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. For many years, Fort Lauderdale was known as a party hotspot for college students, but this reputation repelled rather than attracted many visitors—with the exception of the students looking for a wild party during their spring and summer breaks. Today, this reputation has been transformed and the city has become a delightful setting for relaxing vacations and special events such as weddings.

Although many of the Fort Lauderdale nightclubs were established due to the city’s once booming reputation as a spring break hub, many of the best Fort Lauderdale clubs have updated their image in order to appeal to a more refined group of tourists. Even though the city’s reputation has calmed down dramatically as it became a leading vacation destination, visitors are still left with plenty to see and do while visiting Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale Nightlife

Vacationers will find no shortage of places to spend the evening (or the early hours of the morning), and for those staying in one of the centrally located hotels, particularly those downtown or close to the beach, there are several choices within walking distance. One particularly popular Fort Lauderdale destination is Las Olas Boulevard, which boasts 65 retail establishments, more than 30 outdoor dining options, ten art galleries and two world-class museums. Las Olas Boulevard is also the site of the Fort Lauderdale Food and Wine Festival, an annual event featuring delicious cuisine from more than 70 local vendors, live music, and of course, expertly crafted wines.

Fort Lauderdale Map

Bars

There are several locations throughout the city to find fabulous bars, 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.

Clubs

Atmosphere has a lot to do with enjoying your drink, as many of the Fort Lauderdale clubs know well, which is why they offer some of the most pleasing ambiances for their guests to enjoy. For instance, Casablanca Café was voted 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, located in the downtown Riverwalk area, featuring two floors of outdoor venues to relax and enjoy a few drinks with friends. There is also 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.

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 an evening to experience the thrill of the Fort Lauderdale nightlife.