Cocktail venue -- where to go?

[rejobako]

My wife and I have arranged for a sitter for our girls one evening next week while we're at Disney, and I'd be curious to hear some recommendations for the best place to go for a good dry martini and some low-key people-watching. We expect to be fairly drained from a day chasing the kids around the parks, so we'll probably just want to go somewhere and veg-out to a cool drink.

In the past, we have always enjoyed heading to the Polynesian bar, sitting in the big wicker chairs near the entrance and sucking on one of those ostentatious tropical cocktails while watching the duded-up sunburned guests all heading to dinner at Ohana. This year we'd like to try someplace new. I know the AKL has a trendy bar, but when we visited last it was very dim and quiet -- nice for certain moods but I suspect we may start yawning.

Any suggestions?

 

[DeeDeeDis]

There are a few places i like to people watch with coctail

1. Mexico with a Margarita
2. MGM - near the little lagoon - cold beer sitting at a picnic table (can even watch part of the parade from here. Or there is also an outdoor bar across from the entrance of the Movie Lot ride(catastrophy Canyon?) where you can sit and enjoy a variety of coctails
3. the Brew Pub on the boardwalk - at one of the outdoor tables
4. Port Orleans has a nice little lounge where we waited out part of hurricane and watch the playoffs
5. Rose and Crown Pub at EPCOT

 

[solotraveler]

As a conneseur of WDW bars and lounges, I'd recommend:

1. Rose and Crown Pub- DeeDee has the right idea. If you have park hoppers and will be using a day on the passes, this would be an ideal spot.
2. River Roost at Port Orleans Riverside. This place has live music most nights of the week. Killer bloody mary too.
3. Riptide Lounge at the Beach Club- Relaxed and located in the BC lobby, which is always bustling and busy. Good people watching spot here as well.
4. The Stone Crab Lounge at Fultons

I would avoid: Kimono's at the Swan after 9pm. Conventioneers doing kareoke. Not pretty.


Solotraveler

 

[rejobako]

Thanks to you both for your suggestions. Sounds like there's consensus between you on Port Orleans and the Rose and Crown. I'm very familiar with the latter, having always ended my Epcot World Beer Tours by ordering a black and tan for the last beer on the list.

The Riptide lounge sounds intriguing -- we haven't actually been to that hotel yet -- might be worth a detour to check it out.

solotraveler: LOL on the Kimono's review. I agree that it's not what we're looking for next week, although I confess I sometimes enjoy watching people who've been bottled up in business suits for far too long let go and belt out some off-key ballad. Kinda like American Idol rejects -- it ain't music, but if you're bad enough you can pass for entertaining.

 

[tjmw2727]

When DH and I have an evening at WDW to ourselves we almost always start out a bit early, say 7ish and head to Epcot (if you have admission). Strolling the WS sans kids and taking in the sights, sampling a bit of food and drink together is wonderful. I love the margharita's and he loves a brew from Germany and or UK. We usually end up at R&C pub for an appetizer dinner and a nice yard and watch Illuminations there or somewhere close.

Then we often stroll to the BW for a glimps of the goings on and maybe a drink at the Bellevue at BW.

If you need a later start or an earlier night then definatly find a nice spot for dinner even at DTD or at PO and hit the River Roost - lots of fun.

Of course there is DTD - or PI and you don't have to go crazy at PI. DH and I like dinner at Bongos, or earl of sandwich, a stop at the AC and then a show at the comedy club. Honestly we arn't big party people so one show (maybe two) usually does it for us, yawn.

TJ

eta - I forgot about the Riptide lounge, we stopped one night after Epcot and had a nice time.

 

[DonnaL]

We love the River Roost at POR, however, keep in mind earlier in the evening there are a lot of families with kids there. It seems Bob (the piano player) has his breaks timed just right to allow families with kids make their exit around 9:45 p.m. and the latter part of the evening is mostly adults. We always make it a point to stop by for an evening or two of great fun!! As Bob says "Nobody has more fun than us!" I also like the Adventurers Club at PI, but, DH isn't really crazy about it. I think it would be great fun if you have several people with your group, but, I enjoy it with just the two us, too. It's a different kind of humor in the shows there. You could also just stop by Epcot, pick up a drink at the Rose and Crown (or the outside cart there....don't know if they serve anything but beer there?), grab a bench either near the British Invasion show or Off Kilter at Canada and just enjoy the show.