12 Best Bars in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, Florida

This casual spot has old-school arcade games, pinball, occasional DJs, and craft cocktails often named after pop-culture references. Come for the games (ranging from classics like Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga to Killer Queen, the world's only 10-player strategy arcade game) and stay for drinks and friendly bartenders. Those looking for something to soak up the alcohol can enjoy a selection of muffuletta sandwiches made to order.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is a Vegas-inspired gaming and entertainment complex in a fairly forlorn area of town. Once inside the Hard Rock fortress, you'll feel the excitement immediately. In addition to the AAA Four Diamond hotel, there's a monster casino, and a 7,000-seat performance venue (Hard Rock Live), plus dozens of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.  The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is not to be confused with its neighbor, the Seminole Classic Casino.

With 42 rotating draft beers from around the United States, 50-plus bourbons, a few dozen original cocktails (including beer cocktails), and dozens of bottled craft beers, good times await. The drafts adorn a stylish wall constructed of pennies, which creates an interesting trompe l'oeil. The venue attracts large crowds of young professionals for nights of heavy drinking and high-calorie bar eats.

A hot spot for the wild set, Blue Martini's menu is filled with tons of unconventional martini creations. The drinks are usually very good and the scene is fun for everyone, even those who aren't single and looking to mingle.

An anchor for the Wilton Manors LGBTQ+ community, this chill neighborhood drinking hole fills to capacity for cheap Long Island Iced Teas, darts, pool, and friendly people.

Far from the main drag of Fort Lauderdale's nightlife district, Laser Wolf celebrates the urban grit on the other side of the tracks as an artsy, hipster, craft-beer bar. It's located on the railroad tracks in a cool indoor-outdoor space and might be the most popular bar for locals because of its great drinks, music, and overall vibe. Motto: "Yes beer. No jerks."

Drive or Uber it here. It's best not to walk from other bars off Las Olas and Himmarshee due to distance and safety concerns.

This modern take on a classic Irish pub offers standard pub fun—from a jukebox to 35 beers on tap—but remains wildly popular thanks to its location right across from Fort Lauderdale Beach. Indeed, it's one of the few places on the beach to get an affordable drink and attracts its fair share of tourists and locals. Upstairs, the pub has a second lounge that's far clubbier, as well as a rooftop terrace, and downstairs features a game room with pool, beer pong, and more.

Rosie's is very lively, pumping out pop tunes and award-winning burgers. It's the go-to gay-friendly place for affordable drinks and great times. Sunday brunch, with its cast of alternating DJs, is wildly popular.

Round Up is South Florida's hot country-music and nightclub venue in the heart of Broward's horse country. In addition to line dancing, the venue offers great libations, dance lessons, large-screen TVs, and theme nights coinciding with drink specials (Whiskey Wednesday, Friday Ladies Night, and the like). Open Wednesday through Sunday from 6 pm to 4 am; closed Monday and Tuesday.

Happy hour is a good bet, from 6 to 9.

Inspired by the Roaring '20s, this speakeasy-style drinking den and nightclub infuses party-hard downtown Fort Lauderdale with some class and pizzazz. Expect awesome craft cocktails, inclusive of bespoke ice cubes for old-school drinks like Manhattans and Sidecars. Late night on Friday and Saturday, anticipate great music and a fun crowd. The 5,000-square-foot bar opens at 7 am on weekdays to serve coffee.

A venerable Fort Lauderdale hangout, this dive bar–sports bar is particularly popular with Philadelphia Eagles fans and folks reminiscing about the big hair and spray tans of '80s Fort Lauderdale (aka its heyday). This place is stuck in the past, but it's got great bartenders, wings, chicken fingers, poppers, and skins. 'Nuff said.

Travel back in time to the '50s at this "under the sea" dive bar and seafood eatery at B Ocean Resort, where huge aquariums and a porthole show off live mermaids, who perform an underwater series of tangos and group ensembles dressed in sparkling fishtails. These late-night, aqua burlesque shows take place in the pool on Friday and Saturday.