Today, I’m continuing my tour of Disney World’s bars and lounges with a trip to Mizner’s Lounge. Tucked into one end of the second floor at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Mizner’s takes full advantage of views to the outside as well as the atrium.
Mizner's Sign
And if you’ve ever been in the Grand’s lobby in the evening and heard some bouncy jazz, this is where it was coming from!
I’m always interested in finding out what these spots serve. You can usually find some really interesting dishes in Disney’s resort lounges that reflect the theming of the hotel. Let’s check it out.
Atmosphere
If I were to describe the vibe of Mizner’s decor in one word, it would be relaxed elegance. Here’s a pre-reno pic!
Mizner's Lounge During the Day
Theming here is understated, but the setting is comfortable. During the day, tons of natural light floods the room, giving it an airy feel.
Mizner's Bar
Potted palms and ornate carpets hint at the Victorian theme. Rather than heavy furnishings, you find lighter woods with a woven touch. It’s relaxed, but still feels a little dressier than most Disney lounges.
Additional Seating
Part of the reason for the suggestion of subdued opulence is the live music. A band plays live jazz music most evenings from a bandstand located just in front of Mizner’s.
This is a favorite of guests who are calling the resort home for a bit, or those just passing through for an evening dinner date.
The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra
But in addition to the relaxing, refined atmosphere, Mizner’s Lounge also has some really delicious small plate offerings. Tambu Lounge at the Polynesian and the Territory Lounge at Wilderness Lodge have both recently been the setting of some really enjoyable tapas-style encounters lately. Would Mizner’s be equally as fantastic?
Eats
The menu here is a great mix of Old Florida with cutting edge continental style. In addition to appetizers, you can also choose desserts — and cigars! Well hey, why not? Having a selection of fine cigars gives Mizner’s the feel of a gentleman’s club.
Menu -- Click to Enlarge
Immediately, I settled on a couple of different items. I knew that I had to try the Tamarind-grilled Pork Belly with Mascarpone Spiced Cream Corn. 1. I love Pork Belly of any kind. 2. Cream Corn is my favorite. So this dish was perfect for me!
The sour, sweet tamarind glaze was sticky and perfect for cutting through the rich flavor of the pork belly. And then! It’s served on the most beautiful, silky cream corn! The extra bit of tamarind glaze used as garnish also acts as a foil to the cream here. Loved it.
Pork Belly
The Four-Cheese and Taggiasca Olives Flatbread was also very good (but paled a bit in comparison to the pork belly and corn dish). Its description seemed somewhat simple, but the imported Italian olives made it all kinds of fancy!
Flatbread
While I’m not a big fan of olives, I was impressed with the generous amount spread across the flatbread. And the crisp-tender crust worked well with the simple ingredients.
Overall
While Mizner’s may not have the superior theming and menu of Territory Lounge, or the world’s best cocktail (cough…Lapu Lapu) like Tambu Lounge, it has a good ambiance and some delicious dishes. And the fact that you can walk in and order all of these without an advance dining reservation is a nice plus.
If you need a cool place to meet with friends over drinks, I definitely suggest that you head up the staircase from the Grand’s lobby and give Mizner’s a try. And could you bring me an order of that killer pork belly while you’re at it?
Is Mizner’s Lounge a regular stop on your Disney food and drink tour? Leave a comment and let us know!
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Was anyone smoking a cigar while you were there? Unless there is a separate smoking room, I think that would severely limit my enjoyment of this lounge.
So glad you showed the menu with cigar availability. If there is cigar smoke in the lounge, I couldn’t go, let alone eat. It makes me nauseous!
We’re doing a Monorail crawl this October. Is my research correct that you can request items from Citrico’s at Mizner’s as well?
The flatbread looked very yummy to me, how are the drinks?
Also I have to agree with Pudge the Fish, I would have to pass if the cigar smoking was in the same room.
The whole hotel is non-smoking, so I can’t imagine you can smoke in the lounge. There is a balcony right off the lounge where people go to smoke- That’s probably where you would smoke your cigar.
Don’t worry anti-cigar folks. Smoking is not permitted inside. There is an area outside, a second floor balcony, on which smoking is permitted.
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I love Mizner’s. It’s a great way to unwind after a long day of touring.
Pudge and Louise — Nope — no cigar smoking in there. I didn’t even smell a whiff of it from the outside balcony, so no worries!
Heather — That’s very possible! I didn’t try it, but you can often get items from the restaurant next door in Disney’s lounges. There may be some restrictions though, so be prepared.
Jennifer and Jym — Thanks for chiming in!! I should have clarified about the non-smoking-ness in the lounge. 🙂
We love Mizner’s! It’s one of our fav lounges. Since we cant afford to stay there, going there gives us our ”fix” Sheila is one of our fav bartenders on property. She’s great! And she makes a mean dirty martini:)
I had that Pork Belly in June! So delicious!! It was also on the Citrico’s appetizer menu at the time if you prefer to have it there.
I love Mizner’s, too. Have never even caught a whiff of the cigar smoke. It’s definitely outside and well contained.
For some reason, this blog sure attracts a lot of whiny people. Thanks for the information anyway
What time does it open??
Are drinks and food both available at the same time???
Thx.
Frank
Shhh, don’t give away this ‘hidden’ gem! Nothing beats a drink in the Grand Floridian while listening to the jazz band play covers of classic Disney tunes- except maybe a little shopping in Summer Lace afterward. Sigh.
I haven’t stopped by here at least ten years. If I had realized they had entertainment, I certainly would have. I’m don’t understand why some of the hotels have no entertainment, or why not have music seven days a week, if they do. I know empirically, that the lounges are hopping when the music is going. A 1940’s era retro night club would be a great addition for the re-do of DTD. These are the type of things that keep people on the property after the parks close.
For some reason, this blog sure attracted one jerk.
Thanks for the information AJ! 🙂
We went here last week…unbeknown to me, my fiancée asked the band to play our song (moonlight serenade -glen miller) which they were quite happy to do, even though they were about to go on a break. So mid cocktail our song started and I was dragged to next to the band to dance. They were fantastic!!! I’d definitely recommend visiting here even if only for a drink before dinner.
Love WDW, Grand Floridian & Mizner’s!
A cocktail there and dinner at Narcoossee’s coinciding with fireworks and that electric thing in the Lagoon make for quite the amazing evening out! Been there many times and can’t wait to go back! It took several visits before I caught on to the G.F.’s uncanny resemblance to the Hotel del Coronado off the coast of San Diego. Does Hotel del have a “Mizner’s?
Actually the Hotel Del does.
http://hoteldel.com/restaurant-coronado/babcock-story/
Plus this:
http://hoteldel.com/restaurant-coronado/sunset-bar/
Frank
Mizner’s Lounge is a relaxed, elegant, quiet (mostly), fun little spot to unwind in the evening. I have seldom seen children there–maybe it’s too boring for them. Live jazz, which is very pleasant, is sometimes playing just outside the doors. I have not stayed in this hotel, but try to get to this lounge every time I visit disney.
Put it up near the top on your bar-hopping rounds.