A new Pirates of the Caribbean bar is coming to Magic Kingdom later this year! This news was previously announced at Destination D a year and a half ago with other details sprinkling in since. Disney released some more details, including a name, about the new location today. In this post, we’ll cover those details and share the new concept art before jumping to our commentary. Let’s get to the news!

This new tavern, The Beak and Barrel, opens later this year in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park! Established by the legendary pirate rumrunner, Captain Meridian “Merry” Goldwyn, and her talkative first mate, Rummy, this lively pirate pub will soon welcome swashbucklers, scoundrels, bandits and buccaneers of all ages from every corner of the seven seas. 

Meet Rummy

As Merry’s trusted companion and first mate, Rummy serves as the tavern’s quartermaster keeping an eye on the place from his roost high atop the bar. Although retired from seafaring life, Rummy is a dutiful crewman to his beloved Merry, ensuring everything is ship-shape, sharing tales of piracy and leading the bar in a rousing toast or two.  

Eagle-eyed Disney fans may notice that Rummy bears a striking resemblance to the original Barker Bird that previously sat at the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean but flew the coop some time ago. 

The Mess

The largest and central space at The Beak and Barrel was once the mess hall for Spanish soldiers and is now known appropriately as “The Mess.” Long tables span the room, allowing for pirates to gather ‘round and tell their own tales, while an imposing anchor covered in candles and dripping wax hangs high above.  

A large bar anchors one side of the room, cobbled together from salvaged portions of a cursed shipwreck. At its center, the skull-shaped stern holds an impressive collection of grogs and brew. Guests may also spot the Enchanted Rum Bottle, which was gifted to Merry by the enchantress Tia Dalma and seemingly serves as the source of the tavern’s specialty brews, or Rummy hobbling along the bar’s ledge, greeting the patrons and keeping a close eye on the crew while Merry is away.  

Captains’ Quarters

Inside the Captains’ Quarters, visiting pirates can enjoy a taste of the finer life, which was once the living quarters of the Spanish Comandante. However, the fine artwork and drapery hasn’t escaped slashing blades or burn marks over the years by rambunctious pirates, and in some places, faded spots on the wall are all that remains of now plundered portraits.  

Above the fireplace are mounted five miniature ships in glass bottles, rumored to represent pirates from every corner of the world banding together to defeat tyranny. Keep a weathered eye out, as these mysterious bottles have been known to come alive and engage in a fearsome battle.  

Commentary

I’m excited about this! On the Wandering in Disney Excitement Scale, that is officially making its debut just for this blog post, this lands at a solid 5.7 out of 10. I like the look of The Beak and Barrel as well as the theme (more on that in a minute) but I’m more excited about Magic Kingdom having another cool place to get some drinks and food.

The dining scene in Walt Disney World’s castle park is grim. A table-service restaurant or two are decent and there’s some passable quick-service meals but we typically try to stay away from eating in that park. There’s very little that holds our interest or that offers as interesting of food as the other 3 theme parks.

I might be jumping the gun here. We have no idea what will be served at The Beak and Barrel. But I’m optimistic and Disney usually gets creative with their new dining locations, in hopes of drawing people in and getting rave reviews. I’m not sure they care so much about my reviews, but other, more important reviewers 😉

Adding an option to Magic Kingdom’s dining scene is reason enough to be excited. The Beak and Barrel’s concept art also looks fantastic. With something like this, or most theme park restaurants really, I’m always in favor of more theme and decor over playing it safe. That’s especially true when it’s adding to theme park lore instead of placing a movie franchise inside of the parks.

This area of Magic Kingdom is already well made and set for an extension of the Pirates story. I hope they continue to build it out so that Caribbean Plaza feels like a mini land inside of the larger Adventureland. Breaking down the concept art doesn’t really seem necessary. I expect a few nods to SEA (Society of Explorers & Adventurers), another bit of theme park lore that has attached Disney Parks across the globe as well as some cruise ships, in the new tavern.

While the term ‘bar’ was mentioned once in today’s news, the new space will be for all ages. I do expect alcohol to be served in here. A cocktail list similar to Trader Sam’s makes a lot of sense. We will find out soon enough on that, as I expect The Beak and Barrel to open this autumn. We’ll keep you posted with any new details!

Are you excited for The Beak and Barrel to open at Magic Kingdom? Let us know, along with any questions you might have, in the comments below! If you are planning a trip to Disney World, then check out our planning guide. This site has discount tickets to Walt Disney World. If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. You can do all of that on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!