Dawa Bar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Dawa Bar Review at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Dawa Bar Opened On: January 7, 2014, in its (slightly) new location.

See this page for all of the Disney’s Animal Kingdom quick service reviews.

Location: Dawa Bar is located to the right of the check-in podium for Tusker House Restaurant in Africa. After you cross the bridge to Africa from Discovery Island, you’ll see it on your left after passing the walkway down to the theater where cast perform Festival of the Lion King.

Menu:

Four specialty cocktails comprise the regular menu.

$13 African Margarita:

With Corazon Blanco Tequila, Van der Hum Tangerine Liqueur from South Africa, Sweet-and-Sour, and Lime Juice.

Tangerine Liqueur or not, this is a ho-hum margarita at best. It tastes mostly of cheap sour mix and tequila – which are the primary ingredients. It wasn’t bad by any means, but there isn’t much to it. I would have liked another ingredient to help bring out the flavor of the liqueur. The cocktail hasn’t improved since Disney now mixes the drinks up in large batches.

$13 Ngumu Jungle Juice:

This is Snow Leopard Vodka, Bols Peach Schnapps and Tusker’s famous Jungle Juice. The quality depends a bit on the strength of the pour of vodka. In my experience, it’s a surprisingly strong drink with the tropical flavors of the juice doing a nice job of masking the alcohol.

$14 Lost on Safari:

With Starr African Rum and Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum with our refreshing Pangani Punch. This is fruity without being too sweet or artificial and it has more alcohol in it than most of the other drinks at other locations.

$14 Harambe Iced Tea

With Snow Leopard Vodka, New Amsterdam Gin, Don Q Rum, Van Der Hum Liqueur, Sweet-and-Sour, and Orange Juice with a splash of Sprite. The drink is significantly more yellow than most Long Island Iced Teas that I’ve seen in my day, but then again, we’re in Harambe rather than New York. The drink balances sweet and boozy nicely, provided you’re looking for a cocktail similar to the Kung Fu Punch that China serves during a variety of its Festivals at Epcot. I like that it’s less syrupy than the Lost on Safari with a little more carbonation.

Six beers and a cider are also available at Dawa Bar:

You may or may not get as big of a kick out of the fact that the “Import Draft Beer” options are “actually domestic,” given the fact that we’re technically in Harambe in Africa.

Tusker Lager:

Of the beers available, I like the Tusker House from Kenya, particularly on a hot afternoon. I would probably skip the Casa Lager, which is also available over in Morocco at Epcot. Safari Amber is available all over Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and you can even find it listed under the same name at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs, among other locations. It’s famous for being Budweiser’s standard-issue red ale.

Both the Victory Golden Monkey Tripel and Old Elephant Foot IPA are available on draft at the Thirsty River Bar in Asia. They’re better choices over there.

Six wines grace the menu:

Most people will probably make a selection based on the varietal they’re in the mood to enjoy at the time. I like The Den Pinotage, which you can read about as part of my Harambe at Night review. The Jam Jar Sweet White Wine is the most approachable for those who “don’t like wine.” Just order the cup of ice on the side.

While outside, Dawa Bar offers a ton of seating and is covered, providing a nice dry place to imbibe. With prices rising as fast as they have, I’d be more likely to head over to Nomad Lounge. There, bartenders create drinks to order, and there are far more selections. You also won’t be dealing with all of the noise and hubbub of the Tusker House character buffet waiting area.