Jellyrolls / bars

[Loftus]

Planning to take things at a little calmer pace for my second solo trip this September and was thinking about the evenings.
For people with more experience than me (ie most people here) what is Jellyrolls like for the lone traveller and if you were going to linger over a drink or two which resort bars would you choose?
I am a middle-aged guy so I don't have any particular safety issues and it is just a drink or two rather than a drinking session. Not sure I can afford one of those at Disney!

 

[gojoe]

If you like singing and people watching it's great. Usually it a mixed group, some wedding, some convention, some couples and locals. If you can start up a conversation there are a lot of different people to talk with.
If you are sports minded ESPN has a bit to offer. The big plus is Boardwalk so much to offer. I've never ventured in to the Dance Hall but would love to hear how it is.

 

[smidgy]

plus, you can walk over to the swan for karaokee. we have had mixed results. someties it is a bunch of smaller groups. all having fun together and singing. if there is a huge convention group, they tend to take over. one or 2 drunkenly sing some song, they all laugh, then they all talk and laugh amongst themselves so loud, over powering the poor singer,
we have gone and stayed, had a bunch of fun, and gone , had one drink, sang one song eah, and couldn't wait to finish or expensive beer and leave.
\ but there is enough at the Boardwalk that I would try there as a solo. there is also a bar at the big river brewerey if you want to chat, and get a specialty beer.

 

[iheartmickey1111]

I am going on my second solo trip in Sept. too!

 

[Jason71]

For a more relaxed drink, hard to top Mizners in the Grand (live band) or the bar in Wilderness Lodge (name escapes me).

As for Jelly Rolls, can be fun if you just grab a stool, but too loud to strike up a conversation with anyone, and it's definitely more fun if you have more people with you. Unlike a lot of bars, I generally only go there with a group.

 

[DefLepard]

Going alone

The Boardwalk's ESPN is nice but always crowded...

Downtown Disney, try the two out side bars at Raglan Road , the Tonsil Tickler Bar and The Hole in the Wall.

 

[Loftus]

Thanks for all the ideas. Lots to think about (or is that drink about).

 

[Nancy F]

We went to JellyRolls for the first time on our last trip in Dec. Had a ball. I think it's the perfect bar to go to as a solo. We're planning on going back on our coming trip.

Nancy

 

[goofy_joe]

I've had some great conversations at the ESPN Club bar - even ran into a Boston girl there! (She was a local college student.)

I used to go to the Martha's Vineyard Lounge over at the Beach Club, and I had some great conversations with CMs and the bartender, but alas, the bartender has moved west to Disneyland...

 

[Loftus]

If I spend the evening at the Boardwalk and then want to return to ASSp is it a case of going via DTD?

 

[nurse.darcy]

If you are staying at ASSp and want to have a couple drinks in the evening at ESPN, you will definitely have to take a bus back to DTD and then catch a resort bus. You can also take a taxi direct to your hotel but that will run you $11 to $15 depending on which direction the driver takes and if the traffic is bad or not.

Now, just to add a few more bars to your list of evening activities:

At DTD:

House of Blues: They have an outdoor bar with entertainment and an indoor bar with entertainment. Both great places to have a drink as a solo. A reasonably priced option, surprisingly.

Fulton's Crab House: Friendly bartenders, drinks are a little pricey but its generally pretty quiet, no entertainment.

Raglan Road: Indoor and Outdoor bars are nice. The indoor bar gets busy in the evening when the Irish band is playing.

There are some other options at DTD. All are pretty good. The best part about DTD is the ease of transportation back to your hotel. Busses are plentiful.

At the Boardwalk:

Big River Grille. The drinks are reasonably priced, the bartenders are friendly and they have hand crafted beer on tap if you like beer.

ESPN: If there are good sports games on this place gets crowded fast and its loud. Otherwise its a nice place to sit and have a drink.

Atlantic Dance Hall: No cover charge, a mixed bag when it comes to crowds, the music is loud. Sometimes its busy and other times its empty.

Jellyrolls: $10 cover charge. If I am going to JRs, I prefer to go with a group. Its a fun atmosphere but again, prefer to take people with me.

At the Parks:

My fave place to get a drink, as most who know me can tell you is Tune Inn Lounge (50s Prime Time Dine Inn Theatre Bar) at Hollywood Studios. Bartenders are great. Downside is that it closes when Hollywood Studios closes, which can be as early as 7 p.m. Advantage is there is direct access back to your hotel via bus service.

There are a ton of places to have a drink or two. I have listed those I consider favorites. Hope this helps.

 

[Loftus]

That's great, thank you all for your help.

 

[smidgy]

another transportation option is to take the boat to hollywood studios and catch a bus to your resort there. of course, you have to get there before the buses stop running. you can do this on a DHS nighttime emh night to stay a little later! (3 hours later).

 

[MyMuse]

I liked Jellyrolls the few times I was there, but it is indeed loud but definitely fun. There are stools around like you can take a seat as well as tables if you meet a friendly group of people!

 

[Sweettears]

If you're looking for just a regular bar experience, I would recommend the bars at the Boardwalk Inn, the one at Ohana in the Poly and Espn.

 

[robert72]

A nice place to go is to hear ELLIOT DYSON at PORT ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER or PIANO BOB at RIVERSIDE

 

[MyMuse]

A nice place to go is to hear ELLIOT DYSON at PORT ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER or PIANO BOB at RIVERSIDE

Elliot was great!!! I'm not a big fan of Piano Bob.

 

[Loftus]

Just checked Elliot Dyson on YouTube. That's going on the list. Thanks.

 

[BGK]

For a more relaxed drink, hard to top Mizners in the Grand (live band)

Bingo. On my solo trips, or non-solo ones for that matter, Mizner's is a regular stop for me. I've always found it has a great vibe and usually there are multiple solo or single patrons there. Trivially easy to strike up a conversation, and in years of going there, I've never failed to have a thoroughly enjoyable time.

 

[Brocktoon]

If I'm wandering solo my favorite places for a drink ...

In the parks:

- La Cava del Tequila (World Showcase)
- Tune In Lounge (HS)
- Dawa Bar (AK)

Outside the Parks:

- Raglan Road outside bars
- Cabana Bar at the Dolphin
- House Of Blues outside bar during happy hour
- Portabello's
- Big River Grill
- Grab a drink to go at the Poly Tambu for the fireworks at night on the beach