The Cove Bar @ DCA

[westie]

With 3 weeks till our next trip I've been researching things to do. Who doesn't? I've found this place, the Cove Bar atop Ariel's Grotto, that has lobster nacho's and fish tacos with a great view of Paradise Pier. I can't get the lobster nacho's out of my head and my constant yammering is driving my wife crazy! So has anyone been there and possibly partaken in this delight? How's the view? Is it like Blue Bayou where its great for the first 5 tables and the rest are looking over peoples heads? I can't wait, love to do new stuff and will give a full report on my return.

link- https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disney-california-adventure/cove-bar/

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Forget Disneyland. The Cove Bar is the REAL happiest place on earth. It's a fantastic place to relax and enjoy a drink and some lunch. We have indeed enjoyed the lobster nachos on more than one occasion. As for the view, we actually tend to sit on the side of the bar opposite the water so that we can people watch, but a good half of the bar has an excellent view of Paradise Pier.

 

[kkocka]

I have mixed feelings about Cove Bar. It used to be a nice little secret, but within the last year or so the popularity has exploded to where there's often a line and a wait to get in. Personally if you want to dine on the fabulous lobster nachos or other appetizers then its worth checking out. The cocktails on the other hand are crap - their "zombie" is far off from what a zombie actually looks like or tastes like, and the "mickey's fun wheel" looks pretty but is layered mostly with sweet and sour and cheap mixers. The view's okay but I think of it more as the atmosphere rather than the view - some tables might overlook the water of Paradise Pier but others will be facing the bar, etc.

 

[TP2000]

@kkocka nailed it on the quality of the cocktails. The drinks here are typical fast n' dirty concoctions made mostly with syrupy mixers, artificial colorings not found in nature, and cheap liquor. Beer and wine are safer bets at the Cove Bar.

For finely made, quality cocktails without corn syrup while at DCA you must go to Carthay Circle Lounge, Napa Rose Lounge, or Hearthstone Lounge.

The appetizers at Cove Bar are good, however. And the lobster nachos really are just as tasty as you are probably imagining.

The view works from any table or any part of the bar really, because the vista is just so big.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I don't really like the view, but I find this area of DCA to be kinda ugly. There's a ton of noise pollution from all the nearby areas, which I don't like. That said, the bar is okay. The line to get in is frequently way too long. If we can get in without a wait, I'll have a couple mixed drinks, sure. My favorite bar at Disneyland that's still relatively "secret" is the Hearthstone Lounge at the Grand Californian. Okay, you can still end up waiting like 15-20 minutes to order drinks there, but you're away from the hustle and bustle, there are some nice areas nearby in and around the hotel where you can take your drinks (and smoke), and there's the hotel entrance to DCA very close by.

 

[westie]

Thank you for your responses. We are indeed staying at DCA again this time. We've tried all the Disney hotels and enjoy the ambiance and location of DCA the most. We just purchased our AP's and the wife is ready to get her Vera Bradley on (she has a collection now) and both of us look forward to the lobster nacho's! Interested to see how the AP discounts work out. She's a non-drinker and I'm a beer guy so the drinks aren't a problem. Also does not seem like much is on the refurb list compared to how many rides were when we were last there in May. Thanks again!