Best Lounge

Karma Lounge is the glam spot that marks the crossover of Fort Lauderdale's nightlife on the Riverfront from its tween years -- as a place for college coeds to blow off steam with a beer or two -- into a chic young adulthood. Quality progressive house, spun by lounge resident Brit Paul Head, pounds from the speakers. The red-lighted room, with ultramod orange-and-white minimalist décor, offsets the white glow of the underlighted bar. It's just intimate enough for the over-25, chic-and-pretty clientele to engage in a nonstop buzz over the music, without an overwhelming cavernous feel. Drink specials and the lack of an exorbitant cover charge sweeten the deal of hanging out in a scene that rivals an Ibiza club crowd.