Boozyland: The Best Bars of the Disneyland Resort

There have never been more watering holes at the Disneyland Resort than right now, making this a great time to rate Disneyland’s happiest haunts. 

The Disneyland Resort consists of two parks (Disneyland and Disney California Adventure), three resort hotels (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel), and a Downtown Disney District that links them all together. Throughout those areas, you’ll find restaurants, lounges, bars, and booths that serve alcohol. Some are even welcoming to families with kids. 

For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on the Disney-owned full service bars, so we won’t be covering the restaurants and bars at the Downtown Disney District (Uva Bar, Splitsville, Ballast Point, etc), nor the many spots inside Disney California Adventure where you can purchase beer or wine at a walk-up window (Karl Strauss Beer Truck, Bayside Brews, Hollywood Lounge, Sonoma Terrace, etc). 

Let’s rate the bars that make the Happiest Place on Earth even HAPPIER…

Disneyland Park: Oga’s Cantina, Club 33
Disney California Adventure Park: Alfresco Tasting Terrace, Carthay Circle Lounge, Lamplight Lounge
Disney’s Grand Californian: Hearthstone Lounge, Craftsman’s Bar, Napa Rose
Disneyland Hotel: Steakhouse 55 Lounge, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar & Tangaroa Terrace
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel: Surfside Lounge, Sand Bar

 

 

 

Disneyland’s newest, and so far only, public bar is a lot lower than many were probably expecting. While Oga’s Cantina soars through the atmosphere test with a wonderfully realized Star Wars-esque bar and a robot DJ blasting some fun out-of-this-galaxy tunes, Oga’s suffers greatly overall for having next to no food (a snack mix and dessert are available) and batched cocktails. Despite the 45-minute time limit and 2 drink maximum thrown over the (mostly) standing bar, it is STILL a must-see when you visit Galaxy’s Edge. But once you get the novelty out of your system, you really start craving actual food and a real bartender that can make you anything you want.  

Food: 0.5 Drinks: 1.5 Atmosphere: 5

Highlight: Seeing the old droid from Star Tours in a brand new way.

 

 

The main lobby bar of the Grand Californian Hotel isn’t particularly unique or special, but it is a fine spot if you’re staying at the hotel. There are TV screens at the bar for sports and plenty of tables for smaller parties. This is also your stop for quick(ish) breakfast options and coffee. The lounge is adjacent to the main grand lobby with a live pianist (sometimes the player piano is going automatically) and characters do stop by on occasion. While you can certainly do better, this really isn’t a bad place in the slightest.

Food: 3 Drinks: 3 Atmosphere: 2

Highlight: You’re at the Grand Californian Hotel!

 

 

Locals know it as the old Cove Bar in Paradise Pier, but now it is part of Lamplight Lounge in Pixar Pier. The drink menu is the same as the downstairs bar but food offerings are limited to appetizers. They’ve brought back the separate queue for this location, which certainly helps with crowd flow. The good and the bad of this spot is that it’s mostly outdoors so you might find yourself enjoying it, or suffering through it depending on the weather conditions. Either way, it’s a great view. 

Food: 3 Drinks: 3 Atmosphere: 2.5

Highlight: Overlooking Pixar Pier!

 

 

The Alfresco Tasting Terrace is a gray area location as it’s not actually a bar in the literal sense, but it’s also not a walk-up or a quick-service location. I’m including it strictly because you can get a variety of fine wine, beer, and cocktails in an intimate and tucked away setting. You’ll find this tasting terrace on the upstairs of the Wine Country Trattoria on the busier days. Small appetizers and shareables are available along with unique views of Disney California Adventure. They also have their own private restroom, so for convenience, the Tasting Terrace is a nice spot. 

Food: 2.5 Drinks: 2.5 Atmosphere: 2.5

Highlight: Tucked away and almost private experience

  

 

Steakhouse 55 is the Disneyland Hotel’s fine dining establishment. Named after the year Disneyland opened in 1955, this lounge provides a quick drink for diners as they await their table, or a destination for those who want a highbrow bar. There’s a separate food menu designed for this lounge, but patrons who sit at the actual bar can order from the full steak menu if they like. 

Food: 5 Drinks: 2.5 Atmosphere: 1

Highlight: You can get steak!

 

 

The recently opened pool bar at the Grand Californian Hotel is an inviting space. It’s a bar, an outdoor patio, and a relaxing place to hang out and enjoy the sun. The food here is excellent, but the specialty drinks designed for this spot don’t seem to have their act together yet (brand new bartenders perhaps?). Select evenings will also have live music to add to the charm. Another fun fact, the design of Craftsman Bar is inspired by the Gamble House in Pasadena, CA (otherwise known for as Doc Brown’s house from Back to the Future).

Food: 4 Drinks: 2 Atmosphere: 3

Highlight: Get the nachos for sharing!

 

Originally Wolfgang Puck’s Avalon Cove in 2001 (and then Ariel’s Grotto), this fine dining facility made the most transformative change in 2018 when it opened as the Lamplight Lounge. With Pixar-themed coasters, a fun and unique menu, this downstairs bar and restaurant provide a combination of outdoors mixed with indoors and a LOT of Pixar Easter eggs. The food here is on the pricier side but quite impressive. As a bonus, if you’re dining here during the later hours, you can enjoy World of Color from a brand new perspective. 

Food: 3.5 Drinks: 3 Atmosphere: 3

Highlight: Try the Potato Skins!

Opening in 2012 as part of Disney California Adventure’s transformation, the Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge command decent waits for all who crave a spirit or two at the park. The bar is elegant and luxurious, a far cry from the giant hubcap that previously occupied the same space (anyone remember Sunshine Plaza). The only real downside to this lounge is the lack of food options. There are light bites, but for a more refined palette.

Also included in the footprint of Carthay Circle is ‘1901’ (with similar offerings), an exclusive lounge for members of Club 33. You know you’re in good hands here when your bartender is serving both you as well as Club 33 members.

 

 

Among the finest places to dine at the Disneyland Resort is Napa Rose, located at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. While reservations are recommended for the restaurant, the lounge is first come first serve and a very comfortable location to enjoy a cocktail. The bartenders here are serious about their craft and are even willing to play outside of the sandbox if you have a particular craving. You’ll also find an assortment of higher-end spirits that you won’t find elsewhere in the resort and the entire food menu is also available. Wine aficionados will appreciate the extensive collection of fine vintages here. If the weather is nice, check out the back patio with a fire pit and theme park view! 

Food: 5 Drinks: 4 Atmosphere: 3

Highlight: Ask your server what the seasonal Pizzetta is!

While drinking at the resort has long been available, the scene didn’t fully begin to change until the opening of Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar in 2011. With finely crafted tropical drinks, themed effects and lighting, and a fun backstory to boot, Trader Sam’s is a must for Disneyland fans and tikiphiles alike. Select concoctions can cause certain havoc inside the bar and the Skippers (bartenders) are eager to play along with the act.

The outdoor bar, Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill made its debut earlier this year, and while it’s not as heavily themed as Trader Sam’s, the food and drinks are the same in a more relaxed environment. Live music on evenings is also the perfect accompaniment to your rum-filled Dole Whip. If you want some bites, they also have poutine, fried spam musubi, cheeseburgers, wings, and more.

Food: 3 Drinks: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Highlight: Collecting Trader Sam’s mugs are highly addicting!

 

I feel a bit guilty placing a member’s only establishment at the top of the list knowing so many won’t have the opportunity to visit, but there really is something about it that you can’t find elsewhere. From the incredibly polite staff to the impeccable craftsmanship of the furniture and décor, fans of Disneyland history will eat up every detail. The bar also features one of the most extensive cocktail menus and variety of spirits in the entire resort. Want a Pineapple Old Fashioned? They can do it. If you’re hungry, there’s a fine selection of appetizers, desserts, and entrees to choose from, from chili to burgers, steak to fish. Whatever your allergies are, they can cater to them. This really is the finest Disney has to offer and a remarkable establishment that transcends the theme park experience. 

Food: 5 Drinks: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Highlight: The $33 Cheeseburger is insanely delicious.

 

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