Geo-82 review and info: everything you want to know

Read on for my Geo-82 review and for all the info on this lounge:

When Geo-82 first opened, of course I wanted to try it. Something new at Disney World is always fun! And it was neat to have an adults-only space for drinks in Epcot.

When I first saw the details about it, I kind of figured it might be a “one and done” for me (or at least, done for 5-10 years and not a top must-do experience). While it looked nice, it’s not overly themed, which is usually more up my alley. I didn’t think the atmosphere would be enough to win me over. The drinks sounded interesting but are expensive – even by Disney standards!

But Geo-82 clearly wants my money, because it changed my mind pretty strongly about all that. In fact, I’ve actually been there 3 times in 6 months!

So what makes it so great? It is incredibly expensive, no doubt about that. “Worth it” is variable from person-to-person, but for me I do find it worth it. I’ll share some of my detailed thoughts below!

All about Geo-82

First, I’ll provide a bit of background and info about the lounge, and then get into my Geo-82 review. Here are some of the basics:

Type of restaurant: lounge
Meals: Small plates (open lunch and dinner hours)
Dining plans accepted? No
Location: Epcot – World Celebration
Price: Drinks and small plates are around $25 each
Discounts: None currently available
Accepts reservations? Yes, and highly recommended

There are a few things that make Geo-82 a bit unique or different compared to other Disney locations. One thing to keep in mind is that it is lounge (not a restaurant), so the focus is mostly on the drinks. They don’t accept dining plans or any discounts here.

Another important thing to know is that Geo-82 is an adults-only space. That means you have to be 21 or older to get in.

Finally, Geo-82 has a “fireworks experience” in the evening. That is separate from regular reservations and has a prix fixe price of $179 per person. It includes drinks and snacks, as well as fireworks viewing.

Once inside, the geometric patterns continue, and lights hang from the ceiling that look like globes. There is certainly an upscale feeling to the place, but it also doesn’t feel stuffy. You are offered a towel to clean your hands upon arrival, and there are elegant touches throughout.

The windows offer great views of Epcot, and also help to keep the place feeling light and airy. Even if you’re not seated by the window, it’s still a lovely space.

We’ve also found the service here to really be above and beyond, which helps keep the atmosphere feeling special. That’s really important, since the price tag here is so high.

Geo-82 menu

The majority of Geo-82’s menu is focused on the drinks, as this is a lounge (though they do have some small plates as well). There are a number of creative cocktails, which is the main feature here, but on the menu you’ll find:

• Featured Cocktails
• Zero-Proof Cocktails
• Beer
• Wine
• Small Bites

I really like the layout of the menu here as well. Normally not worth mentioning, but for each cocktail they have some symbols to tell you more about what to expect. It includes what sort of glassware the drink is served in, the style of ice it has (if any), and how it’s prepared. It’s just another touch that makes Geo-82 feel a bit more elevated.

Visit Disney’s website to keep up with all the specific current options on the Geo-82 menu.

Brown Butter Old Fashioned (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon, Brown Butter, Maple, Hella Cocktail Co. Mexican Chocolate Bitters):

This is the most popular drink at Geo-82, and in my opinion – it’s really good. That being said, it may not be for everyone! I’ve been with several people who loved it, but also a few who did not care for it at all. I love a good Old Fashioned, but what I will say about this is that the brown butter flavor is definitely the most pronounced. I liked that because it’s unique, but if that’s not your favorite flavor or you didn’t expect the butter aspect to overwhelm you, then you might not care for it. This isn’t an old fashioned with a hint of brown butter flavor, it’s a brown butter cocktail. Ultimately I think if you really enjoy bourbon you could be disappointed, but the bourbon isn’t the focus like it is in a typical old fashioned.

Aged Rum Boulevardier (Coconut Cartel Añejo Rum, Campari Liqueur, Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth, Steeped Strawberry)

I’ll probably end up mentioning several times how unique the cocktails are here, but the Aged Rum Boulevardier feels like a good place to start. The server warned us both times we ordered it that it is bitter, and this is true. If you’re looking for a sweet drink, avoid it. But if you’re good with bitter, this is a really nice cocktail. Yes, the bitterness hits you especially in the first few sips, but there are a number of interesting flavors layered underneath, and the strawberry flavor still comes through, with a hint of coconut.

High Brow Batanga (Tapatio Reposado Tequila, Ramazzotti Amaro, Kola Nut, Lime Cordial, Salt, Bubbles)

I had never heard of a batanga before I came here, but it’s basically a tequila and coke with lime juice added. This takes it up a bit more, as Geo-82 creates their own “soda” from scratch with the amaro, kola nut, and bubbles. My standard go-to drink is a rum and coke, but I really like tequila so I wanted to try this one. I was so impressed! They also did not skimp on the tequila at all. You’ll taste it coming through. Oh, and it’s strong. That’s also a consistent theme with the cocktails here! It was refreshing and exactly what I needed. The salt rim was also interesting, and I enjoyed it.

Peach Shrub Whisky Smash (Toki Suntory Whisky, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, Peach and Mint Shrub, Bubbles)

Jenn ordered this one she I visited with her, and Jason had it when I went with my family. Jenn loved it and Jason really enjoyed it. I tried a sip or two each time and while it didn’t necessarily wow me with flavor, it’s still a really nice cocktail. I think this one is a little more approachable compared to some of the other drinks, and the peach and mint is nice and refreshing. Plus, it comes with a little cracker with peach preserves to compliment the drink.

Brûlée Banana Highball (Toki Suntory Whisky, Lustau ‘Don Nuño’ Oloroso Sherry, Banana, Coffee, Cacao, Bubbles)

I had initially been a little hesitant to order this one, since the flavors are pretty unusual. But after so many other cocktails had been great here, I decided to go it a go. I’m so glad I did, because I loved it! Of course you have to be a fan of banana, coffee, and chocolate flavors (and banana in particular can be divisive). You can taste both the banana and the coffee, and it felt a little “lighter” (not in alcohol content!). And I loved that it was carbonated. I would definitely order this one again.

Clarified Bee’s Knees (Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat Gin, Honey, Lemon, Thyme)

This might be the most classic cocktail, as far as drinks at Geo-82 go. The gin is clarified, which from my understanding basically means that it’s gone through a process to remove some of the more harsh particles of alcohol, creating a smoother drink. And I do believe you can taste the difference. The honey is a great addition to this drink, and I enjoyed it overall, but it wasn’t quite as good for me as some of the other drinks.

Pink Peppercorn Clover Club (Fords Gin, Dolin Blanc Vermouth de Chambéry, Raspberry, Pink Peppercorn, Lemon)

My mom ordered this one, which was good because I had also been eyeing it! That meant I got to try it. This drink was delightful, with a great balance of sweetness and tartness. And strong, like so many of the other drinks! She liked it enough that she stuck with the same drink for round 2.

Electron (Siete Misterios Doba-Yej Mezcal, Carrot, Cinnamon, Lime, Hella Cocktail Co. Orange Bitters, Pink Peppercorn)

Another incredibly unique drink. There were lots of layers of flavor to this one, and you can taste a lot of the individual elements (carrot, cinnamon lime) yet somehow they blend well and work together.

Currently, the only cocktail on the menu I have yet to try is the martini. Right now that’s a Tuscan Olive Oil Martini, though earlier in the year it was a caramelized leek martini. I am not a fan of leeks at all, but if the olive oil version sticks around I might be convinced to try it. There’s also an exclusive bourbon flight, featuring some bourbons that are only available at Disney.

I discovered this during my first visit, when I was solo and seated at the bar. The man next to me ordered something I didn’t recognize, so I asked him about it and he told me they will make pretty much anything. I informed my friends of this the next time we visited and encouraged them to ask if they weren’t feeling all the menu drinks. That means I can also share:

The spicy margarita:

Kate originally asked if they could just do a margarita for her, but our server immediately asked “what kind?” Not sure what the options could be, she hesitated, and he threw out a bunch of options. She went with a spicy margarita! And it lived up to its name. It was a good margarita but certainly had a kick to it.

The Surprise Me:

Erika was bold and ordered a “Surprise Me,” which she literally left up to the bartender. Our server tried to pick her brain a bit to find out what types of alcohol she liked best, but she is pretty easygoing and like me, enjoys almost everything. I believe, if I recall correctly, that this drink was a combination of vodka, chambord, and lemon. It was really smooth, and a great balance of sweet and tart.

Food at Geo-82

The main focus here is on the drinks, but they also have a small plates menu with 5 different options if you want something to munch on while you’re sipping. I wasn’t necessarily expecting a ton from the food, but I have to say this really blew me away as well.

Charcuterie Board (Chef’s Selection of Artisanal Cheeses, Cured Meats, and Accompaniments):

This is a really solid charcuterie board, and I say that as Jenn and I are sort of charcuterie experts when it comes to Disney. It has a really great assortment of items, and all of the cheeses were high quality. A variety of meats were available, as well as several different kinds of crackers and bread, honey, and jam. And there was a generous amount on the plate too – especially since Geo-82 is a little upscale, I wondered if the plate would be more sparse. Not the case! My notes in my phone say “best charcuterie,” and I think upon reflection I will agree that it is probably winning out of all the Disney charcuterie we’ve tried so far!

Funghi Flatbread (Roasted Mushrooms, Miso-Mascarpone, Mozzarella, Fontina, Pickled Cippolini Onion, Black Garlic Molasses):

I am not a fan of eating fungi, so I cannot comment too much on this one. My friends enjoyed it, and it looked tasty (except for the mushrooms!).

Cannellini Hummus (Pumpkin Seed Pistou, Radish, Preserved Lemon, Fresno Peppers):

I ordered the hummus when I was solo and wanted a snack, but not a full meal. I can’t say I was expecting very much – after all, it’s just hummus, right? This was honestly the best hummus I’ve ever had in life. The lemon flavor was predominant, but the other spices and flavors came through as well. The pappadum was very fresh and I enjoyed it, though it could be a little tricky to eat sometimes because it’s very thin.

Truffled Ahi Tuna (Barrel-aged Japanese Whisky-Soy-Truffle Ponzu, Nori, Sushi Rice, Daikon, Black Sesame Seeds):

This is a much smaller portion, but delightful if you just want something light. Ahi Tuna isn’t my absolute favorite, though I enjoy it on occasion, and this is one of the best I’ve had. The soy-truffle sauce is a great addition. I really enjoyed the daikon and black sesame seeds on top, as they added a nice crunch.

The only food item currently on the menu that I haven’t tried yet is the Jamón Ibérico Croquetas. Those also sound delicious… so I guess I’ll have to go back sometime!

And if all of the drinks aren’t quite what you’re looking for? The excellent bartenders are happy to whip up whatever you want. I’ve seen some complaints that the drinks are pre-mixed there, but that’s only the case for one (maybe two – I know the brown butter old fashioned is). But they are making a majority of them from scratch, and you can absolutely order off-menu. The drinks are alcohol-forward and strong, so they aren’t skimping on anything.

And the food was incredible. Everything I’ve tried was delicious, and I’ve tried almost everything at this point. You could make a meal out of it here if you get a few small plates to share. Or, when I was solo I just got one dish as a light lunch in between a bigger breakfast and dinner.

Service has always been stellar. I sat solo at the bar my first time and got to watch the bartenders making the drinks. Since almost all of them are made from scratch, they are are working hard – yet were constantly checking in on me. My bartender even proactively ordered to bring more pappadum for my hummus when he noticed it was running low.My other two visits I was seated at a table and had similarly wonderful service. While Disney cast members are usually pretty great everywhere, Geo-82 is without a doubt above and beyond.

All that being said, the price tag is a definite reality of this location. I’m fortunate that I can be in a position to splurge on my trips. I realize that might not be the case for everyone. But I’ve never been disappointed here.

Contrast that to the Beak and Barrel, where I’ve had a few different experiences – one of which actually left me in tears (due to the rudeness of our server). I actually haven’t gotten around to writing that review yet because I’m still not sure how to approach it. Stay tuned, because I’ll get to it eventually! Maybe I need a third trip there to balance things out, but I’m a little hesitant now. What I do know is that I thought I would enjoy Beak and Barrel more, but I’d choose Geo-82 any day!

Jason’s Geo-82 review

Every once in awhile I’ll manage to get Jason to give me detailed feedback on something. Sometimes when I ask what he thought of a place or a dish he’ll just say “it was good,” but I think Geo-82 left a good impression on him. I figured I’d share his thoughts as well!

“Every featured drink emphasized unusual flavors and it’s well worth it for those with an adventurous palate. I don’t remember whether there was even one recognizable “typical” drink without some transformative alteration; at least half of the cocktails, including the one I chose, featured one or more ingredients I didn’t recognize. This was a playground for me, who is willing to try any flavor and eat just about any food.

I am not sure I would recommend less adventurous tasters try this place though, skip it unless you’re 100% confident you can handle weird flavors. The price just doesn’t make sense if you’ll struggle to finish a strange drink, and there just aren’t enough “typical” drinks to fall back on.

In our case, I liked my drink but I traded it to a less adventurous member of our party who got stuck with a drink they couldn’t finish. I think we got lucky that I had a drink they liked and that I could handle their drink, but in my opinion it’s a higher than usual risk that someone won’t like what they get. That $25 premium is the price you’re paying for the privilege of trying totally new flavors I haven’t recognized anywhere else, for better or worse. If “or worse” sounds like a bum deal, this place’s drinks aren’t for you.”

I’ll also mention here again that you can absolutely order off-menu, but I do agree with Jason that if you are getting something like a standard margarita or martini, the $25 is pretty high.

Geo-82 FAQs

Jumbo Lump Crab Gâteau (Smoked cheddar, pickled mustard seed-lemon vinaigrette, and Siberian Supreme Caviar) – I love crab and I am tempted to order it anytime I see it on a menu. I’m no stranger to crab, and this was on the best crab dishes I ever had. So delicious. It was creamy, rich, and had wonderful flavor. 

Clarified New York Sour (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, yuzu, lemon, and Red Wine Float) – I had tried a few sips of this when Jenn ordered it, and really enjoyed it. I thought the layers of flavors were fun, and the red wine added a lot. I was actually planning to order it for myself when I returned most recently, until I learned it was off the menu!

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