Sweeping changes could be in place within weeks for at least two Fort Lauderdale entertainment districts after a New Year’s Eve shooting at the beach and another three days earlier at a downtown hot spot.
Alarmed by the almost back-to-back shootings, commissioners are now talking about no longer letting bars in the Beach Place and Himmarshee entertainment districts sell alcohol until 4 a.m. every night.
They also want to do away with the relaxed rules in both districts that allow patrons to roam from bar to bar with drinks in hand. And they want the new rules in place before Spring Break begins.
Commissioner Steve Glassman, whose district includes both neighborhoods, is calling for an increased police presence at Beach Place, where 17-year-old Josh Gipson Jr. was killed in a New Year’s Eve shooting, and Himmarshee Village, site of a Dec. 28 shooting that left five people injured.
“We have to have a physical presence where people see us and people know we are going to enforce what we have to enforce because this behavior just can’t go on anymore,” Glassman said during a City Hall meeting on Tuesday. “This just cannot continue.”
Glassman reminded the commission that Fort Lauderdale has been holding charrettes and workshops for the past five years searching for ways to restore the historic Himmarshee Village to its former glory days.
The entertainment area — bounded by Southwest Second Street, the railroad tracks, the New River and Nugent Avenue — sits near the Riverwalk, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and the Museum of Discovery and Science.
“How are we going to deal with the fact that we have so many people coming to these places that are really just causing problems,” Glassman said. “I want us to get as aggressive as we possibly can.”
Mayor Dean Trantalis agreed that the time has come to revisit the concept of special entertainment districts within the city that allow bars to sell alcohol into the wee hours of the morning.
“Entertainment districts, because of the late hour they are open, create an environment of indulgence,” the mayor said. “People just think it’s a place to not just hang out, but to act out. I see there’s creeping activity that we’ve never seen before. And I don’t want people thinking Fort Lauderdale is now a new staging ground for acting out their personal vengeances.”
People bounce from bar to bar in historic Himmarshee Village during Spring Break in downtown Fort Lauderdale’s entertainment district. (Scott Luxor / Contributor, file photo)
Glassman made reference to an urgent email sent to the commission Tuesday morning by a consortium that included the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, History Fort Lauderdale (formerly the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society), Museum of Discovery and Science and Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority.
“At this time, we respectfully ask that you take formal action at your (upcoming) City Commission meeting to immediately prohibit off-premises and outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages in the (Himmarshee Entertainment) District with appropriate enforcement,” the letter said.
“I agree with them,” Glassman said. “I think we should immediately prohibit off-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages in this district. And we have to make sure we step up the enforcement. It’s just been too many years of listening and talking, but not doing anything. I think we are at that crucial point now where we really have to step it up.”
City staff has been working on an ordinance that would prohibit customers from going bar to bar with open containers of alcohol in Himmarshee Village, Deputy City Manager Chris Cooper told the commission.
Fort Lauderdale Beach remains a vibrant Spring Break destination, attracting thousands of young partiers. The 2025 season brought a lively atmosphere, with a strong law enforcement presence to ensure safety. (Scott Luxor / Contributor, file)
Currently, bars in the city’s entertainment districts can sell alcohol from 7 a.m. until 4 a.m. any day of the week. Bars located outside the entertainment districts can sell alcohol from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
“Let me ask my colleagues, does that still make sense?” Vice Mayor John Herbst said. “I was never really comfortable with that. I think the 2 a.m.”
The mayor interjected, saying: “Nothing good happens after that.”
Herbst continued: “You know, I’ve long subscribed to that mayor. I recognize that I’m not a 20-something anymore. I’m not trying to party till dawn anymore.”
Herbst told the commission he’s talked to people who still frequent the bars in the Himmarshee District.
“You’ve got people showing up at 11:30 p.m. or midnight who’ve already been drinking,” he said. “They’re showing up inebriated and standing around in the street. There’s crowds just gathering in the street looking for the Bourbon Street atmosphere of New Orleans. They’re looking for a carnival-type atmosphere. And I don’t think that’s what we’re trying to encourage down there.”
City Manager Rickelle Williams told the commission she intends to have the new rules in place before Spring Break begins in mid-March.
Commissioner Ben Sorensen asked whether the new rules would apply to all five of the city’s entertainment districts.
Staff is currently researching that, said City Attorney Shari McCartney.
Sorensen said he preferred to target the special entertainment districts where the city is having problems.
“Without a doubt,” Glassman said.
The mayor suggested an earlier closing time for the bars in Himmarshee to help address the problems. Nightspots there can sell alcohol until 4 a.m. but maybe it should be moved back to 2 a.m., he said.
Bars all over Fort Lauderdale can stay open till 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, Glassman noted. He suggested the closing time be changed to 3 a.m. in Himmarshee too.
The city manager offered another option, saying Fort Lauderdale could prohibit bars citywide from selling alcohol beyond 2 a.m.
“I’m OK with that,” Glassman said.
“Yeah, I agree,” Sorensen added.
Commissioners are expected to vote on the rules in the coming weeks.
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan