When it’s time to close the doors on Disney mayhem for a while, heading to Downtown Disney is a great change of atmosphere. Even though you’ll still see Mickey and friends scattered in the stores and restaurant facades in Downtown Disney, you’ll also find a handful of bars within a leisurely distance from the marketplace. Downtown Disney is the perfect place to take in some of Orlando’s nightlife, and no park admission is required to enjoy the nightly events. If you’re in need of a well-deserved martini or cocktail after a day at the parks, here’s where to go:
Head to Bongo’s Café for a little Latin flavor; the bar is owned by Gloria Estefan, and serves up plenty of tequila, beer, rum, and mojitos to keep you dancing to the beats of the Latin bands on weekends. Sharpen up your salsa technique at this always-busy spot, or sit back and enjoy your margarita with a window seat. The café is home to three bars, giving you plenty of reasons to stay and explore for the night.
If you’re a BET fan, the BET SoundStage Club offers a fresh lineup of hip-hop and R&B; music every night with one of the loudest bars in Downtown Disney. Live performances are a great reason to spend the an evening here with your favorite drink, and the diverse crowd is lively and fun. Be sure to ask for the signature cocktail menu here for some creative drinks you won’t find anywhere else in the parks.
The 1930s come alive at the Adventurers’ Club, a stageshow and actor’s haven where you can chit-chat with the talented crew before or after every event. From comedic slapstick to a short dramatic skit, this is the place to enjoy the days of classic jazz and cabaeret. The club is laid back and entertaining, and you can order from an extensive drink menu with all the classics.
Get your dose of laughs with nightly improve at Comedy Warehouse. Five different performances are hosted here each night, and it’s a nice change of pace from the ‘scripted’ entertainment that you’ve been taking in all day at Disney or Universal. From improv to karaoke-style singing, you’re sure to toast the gifted crew with a martini or two.
On a rainy Orlando night, head over to the House of Blues for a great night of Southern food and plenty of drinks. The concert hall next door is where Aretha Franklin and David Byrne once made an appearance, and live music is showcased here most nights of the week. Enjoy a classic cocktail on the rocks, and take in some of the South’s best musical lineups.
Motion is the ideal spot for the modern, hip, and fashionable crowds; if you’re ready to dance the night away, this warehouse-of-a-club will tap into that techno groove in you. The crowd is mixed here, but it does fill it up by midnight on any given night. If you’re looking for a low-key spot to enjoy a drink, this is not the place for you; expect long lines and crowds at the bar all night, and loud music that will keep your ears ringing for a few days.
From dance clubs to casual bars at a restaurant, you have plenty of choices to enjoy your cocktail in Downtown Disney. Break away from the usual Disney trip and enjoy some of Orlando’s popular spots where lounges and dance floors await!
