Fort Lauderdale Entertainment

Fort Lauderdale has a reputation as one of Floridas most happening cities and is alive throughout the year but especially during the tourist seasons and when spring- breakers descend upon it in search of good times. Whatever your background and financial status, youll find something to occupy you during an evening in the city, with everything from cultural venues to strip joints.

Nightlife

After dark across the city, venues come alive offering night owls the chance to participate in a wide variety of activities. Jazz clubs, comedy venues, theatres, sports pubs, bars, night clubs and restaurants all open their doors once the sun goes down and add to what is undoubtedly a vibrant night scene in Fort Lauderdale. Popular spots include the Gallery at Beach Place, which is home to venues such as Howl at the Moon, Lulus Bait Shack and Sloppy Joes, while down at Las Olas Boulevard, youll find well frequented hangouts such as Mangos and OHaras Pub. The real party crowd, however, heads for Himmarshee Village, where the places to be seen include Voo-Doo Lounge and Tarpon Bend.

Theatre and music

For Broadway style stage productions and serious theatre, the city has venues such as the Culture Room and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. For live music, there is an extensive selection of venues on offer including Revolution and the Hard Rock Live-Hollywood venue. Classical performances by outfits such as the Symphony of the Americas, South Florida JAZZ, the Gold Coast Jazz Society, and Florida Philharmonic Orchestra can be caught at various different venues across the city throughout the year.

Festivals

There are a number of annual summer festivals that are unique to the city, with highlights including:

• The Las Olas Art Festival is an exceedingly popular event that sees more than 100,000 visitors. The works of over 300 national and international artists are displayed with pieces from genres such as sculpture and photography (January/February).
• The Fort Lauderdale Gun and Knife Show is aimed at those with an interest in hand weapons and is held at the War Memorial Auditorium (June).
• The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival is one of the most popular events of the year and sees the screening of over 100 independent movies originating from around the world (October).
• The Fort Lauderdale Sound Advice Blues Festival is a three-day affair in which performances from US and international blues artists are enjoyed by an enthusiastic crowd (November).