Fort Lauderdale suggestions?

[Jester]

My friend Little Red and I are going to Fort Lauderdale for a beercation. We were supposed to be going to Beerfest, but as I have detailed on these boards, the organizers of that particular festival fucked it totally up and moved it to November, and between that being a time we can't really leave Key West (too lucrative) and the fact that our hotel reservations were non-refundable, and the fact that damn it, we just need a vacation, we're going anyway. Fuck Beerfest--we'll make our own!

In any case, I am looking for suggestions for some bars to go to, especially if they specialize in craft beers, have a large beer selection, have great food, or are just fun bars to hang out at. The first two nights we'll be down by the beach off of Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard (walking distance from the Elbo Room and other such places), the last three nights we'll be kicking it more downtown, in the Las Olas/Riverfront area, where Beerfest was (and perhaps still is) scheduled to be held, again, walking distance from the bars and clubs.

On the beach, I'm familiar with the Elbo Room and Primante's (great sandwiches), and that's about it. From our Beerfest experience last year, we're familiar with Revolution Live and Briney's, and some other bars that we didn't really remember their names, either because they sucked or we were too drunk.

I have googled some ideas for the beach area, haven't really attacked Las Olas yet, but am looking for any suggestions any of you familiar with the areas in question may have. We are generally more bar than club people, though of course Revolution Live kicks ass, and I am open to any suggestions of cool places to hang out and, of course, drink. If they have good beers available, so much the better.

Make no mistake, this is a beercation for both of us. Just because Beerfest can't get its act together doesn't mean we're abandoning the raison d'etre of this trip: trying and enjoying new beers.

Amusingly, unlike last year, this year Little Red has a boyfriend. So we'll see if she's a better wing man than usual for me. My guess? Probably not. I love her to death, but she is just terrible in the wing man role! But then, usually it's because she's distracted by "cute boys," so maybe it really will be different this year.

So, sorry for that digression....suggestions?

[Micer]

Was going to suggest Howl at the Moon, but apparently they closed down the Fort Lauderdale one =( otherwise if you get hit with the urge for a easy (and damn good) chinese take-out, find Ming-Kong, the place is run-down looking, but the egg rolls alone are worth driving across state for. I'm crap at offering suggestions of bars, and the only one I remember was outside of the Fort Lauderdale area and got shut down on drug sale charges.

So for things other than beer, or between beer, check out what's playing at the Sunrise Cinemas at Gateway, they always have some neat indies and it's one of the old style movie houses, the cafe right next door to it is awesome both in coffee and pastries, and the restaurant on the other side is good, but if I remember correctly, a bit upscale in food and price. (least they were back in 2004 when I was going WTF to a dish of escargot on mushrooms during a date gone bad XD )

[Jester]

Upscale food is not a bad thing, as Little Red and I are both foodies. I doubt we'll be going for Chinese, but ya never know. I know I won't be drinking coffee (I never do), but will keep the suggestion for Red, who likes the stuff. (We don't agree on everything.)

Though if you haven't been in 11 years, I am going to guess some things have changed. Several of the places I have found on google are already closed, so that tells you something.

Gotten a few great ideas off of google for the Las Olas nights, too, beyond the places we already knew about. That being said, still very open to suggestions.

[draggar]

You already mentioned the Elbo Room.

Try to see Gary Gore perform there.

Some good high end restaurants on Las Olas but they can be quite pricey (mostly overpriced, IMO but the food is good).

Joe's Crab Shack but that's a bit west (University in between Commercial and Oakland Park - northbound side)).

Ferdo's is good for Middle-Eastern food (Route 1, I think around Commercial or Oakland Park (northbound side)

Seafood - Kelly's Landing - this place has the closest to a New England lobster bake (outside of Joe's when they had their Boston pot). Good lobster, real steamers, etc.

Korrigans (on Sample near Powerline) is an Irish Pub - I think they have some Irish brews.

Mai Kai - good dinner and a show (Rt 1 near Oakland Park, southbound side). Polynesian food and dancing

Of course, I know you said you won't do Chinese but Benehanas is usually good.

[Jester]

Benihana is not Chinese, it is Japanese teppanyaki, as I recall.

More importantly, we have a Benihana in Key West, so no real reason to go to the one in Lauderdale. Ya know what I mean?