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101 E. Commercial Blvd. Oakland Park, FL 33334
954-776-8101
http://www.101oceanlbts.com Accept this comfortable beachside joint for what it's meant to be: a bar-food-serving, sports-channel-showing, '80s-greatest-hits-playing kind of place. It's a restaurant that had the foresight to set up its own pizza counter, where you can walk the block from the beach to grab a slice. It's got a full, open-air bar with all the accouterments you need to make a tequila sunrise, a frozen daiquiri, a pineapple fizz, or a zombie. Nobody cares if you arrive with sand in your shoes or if you're down to your last 15 bucks - there's something on the menu you can afford. Sliders, fish 'n' chips, paninis, peel 'n' eat shrimp are tops, but steer clear of any muddleheaded gourmet gymnastics. More >>
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309 Clematis St. West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-296-7699
http://www.roxyspub.com
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327 Johnson St. Hollywood, FL 33019
954-921-9728
The accouterments at the 12 O'Clock High Lounge are just as laid-back
as the drunkards inside. There's a pool table for the sharks, a tiny
stage in back housing local acts, and a cash-only policy. With its
location off the Hollywood Broadwalk, it's no surprise the crowd is
made up mostly of locals and randoms stumbling in off the sand. The
tipsy patrons sit along the long wooden bar telling stories and
cheersing one another for no reason other than just being drunk. The
bartender has a heavy pour, and if you stick around, a free shot might
come your way. The no-nonsense 12 O'Clock High Lounge may not be a
destination point, but it sure is "just one more drink before we go"
kind of place. More >>
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15 W. Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
15 West bring a new type of upscale flavor to Riverfront's nightlife scene. Completely open space, the venue has been gutted and renovated with state-of-the-art lighting and a bass-thumping system. Relying on taste and not excessive flair, the walls are made of exposed brick with glowing liquor bottles to the sky. The wall behind the DJ booth is adorned in quotes from notable authors and literary favorites. The DJ churns out dance remix hits and heavy bass beats until the sun comes up for the sleekly dressed crowd grinding on the dance floor. From VIP bottle service to a velvet rope at the door, 15 West gives life to the downtown area. More >>
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4956-1 Le Chalet Blvd. Boynton Beach, FL 33436
561-733-5815
http://www.boyntonbeachsportsbar.com This Boynton Beach bar truly is a place "where every-buhhh-dee knows your naa-a-ame," and yes, the folks really are glad you came. No house band, no loud music. Just good ol' beer and a beckoning barstool. More >>
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3337 Northeast 33rd St. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-566-2111
http://www.33rdstreetwinebar.com Just one block north of Oakland Park off A1A in the Galt Ocean Mile neighborhood, 33rd Street Wine bar is truly the ultimate wine destination for Fort Lauderdale oenophiles. With more than 150 wines to choose from, this charming spot knows its pairings and provides tasty delights to complement a glass or bottle with treats like antipasto, cool tapas, and artisan cheese boards. Owner Candace has created a fantastic atmosphere for wine lovers and knows her wines like the back of her hand. 33rd Street Wine Bar offers wine classes and various weekly or monthly tastings and is available for private birthday or anniversary parties and tastings. 33rd Street Wine Bar is great for an evening of wine and friends while listening to live jazz. More >>
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88 NW 42nd St. Oakland Park, FL 33309
954-565-9230
This dark hideout serves only beer, wine, and wine-based liquors (try a "wine screwdriver"), but the spirits missing from the shelf are certainly made up for by the spirit of the hard-core patrons of this beloved spot. The wood bar has soaked up as much customer love as it has "wine martinis." Lovers of darkness in the morning may also find refuge at 42nd St. Pub. It opens at 7 a.m. every day but Sunday, when the thirsty must wait until noon. More >>
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1 Seminole Way Plantation, FL 33317
954-584-8819
With its slew of nightlife venues, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood is the equivalent of a Disney World for adults, and 88's Dueling Pianos is its Space Mountain. It's here that pianos literally engage in duels several nights a week. The line-up also includes an '80s night, a karaoke night, and a rock and roll show. So you won't miss it, a giant mural of piano keys is painted on the wall. More >>
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90 NE 11th St. Miami, FL 33132
786-425-3545
http://www.club90degree.com This mostly hip-hop club in downtown Miami caters to the Hispanic party-animal crowd, though all people are welcome. The dress code is strictly enforced, however, so no shorts or hats. Also no credit cards; this place is cash only. Stay tuned to the club's Facebook and Twitter pages for weekly specials involving free entrance and complimentary bottles. Groups are encouraged to call for reservations. More >>
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3233 N. Ocean Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-565-9264
The Dive Bar is the Galt Ocean Mile's quintessential locals-only spot off A1A in Fort Lauderdale. But don't let that name trick you; it's no hole in the wall. Its namesake is actually for the snorkelers and divers who have a tendency to hang out there. Filled with pool tables, an enormous bar, and a stage for live acts and karaoke nights, the Dive Bar has all the necessities for a great night out. Not only is this bar unique in décor but its crowd is an eclectic bunch who will share stories of the great sea with just about anyone who is interested. Completely laid back, the Dive Bar is an ideal watering hole to grab a drink and a bite after a long day at the beach. More >>
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5150 Town Center Circle Boca Raton, FL 33486
561-620-3754
http://www.absintheboca.com Located in the lobby of Boca Raton's Marriott is Absinthe, a chic bar and restaurant with a Prohibition era feel. Maroon velvet curtains line the walls, paintings of 1920's flappers adorn the walls, and a u-shaped marble bar occupies the front area. Scattered throughout the dimly lit lounge are various tables and booths for dining, as well as an outdoor patio, ideal for people watching and mingling with new faces. Although the patrons are mostly hotel guests, the bartender surprisingly recalls names and drinks, making everyone feel like they're in a hometown bar. In addition to a top shelf liquor and wine selection, the speciality martini list is quite extensive. The lounge itself is very quiet, however the "Up in the Air" crowd is a lively bunch, making Absinthe a very eclectic place to grab a drink. More >>
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2140 Scott Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33409
954-344-7765
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2201 W. Sample Road Coconut Creek, FL 33073
954-968-7777
Hidden off Sample Road, Allstars Sports Bar is the type of place that only the locals know about. A long bar surrounded by tables and chairs fills up the front area of the smoky bar. With TVs in every booth, sports fans can watch the game, no matter what. The more-than-casual Pompano drinking destination has a sizable crowd of regulars, generally ranging from early 20s to mid-30s. There are late-night specials throughout the week, including free alcohol for "dancers," ladies' night, and on Wednesdays, Marioke with DJ Mario is not to be skipped. Open until 4 a.m. every night of the week, it's the bar everyone visits to grab that one last drink before heading home. More >>
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3016 E. Commercial Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33318
954-771-7342
http://www.ambryrestaurant.com Despite its diminutive appearance, the Ambry has a maze of tables and booths and a healthy-sized bar from which to consume the thickest, frothiest brews in town. Beer steins adorn shelves, shadow boxes contain trinkets, and numerous woodwind instruments dangle from the ceiling. The crowded bar boasts a row of topped-off steins, and soccer team flags and fake flowers decorate the little alcohol-vending alcove. Dark and packed with more tchotchkes than your grandma's apartment, the Ambry looks every bit of its 30 year pedigree. From the outside, it looks like a medieval castle with German and American flags on the ramparts. Inside, the dark, winding corridors reveal private rooms anchored by warm hearths. Up front is a bar that's covered with so much German soccer memorabilia you'd half expect to find World Cup hero Bastian Schweinsteiger chilling there with a pint of Tucher Hefeweizen in hand. Instead you'll find plenty of regulars hoisting decorative steins, eating ruby-hued prime rib specials, and noshing on supple, house-made sausages with rustic mustard sauce. A great place to drink, and good for a bite, too. More >>
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100 SW Third Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
954-449-1030
http://www.myamericasbackyard.com America's Backyard, it turns out, is nothing short of a huge pool party where the pool is swimming with bartenders and the deep end overflows with sparkling alcohol. The pool, AKA the main bar, is a tiled fortress of smiles and cocktails, the centerpiece of this open-air shindig. Wednesday is ladies' night, which means women drink free after 9 p.m. Thursday is College Night, so fill up on $1 drinks and $1 drafts all night, plus $10 unlimited beer pong. That's when alcohol mixes with dance music, rendering otherwise respectable young professionals helpless and desperate to dance on the bar. More >>
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1600 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
954-428-4539
http://www.americanrockbar.com Posters of Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix make the large space feel like a low-lit, local cousin of Planet Hollywood. Graffiti lines the wall on the way to the bathroom, and rock n' roll dishes comprise the food menu - order Nirvana, get nachos; Motley Crue, get meatloaf. The crowd doesn't resemble the leather-clad, tattooed, or bandana-ed set you'd find at your friendly neighborhood roughneck spot, and this isn't the place to find genuine rock n' roll action. But none of that matters since American Rock Bar boasts some of the best drink specials the area has to offer: three-for-one on everything from 4 to 8 p.m., everyday. More >>
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200 E. McNab Road Pompano Beach, FL 33060
954-785-8878
Behind its blue aquarium façade, Anglesea Pub splits in half: Hang a left for the full-sized sports bar, a right to reach a pub crowded with outdoorsy types dressed in boat shorts and golf shirts. An outside deck seats the majority of drinkers and diners drawn by daily specials and a relaxed atmosphere. More >>
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6303 W. Commercial Blvd. Lauderhill, FL 33319
954-721-0020
Although affiliated with the small, beachy Archie's on Commercial Boulevard and A1A, the two bars couldn't be more different. Where the east bar takes pleasure in a cozy dive atmosphere amid neighborhood tattoo shops and dry cleaners, Archie's West takes advantage of a large space that locations out west commonly boast. A darts player's paradise, Archie's West doesn't have windows. Instead, there are rows of old-school dartboards. A large island bar is docked in the first room, serving the typical selection of drafts and liquor (fun fact: Archie's serves Seven Tiki Spiced Rum). The second room is even roomier, with three walls of dartboards and a pool table in the middle. Archie's shirt says it all: "Get to the point." More >>
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3809 Powerline Road Oakland Park, FL 33309
954-561-9134
http://www.myspace.com/area7musicandale Dark and moody, Area 7 Music and Ale is an off-the-beaten-path kind of hangout for a locals-only crowd. A platform stage surrounded by mirrors near the front door is often occupied by a local rock band trying to make a name for itself. Busty women in corsets fling around the stripper polls and dance in the cages to the alternative music blaring through the speakers. The large wooden bar in the center of the room is filled with tattooed folks sharing stories about being on the road and days gone by. The walls have all the typical bar trimmings, including neon beer signs and electronic dartboards. There are nightly specials throughout the week, including ladies' night and $20 for all you can drink for the guys. More >>
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4441 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33140
Conceived and created by eminent designer François Frossard, Arkadia at the Fontainebleau is one of Miami Beach's newest playgrounds. This indoor-outdoor lounge with 25 tables and two full-service bars can hold as many as 300 guests. The space is covered in laser-cut gold mirrors, creating the illusion of a giant jewelry box's interior. The lounge's name is inspired by the arcade that once occupied the spot in the '70s and '80s. In homage to the past, walls leading to the bathrooms feature copies of vintage magazine articles, photos, and memorabilia of the old arcade. More >>
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300 Southwest First Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-524-6621
http://www.artbarftlauderdale.com Bass-thumping hits erupt from the outdoor speakers, and ladies wearing
only body paint litter the corner handing out drink coupons. It's
college all over again at the Riverfront dance club Art Bar. The
marble flooring, white paint job, and draping curtains in the main
room mimic that of a South Beach club. In the back is the red room,
and from the couches to the walls and lighting, everything is
literally doused in red. In addition to the two dance rooms, the high-
energy club has a balcony VIP area for those looking to drop extra
cash and pop bottles until the sun comes up. Despite the ever-changing
Riverfront locale, Art Bar keeps it consistent with a nightly dance
party and live DJs spinning Top 40 hits and hip-hop beats. More >>
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1 E. Commercial Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-776-0001
http://www.arubabeachcafe.com As far as bars go, Aruba Beach Cafe is quintessential South Florida livin'. It hasn't really changed much since it opened in 1983. Both tourists and locals frequent this classically Floridian (read: pastel-colored), upbeat eatery located on the water next to the Commercial Boulevard Pier. In addition to a menu of delectable seafood entrees, two bars offer fruity cocktails, serious cocktails, and the company of locals and tourists. The menu includes seafood favorites like conch fritters, a fresh mahi-mahi sandwich, and the blackened seafood trio, plus turf specialties like the Aruba burger and the goat cheese salad. Watching the beach through the vast ceiling-to-floor windows may be the main draw, but people also love the laid-back atmosphere. Flip-flop your way in to hear live music any day of the week. Steel drums provide island versions of your Top 40 favorites. The hardest choice you'll have to make will be between indoor seating with a view or outdoor seating overlooking the beach. After all, Aruba's sandy spot next door to Commercial Boulevard fishing pier makes it the bona fide beach spot in a village of beach spots. More >>
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3308 E. Atlantic Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33062
The Atlantic Brewery is a rock club where craft beers and local bands combine for a great night out. Although it's a small space, it makes up for that with a high-energy atmosphere from its eclectic crowd of patrons. A blue bar fills up one side of the narrow venue, and tiny tables lit up by lanterns sit opposite. The walls are adorned in rock memorabilia, guitars, and art from the local talent. There are dartboards and a few TVs, but the crowd would rather share stories or listen to the live music onstage. With more than 80 microbrews and craft beers available, there is no shortage of flavor to quench your palette. More >>
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2232 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305
954-630-3556
http://www.myspace.com/clubboom
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2232 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305
954-630-3556
http://www.myspace.com/clubboom There's always something going on at Boom, whether you're a boy on the hunt for a fellow guy or a girl who just wants to sing karaoke. Boom has two rooms featuring everything from video poker to music videos that play Cher, Lady Gaga, and all of your favorite icons. Bounce from the more subdued bar area in one room to the robust nightlife scene complete with stage in the larger second room. Bulbous white lanterns hang from the ceiling, alone with a robotic-looking metal light fixture. Come for free pool on Wednesday nights or tea dances on Sundays. More >>
