Are you in the mood for a beachfront happy hour? Grooving to live music? Or entering the secret code for a hip speakeasy? No matter your vibe, Greater Fort Lauderdale has something for everyone under the sun when it comes to bars.
If you like live music with your drinks and bar snacks, look no further than Kahuna Bar & Grill in Deerfield Beach. The tiki- and surfer-themed beach bar has been open since 2000 and offers live music multiple times a week. They also host the annual Kahuna Palooza with local bands playing all day long.
When you think of speakeasies, most likely what comes to mind are hidden bars inspired by the Roaring ‘20s. Not at Mama Hank’s, a hidden watering hole in the Flagler Village neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale. It’s all Americana here, with plenty of buffalo imagery, wood and leather furniture, steaks and bacon to nosh on, and a large array of whisky options.
Take your pick of bars and restaurants at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, because the options are endless. The Hard Rock Sports Bar, Oculus Bar, L Bar and Center Bar are spread throughout the expansive property, serving up drinks for you to enjoy while hitting the slots or before catching a show at the Hard Rock Live. If you’re a dancing fiend, hit up DAER Nightclub. Or, cozy up at the bar at one of the many restaurant bars, including Council Oak, Kuro, Abiaka or Bae.
Grab your Stetson and spurs, we’re off to Round Up! The country bar in Davie is the go-to for western dancing and country tunes. Enjoy line dancing Wednesdays through Sundays, ladies nights on Wednesdays and Fridays, and check the calendar for concerts and special events. If you need a little help with your two-step, join in on free dance lessons every Tuesday and Thursday to get you ready for a night out.
Where else can you grab a drink with mermaids? The Wreck Bar inside the B Ocean Resort on Fort Lauderdale beach is like imbibing inside a pirate ship, with mermaids swimming on the otherwise of portholes. The mermaids have been an act at the hotel since the 1950s, with the addition of other acts like burlesque shows, the Aquamen, and a kid-friendly, interactive show.
Only in Greater Fort Lauderdale would you need to hop on a board to get to dinner! That’s part of the fun of Cap’s Place, a 1920s gambling-den-turned-restaurant-and-bar off Lighthouse Point. Set on a private peninsula, there are two historic buildings on the property, one for dining and one relegated to the bar. Inside the bar you’ll find memorabilia from yesterday, including fishing trophies.
The newly reimagined Fisher Family Pier in Pompano Beach is booming with restaurants and bars, including the cool and casual Lucky Fish. The outdoor restaurant and bar flanks the sand and diners can enjoy tiki drinks (or flip-flop cocktails, as they call them), frozen cocktails, beers and wine while cheering on your favorite team on multiple television screens or people-watching. A can’t-miss snack to pair with your drinks: tuna poke nachos.
Elbo Room is perhaps the most iconic bar in all of Greater Fort Lauderdale. The nondescript two-story institution on Fort Lauderdale beach first opened its doors in 1938 and has been a draw for locals and visitors ever since. It also served as the backdrop to the 1960 film “Where the Boys Are.” It’s cash only, though, so be sure to bring your bills — and save some singles for the live bands that play!
It’s St. Patrick’s Day every day at The Field Irish Pub & Eatery in Fort Lauderdale. The bar was built from a converted five-bedroom home into a farmhouse-style bar with its iconic banyan tree in the middle. Order Irish-American fare from the menu, as well as your favorite suds, and if you’re lucky enough to be in Greater Fort Lauderdale for St. Patrick’s Day, The Field is known for its large celebration fit with Irish dancing, music and vendors.