharing our experience - the short version is that I recommend Beak and Barrel for breakfast.

For context, my husband and I recently made our first "just us" trip to WDW. I knew we wouldn't be back for years and I wanted to check out Beak and Barrel even though we aren't big drinkers and I was concerned about the seating (or lack thereof) situation. I decided to make the earliest ADR possible, 10 in the morning, in hopes of a full lounge not pushing us to standing in a sight-obstructed area.

I went to the podium to check in instead of doing it online (after a leisurely MK arrival, a Jungle Cruise LL and a Pirates walk on - day was off to a great start!). I explained it was our first and last-for-a-while visit and that I would appreciate being in the Mess. The CM asked if we wanted to sit and I wasn't going to be pushy, but my husband piped up "yes" before I could say anything. A couple of minutes later, we were taken to a couple of stools. The bar is standing, but at the end towards the door, there is a lower section with two low stools at it. Great spot! Easy to look around the mess and front row seats to the action behind the bar. From the end stool, you can turn around and watch the ship-in-a-bottle battle. People were being put in the standing positions at the bar and seated spots in the Mess and the Captain Quarters. In our 45 minutes, it definitely did not reach capacity. No one was standing along the back wall. A group was put in the Mapmakers room and wasn't in there long.... but I wasn't paying attention.

I was worried about going to a lounge in the morning... but it turned out to be a great thing. The "Island Provisions" made for a great breakfast. (I was thinking we'd also try the veggie Corn Griddle Cake, but didn't.) I had the "Cursed Treasure" drink and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. (The cookie crumbs are in the beverage- the texture could be off putting to some.) I ended up drinking two! My husband ended up indulging in some rum. I think he was inspired by the heavy theming

We stayed for our entire 45 minutes. Between the drinks and the provisions, we left quite satisfied having had a relaxed, fun and filling breakfast.

I remember those two short stool seats at the bar and yeah they're pretty good for being in the thick of it. Glad you had a fun time! And yes there's something about the place that feels like it shouldn't be as good of a time as it actually is. I do recommend it for sure.