Best Theme Park Bars in Animal Kingdom

Many people claim that Animal Kingdom is the hottest of all the Disney World theme parks. Luckily, this theme park also has some of the best alcoholic beverages to help you cool off on a hot summer day. These bars also don’t require reservations, making them an easy stop during your Disney trip.

In this post, I’ve put together all of the best theme park bars in Animal Kingdom to help you in narrowing down your search when looking for a delicious drink.

The Nomad Lounge & Cocktail Bar is not just one of the best bars in Animal Kingdom; according to many, it’s one of the best bars in all of Disney World. Located on Discovery Island next to Tiffins, this bar takes inspiration from various locations around the world.

This cocktail bar and lounge has a large variety of specialty cocktails compared to the other bars in Animal Kingdom. They also have numerous wines and beers to choose from. For those who don’t drink alcohol, there is a great selection of mocktails on their menu as well. Because of their extensive menu, the Nomad Lounge truly does have something for everyone, making it one of our top choices of where to grab a drink in Animal Kingdom.

Feeling hungry? One of the best parts about the Nomad Lounge is that they have delicious small plates for you to grab a snack on an afternoon in the theme parks. The Tiffins Bread Service is famous among Disney fans and can be ordered while at the Nomad Lounge. They also have Korean barbecue mushroom bao buns, Cuban frita sliders, grilled chicken satay, and more! Looking for something sweet? Nomad Lounge has mouthwatering churros served with a seasonal sauce for dipping.

Young children can also enjoy small meals like grilled shrimp, steak, chicken thighs, or Impossible “Chow” for those who don’t eat meat.

The Nomad Lounge does not accept reservations, though it is still a very popular stop for families visiting Animal Kingdom. It is best to stop by the Nomad Lounge early so that you can join the walk-up list. You can also do this virtually through the MyDisneyExperience app on your phone. If you need help securing a spot on the list, we can help you make the most out of your day in Animal Kingdom.

If you’re looking for a relaxing place to stop and enjoy a drink or two, Nomad Lounge is the place to go.

In Harambe village, you can find the Dawa Bar where you can enjoy various draft and bottled beers, wine, and specialty cocktails.

Unlike the Nomad Lounge, you can’t order anything to eat at Dawa. Instead, you can just sit at the bar or a nearby table and enjoy a refreshing African Margarita or Ngumu Jungle Juice. If you do need a snack, the Mahindi snack cart is nearby where you can grab popcorn or some cinnamon-glazed nuts.

This outdoor bar has a very casual vibe, so it’s perfect for a quick stop in the middle of your Animal Kingdom visit. You don’t need a reservation, so it can be something you plan to go to or an impromptu stop when you realize you need a drink and some time to sit in the shade.

While the Yak & Yeti Restaurant requires reservations and can be hard to get into, the nearby Yak & Yeti Quality Beverages quick service menu is available to anybody who wants to grab a quick drink or snack.

You can get one of their two specialty drinks: the Yak Attack with mango daiquiri, Don Q Cristal Rum, and wildberry flavors or the Frozen Emperor Margarita made with Sauza Gold Tequila available in strawberry, mango, or wildberry. They also serve sangria, draft beer, and a few specialty beers.

Yal & Yeti Quality Beverages is a great spot to grab a light lunch or a small snack. They serve mostly alcoholic beverages, but you can also order chicken fried rice, pork egg rolls, teriyaki chicken salad, and a few little dessert pies or cake slices. For kids, Yal & Yeti has frozen lemonades available for sale as well.

While covered seating is available, it can get busy and crowded during lunch hours. This won’t affect people just looking to grab a drink to go, but if you’re hoping to sit and enjoy your drink as a way to get out of the sun, try to avoid visiting during peak lunch hours: 12:00-2:00.

The Thirsty River Bar can be found near Expedition Everest in Asia. What better way to reward surviving the thrilling journey through the mountains than with a cold and refreshing drink located near the exit?

This quick service bar has delicious specialty cocktails like the Himalayan Ghost made with Snow Leopard Vodka, guava, and Minute Maid Premium lemonade. They also have a tequila-based drink as well as a whiskey beverage.

If you’re not looking for a cocktail, the Thirsty River Bar also has various beers and wines, as well as a few non-alcoholic options.

Unfortunately, there are currently no scheduled shows in the waters of Animal Kingdom, but you can still take your beverage down to the bleacher-style seating around the water to sit and sip. If you’re lucky, you might spot a boat of your favorite Disney characters sail by!

Even though you can visit these bars without advanced reservations, we can help you with planning out which bar might be best for you depending on what else you plan to do during your Animal Kingdom day. Let us know about your priorities and what you’re most looking forward to, and we’ll help you have the Disney vacation of your dreams.