Trader Sam's Grog Grotto
Restaurant · Bay Lake
1600 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Highlights
Tropical tiki bar with themed drinks, interactive shows & unique mugs
Tropical tiki bar with themed drinks, interactive shows & unique mugs
"A tiki-themed, theatrics-heavy bar that draws long, single-file waitlists and a devoted fanbase; the low-lit, communal-high-top setup encourages mingling among families and groups. Menu highlights include kālua pork tacos and inventive cocktails such as the HippopotoMai-Tai (available with a head-shaped souvenir mug), while nautical memorabilia—canoe paddles, a hanging octopus tentacle, Don Ho records—and loud server callouts (for example, “two shots of rum!”) create a playful, party-like South Seas atmosphere." - Jacqui Gifford Jacqui Gifford As the editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure, Jacqui Gifford is always on the next plane. She constantly scouts for new hotels, shops, and restaurants to give readers the latest news and trends, and frequently appears as an expert guest on television networks, including NBC, CBS, ABC, CNBC, and MSNBC. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"You can’t book a spot in advance for Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, which explains its ever-present line snaking through the first floor of the Polynesian each afternoon before the bar opens its doors. Once your name is on the list, the Skippers will text you when it’s your turn to enter, meaning you can bop around the resort and crush a quick Dole Whip while you wait. Visitors vie for a spot inside the tropical bar decorated with props from closed attractions and interactive features that are triggered by specific cocktail orders. If you can’t make it inside, you can find the same menu at the outpost on the patio, where there’s also a live ukulele player." - Jacqueline Dole
"Yes, there’s a must-see tiki bar tucked inside Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. An offshoot of Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel, this outpost is packed with just as many gags and glorious drinks as the original." - Amanda Kludt
"This charming tiki bar is infused with plenty of Disney theming and magic, including special effects triggered when certain drinks are ordered. The lounge serves a small menu of Asian-inspired bites. After 8:00 p.m., only guests 21 and over may enter." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, a postage stamp–sized bar, is tucked away at the back of Disney's Polynesian Resort. Befitting the theme, it's decked out in Polynesian decor galore—think lots of rattan, wood carvings, giant clamshells, and a "window" view of a dormant volcano. Drinks are loaded with rum, and most are on the sweet side. There's also a small menu of tiki-inspired fare, such as Hawaiian poke, Kálua pork tacos, and a lone sushi roll." - Laura Ratliff
