If you’re wandering through Animal Kingdom wondering where the real wild things are, spoiler: they’re at the bars.
After a few too many “let’s just grab one drink” afternoons that somehow turned into full-on bar crawls, we can confidently say these are the best spots to drink your way around the park.
Let’s grab a drink and get lost in the trees.
Want even more boozy adventures? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Drinking at Disney World.
Discovery Island
Nomad Lounge (Must-Visit)
If you’re only stopping at one place to drink in Animal Kingdom, make it Nomad Lounge. No debate. This place has comfy chairs, air conditioning (bless), and outdoor patio seating plus some of the best cocktails in all of Disney World.
There is a reason Nomad Lounge is on our list of the best bars at Disney World.
You really can’t go wrong here. The Annapurna Zing and Tempting Tigress are two of our go-tos, and the sangria deserves a special shoutout too, especially when it’s extra hot outside. Honestly, the whole menu is solid.
And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the food. It’s absolutely delicious and doesn’t taste like theme park food at all (but to be fair, we feel that way about lots of the food options at Animal Kingdom).
The vibe at Nomad Lounge is chill, travel-inspired, and a little bougie without trying too hard. It’s basically the ultimate “let’s sit here for two hours and pretend we’re adventurers” spot.
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What to order: Annapurna Zing, Tempting Tigress or Sangria
Pro Tip: Join the waitlist in the My Disney Experience App right at 11:00. This place is popular, and if you delay your waits may be long.
Africa
Dawa Bar (Vibes + Live Entertainment)
Right outside Tusker House, Dawa Bar is the move if you like live entertainment with your cocktail. It doesn’t have a giant flashy sign (or air conditioning), but there is seating and it is in a spot that is perfect for soaking in the best of Animal Kingdom.
From this spot you can catch the Tam Tam Drummers who are a fixture of the Africa section of Animal Kingdom.
The drinks here lean fruity and punchy, and honestly? That’s exactly what you want when you’re vibing out in the middle of Harambe Village.
Not feeling like a cocktail? Both the Old Elephant Foot IPA and the Victory Golden Monkey Tripel Ale are solid options if you’re looking for a beer.
What to order: One of the beers (Old Elephant Foot IPA and the Victory Golden Monkey Tripel Ale are our favorites) or the African Margarita.
Pro Tip: Time it right and you can catch back-to-back performances without even moving your chair.
Tamu Tamu Refreshments (Quick Frozen Treat)
If you need an adult Dole Whip break (and let’s be honest, you do), Tamu Tamu Refreshments has you covered. Add coconut rum or dark rum and pretend it’s a health food because it’s technically fruit.
This is our go-to snack when at Animal Kingdom.
What to order: One of the boozy Dole Whips with rum
Pro Tip: Mobile order ahead so you’re not waiting behind a family of six arguing about toppings.
Asia
Warung Outpost (Quick Margarita Stop)
If you’ve ever thought, “You know what would make this sweaty trek through Asia better? A margarita,” Warung Outpost exists just for you.
It’s basically a glorified margarita stand, and honestly, that’s all it needs to be. Last trip we grabbed a classic margarita here on the way to Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and let’s just say the fish weren’t the only thing swimming after that. JK. We kept it together but the margarita did hit just right.
What to order: Classic Margarita
Pro Tip: It’s a grab-and-go situation. There’s no seating and no frills. Perfect if you just need something cold and boozy in your hand ASAP.
Drinkwallah (Frozen Coke Cocktails)
Drinkwallah looks like it got lost between a tree and an old Coke ad, but it’s exactly what you’ll want on a 90-degree day.
The drinks aren’t anything groundbreaking, but sometimes all you really need is something cold and boozy to survive the Animal Kingdom heat. It’s no secret that Animal Kingdom always feels 10 degrees hotter than the other parks, so if you find yourself fading and the only thing that will keep you going is some frozen caffeine with a hit of either rum or whiskey, this is a great option.
What to order: Frozen Coke with either Captain Morgan Spiced Rum or Jack Daniels.
Pro Tip: If you can find a shady bench nearby, park yourself and savor it.
Thirsty River Bar (Beer + Cocktails by Everest)
Thirsty River is what happens when Disney decides “eh, let’s make a legit bar instead of just a cart.” It’s right outside Expedition Everest, which means it’s ideally placed for either pre-ride bravery or post-ride celebration.
We typically go for something a little bit stronger when grabbing drinks here, like the Himalayan Ghost (which is basically a vodka lemonade with a little guava tossed in) or the Yeti Sunset (Jack Daniels, Strawberry and Lychee lemonade).
If you don’t feel like a cocktail, they do have a small selection of craft beers, too.
What to order: Himalayan Ghost or Yeti Sunset
Pro Tip: The beer list here is surprisingly solid, even if it is small. Grab a drink before hopping in line for Everest – you’ll thank yourself later.
Pandora – The World of Avatar
Pongu Pongu (Colorful, Creative Drinks)
If you only know Pandora as “the place where Flight of Passage tries to kill your wait time spirit,” let me introduce you to Pongu Pongu, where the real magic happens (in a cup).
This tiny snack stand serves up some of the most fun drinks in Animal Kingdom. We’re talking boba balls, colorful slushies, and alcohol blended so sneakily you don’t even realize you’re getting a buzz.
The Rum Blossom is our go-to. It’s rum layered with desert pear limeade, apple slush, and topped with passion fruit boba balls that are criminally fun to squish. If you’re feeling tropical, the Mo’ara Margarita with its strawberry boba topper isn’t a bad move either. And yes, there’s green beer too if you want to fully commit to the “I’m Na’vi now” aesthetic.
What to order: Rum Blossom or Mo’ara Margarita
Pro Tip: It’s small and outdoor-only, but there are spots to sit along the walls.
Quick Note About DinoLand U.S.A.
DinoLand U.S.A. is officially on the endangered species list.
It’s being transformed into a new “Tropical Americas” area, which means some of the old drinking spots like Restaurantosaurus Lounge are now extinct or in transition.
Translation: If you’re reading a post telling you to grab a drink in DinoLand, check the park map first, because it might already be a construction wall and some angry heat-shielding umbrellas. We’ll update this guide once the new bars (hopefully!) roll in.
Final Tips for Drinking at Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom might not be the first park people think of for drinking, but honestly? It’s low-key one of the best. Between the laid-back atmosphere, solid drink menus, and surprise live entertainment, it’s basically a mobile bar crawl with better landscaping.
If you want to do it right:
- Start early if you want a seat at Nomad Lounge, no shame in an 11 a.m. Tempting Tigress.
- Hydrate like your park day depends on it, because it does.
- Mobile order your spiked Dole Whip to feel like a genius while everyone else waits in the sun.
- Pace yourself through Asia and Pandora. (We’ve seen Everest after a Rum Blossom…and it’s an experience.)
And remember: Animal Kingdom is huge and it’s hot. Drink like you’re here for a good time and a long time.
Cheers to day drinking in the wild!
Want to keep the party going?
We’ve got you covered with drinking guides for every park:
- Drinking at Magic Kingdom (yes, it’s possible, even if it’s trickier)
- Drinking Around EPCOT (the OG crawl)
- Bar Hopping at Hollywood Studios (because Star Wars tastes better with a cocktail)
- Disney Skyliner Bar Crawl (resort-hopping via gondola)
- Disney Monorail Bar Crawl (a loop of deluxe resort lounges)
Wherever you roam, we’ve got a drink (or three) waiting for you.