Cali Grill Bar Question

[AlicynWonderland]

We are staying at the Contemporary and would love to sneak out after the little ones go to bed (with my parents babysitting, ofcourse) and I'm guessing that it may be around the time of a fireworks show. Is it a feasible plan for my DH and I to walk-in to the Cali Grill without ADRs, sit at the bar for cocktails and share a sushi platter?

 

[durango kid]

That is possible and even recommended, depending on the time of year. It's pretty easy to get a couple of seats at the bar and the sushi is great.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--it may not be that easy just before fireworks time. If the bar is full (and it's a small bar and almost always full around that time) they may not even let you up. Last dinner we had at CG we had dinner reservations and got there a bit early. We were told we could go on up and have a drink. Well--not a seat to be had at the bar OR in the small lounge. In fact, they were standing two deep behind the bar seats. We couldn't even get close enough to order a drink. Finally we found 2 unattended chairs propped up against the wall, and there we sat until dinner.
But give it a shot-you may get lucky.
Should add also that after the "show" was over, people stampeded out and the bar was almost empty.

 

[Pakey]

Well--it may not be that easy just before fireworks time. If the bar is full (and it's a small bar and almost always full around that time) they may not even let you up. Last dinner we had at CG we had dinner reservations and got there a bit early. We were told we could go on up and have a drink. Well--not a seat to be had at the bar OR in the small lounge. In fact, they were standing two deep behind the bar seats. We couldn't even get close enough to order a drink. Finally we found 2 unattended chairs propped up against the wall, and there we sat until dinner.
But give it a shot-you may get lucky.
Should add also that after the "show" was over, people stampeded out and the bar was almost empty.

We had this same experience mid-week January, supposedly the slowest time of year. We waited an hour past our ADR to even get a table and during that time, not one seat opened up at the bar or in the lounge area--those people were already in place waiting for fireworks. We never got close to the bar and didn't have a chance to order a drink. We were grateful when we finally were able to snag one of those chairs against the wall right off the elevator so that we could at least sit.

This place has always been pretty busy but I'd never seen it like this. I hope you have better luck.