On any day of the week, you’re bound to run into live entertainment in Greater Fort Lauderdale. The kind where you can actually see the faces of the people on stage. One night, you might find yourself watching fire dancers while sipping a Mai Tai, the next you’re at a swanky restaurant where the vocals are as smooth as the cocktails. Here, the entertainment is as diverse as the people watching it. Discover the top spots to catch a show with our guide to live entertainment in the region below.
Dinner & A Show
If it’s your first time in Greater Fort Lauderdale, you’ll want to make a reservation for the ultimate dinner and a show at Mai-Kai. Since the 1960s, this Polynesian fantasy has whisked diners to the South Pacific without the jet lag. Its recent renovations mean it’s now a full-scale escape where fire dancers perform twice nightly while you sip cocktails from custom tiki mugs you can take home. The Polynesian Revue is the longest-running performance of its kind on the mainland, so be sure to book your spot.
If Mai-Kai proves Fort Lauderdale does Polynesian fantasy better than anyone, the Jungle Queen Riverboat takes that tropical obsession and puts it on the water. This vintage riverboat has been chugging along the Intracoastal for almost 90 years, making it a mainstay for visitors and locals alike. The dinner cruise takes you past scenic mansions on a sightseeing tour before docking at a private island. From there, enjoy a barbecue feast plus a thrilling show featuring drummers, fire eaters and hula dancers.
Quirky & Interactive
Whether you’re looking for a good laugh or want to be wowed, check out some of the most engaging performances in town, such as premier mentalist Guy Bavli, “Master of the Mind,” at Fort Lauderdale’s Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard. The intimate show runs every Friday and Saturday, blending humor with mind-reading and telekinesis.
Want to get up close with mermaids? Your best bet is the Wreck Bar inside the B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale Beach, designed to resemble a shipwrecked Spanish galleon with portholes for peeking in on the action. There are plenty of performances to choose from, including the classic “Dining with Mermaids,” weekend “Brunch Under the Sea,” and “Siren Serenade,” an adults-only performance. Consider this if you’re visiting from out of town for a birthday or bachelor or bachelorette party.
You can never go wrong with a night of laughs at The Fort Lauderdale Improv at Dania Pointe. The lineup rotates between established acts testing new material and rising talent, which keeps every night feeling fresh and full of surprises.
Night On the Town
A night out in Fort Lauderdale isn’t complete without a little barhopping in search of live tunes. Fort Lauderdale beach is home to the iconic Elbow Room, a two-story beachfront haunt that rose to fame after being featured in the 1960s film “Where the Boys Are.” Kick back with a cold drink, live bands and plenty of people-watching.
Back in downtown, take your pick between a range of live music venues. Tin Roof keeps the spotlight on live music with multiple stages, a patio, several bars, and a full kitchen. Over at Howl at the Moon, the energy never dips. Musicians swap instruments, trade vocals, and keep the crowd on its feet with a high-octane mix of hits. Pro tip: Grab one of their oversized cocktail buckets to share, along with local brews, seltzers, and playful shots.
Nearby Voodoo Bayou channels the spirit of the French Quarter with its Gothic-tinged decor, Creole flair, and atmospheric charm. Aside from cult-favorite fried chicken and freshly baked buttermilk biscuits with honey butter, you’ll want to stay for live bands performing every Friday and Saturday night, plus brunch-time tunes on Sundays.
Aruba Beach Cafe in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is where beachy palms and ocean views meet Caribbean soul. It’s part casual island cantina, part beachside dance floor, featuring live island music that rolls from afternoon chill to nighttime grooves every night of the week. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself swaying along before the night’s over.
Looking for a date night spot while in town? You can’t go wrong with a fancy dinner at some of the city’s best restaurants. The recently renovated Anthony's Runway 84 is all about classic Italian-American soul food served in generous portions. Each night, the house band and rotating singers bring Rat Pack classics and soulful ballads to life inside this tucked-away supper club.
Jay's Steakhouse in Flagler Village is housed inside a former church and is pure dinner with a soundtrack. The space leans into drama and glamour, pairing prime cuts and chef-driven plates with live jazz and soulful tunes every Friday and Saturday night.
The Big Stage
If your night out calls for Broadway lights or a night at the symphony, Greater Fort Lauderdale has you covered. Check out The Broward Center for the Performing Arts for big-ticket shows. Think Broadway tours, ballet, opera, and concerts. It's Fort Lauderdale's main cultural venue, sitting right on the New River with multiple theaters depending on what's playing. Get there early for drinks at the Intermezzo Lounge if you want to make it a proper night out.
You can also visit The Parker, which is smaller and more relaxed. One of downtown’s oldest theaters, it hosts a range of acts from comedy shows to tribute bands to solo musicians.
Whether you’re in the mood for fire dancers, mermaids, jazz, or Broadway lights, Greater Fort Lauderdale has a stage waiting for you. All you have to do is pick what night. The rest is pure entertainment—and memories you’ll carry long after the final encore.