Or consider one of Fort Lauderdale's several gay faves, such as Hi-Life, a
homey bistro with delicious, sensibly priced pastas, salads, and seafood
and poultry grills - try the grilled bacon-wrapped jalapenos stuffed
with shrimp and cheese. Kitchenetta Trattoria serves some of the best
Italian food in the region, including knockout ricotta cheesecake for
dessert. A favorite piano cabaret in Wilton Manors, Tropics offers
above-average Continental fare, such as a prosciutto-pocket starter - a
pastry stuffed with prosciutto, apples, walnuts, and mozzarella.
Wilton Manors is also home to Rosie's, a former Hamburger Mary's
restaurant that's still a convivial spot for casual pub fare and
socializing, and Galanga, known for its outstanding sushi and
well-prepared Thai food. For dessert, coffee, and wine, or delicious
sandwiches during the day, be sure to stop by breezy and hip Stork's
Bakery. There's also a Stork's on Las Olas Boulevard, from which you can
book a romantic gondola tour along the Himmarshee Canal. A great,
relatively new addition to Wilton Manors is the Naked Grape, a handsome
little wine bar with light food and live music most nights as well as a
nice selection of microbrew beers to go along with the vino.
Fort Lauderdale pulses with gay bars. If you're in the mood to cut loose
at a big-time warehouse disco, head to the Coliseum, a glitzy megaclub
with a variety of parties and theme nights. The elegant China White
nightclub has a number of lively parties throughout the week, and has
become quite famous for its giant elephant sculpture and distinctive
leopard-print carpets and lavish Buddha statuary.
Leather bars like the hard-edged Steel lounge and dance club and the
dungeonesque Ramrod, with its Tom of Finland artwork, always draw big
crowds. Bill's Filling Station is a quintessential neighborhood hangout
and home to one of the city's top happy hours, especially among the
35-and-older crowd. Wilton Manors, a 15-minute drive from the beach
resorts, has several appealing nightspots, including a few that cater
heavily to Fort Lauderdale's considerable over-50 gay population. In
this latter group, Chardees, a restaurant and lounge, is queen of the
hill; its nightly piano cabaret is always a big hit. Sidelines Sports
Bar draws a great mix of folks to shoot pool and watch sports on TV, and
the lesbian-popular New Moon, a friendly neighborhood joint with great
dancing on weekends. Club Boom, Elements, and Georgie's Alibi are slick,
happening video bars nearby, all three of them good places to meet
locals and converse with friends. There's something for everybody in
this constantly growing gay resort community.
Andrew Collins is the
author of Fodor's Gay Guide to the USA and as well as numerous other
guidebooks.
The Hunk
