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Nightlife

Wild life in Broward County comes in various flavors, from the kind you find in the Everglades to an increasingly diverse scene that has moved beyond the screamin'-spring-break vibe to a diverse menu, encompassing nightlife from the divey to the debonair. Sure it ain't quite South Beach, but trust us, you will still have more than a blast here. Check out the full range of current offerings at www.southflorida.com/nightlife. Below are some of our top suggestions for a night out.

As good a place to start as any is Riverfront, where, apart from several good restaurants with lively social scenes you'll find nightpots like Art Bar and G.O.A.T. Over at the beachfront's Beach Place, the vibe is, well, beachier, with spots like Lulu's Bait Shack and Howl at the Moon. Right down the street, stop in, pay your respects to history, and, what the hell, get hammered at Elbo Room (241 S. Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd.; 954/463-4615); founded in 1938 and put on the map in a major way by Where the Boys Are, this venerable joint was a prime stop on the spring-breaker circuit and still has a pretty convincing echo of that rock 'n' roll vibe still goin' on, with live tunes and a great happy hour.

For the festive but slightly less raucous, head a bit north to Christopher's (2857 E. Oakland Park Blvd.; 954/561-2136), an upscale bar/restaurant/nightclub that after more than a quarter century still manages to keep up with the times, offering mostly 30-something singles and couples a soup-to-nuts night out, from drinks to dinner to dancing–and all without charging a cover! Also up north is another spot we like, Kalahari Bar (4446 NE 20th Ave.; 954/351-9371), whose owners are South African and display the zebra skins and other paraphernalia to prove it. For live indie rock and alternative music, head to the three-level Culture Room (3045 N. Federal Hwy.; 954/564-1074) to drink, dance, or just kick back and soak up the vibe.

The main attraction of Broward nightlife, however – with a little something for everyone – is Hollywood's glitzy, dozen-story Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (1 Seminole Way, off State Road 7; 866/502-PLAY), which debuted in 2005. While not quite Vegas level, it'll look plenty familiar to gamblers, with its snazzy restaurants and acres of slots, tables, and so forth. As for the on-premises partying possibilities, pick your poison: The Gryphon (DJ's and dance), The Improv (comedy), Jazziz Bistro (jazz/blues), Knight Times (pool hall), Legends Theater (live shows/concerts), Murphy's Law (Irish pub), Pangea (house, rock, hip-hop, lounge), Passion (two floor top-40 dance), and Spirits (ditto).

Finally, Fort Lauderdale has turned into one of the sunbelt's premier gay-nightlife meccas. Top draws include Cathode Ray (1307 E. Las Olas Blvd.; 954/462-8611), which attracts a relatively youngish, clean-cut, and attractive crowd with nightly half-price happy hours, live piano music, dancing, and a sports-bar area. A town north of Sunrise Boulevard called Wilton Manors is Broward's gay ground zero, and the strip mall at 2266 Wilton Drive harbors two favorites, Georgie's Alibi (954/565-2526) and Boom (954/630-3556). The best-known dance clubs are the venerable Copa (2800 S. Federal Hwy; 954/463-1507) and the more South-Beach-style Coliseum (2520 S. Miami Rd.; 954/832-0100).

See Fort Lauderdale Travel Guide