Imagine a magical outdoor bar in L.A. where you can sample California’s best craft beers and wine from SoCal, NoCal and the Central Valley — all in one spot, and parking is only $10.
That place exists. It is called Disneyland.
In fact, the Anaheim resort is packed with California beers on draft and robust wine menus highlighting California Wine Country. Even if you’re not a theme park person, Disneyland is worth a visit just for happy hour.
A reopened Disneyland will maintain mask-wearing and social distancing rules, and many experiences and attractions have been modified or paused. For the moment, only CA residents are allowed through the gates —see here for details on what, like everything else at the moment, is a fluid situation. But one thing that will feel (mostly) the same is eating and drinking outside at the park’s numerous al fresco spots, both within the park and just outside the gates, at Downtown Disney. While most of Disneyland Park is still dry, across the esplanade at Disney California Adventure Park (Disneyland’s second theme park) it’s basically one neverending food and wine fest.
If you visit for the reopening, here are the top five bars to sample Cali brews and vino, plus a must-visit beer truck.
Carthay Circle Lounge
Carthay Circle is where I take anyone who thinks theme park food is just hotdogs and ice cream. The posh restaurant celebrates the Golden Age of Hollywood and usually features a fine-dining selection, with duck breast and filet mignon. All that’s been scaled down for the moment, with outdoor seating and a (still fancy!) small bites menu with options like duck confit empanadas and Vietnamese twice-cooked beef tacos. Happily, the beverage menu hasn’t been similarly downsized, and there are several classic co*cktails made perfectly here. There’s also an impressive wine list and — with the exception of one pinot noir from Oregon — all of the reds are sourced from Napa, Sonoma, and the Santa Ynez Valley.
Pacific Wharf Distribution Co.
For something quick and casual, this beer truck is the epitome of adulting at Disney. It only sells the essentials: beer, Mickey pretzels, and cheese dip. The truck is currently outfitted with six drafts from San Diego’s Karl Strauss Brewing Company, and the Red Trolley Ale has quite the cult following.
Sonoma Terrace
The California wine world often breaks into two camps: Napa Valley vs. Sonoma Valley. If you’re in the latter, there’s a tiny pocket of Sonoma right in the heart of Disneyland at Sonoma Terrace. The outdoor lounge menu is a tour-by-the-glass through Sonoma County with reds, whites, and sparkling. (A few transplants from Monterey County show up as well.) And the beer selection is on theme, too, with more NoCal brands, like the North Coast PranQster Golden Ale from Fort Bragg. This terrace is my happy place for its sparkling rose and decent amount of shade.
Lamplight Lounge
Pixar fans will love the vibe at Lamplight Lounge —and everyone else will likely appreciate that this outdoor, waterfront terrace has one of the best, if not the best view on property. This is a great spot for both wine and beer lovers as well as the co*cktail crowd because the drink menu here is thorough, right down to hyper-local drafts including a rotating selection from Anaheim’s own Bottle Logic. For wine, there’s a heavy sampling of reds and whites from Napa Valley. The real star here, though, is the hard liquor: The co*cktail list is peppered with puns about film production and animation, and there’s a mocktail menu, too, with nods to the Pixar universe (like the 2319, with strawberry purée, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice, topped with co*ke —it’s a whole Monsters Inc. thing). The drinks use artisan syrups from LA brand Liquid Alchemist, too. The gastropub-style menu is great, too —the lobster nachos are highly recommended.
Ballast Point
In addition to sampling SoCal brews, you can actually visit a San Diego brewery on Disney property. Located in Downtown Disney, an outdoor shopping and dining center right outside the park gates, Ballast Point Brewing Co. features 50 styles of beer, more than 100 taps and seasonal specialty beers exclusive to Disneyland. The rooftop patio with a California Kolsch in hand is pure bliss, and the Baja-style menu has some of the best food at Disneyland. (Don’t sleep on the fish tacos!)
Naples Ristorante e Bar
Naples is another great outside-the-parks spot in Downtown Disney. Sure, the prosecco is Italian, but most of the wine list is from the Central Coast, including an Inception Wine flight. You could also get a Peroni on draft, but I’d recommend pairing one of the SoCal beers with your pizza: There’s Angel City IPA, Lost Coast Great White, and Golden Road’s crisp Mango Cart all on draft.
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Disneyland and California Craft Beer and Wine
Disneyland, located in Anaheim, California, offers a variety of craft beers and wines from different regions of California. Visitors can enjoy a selection of California craft beers and wines from Southern California (SoCal), Northern California (NoCal), and the Central Valley. The park features numerous al fresco spots both within the park and just outside the gates at Downtown Disney, where visitors can enjoy food and drinks in an outdoor setting.
Bars and Lounges at Disneyland
Here are some of the top bars and lounges at Disneyland where visitors can sample California craft beers and wines:
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Carthay Circle Lounge: Carthay Circle is a posh restaurant that celebrates the Golden Age of Hollywood. While the fine-dining selection has been scaled down, the outdoor seating offers a small bites menu with options like duck confit empanadas and Vietnamese twice-cooked beef tacos. The beverage menu includes classic co*cktails, an impressive wine list sourced from Napa, Sonoma, and the Santa Ynez Valley, and a pinot noir from Oregon.
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Pacific Wharf Distribution Co.: This beer truck offers a quick and casual experience. It sells essential items like beer, Mickey pretzels, and cheese dip. The truck currently features six drafts from San Diego's Karl Strauss Brewing Company, including the popular Red Trolley Ale.
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Sonoma Terrace: Located in Disney California Adventure Park, Sonoma Terrace offers a tour-by-the-glass experience through Sonoma County's wines. The outdoor lounge menu includes reds, whites, and sparkling wines sourced from Sonoma County and a few transplants from Monterey County. The beer selection also features Northern California brands like the North Coast PranQster Golden Ale from Fort Bragg.
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Lamplight Lounge: This outdoor, waterfront terrace at Disney California Adventure Park offers one of the best views on the property. It caters to both wine and beer lovers, with a thorough drink menu that includes hyper-local drafts and a selection of reds and whites from Napa Valley. The co*cktail list features puns about film production and animation, and there's also a mocktail menu with nods to the Pixar universe.
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Ballast Point: Located in Downtown Disney, Ballast Point Brewing Co. is a San Diego brewery where visitors can sample a variety of SoCal brews. It features 50 styles of beer, more than 100 taps, and seasonal specialty beers exclusive to Disneyland. The rooftop patio offers a relaxing atmosphere, and the Baja-style menu complements the beer selection.
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Naples Ristorante e Bar: Another spot in Downtown Disney, Naples Ristorante e Bar offers a wine list primarily sourced from the Central Coast, including an Inception Wine flight. While the prosecco is Italian, the majority of the wine list features wines from the Central Coast. Visitors can also enjoy draft beers like Angel City IPA, Lost Coast Great White, and Golden Road's Mango Cart.
These are just a few of the bars and lounges at Disneyland where visitors can sample California craft beers and wines. Each location offers a unique atmosphere and beverage selection, allowing guests to experience the flavors of California while enjoying the park.
Please note that the information provided is based on search results and may be subject to change. It's always a good idea to check the official Disneyland website or contact the park directly for the most up-to-date information on dining options and availability.