So another place I was excited to check out and really thought my experience would be different. So…read morelets just jump into it. As the name says, a rooftop bar overlooking Disneyland. Direct view to see the fireworks (so we thought), chill environment, live music......what isnt there to like. Well, lets see. Not unlike when its cold weather, I see the rooftop bar has heaters everywhere in preparation for cold nights, yet we are in some pretty record breaking heat warning environments in California right now, 92 degrees at 6pm, this was 89 at 9pm, yet not a single fan in sight, not even to just circulate air lightly, which makes all the difference in the world.
So its hot, everyone is sweaty, we look through the drink list, we all were super full from dinner somewhere else, and we tried some if their specialty drinks.....the lumiere, the AM after dark, the queen bee , one of our party ordered a double macallan 12. Another a mocktail.
Let's start with the lumiere. This is wayyy too sweet. Boba throughout, heavy handed on the simple syrup, and I couldnt taste any vodka. Extremely light handed with the liquor.
The Queen Bee is another one that was wayyy to sweet.
I just expected them to have some good drinks, but wasnt impressed
The friends that had the AM after dark liked it but noted it could have been less sweet.
I then make it simple. I order a titos and soda my other friend ordered a titos and cranberry and those were better, no way to hide the liquor with sugar water.
Those fireworks we were stoked to see via rooftop could only be seen partially by our party as the design of the seating has some blind spots being blocked by plants for privacy, but total obstruction of any rooftop view unless we turn away from our party and slip in between the plants. Not a great esthetic.
Our reservation was for 9. The table wasnt ready til 915 and the server comes to tell us its last call like 30 min after we arrive. We orderd over $250 worth of drinks and were sipping and talking despite the heat we were making the best of it, only to be told they closed and are shutting down the elevator at 10 something. (Why take 9pm reservations?)
We noticed however, 4 separate couple at the bar with drinks as well and no one rushing them to an elevator. Was super bizarre.
Then they add an automatic service charge/gratuity,which we usually give more than, but noticed since its automatic, u get the service u get.
All in all the drinks gave me heart burn and a sugar attack!
The set up needs some rethinking.
The love band was good, they performed more upbeat, modified versions of recognizable popular songs and I cant complain there.
Bathrooms weren't tended to and had two stuffed toilets, no soap in one sink and just wasnt expected.
It is also bizarre that a hotel ,near Disney resort and downtown Disney closes the bar so early,where we could barely finish one drink (couldnt finish the sweet ones).
So we left when told the elevators would be shut down and headed down to the lobby bar.
Here we were met with a pretty awesome server, super great personality, very accommodating. But sadly this bar also makes very sweet drinks versus balanced and also called a very quick last call,lmao. (Weird given the opportunity to really cater to guests in the resort area)
The valet staff outside were so awesome!! We were simply waiting for our ride hare pick up and they were interactive with us, fun,kind, hospitable and even opened our car doors for us to get in our rideshare and we totally didnt require or expect it! Those 3 were super great.
Sadly,I always end up having to visit this hotel for business or personal events ,so i probably will patronize the lobby bar, but I think this is a no go for Rise Rooftop bar without some serious conceptual upgrades. Comfort should be the forefront of this type of business. Pivot when needed. Light fans , good quality drinks. Reasonable pricing and excellent customer service may create repeat customers.
Oh and a Maccalan 12 double for $62 and wasnt a heavy pour double, actually outrageous. Its the 12!!!
Anyway, proceed as you wish, but there are so many new bars popping up in the area with real mixologists that make well balanced drinks, cool temperature when its hot outide, warm temperature when its cool outside. Reasonable prices and later hours. I recommend checking those out as well and spread the love. Our group spent a total of almost $700, left sober so didnt even need the users we also paid for, some of us felt ill from the sweet drinks and heartburn from the heavy handed triple sec or cointreau used and just left feeling robbed. Thankfully our friends kept the spirits up, great conversations, the bar in the lobby area allowed us a nice seating area, they were really nice and didnt rush us, we left when ready......so bar lobby, YES. Rise, NO!