The last time we visited Animal Kingdom’s Dawa Bar here on the DFB, it was to show you a little bit around what was then its new location.
It hadn’t moved very far… you can still find the Dawa Bar tucked under the same roofing that provides shade for guests waiting to dine at Tusker House, though now — facing Tusker House — you’ll see the Dawa Bar on your right instead of your left.
Aside from the small location switch to accommodate Animal Kingdom construction and a fresh coat of paint, not much has changed at the Dawa Bar (with the exception of the Bloody Mary menu added last fall). And I’m inclined to say that’s a pretty good thing. Today we’re trying some of those classic drinks that bring guests back to the Dawa Bar time and time again (and grabbing one of those Bloody Marys while we’re at it).
Dawa Bar
Atmosphere
I’d mentioned the high rate of return for Dawa Bar guests, but I think over the past year some new folks have made the discovery, too. Maybe I’m just imagining it, but it does seem to me that the new location has brought more guests to this fabulous little oasis.
Dawa Bar
It’s just a lot easier to see the bar while strolling in Harambe Village from its current location, whereas previously it was tucked toward the back and somewhat hard to spot unless you knew it was there. For that reason, it seems to have lost just a bit of its “hidden gem” status, but it’s managed to keep that “this is my Disney vacation home away from home” feel — in no small part thanks to the great bartenders and relaxing vibe.
Bartender at Dawa Bar
Dawa Bar-tender :)!
The cooling shade is another draw here, and the stools and neat chairs invite you sit and stay a while.
Mismatched chairs
Even though it’s probably the least comfortable, you’ve gotta love the conga chair. Even if you don’t sit in it, you can still appreciate the artistry of the carvings on the bottom.
Conga Chair!
But no matter where you sit, it’s much more about what you sip!
Eats
The “eats” here are actually nothing but beverages. And though today we’ll be focusing on the specialty drinks, you’ll always find a terrific selection of African wines and beers here, proudly featuring Tusker Lager.
Menus and bottle assortment
You can have any of the drinks you’re about to see served to you in a Mask Tumbler if you’re looking for a souvenir from your time at the Dawa Bar. These hit the scene around the same time the Musical Tumbler arrived at various spots around Animal Kingdom. It’ll up your beverage cost by about $6 per drink.
Mask Tumblers
One of the cocktails that has been a hit for a long time here is the Sugar Cane Mojito. Now, one reason I personally haven’t sampled the Sugar Cane Mojito previously is because I’m really not into mojitos in general. But this drink’s reputation precedes itself, and from the moment it was placed in front of me I started to understand why.
It’s a gorgeous drink — strikingly clear. I was mesmerized by the sunlight shining through the drink. (And, no, I hadn’t started drinking, yet. ;-D)
Sugar Cane Mojito
Even though the general components are the same as a typical mojito (plenty of mint, and in this case the rum is African Starr mixed with Sugar Cane Syrup — complete with a stalk of sugar cane), I really did enjoy this one.
As mentioned above, the Dawa Bar added Bloody Marys to the mix last fall, and the different twists are
pretty unique.
Bloody Mary menu
My friend chose the African Bloody Mary: vodka, Loaded Bloody Mary Mix, and spicy African berbere sauce garnished with berbere-rubbed beef jerky, a celery stalk, carrot, and parsley.
African Bloody Mary
I stepped out of my norm with the mojito for you, but I’m just not willing to do the same with a Bloody Mary ;). I can tell you, though, that it got high marks from its consumer, with plenty of heat from the berbere spice. If anything’s going to wake you up while you’re waiting for the Animal Kingdom Starbucks to open, this oughta do it!
Note that the bartenders may not have the ingredients to make the Bloody Marys after 11AM.
The African Margarita deviates from a traditional margarita thanks to the addition of Van der Hum —a tangerine liqueur from South Africa. (Mine pictured below is saltless per my regular request).
African Margarita
That hint of tangerine citrus brightens up an already lime-heavy drink. Overall, it’s just different enough from a typical margarita to give it a try if you’ve never visited the Dawa Bar before and are looking for something familiar with just a hint of something new.
There are two rum cocktails on the menu made with the house beverage mix: Pangani Punch. You can pick up a Harambe Cooler or a Lost on Safari. Never one to resist a good name, I went with the Lost on Safari, which mixes Captain Morgan Spiced Rum and Pink Pigeon Mauritian Rum with the punch.
Lost on Safari
While it was fine — and I always enjoy the fruity Pangani Punch — I found it to be a bit watery. Strength isn’t something I’ve ever had reason to complain about with any Dawa drink before, so here’s hoping it was just an off-day for the mix.
Overall
All in all, though, it was another great visit! I’ve long loved this gem of a bar from my very first visit years ago, and it continues to be a special place to me. Here’s hoping you have a chance to relax, drink, and sit for a spell at the Dawa Bar. And if I see you there, we’ll go heads-or-tails for the conga chair!
Do you have a favorite drink at the Dawa Bar? Please let us know with a comment!
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I’m not a huge mojito fan, but I love love LOVE the Sugar Cane Mojito! It’s a must every time we’re there. I usually grab some popcorn from the cart opposite from the bar, and we sit and have a drink and listen to the band that plays in the afternoon. Awesome.
The first (only) time I went to the Dawa bar in early December 2014, the bartender seemed cranky and was kind of terse with me. Hopefully that’s an aberration and not the rule.
We had a similar experience later in December 2014. Showed up probably between 9:30 and 10 and the bartender was very cranky and told us no one had set up anything for the bloody mary options and we were pretty much out of luck. So apparently they may not have the ingredients before or after 11am for the bloody mary’s.
We too experienced the cranky morning bartender at Dawa Bar in October 2014. We were able to get our bloody marys and they were delicious, but what I remember most about the experience was the rude bartender. Terse is a perfect word to describe him. One of only a few rude cast members we experienced during our 9 day trip. I would still go back for another African Bloody Mary though 🙂
I experienced the same problem with the Bloody Mary. They were not advertised so I thought maybe I was at the wrong spot. I asked the bartender about them and he, unhappily, made me one. I think they are becoming too busy and don’t want to take the time to actually make a drink. With that being said, still my favorite place to sit, listen to the entertainment, and relax! Wish I was there now.
Cool thats my wife in the blue denim shirt, must be when we were there in January 2014
That Bloody Mary looks awesome!!!
I opted to skip dawa bar this trip to go right across the road and have me a dole whip with dark rum 🙂
Are they making the Sugar Cane Mojitos fresh again? This place has always been one of my favorites but when I was there in November and ordered a Sugar Cane Mojito they basically filled a cup from a dispenser behind the bar and then threw the stalk of sugar cane in it. It was the worst mojito I’ve ever had in my life. My friend and I took a few sips and tossed them. I’m not sure if it was because of the crowds that day or what but it was really disappointing.
Funny people are commenting on the bartender there…I did encounter the exact same thing. I’d stop short of saying he was completely rude, but definitely far below the Disney norm. From the times I have been at this bar, I gather that the bartenders have been working there for a long time. I think they have just begun to take it for granted. I understand that sometimes the bar gets mobbed and they don’t have a lot of support…but c’mon. I know people who would give their right leg to have that kind of guaranteed money every day. I can’t imagine how much these guys must walk out with in a day.
If my second favorite bar at WDW is losing it’s hidden gem status – it’s time for them to open up a few more hidden gem watering holes.
Hmmm, we thought it was just us. My cousin and I went in 2013 one early afternoon in April The bar was not crowded at all but the bartender was, to use the word of the day, “terse”.
Can’t remember what we had but sure remembered the attitude!
I’m glad I stumbled upon this article in my research for a good Bloody Mary. I have been a passholder for the past few years and am in the parks pretty often. I have stopped going to Dawa since they’ve began serving their drinks from the machines. I did give it a chance three different times for what used to be one of my favorite drinks on property: the African Margarita. But very sadly, all three times I was equally disappointed. For guests who have never had one made fresh, perhaps they wouldn’t be as biased.
As for the server previously mentioned, I’m glad to see it’s not just me (I was beginning to think maybe I forgot to tip him once & he had a really good memory)! He’s obviously been working there for years but it would be nice if he would return a smile a bit more often..