Without a doubt, one of the best bars at Disney World is Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, the coolest, quirkiest cocktail bar in Disney Springs. Although it’s well worth a visit all year round, our absolute favorite time to go is during the Christmas season, when the dive-y Disney bar transforms into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar. And oh, what a gloriously tacky, seriously festive sight it is!
Not sure if the wintry watering hole is worth a stop on your trip to Walt Disney World during the holidays? (Spoiler alert: It sure is!) Bring your ugliest Christmas sweater, a healthy appetite, and a sense of adventure, as we go over everything Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar has to offer for 2022.
Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, Disney Springs’ Wintry Watering Hole, Is a Must See
Set in an old airplane hangar, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is a ton of fun at the best of times, paying tribute to vintage aviation, far-flung places, and the storied escapades of Indiana Jones, with its globally inspired menu, spare airplane parts and scores of souvenirs and dusty artifacts from adventures past.
The owner of this fine establishment? Jock Lindsey, Indy’s personal pilot and fellow adventurer. As the story goes, the globetrotting duo first stumbled upon the quaint Central Florida town of Disney Springs way back in 1938. While Indy kept on exploring, Jock, charmed by the hamlet’s natural springs and idyllic setting, decided to set up shop.
Swapping nail-biting escapes for seaplane tours of the Sunshine State, Jock’s career change was a roaring success. Before too long, his airplane hangar was filled with thirsty locals, experienced explorers and armchair adventurers alike, and it’s been a popular hot spot ever since.
Along with edge-of-your-seat thrills and quests for legendary artifacts, Jock also has a soft spot for the festive season, and he loves spreading Christmas cheer to his many guests. So, each year he transforms his trusty tavern from Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, complete with a special, limited-time menu of seasonal dishes and drinks and a veritable blizzard of Christmas decorations.
This year, as with other holly-jolly offerings like the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, the yuletide takeover of Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar runs from November 11 through December 30, 2022. So, if you’re hoping to celebrate the season and sample some of the festive bites and beverages, be sure to plan your visit accordingly.
Getting to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney Springs
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Holiday Bar is nestled along the waterfront of The Landing in Disney Springs. Ideally situated next to other popular Disney Springs dining options like Gideon’s Bakehouse, Wine Bar George and The BOATHOUSE, this cozy corner of the entertainment complex is a mecca for foodies of all kinds.
If you’re driving, the closest parking garages are the Lime Garage and Orange Garage, which are only a five or seven-minute walk away, respectively. The Hangar Bar is also an easy walk from both the Town Center stop for Disney World’s complimentary bus system and the drop-off point for Minnie Vans, Disney’s polka-dotted rideshare service.
For folks staying in the Disney Springs Resort Area—including Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Port Orleans Resort – Riverside—Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is also conveniently located directly next door to The Landing boat launch for Disney’s watercraft service. If you think that sounds like an especially relaxing (and free!) way to get back to your hotel after some booze-fueled festive fun, we couldn’t agree more.
Do You Need Reservations for Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar?
Reservations aren’t accepted at Disney World bars and lounges, including Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar and its Christmassy counterpart, Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar. Instead, seating is available exclusively on a walk-in basis. As you might imagine, due its popularity, especially during the festive season, along with its relatively small seating area, Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar can get rather busy.
‘Yule’ typically find the biggest crowds in the early evening, with wait times as long as 15 to 30 minutes between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Luckily, with 150 seats available both at the bar and at tables inside, as well as in a covered area outside overlooking the water, spots tend to open up pretty quickly. For little to no wait, try to save your visit to this seasonal saloon for the afternoon.
Are Children Allowed at Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar?
Unlike Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, another must-do Disney World bar, which closes its doors to underage guests starting at 8:00 PM, you don’t need to be 21 or older to enjoy Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (AKA Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar).
This is great news for families traveling to Disney World with kids during the holidays who are looking for some more grown-up fun that the little ones will also enjoy. While you’re busy guzzling down some liquid courage to help you tackle those daunting Christmas crowds, your kiddos are sure to be entranced by the kaleidoscope of colors and twinkling lights.
Get in the Festive Spirit with an Explosion of Christmas Decorations
If you like your Christmas decorations as spirited as your cocktails, including a splash of old-school charm, then Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar is for you. Since making its debut in November 2019, Hangar Bar’s jolly transformation has become a highlight of the holidays at Disney Springs.
The merry metamorphosis begins in early November, with a flurry of ornaments, tinsel, twinkle lights and other holiday trappings layered over the lounge’s collection of plane parts, travel souvenirs and other Indiana Jones-inspired knick-knacks. However, don’t expect the expertly curated, perfectly manicured Christmas décor of the Disney resorts and theme parks.
Rather, the whole thing feels like your eccentric uncle’s attic (a retired airplane mechanic, naturally) mixed with a Griswold Family-worthy Christmas display, and you can’t help but be charmed by the sheer festiveness of it all. Even the food and drink menus are designed to look like retro Christmas cards from Jock and his pet snake, Reggie. Don’t be surprised if you spend the entire time drinking in every detail.
Unfortunately, aside from some ornament-bedecked garlands, there aren’t too many Christmas decorations in the dining area outside. So, keep that in mind if you’re coming specifically to experience the exuberant holiday vibes.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry with a Special Seasonal Menu
At its heart, the Hangar Bar is a watering hole for wanderlusters, and Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar is no exception. During Christmastime, alongside its usual selection of globally inspired dishes, the yuletide tavern also cooks up a limited-time menu of festive fare. Think bar food favorites with a Christmas dinner twist, all served with a wink and a nod.
And of course, we can’t forget the drinks! This is a bar, after all. Although beer and wine (a multicultural mix of brews and bottles from across the world) are also on offer, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar specializes in craft cocktails.
During the holidays, seasonal sips run the gauntlet of flavors, from refreshingly fruity to sweet and creamy. You can even imbibe in some spiked hot cocoa or boozy coquito, a Puerto Rican Christmas classic. In short, it’s delicious, delightfully tongue-in-cheek, and we can’t get enough.
Here are all the yuletide treasures on offer at Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar for 2022:
Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar Menu
In addition to the Hangar Bar’s usual selection of bar bites—including chicken wings, tacos and a giant soft pretzel—guests visiting Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar can also indulge in a seasonal spread of shareable appetizers and spirited sips, each featuring festive flavors like cranberries, stuffing, sweet potatoes and holiday ham.
“Naughty or Nice” Deviled Eggs ($15) put a seasonal spin on a classic party favorite. Red, green or white eggs are topped with crispy ham and drizzled with your choice of either a sweet or spicy (“nice” or “naughty”) honey glaze. However, mixing of flavors isn’t allowed, so be sure you choose wisely.
With dish after dish after dish of cozy classics on offer, there’s nothing quite like a holiday feast. But, what if you could enjoy all your festive favorites in one convenient bite? Enter Here We Come A-Croquetting ($12). These crispy, bite-sized balls of turkey and stuffing are crowned with bacon-and-cranberry jam and served on a bed of pureed sweet potatoes with a cup of velvety turkey gravy for dipping.
Like a personal pizza but fancier, flatbreads are a pub food favorite. During the holidays, Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar gives them a seasonal spin with the Boughs of Holly Flatbread with Ham & Brie ($9). Just as lush as Christmas garland, this flavorful flatbread is topped with seasonal ingredients like crisp watercress, black forest ham, creamy brie cheese, pomegranate seeds and green apples and drizzled with a lemon vinaigrette.
For a Christmassy take on the humble burger that is as cheeky as it is tasty, try Grandma’s Revenge Venison Sliders ($14), which features two venison sausage patties slathered with bacon-and-cranberry jam and served with watercress and tomato and fluffy Parker House rolls.
Cranberries are an acquired taste, as is gamey venison. So, keep that in mind before giving these ago. (To fully appreciate the name of these sliders, listen to “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” if you haven’t already. It’s both ridiculous and hilarious. You’re welcome.)
Ready for dessert? Make like Santa Claus after his big night and enjoy the Post-Flight “Milk” and Cookies ($27 with coquito or $9 with milk). Served with a spirited selection of gingerbread, apple pie and pecan pie cookies, as well as your choice of either creamy, coconutty Coquito with rum or kid-friendly milk, this classic Christmas treat is sure to satisfy.
If you want, you can also go sans cookies and get the coquito by itself. For even more flavor, top the Coquito with a swirl of whipped cream and your choice of topping: crushed Oreos, candy cane pieces or salted caramel. Old St. Nick would be jealous.
Looking for something cozy to keep you warm during those cold winter nights? (We’re only halfway kidding. It can get pretty chilly here some evenings, especially for us Floridians.) Go for the Hot Chocolate Grail Flight ($22), a boozy trio of peppermint, spiced butterscotch, and white-chocolate Oreo flavored hot chocolate. Which one will be your favorite?
In the mood for something cool and refreshing instead? Try a Claus-Mo, Yule Mule or Jingle G&T instead. The Claus Mo ($16.50) is a classic cosmopolitan with a sugary rim and a Santa hat garnish crafted from a strawberry and marshmallow. The Yule Mule ($13.50) adds cranberry juice and rosemary simple syrup to a crisp concoction of ginger beer and gin. Or for a Christmas tree in a cup, get the Jingle G&T ($14.50), which features a splash of cranberry juice.
Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar Review
So, how was Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar and, more importantly, would we ever go back? Honestly, we loved it all. The food, the drinks, the decorations, the service. From the moment we walked in, we were basically bombarded with Christmas spirit.
Although there’s *a lot* going on when it comes to the décor, that’s a huge part of its charm. It feels like the literal definition of merry and bright, and when it comes to the holidays, that’s a huge plus in our book. Unless you’re a total grinch or scrooge, there’s no way to come here and not leave in a festive mood.
As the bar was pretty busy when we got there, we opted to sit at the bar. This turned out to be a great decision, as the bartender was very friendly, and he gave us the dish on all the best seasonal items from the bartender. Luckily, we weren’t disappointed.
Since we visited on Thanksgiving Day and had a big meal ahead of us, we decided to only try a few things. For food, we opted to share the “Naughty” Deviled Eggs and the Christmas feast croquettes. Both of these were really yummy in their own ways.
I always love a good deviled egg and these didn’t disappoint. The filling was smooth and flavorful, while the crispy chunks of ham on top provided just the right amount of salt and smoke and the slightly spicy honey offered a welcome hit of heat and sweet.
Next, it was time for the turkey-and-stuffing croquettes. This was another winner in our books. While the outside of the croquette was crisp and golden brown, the cozy combination of turkey and stuffing inside was warm and fluffy. The sweet potato puree and bacon-and-cranberry jam added some much-needed sweetness to the savory croquette. Finally, quick plunge in the gravy melded all the flavors together.
We’re not fans of gin (we can’t get over the overwhelming taste of potpourri), so when it came time for drinks, we went with the Claus Mo and Coquito. (With the promise of pumpkin pie later that day, we decided to skip the cookies. Sorry, Santa!)
Cosmos are classic cocktails for a reason, and the Claus Mo lives up to that reputation. The drink was perfectly sweet, and the Santa hat garnish was super cute. All in all, it’s a very Instagrammable drink.
The Coquito was even more delicious. Smooth and creamy from the coconut with a warm kick of rum, it’s cozy and cool all at the same time. When I think about Christmas in Florida, this is the drink that will forever come to mind. It’s festive yet decidedly tropical. The salted caramel topping was also a nice addition.
Is Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar Worth It?
Absolutely! We love a good theme, and Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar gives 110% commitment to its merry makeover. From the decorations and music to the food and drinks, the entire experience screams Christmas and we are here for it.
Are some of the seasonal menu items slightly expensive for what they are? Sure, particularly the deviled eggs. But, everything we had to eat and drink was undoubtedly tasty, and we’re willing to fork over a little bit more for the atmosphere.
Of course, if you’d rather take a peek at everything decking the halls without paying for a bite or beverage, you’re also welcome to pop in for a look around. Either way, we say Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar is definitely worth a stop.
Have you tried Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar? What is your favorite part: the Christmas decorations or festive food and drinks? us know in the comments! Then, stretch your food and gift-giving budgets further this holiday season with our discount Disney World tickets.
