Groove at Disney Springs: Guide to the House of Blues

If music speaks to your soul and you are ready to enjoy live music along with an incredible meal on your Disney vacation, we have a recommendation that might just rank as a vacation highlight. Do not skip a trip to the House of Blues. This Lake Buena Vista area dive is near Disney Parks so you can hit a theme park like the Magic Kingdom and attend a concert in the same day.

Credit: House of Blues Restaurant & Bar

This live music chain of concert halls can now be found across the United States, but originated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, near Harvard University, in 1992. The Walt Disney World Resort, House of Blues location followed close behind, opening in 1997. Since that time, Disney World‘s House of Blues has been welcoming central Florida Guests with brews, tunes, and delicious food. Let’s dive into this complete guide to the House of Blues. 

The original House of Blues was financed by big celebrity names like Dan Aykroyd, Aerosmith, Paul Shaffer, River Phoenix, and Jim Belushi. Though the original location closed in 2003 there are still plenty of venues to choose from. At present, there are over 10 House of Blues locations offering awesome live entertainment across the country in places like Los Angeles, Houston, Boston, and New Orleans. The House of Blues is affiliated with Live Nation venues across the country. 

Credit: Disney

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Located on the West Side of Disney Springs near Cirque du Soleil and CityWorks Eatery & Pour House, you’ll find this Disney Springs Restaurant. The House of Blues is easy to miss because it’s farther down at the edge of Disney Springs. The menu serves up southern cuisine with a fun global flair that Guests are sure to love. 

This spot offers lunch and dinner each day and a weekend brunch option that is on my Walt Disney World Resort bucket list. Lunch, dinner, and brunch prices range from around $15-$35 per adult, but there is a menu full of delicious sips you are going to want to pair your food with. If you are looking for a bang for your buck, visit Monday through Thursday, from opening until 5:00 PM for specials on drinks. Lunch is served each day from 11:30 AM to 3:55 PM, and dinner is served from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM each afternoon/evening.

Related: Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Dining Review

Let’s get into the menu offerings. This restaurant serves up staple shareables like nachos and cornbread, with sandwiches like Shrimp Po’Boys and Whole Rib Racks. The menu is divided into appetizers, salads, mains, sandwiches and burgers, sides, desserts, kids’ meals, and drink menu offerings.

In the appetizer department, you have to try the BBQ Nachos. This $15 app is shareable and built from house-cut tortilla chips, melty cheddar cheese, fresh avocado, bright roasted corn salsa, pickled red onion, tomato, and smooth Memphis BBQ sauce. This heavenly appetizer is topped with a cilantro crema and cotija cheese. You can add grilled chicken ($5), brisket ($6), or pulled pork ($5) and we suggest you do. You can’t go wrong adding pork or brisket to this appetizer. 

Credit: tastychomps.com

The Voodoo Shrimp ($17) is another great option. Flavorful sautéed shrimp are cooked in an Abita Amber beer reduction sauce, served over jalapeño-cheese cornbread for a super unique southern appetizer that provides a taste of the bayou. 

With salad options like a Southern Salad, BBQ Chicken Salad, and Steak Salad, you can enjoy a lighter and healthier main course while still going big on flavor. You don’t have to go to Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin‘ Kitchen to enjoy delicious barbecue and fried chicken. You can enjoy Smoked Brisket ($25) or a Whole Rack of Baby Back Ribs ($32) at House of Blues. Both these main courses are served with fresh house-made slaw, BBQ baked beans, and jalapeño cornbread. 

Credit: House of Blues Restaurant & Bar

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The Fried Chicken main course is served with two crispy-fried chicken breasts, creamy country gravy, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and house-made slaw. This delicious main course can be snagged for just $22. Jambalaya, Pulled Pork, Cajun Chicken Pasta, and more are alternate main courses you can choose from. The whole menu delivers on southern flavor in a big way, so selecting just one dish is tough! The good news is for just $5 you can add a cup of signature gumbo to your entrée. You could also add a Caesar side salad or Southern side salad for the same price.

When it comes to sandwiches, I am partial to two — The Yardbird and the Shrimp Po’Boy — both ring in at $18. The Yardbird consists of a bourbon-butter-brushed fried chicken breast stacked on a brioche bun with house-made slaw, seasoned mayo, and served with dill pickle chips. The Shrimp Po’Boy is loaded with fried Cajun shrimp, stacked on French bread with seasoned mayo, lettuce, and tomato, and served with dill pickle chips.

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Some of these entrées and sandwich options are hearty enough to share, so you may want to split an order and add an appetizer and sides to taste more menu items. With sides like mashed potatoes, fries, and seasonal vegetables, you can make main courses go farther and save your Disney dining dollars. Plus, sharing means you’ll save room for dessert!

Credit: TripAdvisor.com

Do not skip the Bread Pudding! This $10 dessert is made with bourbon butter and toffee sauce and will melt in your mouth! This dessert menu honorable mention is the tart and smooth Key Lime Pie topped with lime zest and shaved coconut for $8. 

Credit: kingdomcuisine.com

Searching for a show list? Check out the Concert Event link on the House of Blues Orlando website. You can see rock, country, bluegrass, and gospel entertainers live on stage while you chow down.