Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Review

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Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is an Indiana Jones themed lounge in Disney Springs–and Walt Disney World’s only Christmas-themed bar during the holiday season. This review features food & drink photos, thoughts on the ambiance, and how it stacks up against other bars around WDW. (Updated October 28, 2021.)

If you’re wondering who Jock Lindsey is or what he has to do with Indiana Jones, you’re not alone. I suspect one of two things happened to bring Jack Lindsey’s Hangar Bar to fruition: 1) a different hangar bar concept fell through, and it was decided that Indiana Jones would be shoehorned in, or; 2) someone in Imagineering got really carried away with the Easter Eggs and obscure references and no one stopped them.

In general, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar has drawn a lot of praise for these Indiana Jones references, its atmosphere, and deep thematic detail. In more than a few ways, it’s like Trader Sam’s: Disney Springs Outpost. This is equal part criticism, but mostly praise.

On the whole, these references are pretty cool and there is a lot to discover here, most of which will be lost on 95% of the general public. It’s not just Indiana Jones gags and hidden details, either.

It’s always nice to see Imagineering go to such great lengths for the minority of guests that appreciate these details–details that define Disney’s best work–so no complaints there. The theme is a bit on the gritty side, but far from the point of it being random junk, so all is good in that regard.

Before we get started with the “regular” Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar review, we want to note that Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar is returning for Christmas 2021 and will be transformed with merry décor and festive fun from November 5 through December 30, 2021.

The premise of this Christmas overlay is that Jock Lindsey has caught the holiday spirit in a big way and has decided to throw a party for all of his adventurer friends new and old. When you walk in, you’ll notice the decorations are next-level and feature an array of gifts, lights, and little holiday nods to his love for aviation. Here ugly sweaters are not only welcome but encouraged along with holiday jokes and puns you’ll never “fir-get.”

For Christmas 2021, here’s the menu at Jock Lindsay’s Holiday Bar:

  • Venison Slider — Sliders with venison sausage patties, arugula, tomato, and cranberry aïoli on house made buns (available Nov. 5- Dec. 30)
  • Fried Brussel Sprouts — Fried Brussel sprouts with bacon vinaigrette (available Nov. 5- Dec. 30)
  • Holiday Lights Deviled Eggs — Colored deviled eggs with tobiko, and shrimp (available Nov. 5- Dec. 30)
  • Ham and Brie Flatbread — Shaved ham and brie cheese, pomegranate seeds, granny smith apples, apple vinaigrette, and watercress (available Nov. 5- Dec. 30)
  • Cookies and Milk — Assorted Christmas cookies and coquito (available Nov. 5- Dec. 30)
  • Lump of Coal Dessert — Cookies and cream ganache “coal” (available Nov. 5- Dec. 30)
  • Elf Elixir —Tequila, crème de menthe, and half & half with cookie crumb and holly leaf sugar garnishes (available Nov. 5- Dec. 30)
  • Claus Mo — Traditional cosmopolitan with a shimmery twist garnished with red and white sugar and a candy cane (available Nov. 5- Dec. 30)
  • Yule Mule — Gin, ginger beer, cranberry juice, and rosemary simple syrup with a holly leaf sugar garnish (available Nov. 5- Dec. 30)

We’ll be checking out Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar in the next couple of weeks and report back on our “research.”

In terms of its regular style, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is very similar to Trader Sam’s, with a similar self-aware and referential style. This tonal similarity is slightly disappointing as there are myriad other “bar genres” (not exactly the right term since Sam’s is a tiki bar and this is not, but whatever) that could have been exploited with deep theming.

On the other hand, Trader Sam’s is an unequivocal success, so it’s tough to get too worked up that the same formula has been followed here. Ultimately, it’s different enough that each stand on their own. The other upside here is that there aren’t repetitive effects that wear out their welcome after 45 minutes or so at the bar. All things considered, we’d consider Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar a win, thematically.

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The biggest problem with Jock Lindsey’s is the service. This is something that we purposefully leave out of most Disney restaurant reviews, because we feel service is typically hit or miss across the board.

You could have exceptional service one night, followed by atrocious service the very next. The table next to yours could have terrible service while yours is impeccable on the same evening. Or vice-a-versa. You get the point.

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This inconsistency is a problem unto itself and one you’re less likely to find at Signature Restaurants–although it does happen even there.

Because of that, we feel any anecdotes we could make regarding service are not representative of the whole, and therefore unhelpful.

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However, in the case of Jock Lindsey’s, our service has been poor on a half dozen visits spread over the course of multiple years. Friends we know who have visited separately have likewise commented on poor service.

Accordingly, we feel that service is worth mentioning when it comes to Jock Lindsey’s. Inattentive servers and drinks that take way too long to arrive are the issue here, and this is a problem that has lasted well beyond an excusable “opening hiccups” period.

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There are a variety of signature drinks and souvenir mugs available. If the drinks are any indication, Jock’s “signature” is sugar.

The drinks are clearly aimed at “only drink on vacation” types, and in that regard, they are fine. Between the service and alcohol-light and sugar-intense nature of the drinks, getting buzzed at this bar is a Herculean task.

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Fortunately, we were more impressed with (some of) the food…

With “Squid! Why’d it have to be Squid?” the menu team has taken some artistic license with Indiana Jones’ fears, and made him seem like more of a wuss. As Harrison Ford continues to prove he is a first class badass–crashing planes, fighting star wars, etc–even as he ages, this doesn’t seem fair. C’mon, isn’t one irrational phobia enough?!

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What’s more than fair is this option.

Despite a somewhat high price, Sarah and I were both very pleased with this calamari, as it had a bit of kick to it, it wasn’t overly-breaded, and the portion size was solid. We’d definitely get this again.

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One of our friends ordered Brody’s Brats.

The portion here is sizable–especially for the under $10 price, but the taste was only so-so. On the bland side and the meat didn’t have the normal ‘snap’ of a normal brat when biting into it. This is the best value for money option.

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Another friend had the Rolling Boulders Sliders, which are 3 meatball sliders with yogurt sauce.

He enjoyed these, but didn’t rave about them.

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These are the Air Pirate’s Pretzels. Let’s not kid ourselves–these are bagels served with some house made sauces. Nothing to write home about, and the $10+ price is absurd for a few uninspired bagels.

Overall, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar scores big for ambiance and theme, and ultimately carries it to being one of the best bars at Walt Disney World. There are a few menu items worthy of consideration, but otherwise the bar could use some more tweaking. Our recommendation would be visiting Morimoto Asia or The Boathouse for filling meals and drinks, and then follow with a night cap at Jock Lindsey’s after you’re full and liquored up.

That way you can nurse a single drink and shared plate while enjoying the ambiance, and without worrying about the service. This may irritate the management, but it also should send a message to those reviewing the bar’s performance numbers that something is wrong and the bar isn’t upholding its end of the deal.

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Your Thoughts

Have you visited Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar? Did you have any issues with service? Thoughts on the theme? Any drink recommendations? Considering a pitstop here? Share any questions or thoughts you have about this Walt Disney World bar in the comments below!

29 Responses to “Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Review”
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