Fort Lauderdale Nightlife

As the sun drops down below the horizon, busy Fort Lauderdale gets its second wind, and the city comes to life in a new way. Many of the Fort Lauderdale nightclubs were established due to its booming reputation as a spring-break hub, where college students congregated for binge of constant partying; however, though the city’s reputation has calmed down dramatically as it became a leading vacation destination, many of the clubs and bars in Fort Lauderdale have remained open for business, and patrons continue to grace the halls with their presence. Some of the best Fort Lauderdale nightclubs offer unusual atmospheres as well as tasty snacks, and experiencing the Fort Lauderdale nightlife will add a bit of spice to your vacation.

For many years, Fort Lauderdale was known as a party hotspot of college students, and this reputation repelled rather than attracted visitors, with the exception of the students looking for a wild party during their spring and summer break. While this reputation has been transformed and the city has become a delightful setting for vacations and special events such as weddings, many of the best Fort Lauderdale clubs have changed as well, keeping their doors open to the public, with growing success among this more-refined group of tourists.

There are several locations throughout the city to find fabulous bars in Fort Lauderdale, from downtown to the shoreline. The Riverwalk is a strip of stores in the downtown area where visitors can find a number of reputable bars for an evening drink. In Old Town, Tarpon Bend and the Voodoo Lounge are both popular Fort Lauderdale clubs. The Beach Place is located on A1A opposite the beach, and on Las Olas Boulevard, a spring break landmark still stands and remains one of the most popular bars in Fort Lauderdale: Elbo Room.

Atmosphere has a lot to do with enjoying your drink, as many of the Fort Lauderdale clubs know well, and they offer some of the most pleasing of ambiences for their guests to enjoy. For instance, Casablanca Café was voted to be Fort Lauderdale’s most romantic restaurant. Once an old home, the building was restored and turned into an oceanfront café serving American dishes with Mediterranean and Caribbean flavors thrown into the mix.

Another popular option to enjoy Fort Lauderdale nightlife is America’s Backyard, which is located in the downtown Riverwalk area and offers two floors of outdoor venues to relax and enjoy a few drinks with friends: a patio on the lower level and a large terrace on the upper. In the charming community of Lauderdale by the Sea, there are dozens of oceanfront establishments, including 101 Ocean, a casual restaurant that exudes class and offers some of the best views. Another unique option for a bit of evening entertainment is a dinner cruise on the Jungle Queen, which transports you up the New River to a private tropical island for a southern barbecue and shrimp dinner.

Visitors will find no shortage of places to spend the evening (or the early hours of the morning), and if you're staying in one of the centrally located hotels, particularly those downtown or close to the beach, there will be several choices within walking distance. But wherever you choose to go and whatever you choose to do during your vacation in the Venice of America, be sure to step out for a night to experience the thrill of the Fort Lauderdale nightlife to experience the city to its fullest.