by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 6, 2023
Long before “Disney Adults” were a thing, my husband and I honeymooned at Disney. He jokingly told people at our reception that he was taking me “on a trip around the world” for our honeymoon. Those in the know chuckled over his reference to our visit to the still young EPCOT Center (yup, it was called EPCOT “Center” in those days.)
While most people might think of Disney as a place for kids and their families, there are a tremendous number of things to do that wouldn’t interest the kiddos at all, from tours, to golf courses, to jazz clubs. Among the nighttime entertainment is Jellyrolls on Disney’s BoardWalk, a 21-and-over-only venue that draws crowds for its dueling piano performances.
Jellyrolls has long been a Disney fan favorite, but now Esquire magazine has recognized it as one of nearly three dozen of “The Best Bars in America, 2023.” The spaces range from dive bars to themed establishments to the upscale, and sometimes even quirky, and represent 17 different cities across the nation.
Brady Langmann of Esquire opines, “Here’s a dubious proclamation: The single best night I’ve spent in a bar since the start of the pandemic was at a spot called Jellyrolls, located squarely inside Disney World. It’s a proper, real-boy (read: no children allowed) joint to get a drink in after Michael Theodore Mouse squeaks his final goodbyes to the Magic Kingdom, and it’s a dueling-piano bar – a concept that somehow feels offensive to the piano. Jellyrolls should not work. At all. Then you hear a man who could be Billy Joel’s doppelgänger sing ‘The Bare Necessities.’ Then you hear that man just go ahead and sing ‘Piano Man’ as if he wrote it. His partner sings – what’s going on here, Walt? – ‘Let It Be.’ They start taking requests. You realize, after much more of this, that no one has left since you walked in.”
Jellyrolls opens at 7 p.m., with the banter and entertainment starting around 8 p.m. The party goes on until 1:45 a.m., with twin baby grand pianos providing the backdrop for audience members who try to stump the very talented and musically knowledgeable performers with their requests. “No request is too obscure,” they promise!
The standard cover charge is $20 per person, but there is a 10% discount off admission Monday through Thursday for DVC members. Cast Members pay $10 admission every night, with free admission on Sundays.
Jellyrolls also hosts special events and themed nights, such as the June 24th & 25th Glow Party with drink specials and door prizes. Guests are invited to come in neon attire with glow accessories to help get in the spirit of the party.
So, go on, have a grown-ups night out, sing along (loudly) with your fellow guests, enjoy the Jellyrolls specialty drinks… and bring your best requests!
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
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