Epic Universe opened with more bars than any other Universal park — but only a few are truly worth your time. Here’s where the smart travelers (and the good drinks) actually are.
Quincy and Sage drinking around the (Epic) universe!
After nearly a full year of exploration, Epic Universe is finally starting to settle into its stride — and so are we with it. By now, we’ve ridden every attraction, watched every show, and eaten our way through every corner of the park. And while the rides might draw the crowds, it’s the bars that have quietly become some of the most interesting (and surprising) experiences Epic Universe has to offer. We’re ranking every bar across Epic Universe, calling out the standouts, the skips, and the drinks you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
With so many places to grab a drink across five themed worlds and two signature restaurants, it can be hard to know where to start (or which spots actually live up to the hype). Some bars deliver unforgettable cocktails and immersive storytelling; others…well, let’s just say they’re more “one and done.”
Occamy Tea
After months of visits, reviews, and more than a few taste tests, we’ve pulled together the most complete picture yet of the park’s entire bar scene. Here’s how every watering hole at Epic Universe stacks up — from the ones you can skip to the must-sip destinations that deserve a spot on your itinerary.
Located in Celestial Park, most folks breeze right past Pizza Moon, given its elaborate pizza facade, and that’s not lost on us.
Pizza Moon
Pizza Moon technically appears in the dining listings with alcoholic beverages available, but let’s be honest — this is a quick-service pizza spot, not a bar. Nothing about the drink program here stands out enough to make it a purposeful stop if you’re looking for anything more than a basic draft beer. It’s also definitely not your destination to map out if you’re seeking a cocktail.
Inside Pizza Moon
This stop is all about the pizza, and there are MUCH better drinks you can grab at Epic Universe’s plethora of available bars, more deserving of your time, taste, and money.
Bar Zenith sits high above the action with stylish decor and sweeping views of Celestial Park. The setting is chic, but we’re hesitant to call it one of the most elite bars in all of Epic Universe.
The Eccentric Orbit
The Eccentric Orbit we picked up here gave us more of a true mocktail taste. It didn’t just seem like elevated soda to us, and we really enjoyed that it only had a hint of artificial cherry flavor in such a refreshing drink. All in all, we’d call Bar Zenith a sleek place to relax, with some scenic views of Celestial Park, but not exactly our go-to when we’re in search of the best drinks around the park.
The Plastered Owl found at The Oak and Star Tavern is another bar you’ll find inside Celestial Park, but it’s probably one of the best in all of this world of the park.
Breakfast Sour
We tried out the Breakfast Sour, which was essentially a take on a classic Whiskey Sour, but with some breakfast elements thrown in. If you like a classic whiskey sour, this will be right up your alley! The orange juice adds a hint of freshness that mellows out the sour taste, and having the bacon added on top gives you a hint of the aroma, which adds a bit of smokiness as you sip the drink. It could be pretty divisive, though, so that’s why it ranks lower on our list; however, it does get a few points for a unique style and potential for live entertainment if you’re sitting inside the restaurant.
Tucked inside The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, the Tiger Bar will have you feasting your eyes on its beautiful Asian-inspired theming and neon flair.
Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant
Once you’re able to peel your eyes away from its beauty and order, there are a few here we’d recommend!
Chengdu Dream
When you’re here, try out the Chengdu Dream! We were prepared for this drink to pack a punch; however, it surprised us by being quite mellow. The fruity juice flavor was prominent, but there was none of the tanginess you might expect from a citrusy fruit. There’s no strong alcohol taste, which we appreciated, and, again, the presentation was so adorable. This was a fun drink, and we think you would have enjoyed it just as much!
CelesTiki is exactly what it sounds like: a fun, tropical escape in the middle of Celestial Park. It’s the vibe bar — bright, colorful, and leaning into the tiki trend without taking itself too seriously.
©Universal Resort
We loved the Waturi Punch we picked up here, which was very much what you might expect something served here to taste like. Expect most of the drinks here to be rum-forward, juicy, island-style sippers. However, on a very hot day in the park, the frozen drink options might just be what the tiki-doctor ordered! This bar has great theming, high energy, and is likely to be a crowd-pleaser — but the drinks themselves don’t yet rival the creativity of the top two bars.
You’ll find this hidden gem just beyond the Great Barrier Reef, known as the Atlantic Restaurant.
Aquaria Bar
We LOVED this bar (aside from the obviously spectacular theming) because you’re able to grab the drinks from the restaurant at the bar without needing to pay for a full sit-down meal or have a reservation.
Grab a drink!
It gives you a nicer, more upscale feel while still being flexible.
Bar Moonshine brings the Wizarding World’s signature “immersive-but-not-overly-alcoholic” vibe to Epic Universe. Expect thematic drinks with heavy storytelling influence found here!
The Giggle Water from Bar Moonshine!
The standouts here include the Moonbeam Fizz (a mocktail that was fruity, whimsical, and could easily be a hit with kids and non-drinkers) and the magic-forward cocktails like the Astro Lobe that are inspired by characters from spells from the Wizarding World!
The Lobe Blaster
It’s worth popping in if you’re already exploring the Ministry of Magic, but it’s not a must-do bar on its own just yet.
Mead Hall (located in How To Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk) is exactly what you’d expect it to be from the films: loud, rowdy, Viking-inspired, and packed with mead options.
Mead Hall
The drinks you’ll find here are an easy win for anyone who enjoys sweet, honey-forward flavors. Our favorite here was Gobber’s Mead!
We were fans!
If you’re new to mead or love a good photo-worthy beverage, this stop is worth a look — but it’s not among the park’s top-tier craft bars.
The Burning Blade Tavern inside Dark Universe gets major points for atmosphere (a monster-hunting lodge with gothic flair) and solid points for drinks, especially if you’re into mead or cider.
That’s DARK
The Darkthorn Mead is a striking purple mead that drinks like a beer-meets-cider hybrid and gives us an unquenchable thirst after the first sip!
Darkthorne Mead
Look for The Crossbow, which is the “secret menu” drink that’s made of a bartender’s mix of mead and cider.
The Crossbow
It’s sweet, tart, refreshing, and one of the highest-praised drinks we’ve tasted in all of Epic Universe. Burning Blade Tavern easily climbs to the top of our list due to its unique drinks, killer theming, and the park’s best “tavern” vibe.
You’re sleeping on one of the best bars hidden in plain sight at Epic Universe! Meteor Astropub is a promising unsung hero with its retro-futuristic aesthetic. While the drinks here might not have quite the signature flair that Epic Universe’s other top-tier bars lean into, they make up for it in taste!
The indoor bar
The real reason we keep coming back to this restaurant’s bar over and over again has got to be The Speechless Astronomer.
The Speechless Astronomer
You can literally walk up to the bar, order it, and take it to go with you. It’s incredibly simple, and that might be what we love most about the entire experience!
Alright — you caught us. Call us out for “cheating” if you must but this incredible bar DESERVES its flowers! Bar Helios (located at the top of Helios Grand Hotel) is the clear standout among Epic Universe’s bars. There’s no detail spared in its stylish, thoughtfully crafted atmosphere, and it serves some of the most sophisticated drinks we’ve ever seen from Universal. With a sun-god aesthetic and indoor/outdoor spaces, it’s the closest thing Epic Universe has to a true craft cocktail bar.
Bar Helios
Don’t just take our word for it, though! Stop by and experience a few of the drinks yourself on your next visit. We can highly recommend the Athenian Milk Punch (which is a clarified bourbon cocktail with mint tea and ouzo) that we found to be creamy and balanced, or the Greek God Martini (an olive oil–washed vodka with caper brine) that features a savory twist and sets it apart from anything else in the park.
Athenian Milk Punch
If you only have time for one bar in Epic Universe, make it this one! It’s luxurious and bold and one of the most thoughtfully executed drinking experiences in the park.
Greek God
Epic Universe is packed with places to kick back with a drink, but the real magic is finding the spots that match your vibe. From polished hotel-bar energy at Bar Helios to the neon glow of Blue Dragon’s Tiger Bar and the Viking revelry of Mead Hall, each stop brings something different to the table. Consider this your first-round roadmap — a starting point for exploring, sipping, and discovering your new favorite bar in the park. Cheers to your next adventure, and be sure to check out even more of our full reviews right here at AllEars!
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Which bar or lounge inside Epic Universe claims your top spot? Leave your #1 in the comments!
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