Some of my favorite moments in Epcot over the years have not even been while enjoying attractions. There are times where you just need to sit, or stroll, and take time to relax with your friends or family over and adult beverage or two. Partaking in the drinks from the countries of Epcot’s World Showcase is a great way to spend time with friends while waiting for your Fastpass window for Soarin’ or Test Track to roll around. Today I will share some of my favorite bars, beverages and even a few stories (some tales of caution).
Bars
For me, there are three fantastic bars at Epcot that I tend to frequent. That isn’t to say there aren’t more bars that are great, but these are my three favorites and each for a different reason. On any given day I will find it challenging to rank these in order of preference, so I don’t feel inclined to do so here. They are all winners for drinks in my book.
La Cava Del Tequila – I remember this place back when it was my favorite jewelry shop in the Mexico pavilion. I even have several of the rings I purchased from said shop still. The name says it all, or most of what this place is about. In the immortal words of The Champs, Tequila! (Feel free to jump on the bar and do the Pee Wee Herman dance, but if you do, I am in no way responsible.) This cozy little cave of a bar offers about 10 tables with chairs and bench seating, a sofa and stools as well as a high top table for standing in addition to the bar, also standing room only. If you aren’t there for rope drop (yes, more than once I’ve rope dropped this particular bar), on busier days you may find yourself adding your name to the waiting list or even queuing up outside waiting for a drink.
The margaritas here are great! My favorites currently vacillate between the avocado, blue and if you can get them to make it, the orange mango fire margarita. They also serve some non-alcoholic drinks in addition to beer, wine and sangria. Several pages of the menu are devoted to individual tequila shots, tequila infused cocktails and flights. Do not, I repeat, do not be tempted by the offer of the bartenders to give you a free shot if you eat the scorpion from the bottle. I know from experience it is not worth it. However, it is quite an interesting experience to have dozens of strangers chanting your name to try to encourage you to do so. Friends and I may also be known for holding court and rotating out people hanging there for four hours plus on repeated occasions. Appetizers here are also quite tasty with the guacamole and queso being two of my favorites.
Rose & Crown Pub – In the UK Pavilion, this restaurant and bar is situated along the shores of the World Showcase Lagoon. If you are looking for a great location from which to view Illuminations on a nice warm evening, see if you can get a reservation for around 8pm or so and let them know you’re willing to waiting for an outside table facing the water. It is an incredible view! The food here is great, although I still lament the loss of the Sunday Roast off the regular menu. I still love the corned beef sandwich off the pub menu (make sure to get mustard not mayo). This is yet another wonderful place to sit with friends, raise a pint or two, and just talk. They do offer some entertainment in the form of tricks from the bartender Carl (if you ask nicely) and Carol, the Hat Lady, performs most evenings singing songs and getting the pub patrons involved. My favorite drink here is definitely the snakebite and black, which is not on the menu, but I haven’t had a bartender yet who didn’t know immediately how to make it. I’m also a fan of just a nice pint of Guinness or Harp to wash down the fish and chips too. Cheers!
Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar – This relatively new locale in Italy is quickly creeping up the list as one of my favorites. They have a really extensive list of wines by the glass and also beer and some cocktails. In addition to beverages, the bar has a great menu of appetizers, small sandwiches and salads, and dessert. I was just there this past week and tried the cannoli for the first time and found myself cheesily exclaiming holy cannoli! I love the prosecco, especially if you like more dry white sparkling wines, but also the espresso martini is a great choice if you’re looking for something with a bit more punch. I really like how there are different sections to the bar and even for being a bit dim as far as the lighting, it still feels kind of light and airy. If you can, try to get the room with the sofas to yourself if you have a large enough party.
Drinks
Although not all of the countries around World Showcase necessarily have bars where you can sit and enjoy an adult beverage, pretty much all of them offer unique drinks. In addition to the ones I’ve mentioned above, here are some more of my favorite things to imbibe while strolling around World Showcase at Epcot.
Mexico – I almost always go to La Cava and nowhere else and alternate between margaritas and tequila shots or flights. No Scorpion shots ever again.
Norway – If you get a chance, stop in at Kringla Og Bakeri and grab a Carlsberg. While it may seem like an unconventional choice, I enjoy this to pair with one of my favorite desserts: school bread.
China – I go back and forth between the Peach Snap and the Mango Gingerita at the Joy of Tea kiosk. I remember bonding with friends Lori, Becky, Sarah and Tim for the first time over drinks in China several years ago during reunion 2010.
Germany – I have to go with any or all of the beers in Germany from either the carts or Sommerfest stand. Also, if you enjoy wine, check out the wine walk that also includes Italy and France.
Italy – My previous go to for sipping and strolling was the Rosa Regale, but I can get that at my grocery store, so I switched to the Italian margarita after having been introduced to it by my friend Kelly a while back.
America – At the Fife & Drum I will almost always go for the Sam Adams either regular Boston lager or seasonal beer. Occasionally I will partake in the Jim Beam Red Stag Lemonade that stuck around for a while after arriving at the Food & Wine festival a couple years ago.
Japan – I like to try different types of sake, especially when they have ones that are special and less expensive, from the back of the sake bar in the Mitsukoshi store.
Morocco – My usual is a Casa beer at the Tangierine Cafe (my favorite counter service location in Epcot BTW), but I also enjoy an occasional Moroccarita from the stand outside. Then there was that one time where I went to Tangierine Cafe to get a shawarma platter and a glass of wine and ended up with three and a half glasses of wine. Those Moroccan boys said “oops, this bottle’s almost done. Here, finish it up. Oh, I guess there’s more in there than we thought. Drink that and then we will give you some more.” Okay boys. Whatever you say. That was a good day. 😉
France – Ah, the French. They tend to spoil me by offering a multitude of tasty beverages. My favorite though has to be a Kir Royale. This is followed closely by the Grey Goose and Grand Marnier slushes. Most wines are also quite good if you like dry wines, but I learned my lesson and avoid the beer. Just not a fan. Stick to the grapes or aperitifs.
UK – I almost always get a snakebite and black, but again will not turn down the pints of Harp or Guinness served at the stand outside the Rose & Crown.
Canada – Several years ago my friend Tom told me of his tradition to try to always make the last drink of his trip a Moosehead from the beer cart in Canada, so I have adopted this as my go to drink here. However, if you can find it, which they occasionally have here, try any of the Unibroue beers, especially the Ephemere.
So, I hope you have enjoyed this trip around World Showcase with me and some of my favorite drinks. If any of you are wondering, no, I have never done the unofficial drink around the world with one drink in each country in one day. Number one, I don’t have the budget for that, two, I’m usually driving and I am more responsible than that, and three, I think I’m too old for that. What are some of your favorite drinks? Have you any stories you wish to tell of bonding over quaffs? Please do tell.
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