When planning a trip to Disneyland, there are several things to consider. When should I go? What should I wear? Where can I get a drink?
Weekday… tennis shoes… Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar...
So Trader Sam’s is not actually in Disneyland; it's right around the corner at the Disneyland Hotel. Chad and I learned about this little gem when desperately scanning the internet for dive bars in the area. Although not a dive in any sense of the word, Trader Sam’s is dark, exciting and intimate; the perfect place to relax and escape from the bevy of screaming children and overeager foreigners.
Weekday… tennis shoes… Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar...
So Trader Sam’s is not actually in Disneyland; it's right around the corner at the Disneyland Hotel. Chad and I learned about this little gem when desperately scanning the internet for dive bars in the area. Although not a dive in any sense of the word, Trader Sam’s is dark, exciting and intimate; the perfect place to relax and escape from the bevy of screaming children and overeager foreigners.
Trader Sam's is the hidden island oasis of Disneyland-land. After a day of walking and dodging double-strollers, nothing sounds better than a fruity rum cocktail in a keepsake ceramic tiki glass; and Trader Sam's has got you covered. I'm especially a fan of the blue skull glasses the Shrunked Zombie Head cocktail comes in (see left).
The space and theatrics alone are the major reason to visit. Whenever a specialty cocktail is ordered, the entire bar goes into "shipwreck" mode: the bartenders cheer and squirt "rain" water on the guests, the lights flash on and off, thunder sound effects blast from the speakers and it really feels like a silly, Disney-good time. Some of the bar stools actually move up and down, which startled us after a few Krakatoa Punches.
The space and theatrics alone are the major reason to visit. Whenever a specialty cocktail is ordered, the entire bar goes into "shipwreck" mode: the bartenders cheer and squirt "rain" water on the guests, the lights flash on and off, thunder sound effects blast from the speakers and it really feels like a silly, Disney-good time. Some of the bar stools actually move up and down, which startled us after a few Krakatoa Punches.
Trader Sam’s also offers food, including an Ahi tuna appetizer, which is probably the closest thing to sushi in the Disneyland area. Score and bonus.
I don’t think I could be any more infatuated with this place. All the right elements are there: atmosphere, drinks, chill staff. It is a product of Disney, so the drinks are measured and overpriced, but given the options you have for bars in the Disneyland area, this is your absolute best bet.
I don’t think I could be any more infatuated with this place. All the right elements are there: atmosphere, drinks, chill staff. It is a product of Disney, so the drinks are measured and overpriced, but given the options you have for bars in the Disneyland area, this is your absolute best bet.
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