One of the things that sets Universal Orlando Resort apart from other theme parks is how friendly it is for adults as well as children. Grown-ups can imbibe while exploring the park, while the little ones wait in line for rides.
Between the three parks, dozens of hotels, and CityWalk, there are plenty of places to imbibe and many different types of drinks. Here are a few of our favorites from our many trips there, which will be updated as we try them all.
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The Best Drinks at Universal Orlando Resort
Drinking at Universal Studios
The Leaky Cauldron
One of the best places in the park for meals, you can also get an authentic English pint here. However, be prepared to wait in line with everyone who is eating here.
The spot in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter offers draft beers made for this dining outlet, including Dragon’s Scale and Wizard’s Brew. They also have Fire Whiskey, which is a cinnamon whiskey drink.
Duff Brewery
A personal favorite is the Duff area in Springfield at Universal Studios. Not only does it have a nice seating area overlooking the water, but it also carries seasonal beers like the Dufftoberfest. Be sure to pose with the Duff Man himself.
Moe’s Tavern gets all the glory, across the “street” from the brewery, but it can get crowded quickly with non-drinkers. Note that the popular Flaming Moe drinks do not contain alcohol.
Drinking at Islands of Adventure
Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head
The counterpart in Hogsmeade is this English-style tavern. Skip the lines of people drinking butterbeer and instead opt for the Hog’s Head Beer at Hog’s Head Tavern, connected to Three Broomsticks. This beer is made only for this part of the park. But they also have cocktails, so ask the bartender for recommendations.
The Watering Hole
Located in the area between Hogsmeade and Jurassic Park, The Watering Hole is one of the best (and least busy!) places to grab a drink. There’s a custom-made Jurassic Park beer!
They have beer, wine, and daiquiris for a reasonable price, at least within a theme park, price. There are also tables with umbrellas to cool down before wading into the busy Wizarding World.
Drinking at Volcano Bay
Dancing Dragons Boat Bar
Like its tropical atmosphere, the bars at Volcano Bay are perfect for imbibing. There are multiple bars, including this one, inspired by the junk ships in Hong Kong and beyond. They have cocktails and beers like this one from Hawaii. Have a few drinks while you wait for your Tapu Tapu to tell you it’s time to ride.
Drinking at CityWalk
Antojitos
CityWalk is essentially the adult playground at Universal, with plenty of places to drink all day and night. Antojitos is the best place for authentic Mexican food and margaritas, like the blood orange one I had on my last trip.
Next time, I want to try one of their tequila or mezcal flights, which includes top-shelf liquor. If you don’t want to wait in line, they have a few kiosks that also sell drinks. The nearby Margaritaville also has to-go drinks.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
Everyone knows about the crazy milkshakes and sweets at Toothsome, but this restaurant also has some unique cocktails. Drinks range from the well-known, like Old Fashioneds, to the wacky, like the Chocolate Cherry Mule, made with chocolate vodka, brandied cherries, ginger beer, and chocolate bitters.
Bigfire
This restaurant has a great selection of bourbons and whiskeys, so it’s no surprise they know how to make a good Old Fashioned. I opted for The Classic, made with Bigfire Select Barrel Woodford Reserve. There’s also a smoked version and other standard cocktails like Manhattans and Salty Dogs.
Drinking at Universal Orlando Hotels
Strong Water Tavern
Set in the lobby of Loews Sapphire Falls, this cocktail bar specializes in rum and rum-based cocktails. Try the rum flight, which includes the liquors from around Central America and the Caribbean, including Flor de Cana. Cocktails include milk punch, Mai Tais, and Cuba Libres.
Bar 17
The Aventura Hotel has some great drinking options, starting with Bar 17, the rooftop outpost. They have frozen cocktails, like the Mule pictured, beer, and wine. The poolside bar has similar drinks. Inside the lobby, you can get wine on tap.
The Hideaway Bar & Grill
Cabana Bay has some poolside bars where you can sip and soak up some sun. This bar sells refillable cups that allow you to get a discount on subsequent drinks. The “It’s Been Real” is a favorite, with cranberry and grapefruit vodka, mint, lime, and soda. There’s also an upstairs seating area with great views of Volcano Bay.
Tips for Drinking at Universal Orlando Resort
Most of the year, it’s fairly hot at Universal Orlando Resort, so don’t forget to drink plenty of water during the day. You can purchase a water bottle or get a free cup from any of the dining outlets. These drinks can also be expensive, around $10 per drink, so keep that in mind as well. It might be a good idea to set a limit on a gift card. And while this should go without saying, you must be 21 or older to drink.
Be sure to get your Universal 2-Day Park-to-Park Ticket – Plus Extra Day before you leave for your trip.
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This post was created through my partnership with Universal Orlando Resort.
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