You know when you want the food of a sit down restaruant but the idea of having a whole dining experience just seems too much? Let me introduce you to Disney World lounges. These are our favorite spots to grab a drink and an appetizer to escape the chaos of the theme parks without having to commit to a full-service meal.

We’re heading to the Steakhouse 71 Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort to check out some bites and drinks and see if you should add this stop to your Disney World trip.

Atmosphere

Welcome to the Steakhouse 71 Lounge! It’s located on the first floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort and is meant to transport you back to 1971 with its retro artwork and photography.

Don’t worry, though, the menu is packed with modern favorites along with classics that we’ve loved forever. There is seating at the bar, along with some couches and comfy chairs with low tables.

There are TVs on (so if you’re saving the game for later, you might want to be intentional with your seating!), and it is attached to the full restaurant, Steakhouse 71.

You don’t need a reservation for the bar and lounge, and while the space definitely has some ’70s-inspired decorations, we never feel as if we’re back in grandma’s house. It’s cool and trendy, and the colors are gorgeous. The lounge is usually open from 11:30 AM to 11 PM.

Menu

The Steakhouse 71 Lounge has very similar menu items to Steakhouse 71 and incorporates steakhouse and American classics. There are some lounge bites…

…specialty cocktails…

…beer…

…wine…

…and specialty hot beverages.

Eats

First up, we had the Steakhouse 71 Onion Rings for $10, which are Hand-breaded with Spicy “Ranch” Dipping Sauce. The ranch is plant-based!

The crunch on these things was awesome! Even after sitting for a bit, the onion rings were perfectly crunchy and had that great combination of being greasy and messy in the best way. The ranch wasn’t really a ranch but leaned more on the “special sauce” sorta idea and was spicy. Like super spicy. You might want to ask for other sauce options or be prepared to guzzle your drink because we found it on the hot side!

We also had the Loaded Macaroni & Cheese for $12, which has Applewood-smoked Bacon and Jalapeno.

The mac and cheese was so creamy and tasted like sharp white cheddar. It was topped with bread crumbs (true classic, homemade mac and cheese vibes here!), and while the bacon didn’t add much to the dish, the jalapeño definitely did. This was also on the spicy side — not as bad as the ranch from the onion rings, but it definitely packed a punch. We also recommended having a drink nearby for this dish.

Then we tried the Bacon and Eggs for $15, which had Maple-lacquered Pork Belly, Smoked Cheese Grits, and a Perfect Egg.

While this is listed on the website menu, it might not be on the paper menu you’re handed. Our server notified us of the dish, but don’t be afraid to ask if you’re interested. The Bacon and Eggs is on top of the cheese grits, which are some of the greatest grits in Disney World. It paired beautifully with the richness of the runny egg yolk and the sweetness from the caramelized pork belly. It is called Bacon and Eggs, but the bacon is a pork belly that has maple syrup on it, bringing in some sweetness, and it felt slow-cooked, and we loved how it just melted in our mouths. It was a great appetizer to try, and we really enjoyed it.

Finally, we had the Stack Burger for $24, which features Signature Beef Blend, Pork Belly, American Cheese, Lemon Aioli, Red Onion, House-made Pickles, and Brioche Bun served with a choice of Petite Caesar Salad, Steak Frites, or Pasta Salad.

Now this is a solid choice! This is usually one of our favorites and for good reason. The meat and the cheese were so juicy and worked well together. The lemon aioli brought in subtle flavor, but the star was the patty and cheese. The red onion and pickles gave it a beautiful crunch and a bit of acid, and the pork belly was a fun addition. It’s the same pork belly from the Bacon and Eggs, so it had that nice sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture. We do wish our server had asked how we wanted our burger cooked, because it was more cooked than we would have preferred, but it was still so juicy and a great choice. We went with the fries that were too thin or too thick and were lightly seasoned.

Drinks

For our drink, we tried the Blackberry-Orange Spritz for $16.50. This is made with Ketel One Peach & Orange Blossom Vodka, Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, and Blackberry.

This drink wasn’t too strong but was a light and refreshing drink that is perfect for those who love a drink but not the harsh taste of alcohol. It was fruity, almost like a softer sangria, and there was a faint orange taste that became stronger the more we drank. It was nice to sip on throughout our meal, and it felt like a good drink for a lounge atmosphere.

Nosh or Not

You need to head to the Steakhouse 71 Lounge if…

• You are looking for a quicker dining experience — While we love the main restaurant of Steakhouse 71, there’s no doubt that stopping in for a drink and appetizer can be very tempting after a long day in the parks. Now, we wouldn’t say this is a lightning-fast experience, but it is faster than a traditional restaurant.
• You’re here for the appetizers — Hey, we get it! Sometimes you don’t want an entree and an appetizer, and a drink is all you need. You’re going to thrive off the lounge environment and enjoy bites like the onion rings.
• You’re heading to date night — If you and your significant other are looking for a quick and easy date night that feels a little fancy without breaking the bank, look no further. Since it’s located in the Contemporary, you won’t be able to park without a reservation (which you don’t get for the lounge), but you can take the monorail over from the Transportation & Ticket Center or walk from Magic Kingdom.

You’re probably okay to skip if…

• You’re traveling with the family — While kids can’t sit at the bar, they can sit at the tables, but they might not love the experience as much as the restaurant. If you’re traveling with a larger party, you might enjoy space at a table as well.
• You want a full sit-down experience — Lucky for you, the Steakhouse 71 Lounge is attached to Steakhouse 71, which is the full restaurant. You’ll be able to get the same menu items and drinks, but in a full-service environment.
• You don’t want to trek to the Contemporary — The Contemporary Resort can be convenient if you are already at Magic Kingdom, are staying at the resort, or don’t mind taking the monorail, but since you don’t have a reservation, it can be frustrating to not be able to park at the resort, and you’ll need to add extra travel time to your meal.

Overall

The Steakhouse 71 Lounge is such a fun stop with its retro vibes and flavorful food. We love the appetizers and sipping on a drink, and the lounge environment can be a lot of fun for a date night or catching up with friends. The Stack Burger is one of our favorites and is coated with cheese and goodness, and the Onion Rings are also classics you don’t want to miss. If the food sounds delicious but not the lounge vibes, don’t forget to head to Steakhouse 71 next door.

In the meantime, make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for all the food reviews you need to know before heading on your Disney World vacation.

WE’VE EATEN AT EVERY DISNEY WORLD HOTEL RESTAURANT. THESE ARE THE BEST.

Have you ever tried the Steakhouse 71 Lounge? Tell us about your experience in the comments.