{"id":281150,"date":"2026-05-22T18:41:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T18:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/281150\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T18:41:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T18:41:28","slug":"12-best-bars-in-fort-lauderdale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/281150\/","title":{"rendered":"12 best bars in Fort Lauderdale"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1240\" height=\"827\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-01-20.webp\" class=\"article-thumbnail-image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"  \/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe 12 best bars in Fort Lauderdale are Elbo Room, No Man&#8217;s Land, Sparrow, Glitch Bar, Big Dog Station, Revelry, Laser Wolf, and High Dive\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>Revelry photo<\/p>\n<p>Fort Lauderdale knows how to drink. On any given night, you\u2019ll find <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.miaminewtimes.com\/food-drink\/best-waterfront-restaurants-in-fort-lauderdale-40532982\/\">yacht owners sipping martinis <\/a>along the Intracoastal, locals knocking back cold beers at neighborhood dives, and cocktail nerds chasing perfectly stirred old fashioneds in hidden speakeasies. Unlike some cities that lean heavily into one style, Fort Lauderdale\u2019s bar scene thrives on variety, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.miaminewtimes.com\/food-drink\/best-restaurants-in-fort-lauderdale-beach-23487230\/\">blending beachside institutions<\/a>, craft cocktail dens, rooftop lounges, beer havens, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.miaminewtimes.com\/food-drink\/best-old-school-restaurants-in-fort-lauderdale-23842312\/\">old-school watering holes<\/a> into one of South Florida\u2019s most dynamic nightlife destinations.<\/p>\n<p>That diversity is exactly what makes bar-hopping here so much fun. One drink might come with panoramic skyline views, the next from a bartender pouring pints in a courtyard tucked behind a warehouse district. Whether you\u2019re looking for a rum-heavy tropical escape, a dive bar with serious character, or a polished cocktail parlor worthy of a special occasion, Greater Fort Lauderdale delivers. These are the 12 best bars in Fort Lauderdale right now, listed in alphabetical order.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"708\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/The-Apothecary-330.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40550561\"  \/>The Apothecary 330 feels like a hidden treasure in Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n<p>The Apothecary 330<\/p>\n<p>Hidden behind Pizza Craft, the Apothecary 330 plays into the speakeasy playbook with a concealed entrance and a cocktail list that skews toward the inventive. The space evokes a dimly lit lounge vibe, where bartenders mix with a nod to classic technique and ever-modern flair. Gawking at all the bottles behind the bar \u2013 that stretch up to the ceiling and many of which are accessible solely by ladder \u2013 is half the fun. 330 SW Second St., Ste. 2, Fort Lauderdale; 954-616-8028; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/pizzacraftpizzeria.com\/apothecary\">pizzacraftpizzeria.com\/apothecary<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"768\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ed_-_best_dive_bar_-_credit_jesse_scott.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40054815\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Big Dog Station is one of the best bars in Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n<p>Big Dog Station<\/p>\n<p>In New Times\u2018 Best of Miami 2024 awards, this spot took home Best Dive Bar in all of South Florida for many good reasons. First, its staff is about as friendly and chill as it possibly gets \u2013 you\u2019ll feel right at home. Second, the ambiance \u2013 there\u2019s an outdoor pool table and stage for cozy jams, an indoor dart board, lotto scratchers and pull-tab machines, and plenty of TVs for watching sports. The drinks are strong, and the food is killer, certainly inclusive of its piled-high Cajun turkey club and the most delightfully crisp tater tots. 3148 NE 12th Ave., Oakland Park; 954-561-4304; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/facebook.com\/BigDogStationFL\">facebook.com\/bigdogstationfl<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"785\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/elbo_room.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40054794\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Elbo Room is one of the best bars in Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n<p>Elbo Room<\/p>\n<p>Where Las Olas Boulevard meets the ocean, this watering hole has been going strong since 1938. Whereas the skyline has towered around it since, Elbo Room has stood strong, with no-frills, open-air ambiance, live bands, and crowds that spill out onto the sidewalk and from its upper level. It\u2019s a place for locals and tourists alike to mingle and party, perhaps best on display during the Florida Panthers\u2019 recent Stanley Cup wins, when Elbo Room was the epicenter of the champions\u2019 parade. 241 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale;954-463-4615; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.elboroom.com\/\">elboroom.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"731\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pear_photo_credit__world_red_eye__1_.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40054806\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>The delicious \u201cPear\u201d cocktail by the Escape Rooftop Bar in Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n<p>Escape Rooftop<\/p>\n<p>A comparative newbie on this list, Escape opened atop the Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort in early 2024. What makes it spectacular? To keep it simple, it\u2019s the vistas, with panoramic, unobstructed views of the canal scape as well as Fort Lauderdale\u2019s skyline. Count on fruit-forward cocktails, an intimate selection of wine by the glass, and a couple of frozen delights (such as a mezcal-loaded watermelon and agave concoction). Bonus: Nub\u00e9 Rooftop atop the nearby Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is another newbie and worth the visit, too. 2900 Riomar St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-908-7301; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/theescaperooftopbar.com\">theescaperooftopbar.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Sign up for the Food &amp; Drink newsletter to get the latest stories delivered to your inbox<\/p>\n<p>THANK YOU!<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;re all set.<\/p>\n<p>CLOSE\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"787\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/glitch_bar.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40054792\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Glitch is one of the best bars in Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n<p>Glitch Bar<\/p>\n<p>This arcade-meets-bar is the undeniable anchor of Fort Lauderdale\u2019s burgeoning Flagler Village neighborhood. It\u2019s a hip vibe, with the Killer Queen game taking center stage amid classic games like Skee-Ball and Mortal Kombat, and a back room with video game consoles. Its craft beer selection is expansive, and it doesn\u2019t skip its cocktail creations either, including its \u201cPlayer 1: Old Fashioned\u201d with a chocolate-bitters flair. 905 NE Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-616-5762;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/glitchbar.com\"> glitchbar.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"635\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screen-Shot-2026-05-22-at-10.06.59-AM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40550562\"  \/>Expect a dive bar vibe with excellent cocktails<\/p>\n<p>High Dive<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s difficult to achieve balance \u2013 dive bar and cocktail haven \u2013 but this strip mall joint, where 62nd Street and Federal Highway intersect, does it just right. \u201cElevated dive bar\u201d is the ambiance, with a brick-draped interior, plenty of TVs, and a very long bar. Whereas you might get snarled at in a typical dive bar for asking for a moderately dirty old-fashioned here, you\u2019ll be greeted with joy. 6235 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-491-9784; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/highdivefortlauderdale.com\/\">highdivefortlauderdale.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"733\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/laser_wolf.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40054791\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Laser Wolf is one of the best bars in Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n<p>Laser Wolf<\/p>\n<p>Few craft beer spots in South Florida \u2013 let alone anywhere \u2013 do it quite like Laser Wolf. You won\u2019t find hundreds upon hundreds of options here, but instead a carefully curated selection of brewskis every time, with a bartender who always knows what\u2019s up. Additional highlights include its food truck rotation and the adjacent courtyard for chillin\u2019. 901 Progresso Dr., Fort Lauderdale; 954-667-9373; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/laserwolf.bar\">laserwolf.bar<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"766\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/no_mans_land.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40054800\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>No Man\u2019s Land is one of the best bars in Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n<p>No Man\u2019s Land<\/p>\n<p>From the mind of Memphis Garrett and Garrett Hospitality Group is this refined cocktail parlor. Sure, it shares a strip with a dry cleaner and Winn-Dixie, but step one foot inside, and it\u2019s as sultry and elegant as ever. The cocktails match the ambiance, ranging from a \u201cBad &amp; Bougie\u201d (vodka or gin with a caviar bump) to a classic pickle back. Its happy hour is a winner, with $10 cocktails and bites daily from 5 to 7 p.m. 666 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-280-9919; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/nomanslandparlor.com\/\">nomanslandparlor.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"683\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2024-01-18.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40550565\"  \/>Revelry has been a hit since 2024 in Fort Lauderdale<br \/>\nRevelry<\/p>\n<p>Pompano Beach is on this best bars list thanks to this spot serving \u201cplates and potions.\u201d It opened in 2024 and has become increasingly loved for its burlesque brunch, killer grub (like the prime rib French dip), and vibe, including an old TV for watching VHS tapes and regular live jams. There\u2019s an intimate bar space, too, with \u201cWelcomed Spirits\u201d that boast creative ingredients like raspberry meringue, bell pepper juice, and beet juice. 227 S. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach; 954-295-6662;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/revelryfla.com\"> revelryfla.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"723\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/sparrow_bar.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40054802\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Sparrow Bar in Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n<p>Sparrow<\/p>\n<p>Atop the Dalmar, views of Fort Lauderdale\u2019s skyline are front and center at this indoor-outdoor, stylish utopia. In the distance on a clear day, you can see the ocean, too. On the libations front, its beverages often have a tropically influenced pizzazz (e.g., \u201cThe Chronic,\u201d with gin, Midori, lime, pineapple juice, cucumber, and ginger beer) or come in large portions. For example, its \u201cRumptopia\u201d tableside beverage serves eight to ten people and includes Don Q, Mount Gay, and Rhum Haven, oh my. 299 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-945-9500; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sparrowbar.com\/\">sparrowbar.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"644\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/swizzle.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40550566\"  \/>Swizzle makes incredible cocktails in a speakeasy setting<\/p>\n<p>Swizzle Rum Bar &amp; Drinkery photo<\/p>\n<p>Swizzle Rum Bar &amp; Drinkery<\/p>\n<p>Swizzle channels a speakeasy-style hideaway with a tight footprint and a serious focus behind the bar. The cocktail program is as refined as it gets, with bartenders working through classics and house creations alongside a deep bench of rum \u2014 more than 150 bottles strong. That rum collection alone makes it a destination for aficionados, while the setting keeps things dialed in for date nights and late-evening stops alike. 4 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-336-2017; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/swizzlerumbardrinkery.com\">swizzlerumbardrinkery.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"755\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/The-Fitz-Bar-Lounge.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40550567\"  \/>The Fitz Bar &amp; Lounge in Fort Lauderdale is awesome<\/p>\n<p>The Fitz Bar &amp; Lounge photo<\/p>\n<p>The Fitz Bar &amp; Lounge<\/p>\n<p>Consider this Tarpon River\u2019s neighborhood bar, but folks well beyond have caught on. Unpretentious and cozy are the keywords here \u2013 the owners have drawn inspiration from their favorite bars across the country to create their own. Beverage staples include a blackberry-dashed mule, a pear-infused margarita, and a \u201cfilthy\u201d black cherry juice-loaded cosmo. When hunger inevitably calls, the Fitz has its own food truck out back, too, with tacos, wings, and more. 503 SW Second Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-224-8022; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/thefitz.bar\">thefitz.bar<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 12 best bars in Fort Lauderdale are Elbo Room, No Man&#8217;s Land, Sparrow, Glitch Bar, Big Dog&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":281151,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[115922,15823,10738,249,251,250,2278],"class_list":["post-281150","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-lauderdale","tag-beer-wine","tag-broward","tag-cocktails","tag-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale-headlines","tag-fort-lauderdale-news","tag-lists"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281150","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=281150"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281150\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/281151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=281150"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=281150"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=281150"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}