Perched on the 17th floor of Universal's Aventura Hotel, Bar 17 Bistro is a rooftop lounge that breaks the mold of the typical theme park hotel bar — think 360-degree panoramic views of Central Florida instead of a corner nook off the lobby.
🌇 The Ambiance
An open-air terrace framed by structural glass walls looks out over Volcano Bay, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and the Orlando skyline. Sleek high-top tables and minimalist white lounges set a contemporary tone, and a live DJ takes over on weekend nights.
Pro tip: Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset for the best light over the parks — and keep in mind that, being open-air, the terrace closes temporarily during lightning or severe storms.
🥟 Korean-Inspired Street Food
- Bao Buns ($7 each): Steamed buns in Pork Belly or Panko Shrimp varieties.
- Korean Beef Sliders ($19)
- Hurricane Fries ($16): Furikake seasoning, green onions, citrus aioli, and soy-ginger gastrique.
- Bibimbap ($22): A bulgogi beef bowl topped with a fried egg.
- Galbi ($32): Korean short ribs with pickled vegetables.
🍹 The Bar
Craft cocktails built on citrus, ginger, and custom infusions, alongside a solid bourbon and gin selection, local Florida draft beers, and premium frozen blended drinks.
Universal-area bars pour strong drinks — as always, drink responsibly.
This article is reprinted with permission from Universal Drinkers.