Situated on the boardwalk of Downtown Disney’s Marketplace in Orlando, the Margarita Bar serves up margaritas, bottled beverages, a Rum Runner, draft beer, frozen drinks, and yes, even cigars! It’s a handy little escape prior to a dinner reservation, or to relax on a sunny Orlando afternoon.
This week (and for several weeks previous, according to the bartender), the drink special was a Grapefruit Margarita.
Atmosphere
The Margarita Bar is tucked a bit out of the way of the main Downtown Disney thoroughfare — in fact, it’s a few steps down and situated right on the dock next to the Downtown Disney Marina!
The Bar itself is more of a kiosk — a small island-esque shack on the dock with several umbrella-clad tables close by.
Margarita Bar
Thankfully after strolling around in the hot Florida sun, those tables alongside the marina provide some shade! And the live music on the waterfront invites guests to unwind. Frequently, Sunny Jim plays some laid back tunes!
Seating and Live Music
Unfortunately, food is not offered at this counter-service location, which is typically open Noon to 11:00 p.m. But there are plenty of food and snacks around — including Wetzel’s Pretzels, and a Churro stand just up the stairs featuring Bavarian Cream filled, dulce de leche filled, and cinnamon and sugar churros!
Downtown Disney Churro Stand
Sips
On the menu are several margaritas along with a few other select drinks. You can also order bottled beer and wine.
Menu - click image for larger version
Bottled Drinks
If cigars are your thing, here’s where you can get ’em!
Cigars Available
After waiting in the loooooong line (is IS Spring Break in Orlando, after all), I finally got up to the window to snag my specialty. The bartender was a lovely person — sharing a smile and a joke with everyone in the line. She worked quickly, and didn’t let the pressure of that line get to her — how do they do that?! 🙂
Erin the Bartender
I had noticed the Grapefruit Margarita special on the sign while walking by, and couldn’t wait to try it. After all, grapefruit is supposed to help you slim down, right? So a grapefruit margarita must be extra good for me!
Margarita Special
I spied some whole grapefruits in the glass refrigerator while standing in line, so I was hoping that there’d be fresh squeezed grapefruit juice in the recipe. But all I could catch was half a bottle of Minute Maid grapefruit juice going into the mixer…sigh. Maybe she threw some fresh-squeezed juice in there when I wasn’t looking!
The end result was a very pretty drink, rimmed with sugar (my choice), and topped with a cherry.
Grapefruit Margarita
The flavors were mixed well, and while there was a strong grapefruit taste, the sugar and other ingredients cut the bitterness a bit.
Grapefruit Margarita Close-Up
Overall
I enjoyed the drink very much — even though I’m not a huge grapefruit juice fan. And while this wasn’t a Cava del Tequila-caliber drink (due to the ingredients), it was the perfect way to relax on a busy Spring Break afternoon at Downtown Disney!
Have you been to the Margarita Bar in Downtown Disney? Tell us your stories in the comments section below!
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What were the prices for the margs like? Thanks!
For some reason, I feel like for two margaritas plus tip was in the $25 dollar range. For the money, I’d rather continue on to Paradiso and get a pitcher of mangled margaritas for about the same price with live music and decent munchies.
That little bar has been there forever and has been a pleasant respite on the days that are not overly hot. However, the live entertainment at that area, is new to me and a great add-on. I’ve seen a welcomed uptick in music at WDW the last few years and it makes relaxing and chilling out a nicer thing. Please, Disney folks, more of it. It does help sell more food and drinks.
I had a pina colada there on my last trip a month ago and it was my first time ever trying the place out.. my sister, brother-in-law, and I were at DTD in the evening shopping and we stopped for a drink and a sit by the water.. it was SO nice! I am definitely doing that again.. just the atmosphere of the bustling DTD with the breeze from the water and the drink in hand was perfect!
The rum runner is decent and I think it was around the $9-$10 range but I have to agree there are better places to grab a drink in DTD including Fulton’s. If you’re looking for something quick while the family is shopping then this is the place
Kelly — I think around $6-10!
Pat — On this I agree with you!!!! Paradiso has AMAZING drinks!
Alan — I’m with you 100% on the live entertainment! I really enjoyed it.
Marci — I think it’s a great respite to have all of those tables down by the water. Especially on a hot day, it’s the perfect relaxing spot. You really do feel like you’re getting away from the crazy above!
Jillian — Thanks for the review on the rum runner and on the review. A great spot for a quick stop.
The grapefruit margarita has been the “special” since at least last August. They need to change it up!
Sarah — That’s what I figured! 🙂 It’s like the soup of the day at other places.
“After all, grapefruit is supposed to help you slim down, right? So a grapefruit margarita must be extra good for me!”
The same can be said about the grapefruit cake at the Brown Derby. 🙂
Be warned – they’re extremely mean here when it comes to ID. I have one of those weird faces that makes people guess about 7 years either side of the correct age. Being turned down for margaritas makes me grumpy. 😛
I used to love this place but the Paradiso37 house margarita with agave necatar, BLOWS it away for .50 more!
Is this still located near the Lego store in downtown disney?
Can I make a reservation for 2 outside (near Sunny Jim) for April 26th at 1:30 am?
The Margaretta Bar has top notch Rum Runners, in fact, I have never found better. I go there every time I head to DTD!
Brian Tobin — Thanks for the suggestion!