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Fort Lauderdale Gay Travel Guide
If you need better beaches than you can find in Key West, or if the attitude of Miami’s South Beach is getting you down, head to Ft. Lauderdale, my friend! In recent years, this northerly neighbor has been stealing the crowds from Miami and Key West for lots of reasons…better beaches, cheaper prices, and friendlier crowds. Perhaps most famous for Sawgrass Mills, the largest outlet mall in the world, Ft. Lauderdale is most supremely about shopping. And when the cookie-cutter strip malls get too much for you, try funky Las Olas Boulevard, with its eccentric shops and cafes. When you need to get your museum on, you have your choice of the Museum of Art or the more lively Museum of Discovery and Science. Known as the Venice of America, Ft. Lauderdale has long attracted the supremely rich (and their yachts!), and a popular excursion is a New River cruise where you glide past their billion-dollar estates and million-dollar yachts as the boat driver spills all the gossip. Riverfront Cruises and Carrie B offer the most popular. Gay venues are spread out across downtown (along E. Las Olas Blvd between Hwy 1 and the New River), the Ft. Lauderdale Beach area, and Wilton Manors, a few miles north. Since they can’t build a subway in this waterlogged ground, you’ll have to have your own car, or brave the bus system. When it’s time to catch some sun, the gayest section of Ft. Lauderdale Beach lies between Sunrise and Las Olas boulevards. If you hate tan lines, head south of town to Haulover Beach, and you’ll find carefree gays and lesbians on the far northern section. For an out of this world, once in a lifetime opportunity, experience the awesome weightlessness of space flight aboard Zero G, zero gravity flight tour
Gay Ft Lauderdale Bars, Restaurants and Clubs
Bill’s Filling Station is a Ft. Lauderdale classic, a friendly neighborhood joint with a great patio. Cathode Ray Club is a popular spot, almost a dance club, but with too many events like Comedy Night which keep it in the ranks of social bars. Dudes is a bizarre combination of piano bar and go-go club. Johnny’s is, perhaps, a more popular spot for hot dancers. If all this friendliness is getting on your nerves, head to Lush for a little bit of Miami attitude and chic. The Cubby Hole is a self-proclaimed Butch Bar (for men, sorry girls!), which draws a borderline leather crowd, and also offers free internet access. The more defined leather scene congregates at Ramrod, Jackhammer, and (where else?) the Ft. Lauderdale Eagle. Up in the Wilton Manors area, Flamingo’s is popular for their terrace. Georgie’s Alibi, a video and sports bar, draws both boys and girls. Nearby Boom attracts mostly guys. Elements is the spot up here to dance, or chill on their big patio. Girls get their kicks at Kick’s .
When it’s time to shaky that booty, take your pick between The Coliseum, a new spot which draws a young crowd, Copa, which claims to be the longest-running gay nightclub in the world, and Sea Monster, which has a strong Latino following. On Sundays you get a fourth choice (which everyone seems to take), the Babylon T Dance at VooDoo Lounge.
Hungry gay and lesbian Lauderdalers have always favored Hi Life, a unique, homey dive with a sensibly-priced American menu. Bar Amici offers a great American/Italian menu with fantastic people-watching near the beach. If you need more camp in your diet, Hamburger Mary’s up in Wilton Manor will surely satiate. Just a block away, Mustard’s Bar and Grill serves local boys who want less cheese with their meal. Tropics is a throw-back to the cabaret restaurant era. Flamingo’s Bar also has a café menu.
Gay Friendly and Gay Fort Lauderdale Hotels
Ft. Lauderdale has an abundance of gay accommodations, most of which cluster in the blocks near the beach. The legendary, luxurious Royal Palms Resort is ranked one of the best gay hotels anywhere, and pioneered the “clothing optional” atmosphere that has become popular for the area. Other “naturist” resorts include The Brigantine, the ultra-chic Flamingo, the Elysium Resort (formerly known as Venice Beach Guest Quarters), the Palm Plaza, and the Villa Venice, which sometimes draws a leather crowd. If the idea of splashing in a pool with boys in the buff sounds frightening to you, relax at the clothing-required Grand Resort, a luxury option right on the beach. The Blue Dolphin is a smaller, more modest hotel. But it doesn’t stop there, those are just the hotels! Many guesthouses dot the area, offering a more intimate experience. Clothing-optional spots include Gigi’s Resort, the New Zealand House, Cabanas Gueshouse, Schubert Resort, the Cheston House, the Coral Reef, the cruisy Windamar Beach Resort, and The Worthington. Pineapple Point located in the Victoria Park neighborhood, about 2 miles from the beach, is another clothing-optional resort. New Zealand House, also located in Victoria Park is an intimate, clothing optional, gay bed and breakfast. La Casa Del Mar, located 1 block from Fort Lauderdale beach is another gay and lesbian resort option. Leather fanatics can try the “all-male compound” of InnLeather. For something more clothing-oriented, you might try The Deauville Inn. In Wilton Manor, check out The Sea Grape House, or The Cabanas.
Call an edirp.com gay travel specialist at 1-888-EDIRP-EZ (1-888-334-7739) or (214) 520-0345 (U.S.) to book any of the hotels mentioned above. Any hotels with links may be booked via our secure online booking system.
Ft Lauderdale Gay Pride and other Gay Events
The Stonewall Street Festival and Parade takes place in mid-June and attracts more than 10,000 visitors from out-of-town.
Travel guide by Benjamin Starr, a travel writer who claims the entire world as his home. When he's not at home, he can sometimes be found at a residence in Dallas, Texas. To contact Ben, email him at benjaminstarr@sbcglobal.net. |
