When facing the exit of the tavern — not that you’ll want to leave — there’s an ornate cannon leaning against the wall above the door. A closer look reveals it to be a dragon cannon from the Empress, the Chinese pirate ship from the third Pirates film At World’s End.
Hidden Treasures
Before it was claimed by pirates, the main dining hall that greets visitors — The Mess — was once occupied by Spanish soldiers. Have a look around and one will see a bell over the entrance that was gifted by Captain Redd to Merry, which tends to ring during certain mystical moments. There’s also Kat the gold earring-wearing black cat, nestled above the door, which breathes and swipes its tail. Pirate flags from real-life privateers are strewn along the ceiling, and stop just before the dimly-lit corner where the bars of the brig were once affixed.
In The Captain’s Quarters, miniature ships in glass bottles do battle with one another (during certain atmospheric moments), and a doomed vessel even sinks in a manner similar to the one in Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at Disneyland. And along four grand booths, wooden carvings detail the exploits of famous pirates, such as Jack Sparrow — in a tableau honoring his battle against the undead and hiding in a rum barrel. Captain Jack’s presence is felt throughout the bar, down to the posting of his Pirate’s Oath, even though he is personally not allowed entrance due to unpaid debts.
Meanwhile The Mapmaker’s Room contains the secret work of a cartographer who went mad trying to create the perfect map. Along with some black-light effects and an enchanted compass, there’s a cannon ball lodged into the wall where pirates had to fire upon the room after the mapmaker barricaded himself in.
And above the Cursed Bar is the dangling, dirty foot of a lone pirate sleeping one off in a hammock suspended from the ceiling, similar to a scoundrel seen in the Pirates attraction. Plus, I’d swear there are hidden skull motifs in a few spots throughout the bar, such as in one of the Captain’s booths I sat in.
This is all to say that every corner of The Beak and Barrel has goodies that rewards the curious. And that extends to the theatrical moments that unfold during time spent in the bar, where squalls roll in, sirens enchant guests with their magical calls, and all are encouraged to choose a pirate’s life by shouting “Yo, Ho!”
