Speedway Bar

The Logbook — Real Guest Soundings

Depth Sounding: This is a composite account from multiple guest experiences, edited to our venue standards for clarity. Individual sailings vary by ship, itinerary, and crew.

Speedway Bar Review: Racing Theme, Cruise Ship Drinks

Introduction. Speedway Bar is a racing-themed bar found on Norwegian Joy, Encore, and Bliss — ships featuring the onboard go-kart track. It's positioned near the racetrack and serves the standard NCL drink menu with a motorsport aesthetic. Drinks are standard pricing or covered by the beverage package. It's a natural post-race stop.

Drinks & Service

Standard NCL bar card — no pit stop cocktails, no checkered-flag shots, nothing that leans into the racing theme on the drink side. Cold draft beer is the natural order here: you've just been go-karting at sea and want something refreshing. Bud Light, Heineken, and whatever's on tap. Frozen drinks and simple mixed drinks are available. The bartender is capable but rarely challenged — this is a beer bar in all but name. A missed opportunity for a "Victory Lap" cocktail or a themed menu, but that's NCL's fleet-wide approach to bar menus: one size fits all.

Service

Bartenders are friendly and the bar handles the post-race rush efficiently. When the track is busy, the bar gets a wave of thirsty racers every 15-20 minutes — the staff handle these surges well. During off-track hours, it's quiet and service is immediate. The casual, sports-bar energy of the staff matches the venue.

Atmosphere

Racing memorabilia, checkered flag motifs, and views of the go-kart track above. On Bliss and Encore, you can watch the electric karts zip around the track from your bar stool — it's genuinely entertaining, like a sports bar where the sport is happening 30 feet away. The space is outdoor or semi-covered, so weather affects the experience. Seating is casual: high-top tables and bar stools. The energy picks up when the track is busy — cheering for friends, post-race bragging, the electric whine of karts overhead. Between races, it's a quiet upper-deck bar with an unusual view. The racing theme works because the track is real, not just decoration.

Conclusion

Rating: 3.4/5. Speedway Bar is a fun concept tied to one of NCL's most unique onboard features — the go-kart track. The racing theme is well-executed but the standard drink menu is a missed opportunity. It's a good place for a post-race beer. Tip: Grab a seat with a view of the go-kart track and a cold beer — watching other racers while you recover is half the fun.

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