REVIEW: Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Adds New Food, New Drinks Include Ganachery Coffee Old Fashioned

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar opened in 2015 at Disney Springs.  The drinks, atmosphere, and service set this bar and lounge apart from the rest of Disney Springs immediately. The promise of unique drink coasters with Indiana Jones (and even Star Wars) references and multiple souvenir mugs would surely bring back customers. About six months after opening the original menu was severely altered. A Happy Hour was added about a year into the operation. This brought around different food options and relatively cheap drinks, but the bar was still struggling to find its footing among the springs. August 2017 debuted a new late night Happy Hour at the restaurant. It’s been interesting to see changes happen across the few shorts years that Hangar Bar has been open. Unfortunately it appears that original promises never came true for this themed bar. We were originally told by numerous servers that there would be dozens of different drink coasters, yet there’s only 8 in the collection with no news of additions coming anytime soon. Originally the bar opened without souvenir glasses, but they started to trickle in a few weeks later. There’s still no sign of the souvenir glass for the Anything Goes drink, even though it’s displayed proudly on the menu, and servers have said there are no plans to add it now. Specialty stirring sticks for the Reggie’s Revenge and Hovito Mojito drinks were cut shortly into the restaurant’s opening year. These hiccups are forgivable, but also didn’t make us want to actively return (nor did the mostly negative food menu changes).

March 2018 brings some new items: six dishes and eight seasonal drinks were added. We went over to check out the new menu and see how the bar is doing.

Jock’s Old Fashioned

• Knob Creek Disney Select 120 Proof Bourbon, Cointreu Orange Liqueur, Aromatic Bitters, Orange Bitters, Simple Syrup, Soda Water

A straightforward old fashioned. With two different types of bitters involved the drink is definetly on the bitter side, but the bourbon balances things out very well. Take note that the Knob Creek Disney Select 120 Proof Bourbon is specifically picked by Disney to only be sold at Disney locations. Knob Creek calls it their Single Barrel Program. It’s pretty cool knowing the spirit you’re consuming it only available at Disney.

The Ganachery Coffee Old Fashioned

• Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, Joffrey’s Cold Brew Coffee, Vanilla Syrup, Aromatic Bitters, served with a coffee ganache square

Yes, that is a piece of The Ganachery chocolate on top. We weren’t sure what to expert from this drink, other than knowing that The Ganachery’s chocolate mixes well with alcohol. The drink is tastes strong of coffee, masking the bourbon quite well. Kahlua and the vanilla syrup add an extra kick to balance out the cold brew, making for a balanced and refreshing cocktail. It’s a dessert drink you can have during dinner and not be overwhelmed with sugar. Absolutely recommended, don’t miss this.

Brooklyn

• Bulleit Rye, Graham’s 20 Year Tawny Port, Orange Bitters, Simple Syrup

Graham’s 20 Year Tawny Port retails for just over $50/bottle, making this an ideal choice for those seeking a value. It’s not a true Brooklyn cocktail, but it’s an alcohol-forward option for those seeking something besides an Old Fashioned.

Rose All Day

• Miraval Rose, St. Augustine Vodka, Domaine Canton Ginger Liqueur, Peach Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice

A very fruity cocktail that feels more like a sangria than a mixed drink. That’s a good thing because it’s light and refreshing with just enough kick from the peach to make the ginger liqueur noticeable. Very balanced.

Perfectly Poolside

• Hendricks Gin, St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur, Cucumber Water, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Tonic Water

This is pure cucumber. Hendricks Gin is infused with cucumber and rose. There’s elderflower liqueur which helps bring out the cucumber water, and the lemon juice doesn’t help cut the flavor either. Fortunately we enjoy the flavor of cucumber so this drink was extremely refreshing and would be perfect for the poolside. Those who don’t enjoy the flavor, or gin, should steer clear.

Florida Mule

• Orlando Orange Florida Cane Vodka, Fresh Lime Juice, Fever Tree Ginger Beer

Honestly, there’s a regular ‘Air Pilot’s Mule’ on the menu that’s virtually indistinguishable from this seasonal cocktail. If you’re in the market for a mule, check out The BOATHOUSE next door. This one isn’t too exciting, the flavors mixed well although there was a rather large ratio of ginger beer to vodka.

Doctor Astorga’s Queso Fundido – $12.00

• A skillet of Melted Soft Cheeses topped with fresh Pico de Gallo served with Warm Flour and Corn Tortilla Chips

The dish arrived not only with chips but a healthy portion of tortillas below. Pico de Gallo came on top of the queso, making it difficult to get to the cheese. Nothing overly spicy or flavorful, unfortunately a rather forgettable item equivalent to what you might find at a TGI Friday’s. The best part of this dish was that the tortillas were branded with the Jock Lindsey’s logo.

Satipo’s Empanadas – $12.00

• Crispy-fried Empanadas Hand-stuffed with Beef, Onions, Peppers, Potatoes, Olives, Cheese, Herbs, and Spices served with fresh Chimichurri Sauce

A crispy exterior opened to a soft and well-cooked interior of beef and spices. The chimichurri sauce was almost flavorless, but luckily the empanadas themselves had enough flavor for these to still be enjoyable. Nothing you probably haven’t had before, but they’re a solid dish if you can get over paying $4 an empanada.

Nang Tao Spicy Popcorn Chicken – $11.00

Sankara Stones and Barrels – $9.00

Pakora of Mayapore – $9.00

Old World Pizza of San Marco – $12.00

OVERALL