Restaurants with a bar

[kangaand2roos]

I just booked a solo trip to WDW for Halloween Weekend. I will be there for 4 nights and I want to take things as they come, and therefore do not want to make ADR's. Being a solo traveler, I thought that if the mood struck for a table service meal, my best bet might be to find a restaurant that had bar seating. I have done this in the past at the Yak and Yeti and it worked beautifully. I am, however, not sure which restaurants have such seating. I'm pretty sure The Wave does, but otherwise I am not sure. I am open to any and all suggestions (even at the Swan and Dolphin.) Thank you in advance!

Stacey

 

[PoohsFan1]

The California Grill has a really nice bar area, and the bartenders are fun to talk to too. It is also great if you want to watch Wishes from a whole new angle, my DH and my favorite place to watch it . You don't need to have a reservation to go up to the bar, just let the CMs at the check-in counter know that you want to get a drink at the bar and they will allow you up there.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

California Grill
50's PTC
Jiko (I think)
Tutto Italia outdoor seating is walk up only but dependent upon weather. If rain is in the forecast it will not be available.

I'm sure many more. Have you checked the Adults/Solo Travelers board? Might have more info there.
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=54

 

[madalex]

Il Mulino and Flying Fish are two more places that I can think of. I imagine getting a seat at the Il Mulino bar is probably not a problem, but FF might be more of an issue.

 

[luvpooh]

I know at Flying Fish they would not let us eat at the bar...still not sure why because it wasn't full and others have said they have had success at doing so. In the Boardwalk area, I know you can eat at the bar at ESPN Club, Big River Brewery, Bluezoo, Kimono's, and the lounge next to the Yachtsman Steakhouse (Crew's Cup Lounge).

The Wave has a bar menu with limited apps, etc and I don't think you can order from the full menu. The same may possibly apply at Artist Point. I also think you can order some stuff from Citrico's menu at Mizner's bar, and you can order apps at the Tambu Lounge in the Polynesian. There is a bar at Narcoossee's but I don't know if they allow you to eat there. They should let you into CA Grill, as long as it isn't super busy.

In Downtown Disney you have a ton of choices. Rainforest, TRex, Fulton's, Portobello, Paradiso 37, Bongos, House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, Raglan Road and Wolfgang Puck Cafe.

In the parks I think you are limited to Yak and Yeti and Prime Time. There is a small menu in the pub in England.

 

[SamSam]

California Grill
50's PTC
Jiko (I think)
Tutto Italia outdoor seating is walk up only but dependent upon weather. If rain is in the forecast it will not be available.

I'm sure many more. Have you checked the Adults/Solo Travelers board? Might have more info there.
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=54

Yes, You can eat at Jiko's bar, Dh and I have done so several times.

 

[kangaand2roos]

Thanks for the info. If anyone knows of any others, feel free to chime in!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Not that I have done this but Prime Time looks like the best bar around from what I see. To eat & drink.

 

[TDC Nala]

My favorites are Jiko, California Grill,and Bluezoo. For appetizer menus (these can easily make a full meal) it's Tambu, Sanaa, the Wave and the Territory Lounge (WL). I used to like Raglan Road back when I had a reason to go to Downtown Disney in the evenings. I love the Tune In Lounge at Prime Time but it's quite difficult to get a seat in the bar for lunch.

Crew's Cup Lounge also has a few selections from Yachtsman on its bar menu.

There's a new place inside Epcot - Cava del Tequila inside Mexico serves appetizers.

 

[kangaand2roos]

Thanks! I really appreciate it! I will be eating a lot at the F&W festival, and I'm sure some CS, but it's nice to know there will be some places I can sit and have some good food and a drink, if the mood strikes. Does anyone know if the Brown Derby has a bar?

 

[TDC Nala]

The Brown Derby has no bar.

 

[snykymom]

You may also consider asking for a walkup at Teppan Edo. Since the hibachi tables are set up for 8 people, they put groups together, and there is often an extra "solo" seat or two at the tables. I did that just this past week; we were a family of 4, a couple, another solo diner, and me. Met new friends, had great entertainment and good food.

 

[Missytara]

I do it all the time.

My fav is California Grill, followed closely by the WL - you can only get snacks at the lounge, so I eat a decent breakfast and lunch and just get snacks.

Also enjoy Rainforest Cafe at DTD; they have a high turnover at the bar of people waiting for their tables and I have met some real cool people.

One time, I found out one of the bartenders at the Rainforest Cafe was from Salisbury, MD which is about an hour from where I was from. He was down there for two years, while his wife was attending school, and he was terribly homesick. He said, "just say anything that would remind me of home." I ended up eating there two more times while I was there and I had a blast!!!!

Another year, I ended up meeting a woman who was there with a group of girlfriends for the entire week; like a sorority reunion or something - they invited me to join them for dinner. It was great fun.

 

[TDC Nala]

Unless it's changed, I would not call the flatbreads they serve at the Territory Lounge a snack. They are more than enough for a meal for one person.

 

[Leota]

The lounge menu at BlueZoo is incredible. We like to go there at least once a trip for the Crab Nachos. We've had many a nice meal there.

I also had a great time, good drinks & good food at Il Mulino. The antipasti plate is fabulous.

I echo Territory Lounge. It's a very relaxing place. We had some really scrumptious apps from Artist Point there one night.

All 3 of those were very easy to walk into & the service was great at all of them. I have never done them as a solo diner, so I can't comment on the commraderie.

 

[Missytara]

OOOOh, I forgot about that at Territory Lounge.

I had my first bar-be-que chicken pizza there several years back.... it was to die for!

 

[TDC Nala]

Don't go looking for chicken flatbread now - recently they had a pulled pork flatbread and a BLT flatbread. I've had both (not at the same time). The pulled pork is good but the BLT was awesome.