Gay Fort Lauderdale
Go luxe. Go fab. Go all OUT in Gay Fort Lauderdale. Bask in the warm welcomes and a beach-chic vibe. Experience a rainbow of activities to enjoy while visiting.
Gay travelers can decide between kicking back in flip flops, relaxing on blue wave beaches; slipping on your dancing shoes and busting a move at one of the dozens of gay clubs, or just chilling on a cruise down the yacht-lined waterways.
Fort Lauderdale Gay Scene
With more than 30 gay guesthouses and 150 gay-owned establishments, including hotels, bars, clubs, and restaurants, as well as four gay and lesbian publications and the largest Metropolitan Community Church congregation in the US, it is pretty clear that the gay scene in Fort Lauderdale is well prepared to ensure you have a great time.
It is also pretty obvious why this is a popular destination for gay and lesbian travelers. There are a multitude of gay-owned and operated establishments located in Wilton Manors, a bustling hotspot for residents and visitors, often referred to as the heart of the gay scene.
Sebastian Beach is one of the gay scene’s hotspots, and it is where boys and girls in the gay community — locals and travelers — come to bask in the sun. It is the place to see and be seen. The area is home to swanky hotels and several gay bed and breakfasts. A 15-minute drive from Sebastian Street Beach will bring you to Wilton Manors.
As the gay sprawl grows in Fort Lauderdale, so do the areas where you can find a multitude of gay shops and restaurants. The newest area is on NE 13th, home to Pride Factory, the largest gay gift, clothing, and fetish store in Fort Lauderdale. Milk Money is a fabulous new diner and bar you should check out. The area also has Kult, a hip clothing shop specializing in bear T-shirts, plus LeatherWeks, offering every fetish and leather item you will ever need.
Gay-Friendly Dining
The in-hotel restaurants of the Lauderdale Luxe Collection are beyond superb, but your epicurean adventure doesn’t have to end there. Gay-owned restaurants like Bubbles and Pearls with Chef Josie of “Top Chef,” Rosie’s Bar & Grill, and Galanga Thai Kitchen & Sushi Bar are among the thousands of culinary destinations in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Fun and flavor is the common denominator of this dining scene, where foodies can relax indoors with music or watch the scenery float by dining alfresco along the waterfront. Whatever floats your boat.
Serving breakfast, lunch, and late-night dinner, this neighborhood cocktail bar, and full-service kitchen whips up both healthy fare and decadent dishes.
A wonderful fine dining gay-friendly Italian restaurant, Casa D’Angelo features an award-winning wine list. Private rooms are available, and reservations are highly recommended.
Love the TV show Top Chef? Here's your chance to choose from a menu created by Josie Smith Malave. Come for Happy Hour from 5 to 7 pm Monday through Friday for $5 beer and bubbles and $1 oysters.
Gay-Friendly Nightlife
Gay nightlife in Fort Lauderdale is hardly lacking. There is something for everyone in this gay mecca. Laidback gay bars? Check. Wild gay clubs? Check. gay fetish bars? Check. If you want it, you’ve got it in Fort Lauderdale. Have a good time — everyone else is!
This event space is where you can catch some of the bigger names touring today. From the cast of Rue Paul's Drag race to the hottest DJs in the world, this venue throws them at you every weekend. There is a lavish, exclusive VIP room for guests looking to go the extra mile. From high-end, eye-pleasing lights and sounds to stellar service, this epic nightclub is your one-stop for a night to remember,
This is one of the most famous bars in the heart of the gay district in Wilton Manors. If you happen to be around on Thursday night, The Alibi is the place to be. As with many gay bars in Fort Lauderdale, it's the “featured” night, where the drink special is so good that almost everyone in town comes out to enjoy it. Sit in the sidewalk area and enjoy the parade of men streaming by.
Billing itself as the South Florida #1 gay country-western bar, Scandals in Wilton Manors is where all the local cowboys come out to dance up a storm on the large dance floor in the main bar. Serving as a centerpiece is a disco ball made out of four cowboy boots.
Celebrating over 25 years as the bedrock of the Fort Lauderdale gay nightlife as well as one of the most famous leather bars in the world, Ramrod is known for its Pig Dance, held on the first Saturday of the month The scent of testosterone in the air, the heavily geared men, and the pumping house beats are what has made this bar a mainstay.
This massive two-story nightclub hosts a myriad of events and is always packed on the weekends. Don't miss the classic 54 T Dance with DJ Richie Rich, featuring all your favorite newly remixed disco songs and a crowd of largely shirtless men that are sweating and letting it all hang out on the dance floor.
Lips Drag Queen Show Palace, Restaurant & Bar
Boasting a staggering bevy of talent for their drag dinner and brunch shows, Lips promises a great time and a belly full of delicious food. But be sure to call ahead to make reservations, especially during South Florida's high season.
Sports fanatics crowd around the large-screen TVs at this gay sports-themed bar, which draws big crowds for games and food specials on Sundays and Mondays.
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