In this post, we give an overview of places to grab a drink (of alcohol) in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This isn’t a comprehensive list—it leaves out snack stands (many of which carry beer), quick service stops that don’t primarily focus on beverages, and table service restaurants.
Nomad Lounge
Nomad Lounge isn’t just (arguably) the best bar in Animal Kingdom, it’s one of the best bars in Walt Disney World. Yes, I’ll argue that Dawa Bar (next up on this list) is better, but the case for Nomad is strong.
Nomad Lounge is located on Discovery Island on the path toward Pandora. It is attached to Tiffins by a hallway, though the drinks for Tiffins come from a separate bar (so you can’t transfer your tab).
Nomad Lounge is themed around the adventures and lessons of travel. It is meant to be a space for conversation, particularly about travel. It is a full-service bar with a wide range of beers, wines, and specialty cocktails.
At Nomad, you’ll be surrounded by questions (and responses) about travel, including “What was the greatest travel challenge you ever faced?” and “What was your most unexpected discovery?”
The lounge is built primarily on the experiences of the Imagineers who conducted research for Animal Kingdom, so you’ll see their answers to the questions alongside the questions themselves.
If you’d like, you can purchase a mini-banner for $1 (profits to Disney Conservation Fund) and share your travel story.
Dawa Bar
Dawa Bar (etymology likely either “Dawa”, the Kenyan cocktail, or “da’wah,” Arabic for “invitation”) is a bar just outside Tusker House Restaurant, next to the main stage in Africa.
Despite being a favorite of many Animal Kingdom fanatics, you could easily miss Dawa Bar, as it has next to no signage and is actually overwhelmed by Tusker House signage.
The bar serves a variety of beers, specialty cocktails, and wine. You can try for your choice cocktail here, but you may be a little limited by what they have on hand.
Their specialty beverages are the African Margarita, Ngumu Jungle Juice (vodka, peach schnapps, punch), Lost on Safari (rum and punch), and Tikiti Punch (vodka and watermelon lemonade).
There is a decent amount of seating around the bar, and what really sets it apart is its position right next to the Africa stage. Among our favorite Animal Kingdom activities is grabbing some beers from Dawa Bar and then watching the Tam Tam Drummers, Burudika, Harambe Village Acrobats, Kora Tinga Tinga, or all of the above!
Tamu Tamu Refreshments
Directly opposite Dawa Bar is Tamu Tamu Refreshments. I mention it primarily because you can get Pineapple Dole Whip with dark or coconut rum. They also have beer and African coffee (with Amarula cream liqueur).
Wanjohi Refreshment
The final spot to know in Africa is over in Harambe Market. Wanjohi Refreshment serves a specialty cocktail—the Leopard’s Eye, made of vodka and Bibo (which you may know from Club Cool).
This is one of the few spots in the U.S.A. where you’ll find the sodas from Club Cool, as both Sparletta and Bibo are available. You’ll also find beer and sangria here.
Warung Outpost
As you enter Asia from Africa, you’ll pass by Warung Outpost, just outside the Up! stage. Warung Outpost specializes in margaritas, but you’ll also find beer.
Drinkwallah
Further into Asia, you’ll come across Drinkwallah. Drinkwallah is sort of tucked away and almost looks like a misguided Coca Cola advertisement, but it’s actually a really cool spot (that also is sponsored by Coca Cola).
You’ll find two frozen alcoholic beverages here—Frozen Coke with spiced rum and Coconut-Lychee Lemonade, also with rum. (Actually, I’m not sure that last one is frozen…but Drinkwallah does specialize in frozen beverages, so it probably is.)
(Yak & Yeti) Quality Beverages
If you head deeper into Asia, making the turn toward Kali River Rapids, you’ll pass by seating for Yak & Yeti quick service. Next to that seating, you’ll see two windows under a “Quality Beverages” sign. Quality Beverages has two speciality drinks. The Yak Attack is mango daiquiri, rum, and wildberry flavors. The Frozen Emperor Margarita comes in strawberry, mango, and wildberry.
Thirsty River Bar
Thirsty River is probably the most noticeable bar in Animal Kingdom. On the way to Expedition Everest, you can’t miss it! It’s a large structure, with large, open counters creating a really bright, open environment. At night, its prominence is even more pronounced and you’ll often see lines building.
Thirsty River has the second largest collection of beers in the park, after Nomad Lounge (we’re ignoring table service restaurants, remember). You’ll also find three specialty beverages: the Durbar Margarita, the Himalayan Ghost (vodka, guava, Odwalla lemonade), and the Khumbu Icefall (guava rum blended with coconut and raspberry puree).
When this guide was prepared in October 2018, they also advertised two more cocktails—the Singapore Sling and Dragon’s Breath (gin, brandy, sweet-and-sour, grenadine, Sprite).
Pongu Pongu
Pongu Pongu (meaning Party Party in the language of the Na’vi) is a snack stand in Pandora that serves a few small bites, along with alcoholic beverages. It’s located between Pandora’s store, Windtraders, and the main restaurant, Satu’li Canteen.
Pongu Pongu has two beers—Mo’ara High Country Ale and Hawkes’ Grog Ale. The latter of these is the more famous “green beer” you’ve heard of, though it doesn’t taste green.
There are two specialty beverages—the rum blossom (rum with “layers of apple and desert pear limeade topped with passionfruit boba balls”) and the Mo’ara margarita (topped with strawberry boba balls).
Dino Diner
Dino Diner is a small shop in a trailer in Dino-Rama. It has two options that, best I can tell, are unique in Animal Kingdom—the Key West Sunset Ale (draft) and a frozen lemonade with raspberry Bacardi rum.
Restaurantosaurus Lounge
Animal Kingdom’s newest watering hole is also its most awkward. Restaurantosaurus Lounge is a bar in a tiny back room of Restaurantosaurus, the quick service hot spot in Dinoland U.S.A.
It offers four “specialty” beverages—a margarita, a boozy lemonade, a mojito, and a bourbon sour. Other cocktails are available, and you’ll also find beer and wine here.
Restaurantosaurus Lounge is said to be a limited-time test, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it disappear soon, especially given the reduced hours we’re seeing around Animal Kingdom.
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