Ft. Liquordale: Once a Hot Spot Always a Hot Spot

I am third generation Ft. Lauderdale, Floridian. The hot spots that were hopping when my grandfather was hitting the town are still hopping, but are now Ft. Lauderdale landmarks.

One of the only pictures I have of my grandfather is of him sitting at the Elbow Room. Since 1938, this has been “the” local bar. Aesthetically, it’s a dump. But once the locals start arriving, and people from the Ft. Lauderdale “Strip” start pouring in, the booze with a combination of some live music upstairs makes this place legendary.

The Elbow Room is positioned on the corner of the main party area of the Ft. Lauderdale “Strip”. Why is this area of beachfront bars and hotels called the “Strip”? Well I think it’s one of two reasons. First because it is a strip of the beach that is framed by a white wall that has a strip of fluorescent lights that change colors every few seconds. Or second because it’s sunny South Florida, a beach, a party spot, and people are always stripping off their clothes. Take your pick.

The “Strip” is the best beach in Ft. Lauderdale because there is something always going on. And when Spring Break comes, it is jammed pack with college students.

Also on the “Strip” is Beach Place. Beach Place was a real party spot when it opened when I was in middle school. Now I’m in graduate school and the only time it is really hopping is during Spring Break. It’s basically this huge courtyard with a bunch of bars and places to eat. During Spring Break it’s busy because usually students don’t rent cars, and this is close to their hotels on the “Strip”. So if you’re looking for a real party spot, this is a seasonal place.

A little south, and a little past the strip is the best bar for Rum Runners. Bahia Cabana, my parents’ personal favorite, is a small waterfront restaurant on Ft. Lauderdale’s Intercoastal. The bar is positioned in the main docking area for some of the world’s largest yachts.

Discovery Travel Channel says Ft. Lauderdale is, "Where spring break madness has long since given way to a deck shoe-clad yacht scene with a backdrop of twisting canals and some of the most blinged-out ships this side of Monaco." Bahia Cabana has food like conch fritters and blackened dolphin sandwiches, fabulous drinks like Rum Runner’s, live music, a pool, a hot tub, and it’s on the water. I know I am generalizing, but everyone in Ft. Lauderdale knows Bahia Cabana.

Now let’s go west over the bridge and drive to Las Olas Boulevard. Las Olas is a strip of restaurants, boutiques, and bars. This is the “it” spot in Ft. Lauderdale. Things can run a little expensive, especially if you plan on going shopping. This is not the cheap part of town, but if you want to see Ft. Lauderdale locals in their element, this is where to go.


O’Haras is the best place for live music in Ft. Lauderdale. This jazz bar has a different band to serenade you every night of the week. Mangos is a restaurant and lounge that also has live music.

If you drive a bit further west, literally three minutes, then you’re going to run into what locals call “Downtown,” for partying. In reality it’s actually the Las Olas Riverfront. The Las Olas Riverfront is an open building with bars, restaurants, waterfront view, movie theater and live entertainment.

After a while of going to Riverfront, it gets a tad boring, and the real party is when you exit Riverfront and hit the streets in front of the building. This is the hot spot for ages 18-35. I know 18 isn’t the legal drinking age, but someone always manages to get in with a fake ID. But the bars are 21 and older.

One of the first places you will see with a line around the corner is Automatic Slims. Automatic Slims originated in Ft. Lauderdale. It’s a club that when you walk in you’re confused because you might think you walked into a strip club. I can assure you it’s not a strip club, but the girls are wearing the tiniest outfits they can possibly can. So it’s real close! The gist of the club is that girls dance on the bars, the poles, whatever they can find, and pour shots of alcohol into your mouth. There’s an upstairs bar and a bar in the back too, but they're the only Slim girls you’ll find behind the bar serving you your drinks.

If you walk down the street, over the railroad tracks you will discover Tarpon Bend. This is mellower than Automatic Slims, but it is a great bar and hang out. All around Automatic Slims and Tarpon Bend and dozens of other bars are available to enjoy your night in good old Ft. Liquordale.

Now I’m going to take you all across Ft. Lauderdale for specific restaurants and bars to most definitely hit up. There is Grady’s Bar & Grill on Andrews Ave. This is the first bar in Ft. Lauderdale. Other places try to claim the name, but Grady’s Bar & Grill is it. Sometimes you can catch some live blues on Saturdays.

Next there is Shooter’s Waterfront Cafe. If you take away the S then you will know what the place is all about. Locals just call it Shooter’s. The place is known for the bikini contests. It’s a great place to have a drink and take a dip in the pool on a sunny South Florida day.

Mai-Kai is the next stop. Since 1956, Mai-Kai is the original Polynesian restaurant. Complete with dinner and a traditional Polynesian show with fire, this is a hot spot if you’ve never seen a show before. Again a generalization, but all Ft. Lauderdale locals have seen the show. So now, we just go for Mai-Kai’s amazing Happy Hour with Rum Barrels.

I’m going to end my rant on Ft. Lauderdale hotspots with the legendary places to eat. Discovery Travel Channel
reports, "Breakfast in the classic diner surrounds of The Floridian (1410 E. Las Olas Blvd. – no Web site) is a must. Weekend mornings are particularly bustling, with Fort Lauderdale natives mixing with nose-in-the-New York Times transplants for greasy-spoon feasts."

Carlos & Pepes 17th Street Cantina is an iconic restaurant for true locals. It’s the best spot for a taste of Mexico and the margaritas are to die for.

Then we have my sister’s absolute favorite, Rustic Inn. This crab house has been cracking since 1955. It’s famous for their garlic crabs. The restaurant is what it says, rustic. Wooden tables line the low ceilings, and paper lines the tables that are topped with wooden bowls filled with whole crabs and wooden hammers to crack the crabs. Never wear nice clothes. When the intercom announces a birthday and you’re splashed with crab butter from everyone picking up their hammers to bang the table, then you’ll know why I say that.

Last but not least, on you’re way back to the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, you must stop at Ernie’s Barbeque. Also known as “Dirty” Ernie’s by locals. My parents hung out here when they were 17 years old and the food that was on the walls then is still there, but with a fresh coat of paint. This place is a landmark for pulled barbeque pork sandwiches and spicy conch chowder with brandy. Wow and I can’t forget the delicious Bimini bread that comes with everything. This is a must eat before a flight home.

JetBlue offers direct flights from Syracuse to Ft. Lauderdale for $99 one-way.