The Beak and Barrel

Reviews

• JN

  Jackie Newton

  Nov 14, 2025
  5.0
  I wasn’t able to get a reservation at 60 days out when they opened, but I kept checking back periodically on the app and there were openings that popped up! Definitely request to stand at the bar here, as it is closest to Rummy the parrot and some of the special effects. The lounge is a very themed lounge with details everywhere, and very low lighting. The bar is standing only, the cocktail drinks are premade and poured from a tap, you have a 45 minute time limit, and a 2 drink limit for both alcoholic and nonalcoholic (all similar to Oga’s Cantina). If you do sit at a table, there are a variety of side rooms, and you could share a table with another party. We ordered the Plunderer’s punch, which comes in a souvenir pirate skull. They do give you a fresh one all boxed up at the end of your stay to take home. The drink was quite strong actually but tasty. We also ordered the Hibiscus Rum punch royale, which comes in a small mule cup. It was very tasty and went down quick. For our second drinks we got the two beers that are brewed specially for this location and you cannot get them anywhere else. We got the Blonde ale and the Berry session sour. Both beers were fantastic. As soon as we ordered our second drink, they printed our receipt and told us how much time was left on our time limit. We did order one food item, the corn griddle cakes with the chicken and it was very good, and larger than I thought. It hit the spot. They also have Rum’s that are specially made for this location but we did not try them. Every few minutes or so the parrot comes out, or a special effect happens, or something interactive happens which makes it fun, and the bartenders are in character. I read online that the string of effects is about 45 minutes and then it repeats, meaning you will see all of the effects during your time limit, but we came in on the rainstorm effect, and we stayed exactly until our time limit was up and we did not see the rainstorm again. So who knows. After our time was up we took a quick wander around the place to see the different theming effects and decorations. If you are a fan of themed bar’s, and pirates of the Caribbean, this lounge is for you. If you are picky with your drinks/need customization/need more variety or don’t care about the theming, then you don’t need to pay the premium to come here. Overall we enjoyed our experience here and would definitely be open to coming again to see some more effects that we may or may not have missed.
• EZ

  eric zinzilieta

  Nov 12, 2025
  2.0
  You get to sit across from your party which in the process of them “saving time” they would seat 2 separate party’s of 2 at the same time. Since they didn’t explain any part of that to us and you have to yell to hear anything we had to wander around the main table with some strangers to figure out where they wanted us to sit. The atmosphere was pretty neat but it is extremely loud as well as they packed people into every available corner. (FYI I love the Star Wars cantina). The wait staff seemed a little rude. The drinks weren’t bad given its Disney world the food was par or below. Overall everyone wants to go here since it’s new but it’s really not worth basically 60 days advance reservations. I can’t say I won’t ever go back but it will be years before I do and it will be walk in a grab a drink before I do. Add a beer cart to one spot in the park already and quit torturing people to get a drink. I would honestly say if you see a few of the one star reviews they aren’t just being sour grapes this experience isn’t worth it and plan on spending no less than $50 for two drinks to be rushed out since half of your “experience” is waiting to be called then struggling to talk to each other. Honestly… honestly!!!! Save your money unless you are desperate to try the new thing or set your expectations please.
• MS

  Meredith S

  Nov 12, 2025
  5.0
  I’m honestly shocked at these bad reviews as we had the best time at Beak & Barrel. We’re a party of 6: 4 adults; a 5 year old; and, one infant. Yes, we waited nearly half an hour but it was worth it because we got the jail cell table! Definitely the best seat in the house ( we got it by mere chance). I can see how being at a table with strangers or the standing room only bar area would be uncomfortable, but if you’re a group of adults, I don’t see the big deal. You’re only there 45 minutes. The decor and theming is outrageous so everyone is pretty distracted anyway. Our server Connor was awesome! He made our visit fantastic but I don’t envy his job. You can only have 2 drinks per visit. There are no exceptions or workarounds because it’s the strict restaurant rule. And you have to drink both in less than 45 minutes (you cannot get a 3rd even if you finish fast). I do wish they’d change that to an hour. We got our 5 minute warning and had only just received our second drink. It’s not any of the staff’s fault and they tell you that clearly before you even walk in. They do legitimately kick you out at the 45 minute mark and some servers do it in a “get out now!” way which is funny to me but I can see some grumps getting mad. We loved the food. The dips were all great: it comes with plantains, blue tortillas, and soft pita with a chimchurri, a creamy dip, a mango salsa, and one other. Our daughter devoured the pita and tortillas. Another thing I wish they’re change: absolutely no kids food or off menu options (no fruit, no fries, no baby carrots - absolutely nothing). What’s on the menu is all they have. You can’t just order extra sides of pita either, you must order the entire dip plate. We ended up ordering 2 and that was fine because we all ate it. We also tried both corn cakes (chicken was my fave and my husband loved the corn version). And my dad and husband both really like the octopus. The drinks were good too. Very strong. My fave ended up being the Siren’s Song which is bright blue and comes in a pretty glass. The margarita was good too, and everyone else liked theirs as well. Kind of funny to walk back out into a bright, sunny magic kingdom with a bit of a buzz! Again no kids drinks except boxed apple juice and water (we don’t let our kids drink soda but they do have soda products). That’s it. No other juices or milk but Connor said they could maybe get a box of milk and we just didn’t bother. So yes, there are rules and limitations that may annoy some people but at the end of the day it’s a pirate restaurant in a theme park for children and families so be nice to the staff. None of it is their fault or their doing and they can’t make accommodations/exceptions just because you want them to. Be chill, enjoy the 45 minutes and you really will have fun!
• MD

  Mark D

  Nov 9, 2025
  2.0
  Sort of a none and done. Let's get into it. The space is quite impressive. The decor tells a bit of a story, it's not just stuff on the wall - it's curated. For example, a lot of the bar area is built out of reclaimed furniture. It does seem the pirates couldn't source anything to use as barstools... so you do have to stand. Everyone has a reservation and strict time limits, so this seems rude... and a missed opportunity to add those active barstools from Trader Sam's. Vibe is renaissance faire... projecting is not acting. Some bartenders were chill, almost Disneyland Trader Sam's chill, but they seemed to yield to one boisterous bartender. I'm unsure if it's normal or one person trying too hard, but it just didn't resonate as "pirate shippy". More "It's the rum they want" and less "swab the decks". You will hear the same phrases repeated every time another customer arrives. The drinks are 'libations', be prepared to hear that fifty times. Everyone who sits down gets asked, "Aye, did you have a chance to look at the map before coming in?" That's worth repeating? It just feels like themed rushing. Why not something like, "which treasure shall we set our course for, captain?" or even better, a touch of improv? Tell me the men have just plundered a barrel of the finest rum or something. It feels soulless, rushed, and AI-scripted compared to Trader Sam's at the Poly, where many of the event actions differ between cast members, dialogue is changed up frequently, drinks are actually made by the actors and all-around feels more organic. The active elements of the bar are explained by a parrot - the 'Beak' in Beak and Barrel (the 'barrels' are the premix drink dispensers). Note: just the parrot... not a captain whose parrot repeats everything, or the underutilized Barbosa and monkey Jack, or someone from the ride downstairs. Famously, there's a far more impressive and entertaining show with anthropomorphized birds around the corner, so this choice seems odd. Anyway once this parrot announces a scene is starting, everyone will do something like cover their ears, sometimes lights flash. It feels more like The Roundup Rodeo than... I hate to mention it a third time, but Disney really had a blueprint already... The Rainforest Cafe. Wait, you thought I was going to say Trader Sam's? You're catching on! Geo 82's a bit of a thematic flop too, but there the cost makes sense: pleasant space; quality drinks. Theming isn't everything. Well here there is no bar, you can only order those premixed specialty drinks or like a beer. I tried the Lit Fuse which tasted a bit tame. Chili pepper, salt, and mezcal dominated the more subtle ingredients. My wife tried the Siren's Whisper, also poorly balanced with curaçao, lime, and cinnamon dominating the flavor. There's little in the way of food - corn muffins with... corn or braised chicken aren't inspired, and I'm not the marinated octopus tentacle sort. I do have to admit: The Kraken's Catch might be the most interesting and appropriate dish at any themed restaurant. I settled on the Island Provisions, which was a cut up pita and a few corn chips. The mango chutney was ok but the other sauces tasted like spices and oil. $6 for this would have been absurd... $16 is a bold ask, particularly while standing to eat it. It feels a lot like quick service, but with a suggested tip. Seems absurd for Disney to suggest customers pay their actors a $9 tip for pouring a premade Plunderer's Punch. The Beak and Barrel would benefit from a more natural staff, maybe share a story every now and again rather than passing the acting on to the customer... "SAY ARRRRRRRGH,". One good roaming actor could do this - that's something more important to The Burning Blade Tavern than the burning blade is. (the best part of Epic Universe). It does seem they went a bit more haunted mansion with the goofiness and Star Wars with the acting than fits Pirates, but missing the mark won't stop people from going. Time will weather some of the overacting and it will be a bit more chill. A bar would be nice, too.
• CS

  Colin Shaw

  Nov 8, 2025
  2.0
  Disney created a pirate themed clone of Oga’s Cantina and somehow found a way to make it worse. Our primary concern with our visit came before we even made it inside. 60 days out, we snagged a difficult to come by reservation for our large group. Like most 10+ person reservations, we split our group in half and upon check in noted the two reservations we wanted to have sit together. We said we had kids and needed seating and were willing to wait. We checked in early, about 10 minutes prior to our original time, and proceeded to wait 30 minutes PAST our original time. For nearly 45 minutes, we waited with hungry and tired kids (not to mention the adults) for this “must see” new dining experience. The hosts we dealt with, Nashley and Tyler, were the worst and rudest cast members we dealt with on our entire Disney trip who outright lied to us. We were given the run around multiple times (we’ll call you soon, your table is being cleaned) only to be met with longer wait times. Then, only one table from our group was called when they had servers calling multiple parties together (like we requested). Instead, we were split up and both of our parties were forced to sit with strangers from different parties…that were the same size as ours. This felt like a deliberate and malicious attack on the part of the aforementioned hosts on some sort of power trip. Once they finally accommodated our request to sit together, we ordered each of their food items and a round of drinks. The Griddle cakes were good and had a nice spicy kick to them, but the provision and kraken’s catch were both underwhelming. We opted to not stay the full 45 minutes and as soon as we finished our drinks, we closed our tab and left. Oga’s was far more accommodating to our group and was more organized. Beak & Barrel was a disaster. It is NOT worth the hype, despite what any Disney Apologist reviewing it here may say. Hard pass. Your money is better drained somewhere else in Disney, not here.

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