Sports bars for first dates? Hear us out. They can be loud beer-fueled celebrations of a touchdown, or quiet corner-booth conversations over wings. Watching a game together should be chaotic fun, not awkward silence. So we found Fort Lauderdale spots where you can high-five over a win, share nachos without pressure, or simply enjoy one craft beer and call it. Even if your date spends a quarter analyzing zone defense, the venue won’t be to blame.
Twice Removed
$$ | (754) 701-1997 | WEBSITE
The thing about a happy hour spot is that you can unwind without any formality that comes with being handed a leather-bound menu. At Twice Removed in Fort Lauderdale, you can grab a seat and share some fried pickles. The hidden gem space is dotted with floral accents and elegant lighting, so you can talk about your week or maybe just how you can’t resist another round of hot honey chicken poutine while sipping on an Elderflower G&T.
Livia Bar and Grill
$$ | (954) 306-3407 | WEBSITE
A perfectly seasoned crab cake can smooth over any social hesitation. We understand. If you’re seeking a dining experience that feels more special than a typical night out, head to Livia Bar and Grill in Fort Lauderdale. They offer attentive service, as well as surprisingly flavorful dishes like steak and eggs and delicious meatballs. Both should carry you through the occasional quiet moment.
And with specials like half-off wine bottles on Wine Wednesdays, you’ll have delightful distractions when you can’t decide what makes a meal truly memorable.
Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill
$$ | (954) 900-5584 | WEBSITE
When picking a spot to catch the big game with friends, you want a place that feels like a genuine sports bar but doesn’t sacrifice good food for the atmosphere. That’s Bokamper’s in a nutshell. This waterfront spot in Fort Lauderdale offers a variety of delicious options like the Big Daddy appetizer, lobster Mac and cheese, crab cake sandwich, and wings. They also have a wonderful view of the boats in the water from the patio with TVs, making it perfect for football season.
It’s lively but never overwhelming, so you can focus on the game or enjoy a rehearsal dinner by the water in peace. The service can be slow at times, but servers like Stephanie are attentive and friendly, and manager Jeremy works hard to ensure everyone has a good time. Overall, it’s a friendly place to gather with tasty food, excellent views, and a welcoming vibe.
Waxy’s Irish Pub
$$ | (954) 525-9299 | WEBSITE
There’s no better spot for cheering on your favorite team than at an Irish pub with great Guinness. Because when you’re in a place that shows soccer matches and pours authentic pints, you just feel 70% more relaxed. This Fort Lauderdale pub also has a cozy atmosphere where you can enjoy a Waxy Burger while watching the game.
They do serve food, with highlights like potato skins and Shepherd’s pie making for a fulfilling meal before settling in and telling your friends how great that Harp lager tastes over football.
Manor Lanes Bowling and Sports Den Pub
$ | (954) 566-7457 | WEBSITE
This is somewhere you go to throw a strike or grab a slice, watch the game on massive screens, and spend a couple hours confirming that your family can still have fun together. The sports bar has a tight pizza selection, so you won’t have to fumble through dozens of options, and we can vouch for every Peruvian dish on the menu (especially the lomo saltado). If your kids get distracted by the newly updated arcade then beg for just one more game, extend the experience to three hours.
Cheers Food and Spirits LLC
$ | (954) 771-6337 | WEBSITE
Cheers Food and Spirits is a place where you can enact the greatest sports bar gesture of our modern age: offering someone the last wing. The old-fashioned pub always feels welcoming, which will take the pressure off. They also serve some of our favorite food in the neighborhood. Order a well-made drink or play some pinball, but whatever you do, convince your friends to split some wings and then get your own game of pool going.
Primanti Brothers Pizza and Grill
$ | (954) 565-0605 | WEBSITE
They say they love pizza, but do they love it enough to eat a slice bigger than their head after a day at the beach? There’s only one way to find out—head to Primanti Brothers Pizza and Grill in Fort Lauderdale. The casual, hole-in-the-wall spot is right near the shore, so it works for a quick bite before hitting the sand—or skip the waves and make your afternoon all about their fresh pies and if you have the same taste in crust.
Try the ‘all the meats’ pizza (a perfect balance of floppy and crunchy) or the massive sandwiches on the menu, and don’t judge them if they only take cash. They’re probably just keeping it simple.
American Social
$$ | (954) 764-7005 | WEBSITE
This sports bar on Las Olas works for a high-energy situation in Fort Lauderdale. And, even if the Panthers lose and the noise gets overwhelming, you’ll at least get to eat some ahi tuna poke at the outdoor seating. You could always head inside to watch another game if the crowd gets too rowdy. Or, if things are going well, stick around for happy hour after the game ends and enjoy the shrimp cakes and deviled eggs with the lively crowd.
Island Vibes Kava Bar Fort Lauderdale
$ | (954) 990-8438 | WEBSITE
Hear us out on this one. Island Vibes Kava Bar Fort Lauderdale has a completely redone space that looks awesome with surprisingly pleasant little jam sessions. You can hang out there for the price of a strong and tasty tea or a random vegan cookie from the counter. It’s a plan that’s just chill enough to work (and inexpensive enough to ease your tension if the pool game bombs). We’re not suggesting you skip the knowledgeable kavatenders.
If you get thirsty and things are going well, ask Jordan to make you a Cacao that tastes uplifting after being served with kindness and expertise.
Freddie’s Anchor Sports Grill
$ | (954) 462-7665 | WEBSITE
Forget fancy cocktails, the best way to bond with friends is by mercilessly beating them at pool. At this sports bar in Fort Lauderdale, you can have an affordable draft beer and decide if you want to keep hanging out based on how they handle losing at poker. It’s the kind of place where you could wear something comfortable and decidedly not worry about being crowded. They also serve very good food from the kitchen—we like the red beans and rice with andouille sausage—throughout the game.
The welcoming atmosphere with pleasant staff and extra quiet second bar makes it a solid neighborhood spot to catch Premier League Football.
Beach Cigar Bar
$$ | (954) 848-6292 | WEBSITE
Several questions remain regarding your friend’s insistence on trying every bourbon on the menu. (Why would they do this? Are you impressed in a concerning, connoisseur kind of way?) There’s only one way to get answers: a subtle interrogation over Bloody Marys with that homemade hot sauce. Whether you’re inside at the bar or outside on the strip, the relaxed vibe of this Fort Lauderdale cigar lounge will help you unwind quickly and without pretense.
The drinks, like those great-priced bourbon pours or some very good vintage scotch, are all pretty smooth. So you’ll still have the energy to watch sports, browse the attached liquor store, or light up a hard-to-find cigar if the conversation lulls.
Cafe Martorano
$$$$ | (954) 561-2554 | WEBSITE
Cafe Martorano gets crowded quickly, which makes it a good spot for a celebratory dinner when the occasion calls for something lively but you know the evening isn’t going to be quiet or intimate. The vibe is properly energetic (so many Italian spots aren’t) and not stuffy at all. Order a well-made martini or some fried calamari. There’s no quiet corner available, but you’re not here for subtlety so you can eat heartily or have animated conversations over the music.