Better bar for Grandma- CBR, POR, CS?

[ariel2003]

My Mom will be traveling with us and she is used to "going down to the bar for a drink and cigarette in the evening" when she goes to hotels. She heard there was nowhere to go at CBR except the pool bar which closes early. Now she is pushing for us to go off site. Help! Can anyone tell me which of the moderates have a bar that is nice for grown ups in the evening and not at the pool? Thanks!

 

[disneycuban]

I think River Roost at POR is a good choice, so is Francisco's at the CS.

 

[Janet2k]

Ariel2003, welcome to the Dis!

I agree with Disneycuban -- definitely consider a stay at Port Orleans - Riverside instead if she enjoys a drink in the evening at a lively bar. There is an entertainer by the name of Bob Jackson who is wonderful and he plays at the River Roost. From the official WDW website:

- - - - - - -
Name: River Roost
Description: Take in the Riverside atmosphere in our full-service lounge.
Location: Disney's Port Orleans Resort -- Riverside
Price Range: $
Cuisine: American
Meals: Snack
Service Type: Lounge with Entertainment
- - - - - - -

And please click here for a photo of Bob Jackson. My daughter and I had a ball at Bob's show during our last WDW vacation. I am looking forward to attending Bob's show on my next WDW vacation.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

This may be just my opinion but of all the moderates we liked the pool bar at CBR the best. We were there a few years ago and to my recollection it did not close as early as the others did. It is a beautiful setting and our adult children went down there almost every evening of our stay just to enjoy the view and talk with people from other areas of the world. They seemed to think the folks who hung around there were more friendly then those at the indoor bars.

 

[dznyntnh]

In addition to the River Roost lounge area in POR, the pool bar at Old Man River is great. Very relaxing atmosphere.

 

[Ambassador]

From POR, Grandma may also take a boat to Downtown Disney and really get into some trouble.

 

[WeLuvBuzz]

I just have to say your subject line is one of the funniest I have read in a while! LOL I just had to read the post when I saw "grandma" and "bar"! LOL Hope you all have a great time!!!

 

[sorcerermikey]

The "bars" in all of the disney resorts are referred to as "lounges".River Roost, Francesco's, and all the deluxes are indoors, and, as of July 1st of this year, are non-smoking due to new Fl.state law. As previously posted, the CBR pool bar does stay open later than the others (as do the pool bars at the All-Stars) because these resorts have no lounge. Pool bars allow smoking. The only drawback to the pool bars is that they are "weather permitting". They close in thunderstorms. They close early even at CBR and AS if it's cold out which does happen occassionally here in Jan. and Feb. If you're going anytime soon CBR is the closest you will get to what she's looking for.

 

[married2grumpy]

I don't think the Muddy River pool bar at POR closes in bad weather. When we were there in July the pool and playground were closed but the pool bar was still open. I don't know if it is because even though it is a pool bar, it is not out in the open. It is more like a huge porch with tables, chair and rockers.

 

[ariel2003]

Wow -Thanks to everyone for all the great info. Now I know what to do when I have a little question! The fact that all inside bars are non-smoking really changes things! I guess you can smoke in the pool bar though so maybe that is the way to go for Grandma since we will be going in early November. That settles it -CBR here we come!!

 

[jordanyosh]

For Grandma's sake, try and get a room at Martinique or Trinidad North as those are the closest villages to the pool bar. Otherwise, she may have to walk quite a ways to get that ciggie in her mouth.

 

[sorcerermikey]

If you are getting a smoking room for grandma's sake you will be in Trinidad North without requesting it. Should grandma use the pool bar and smoke, she should take very special care to be careful and considerate of others. These boards have educated me to the fact that something on the order of 92% of all non-smoking americans will either keel over instantly dead or at least require immmediate hospitalization if someone is smoking within 2 to 5 miles of them. That is for outdoors. Indoors there would be no survivors.

 

[paults]

now if your grandma likes to sing, stay at the swan and she can go down to Kimomos every night for karaoke and never leave the building. have fun

 

[eeyore0062]

I think that Grandma will like the bar at PO-R the best. It is indoors, has entertain Wednesday through Saturday evening, and is VERY nice.

The bar at CBR is outside next to the pool, and the one in CSR is rather loud. Do tell Grandma, though that all of the indoor bars are non smoking, so if she needs to smoke, she will need to go outside--- maybe making CBR her best bet. Also, remind her that sitting so her cigerette smoke blows away from a non smoker will make for a better experience for everyone.

 

[wdwnut2]

Originally posted by sorcerermikey
These boards have educated me to the fact that something on the order of 92% of all non-smoking americans will either keel over instantly dead or at least require immmediate hospitalization if someone is smoking within 2 to 5 miles of them. That is for outdoors. Indoors there would be no survivors.

LOL! I'm a non-smoker but I have to agree!

 

[Seahunt]

Hmmm, this was just in the local paper today re Florida's smoking law:

DAYTONA BEACH --

Since July 1, state law prohibits smokers from lighting up inside restaurants and drinking establishments that make more than 10 percent of their earnings from food sales.

Reaction to the first six weeks of smoke-free Florida bars and restaurants has followed predictable lines: Nonsmokers are delighted, smokers are annoyed, and business owners are left wondering what the long-range impact will be at the cash register.

Some customers said the new law has changed the way they decide where to eat.

"Ever since the law came into effect, I told my husband not to take me to a place that does not allow smoking," said Corey Matthews, 35, of Palm Coast who sat sipping a glass of wine and having a puff in the Ale House's outdoor seating area.

She had come for "happy hour" she said, and was less than happy about making occasional trips outdoors to accommodate her smoking habit.

But other diners said they were more inclined to visit places they once stayed away from because they were too smoky.

"You no longer have to breathe that stuff or worry about it making you stink," said Robert Klonowski, 75, of Port Orange, as he enjoyed a smoke-free meal at the Olive Garden Restaurant. "I feel sorry for (smokers), but you also have to feel sorry for nonsmokers."

And Ken Reed, 85, of Port Orange, said it was a joy walking into restaurants without being asked whether he prefers a smoking or nonsmoking seat.

"If smokers can't put up with what the law asks of them and they can't be without a smoke, then tough," Klonowski said. "You can't please everybody."

Diners who cannot do without a cigarette can still sit or stand outside -- before, during or after a meal -- and light up. To keep their smoking customers coming back, many businesses have set tables with chairs outside their main entrances or designated outdoor smoking areas.

It seems to be working. Many restaurants say they have not seen a drop in business -- yet.

"It is too early to say," said Ocean Deck manager Ken Bots. "There are still a lot of tourists in town. We'll have to see what it will be like when the slow months set in and mostly locals come to our business."

Not every dining and drinking establishment has complied with the ban, said Meg Shannon, spokeswoman for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Tallahassee.

"There have been 27 complaints filed against bars/restaurants in Volusia County," Shannon said. "Statewide, 738 complaints have been filed against establishments that are still allowing smoking."

The state agency has visited 10 of the establishments against which complaints have been registered and issued notices to comply, she said. The businesses have 30 days to comply with the law. Businesses that fail to comply will be fined, from $250 for a first offense up to $2,000 for subsequent offenses.

Leaning back in his chair in the Ale House' designated outdoor smoking area, with a pale moon peering over his shoulder from a cloudless evening sky, Stripe philosophized about the law.

"I recognize the rights of nonsmokers, but I also have the right to enjoy a legal pleasure," Stripe said. "I feel deprived of that privilege."

He watched a woman arriving at the restaurant ditch a newly lit cigarette before scurrying into the restaurant, adding fire to his argument.

"You see that? She does not have the joy of a smoke because she has to be inside," Stripe said, flicking ashes onto the parking lot.

Stripe said he'd still be able to smoke indoors if the government required restaurants to install a filtration system for cigarette smoke. He said the idea was tried in New York.

"With today's technology, it is entirely possible to isolate cigarette smoke with an air-purification system," Stripe said. "It would be better. I don't believe in the concept of prohibition."

It might not fit the definition of prohibition, but Stripe is not alone in finding the new law an intrusion on a smoker's right to puff.

"It's nothing but a liberal conspiracy and political correctness," scoffed Chris Gage, 36, as he tossed Stripe a box of cigarettes.

 

[Demosthenes]

Originally posted by sorcerermikey
These boards have educated me to the fact that something on the order of 92% of all non-smoking americans will either keel over instantly dead or at least require immmediate hospitalization if someone is smoking within 2 to 5 miles of them. That is for outdoors. Indoors there would be no survivors.

LMAO! How true! It's amazing some people can even leave the house.

 

[billybaruch1]

Originally posted by Demosthenes
LMAO! How true! It's amazing some people can even leave the house.

Especially since Walt Disney (and many others) have died from lung cancer. Do yourself and your Grandma a favor and don't "enable" her "ciggies." Just my opinion. But, please, do yourself and your Grandma a favor, in other words, don't quit trying to get her to quit. She can try hypnosis*. You will all only regret it if you do not try. I'm not kidding. No smiley.

* It worked for me after 30 years of "puffing."

 

[GlennandAnn]

The bar at POR is a lot of fun!

Ann

 

[eeyore0062]

To keep their smoking customers coming back, many businesses have set tables with chairs outside their main entrances or designated outdoor smoking areas.

Yes, we have seen this in the area in which we live. The unfortunate thing is that the tables are situated so close to the front entrance in some cases that you have to walk through a cloud of smoke to get in.

Also, I have noticed that wait times for tables at restaurants that have chosen to comply, have dropped by half, since you don't have to wait for a particular type of table. So, not only has this law had a positive effect on our indoor environment, it has benefitted us in other ways.

As for air filtration systems... some are better than others, they are very expensive, and not always very effective, especially for those who are sensitive to smoke.

I am very happy with the new law, and wish it would be adopted nationwide!