Every Disneyland Resort visit deserves some downtime. After a day of lines, waiting and walking, our frog flippers need an hour or so to cool off. Even on the days we spend our time relaxing and splashing by the hotel pool, we make it a point to unwind in the evenings. When those relaxing times call for adult libations, Disneyland has plenty of options. Whether you're looking for something fancy, something easy, or something out of this world this post is your guide to the best bars and lounges a Disneyland.
For the longest time, the words "alcoholic drinks" had somewhat of a mythical status at Disneyland. In the past, the only options for choice beverages were at the Disneyland Hotel. Now, you can find alcohol just about everywhere in Disney California Adventure, in the Downtown Disney District, at all three hotels and most table service restaurants at Disneyland. Here's our rated list of the best bars and lounges at Disneyland and why:
7. Pym Tasting Lab
Amidst the madness of Avenger's Campus you'll find a little spot to stop for an interesting concoction. This beverage laboratory in Disney California Adventure carries experiments such as beer cocktails and specialty brews. Themed after Ant-Man's shrinking and growing Pym Particles, you'll see and taste some wild things while sitting at the bar or the seating around it. Have you ever seen a beer filled from the bottom of the cup? I still can't tell you the science behind that one but boy is it cool!
Not to mention the constant kinetic energy in Avenger's Campus surrounding Pym's! There are always characters out and about in the Campus, either meeting with guests or patrolling atop the tower. There are also frequent shows and sitting at the Tasting Lab gives you a pretty good view.
On top of beers you'll find an assortment of hard seltzers, hard lemonades and a whole slew of cocktails. Our favorites are the Particle Fizz (a blue raspberry lemonade hard seltzer) and the Blue Hawaiian (triple sec, pineapple and toasted coconut, pineapple juice and glitter).
This is a great spot for a quick and easy stop. Everything at Pym Tasting Lab is ordered at a line at the bar or ahead of time. We always recommend using Mobile Order to save time! As the bar is not full service it's easy to pick a shaded spot to sit, grab your drink and soak in some of the "super" vibes around you. The strange array of different drinks makes this bar perfect for those who have varying taste buds within their party! There is also a non-alcoholic concoction with popping boba available, as well as a few snacks to much on.
This is a walk up bar so you are able to take your drink with you and around the park! Just make sure you finish it before exiting into the esplanade. A valid ticket and theme park reservation is required to access Pym Tasting Lab.
6. Hearthstone Lounge
Stepping into the lobby of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa transports you to a place inspired by the state's wonderful wilderness. With comfy couches, a roaring fireplace and spectacular view, the lobby is a destination itself.
Steps away from the hotel's lobby, Hearthstone Lounge resembles a lodge found in the grand hotels of the Yosemite area of California. Set with deep-brown wood and stained-glass accents, Hearthstone Lounge is a somewhat out-of-the-way spot from the busy traffic of the hotel.
Hearthstone presents a large selection of wines by the glass or bottle. Traditional and craft beers are also available, including a few from local breweries. As for the cocktail menu, you'll find things like the Blackberry Bramble (vodka, lime juice, agave, mint, blackberry and Chambord), the Hearthstone Old Fashioned and the Harvest Manhattan. For those of you who enjoy large gatherings, Hearthstone can accommodate big groups. It can be intimate or personal, depending on your mood.
Our Hearthstone Lounge favorite is the Curious Cabin made with tequila, prickly pear syrup and lime juice.
Grab a place at the bar and have one of the bartenders serve up your favorite beverage of choice. The best bar experience is the one where you're enjoying yourself. In those moments, Hearthstone Lounge feels like home.
5. Napa Rose Lounge
California's signature glass is the cornerstone of Napa Rose. Located inside Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, this award-winning dining spot focuses on creative California cuisine perfectly paired with signature wines. Headed by Chef Andrew Sutton, his delicious dining has earned the restaurant accolades and awards from notable organizations such as Zagat and Wine Spectator.
With those accolades comes the struggle to land a reservation. With high demand and limited seating, landing a table can present some challenges. However, the Napa Rose Lounge (located next door to the restaurant) provides walk-up seating and access to a delicious menu.
Napa Rose Lounge mirrors its namesake restaurant with the same warm wood style and intimate lighting. Take a peek at the on-stage wine closet, located to your left as you pass the entrance podium. It features over 1,000 bottles of wine, the majority from California's Napa Valley.
Seating at the Lounge is set in three different spots. The main area features tables surrounded by red-cushioned wood chairs with backs featuring rose-inspired designs. Deep red couches line the wood and glass walls that glow with accent lighting. The circular bar is in the back. The centerpiece of the bar features vertical lighted glass panels that echo the top of a glass—most likely intentionally.
On our trip, we were put in the Lounge's third seating area—outside. Warmed by a circular fireplace, this outdoor area is the coziest of spaces. It sits right against Disney California Adventure's Grizzly Peak area. The screams of riders on the nearby Grizzly River Run provide a themed soundtrack to your evening.
The key draw of Napa Rose Lounge is the extensive wine list. This 39-page masterpiece is organized by wine style—Chardonnay, Merlot and such. While the majority of wines hail from Napa Valley, you'll find international selections from places such as Italy, France and Argentina. If you have questions, you're in good hands. Your server is a sommelier. In fact, all servers and chefs at Napa Rose have passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Level 1 or Certification Exams.
On this particular visit, we found ourselves guided toward the cocktail menu. We sipped on The Napa Passion (vodka, rum, pineapple juice and strawberry). The fruity concoction was the perfect partner as we kicked our frog feet up on the fire pit.
Elegant and casual, Napa Rose Lounge is a wine lover's lounge that celebrates California's culinary artistry, and dedication to the vine.
4. Oga's Cantina
Welcome, weary space travelers, to this watering hole for smugglers, pilots, bounty hunters, locals and travelers alike. Located way in the back of Disneyland in a galaxy far, far away... you'll find the planet Batuu. All the traveling, dodging the First Order and possibly even piloting a giant hunk of junk in Galaxy's Edge might just land you with a galactic thirst. Oga's Cantina has got you covered with adult drinks and nonalcoholic beverages in unique vessels.
It is also the first place to ever serve alcoholic drinks inside Disneyland Park. That adds an extra unique thrill. Entering the Cantina will really bring you back to the Mos Eisley cantina on the planet Tatooine as seen in the original "Star Wars" film. With alien creatures and otherworldly sounds being spun by a familiar droid DJ, you'll feel that you've stepped into an alternate universe. Oga's Cantina offers colorful themed cocktails, nonalcoholic “mocktails” and more !
Oga's carries what are arguably Disneyland's most fun and exciting cocktails. From drinks that make your mouth go numb such as the Fuzzy Tauntaun to the spicy Jet Juice rum drink, there is a lot to try. Our favorite is the Naboo Sunset, made with blackberry moonshine, white moonshine, black cherry purée, wild strawberry syrup, black tea, lemonade, pear syrup and a splash of soda water. Meesa thinks it's pretty amazing!
There are also a few wines and some awesome beers to choose from. In fact, some brews like the Jogan Blossom (ube-flavored hazy IPA) are made specifically for the Catina and you can't find them anywhere else! If you can't decide which beer to try, sample a few in a flight and take home a four teeth Rancor souvenir board.
Separately from booze, Oga's has one of our favorite snacks in the whole outer rim! The Five-Blossom Bread is a warm pretzel knot with Hawaiian black sea salt, served with Calabrian cheese sauce.
The long bar is oval-shaped. Bartenders appear to fill drinks from the tanks, pipes and containers behind the bar, many of which have creatures and colorful liquids in them. The walls are damaged from some past fights. Guests can stand around the bar and order from bartenders (there is a wheelchair-height section) or stand around bar-height tables and order from servers. My one qualm with Oga's and the reason it's not higher on our list is the lack of seating at the bar top. Although it is perfectly themed to the standing bars in the Star Wars films, our froggy feet get tired of standing and would love a mid day or nighttime break.
The outside edge of the bar has some seated booths with servers. Unfortunately, you do not get to pick where you go, so it’s kind of luck of the draw. You may be seated with strangers, which can make this new strange land all the more interesting. Standing at a tall table is a bit hard for the short and wiggly tadpoles. If you don’t get a booth, you might only want to hop in for a short visit. As it is, you're currently limited to two drinks and 45 minutes. But the experience is truly out of this world.
You’ll have to enjoy your drinks inside the Cantina. You cannot take them to-go. When you order a drink in a souvenir mug (or the Rancor Tooth Flight of beer), you’ll receive a new, clean mug (or set) to take with you. A valid ticket and theme park reservation are required for access to Oga's Cantina.
3. Carthay Circle Lounge
In-park dining elegance sits at the center of Disney California Adventure. Carthay Circle Restaurant is the "premiere" dining spot in the Disneyland Resort. "Premiere" as in the top experience, but as a play on the restaurant's theme. The Carthay Circle Theater was where "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" premiered. Photos of that historic night are featured all around the restaurant.
While dining at Carthay Circle Restaurant is a star-studded experience with the food being the stars, the Carthay Circle Lounge is an equally fine choice. The Lounge serves as the lobby area of the two-story Carthay Circle building, with the restaurant on the second floor. Part of the lounge is set off from the lobby. Here in this high-ceiling area, you'll find the sit-down bar along with tall tables and accompanying leather seats. Black and white photos from the Golden Age of Disney are featured along the walls.
The lobby section of the Lounge features lush carpeting and lighting fixtures. Plush wood chairs surround granite-topped tables. The restaurant's wine collection sits on display here. The wine menu offers a selection of Disney Family Wines, those from vineyards with connections to Disney. Fess Parker, Kurt Russel, Fred McMurray and John Lasseter to name a few.
With a setting inspired by Hollywood's Golden Age, the cocktail menu at Carthay Circle Lounge is decidedly old-school. Classic Gin and Tonic, Double Pear Martini and the Ginger Rogers are a few of the creative concoctions.
The Carthay Diamond Manhattan features Bulleit Rye Small Batch American Whiskey, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters and Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino cherries served with an ice sphere made from locally sourced purified water. A delicious drink onto itself, but the ice sphere lends itself to creating a cocktail we won't soon forget. The menu lists the Scotch Mist as "Walt's Drink of Choice." Black and white scotch whiskey with a lemon peel served over crushed ice. While we don't normally reach for whiskey, we enjoyed slipping into the spirit of Walt with his favorite "spirit."
As the lounge has a full bar, you can also order off menu drinks. One of the not listed specialties at Carthay Circle is the delectable Espresso Martini.
This is the perfect place to stop in on a hot Southern California day. It's a little dim lit and cool from the air conditioning, so the relaxation is maybe even more delicious than the drinks themselves. As far as escapism goes, Carthay Circle Lounge does not disappoint. Sit back in your chair, soak in the classic Disney songs played in a jazz lounge style and enjoy a few moments of Hollywood-style elegance. A valid ticket and theme park reservation are required for access to Carthay Circle.
2. Lamplight Lounge
What was once the best-kept secret in Disney Califonia Adventure is now, arguably, the most popular bar on property.
Lamplight Lounge sits right at the entrance to Pixar Pier. This prime location provides one of the most scenic views in the entire resort. Overlooking Pixar Pier attractions, you get a leisurely view of Pixar Pal Around as the Incredicoaster zoom past you. Decorated and adorned with all different Pixar posters, sculptures, quotes and memorabilia, Lamplight Lounges celebrates the movies for which its land is themed. As you might imagine, it provides an amazing view of World of Color in the evening.
Because of the prime location, there is usually a long wait for seating at Lamplight Lounge. There are actually two separate bars at this location. One is located downstairs in the restaurant. For seating at this bar you must make a prior dining reservation or ask a host about walk-up availability. The other bar is located around the left of the main entrance and upstairs at the Boardwalk Dining. There is also table seating upstairs, but the menu is limited. The bar however, is exactly the same. Grab a drink to go from the Boardwalk Dining bar. We always recommend making a dining reservation ahead of time to help keep your Disney day stress free. But if you can't snag one there's usually walk up availability at one of the bars.
Lamplight Lounge is home to the Disneyland Resort's best-known "secret" drink menu. The secret menu's prime ticket attraction is the Fun Wheel. It's the perfect drink to post on Instagram with its namesake in the background, thanks to the three colorful layers of alcohol. It's a mixture of Pineapple Juice, X-Rated Passion Fruit Vodka, vodka, rum, gin and topped with Blue Curaçao and Lime Whipped Cream. We also sampled the Black Pearl— vodka, gin, rum, sweet and sour, Chambord (French raspberry flavored liqueur), and Sprite. The Secret Menu offers other delights such as the Zombie, Neverland Tea, Earthquake and Sea Witch.
My favorite thing to get at Lamplight Lounge is actually not even on the secret menu. But I assure you every bartender there knows exactly what it is. It's called the Pine Whip and it tastes exactly like a Dole whip (just without the frozen part!). Made from a vanilla vodka, coconut rum, pineapple juice and whipped cream, this drink is frogtastic.
Atmosphere and alcohol are the key ingredients to any successful Disney bar experience. Lamplight Lounge delivers on both. It fulfills the theme of Pixar Pier with a fun and beautiful location and thrill of ordering from a secret menu. A valid ticket and theme park reservation are required for access to Lamplight Lounge.
1. Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar
Theming and storytelling are what draw us to a Disney park. That special blend of Disney magic can also be found outside of the parks. One location that best represents Disney storytelling outside of its theme parks is found at the Disneyland Hotel.
As the story goes, Trader Sam (famous from the Jungle Cruise) set up a bar to serve creative concoctions to Skippers and tourists. Decorated with treasures and relics from his days of adventure, Sam also spreads a special blend of enchantment around his establishment. The result is the most immersive Disney bar anywhere.
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar is a throwback to the tiki bars of the past, mixed with creative Disney storytelling, special effects and, of course, delicious drinks. The bar takes its creative nods from attractions such as The Enchanted Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones Adventure and others. The walls are stuffed with jokes and references to well known and obscure Disney films, personalities and other realms of Disney history. You'll find photos of Ned Land (Kirk Douglas) from "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea", Dick Van Dyke from "Ltd. Robinson Caruso U.S.N" and Walt Disney. Each one with a note from Sam on their "encounter." Hmm ... that jar full of coins labeled Paradise Falls.... where have we seen that?
The bar kicks into gear when patrons order one of the specialty drinks. For example, order the Krakatoa Punch to set off a fiery volcanic eruption. Order the Uh Oa! to send the bar into darkness as the drink sparkles with fire and the bar is encouraged to chant the drink's name. You might even enter a hurricane and be sprayed with rain and sea mist! (Just ignore the bartenders spraying water at you from a bottle). My favorite drink to get at Trader Sam's is a real treat. It's a Dole whip float with rum. And yes, it is just as frogtastic as it sounds.
There are, however, a few house rules to follow, so read carefully:
- Blow darts are not to be used as drinking straws.
- Cannibals may not serve people!
- Call bartender if Schweitzer Falls.
- No poison dart games.
- Management is not responsible under any circumstances!
Pretty straight forward.
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar is a very popular watering hole for weary and thirsty travelers. And the bar is walk-in only. You might have the best luck getting ahead of the crowd by hopping in before lunch midweek versus going on a holiday weekend. For evening, arrive early. On select nights, you may enjoy live music on the torchlit terrace.
While Carthay Circle excels at ambiance and Lamplight Lounge delights with its boardwalk atmosphere, our pick for the best bar at the Disneyland Resort is Trader Sam's. We visit Disney parks for their creative storytelling, and we get that—along with great drinks—at Trader Sam's. The hidden secrets, the special effects and the cast members who "pour" everything into their roles make every visit enchanting. Yet while Trader Sam's is our top pick, you really can't go wrong at any of these delightful spots.
Have you visited any of these bars? Which ones are your favorite? Are there some on our list of best bars and lounges at Disneyland that we've overlooked? Let us know in the comments below. We'll be delighted to check them out. Dee. Lighted.
Related: A Complete Guide to the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland
Related: Where to Eat and Drink at the Disneyland Resort Hotels
Keep Hopping!
