Weekend things to do: 5 places to dine during Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, ‘Friends’ at Aventura Mall, John Legend, Sammy Hagar
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The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is in town this weekend, expected to draw 100,000 buyers, sellers and exhibitors from around the state, the nation and the globe to the largest in-water boat show in the world. And they’ll all be looking for a place to dine, drink or just get away from the hubbub along the Intracoastal.
We’re here to help. Below are five newish restaurants for boat show visitors (and locals) to consider this weekend, recommended spots that were not open during FLIBS last year.
Runway 84:Four-decade Fort Lauderdale institution Anthony’s Runway 84 emerged from a $4 million renovation in January with a slick supper-club decor (and the name trimmed to just Runway 84). There is a new entryway, a new bar and a music lounge with a grand piano under a crystal chandelier. Gone is the kitschy jetliner motif in the old bar, to the chagrin of some regulars. The menu has been modernized here and there (see the Wagyu beef carpaccio), but the old favorites, including the house meatballs and rigatoni cauliflower, have been retained. Runway 84 is at 330 W. State Road 84. Visit Runway84.com.
The House on the River:Perhaps Fort Lauderdale’s most authentically attractive new restaurant opened in May after a $1 million renovation of two 120-year-old conjoined homes on the north bank of the New River, in the shadow of downtown’s newest towers. The menu is seafood-centric, befitting its location, and the vibe is coastal and amiable. With its shaded, brick-lined terrace and the quirky warmth of the intimate dining rooms (once bedrooms in the historic homes), The House on the River is a postcard from Old Florida. For a truly unique experience, ask for the Porch Swing Room, a second-floor sunroom facing the river, which has a small table bracketed by cushioned benches that are suspended from the ceiling by ropes. The House on the River is at 301 SW Third Ave. Visit TheHouseOnTheRiver.com.
Moxies:The popular Canadian restaurant opened at The Main Las Olas in March and instantly became one of the hottest outdoor gathering spots in town, with two stories and indoor-outdoor bars on both levels. The menu is an eclectic survey of seafood, steaks, burgers and plant-based dishes, with prices that feel reasonable, especially compared with what you’ll find elsewhere on Las Olas Boulevard. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Moxies is at 201 E. Las Olas Blvd. Visit Moxies.com.
Aqui Bar & Kitchens: As Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village continues to evolve, and too many design choices seem guided by expediency and indifference, Aqui Bar & Kitchens is a casually chic urban hangout that shows what is possible. Located on the ground floor of a former dance studio beautifully reimagined by award-winning local architecture firm Glavovic Studio, a boldly modern entry leads to a large, loft-like bar (with some seating) that transitions into a garden out back, with tables set under live oak trees laced with white lights. It’s quite attractive throughout. The food, ordered on your phone, is brought by waitstaff (attentive, efficient) from kitchens in three white shipping containers in the garden, each with a distinctive menu: Mediterranean, Asian and Mexican. Our truffle wings and tacos were top-notch. Says Glavovic Studio founder Margi G. Nothard of her creation: “We designed a place where locals can chill with affordably priced, high-quality food and cocktails served in a magical environment.” Yes, they did. Aqui Bar & Kitchens is at 511 NE Third Ave. Visit AquiBar.com.
Miso Japanese Tapas:If you’re the adventurous type, you’ll be rewarded with a trip to downtown’s blossoming Progresso neighborhood, across the Brightline/FEC tracks from the arty MASS District and Flagler Village, where this stylish, 54-seat eatery made its long-awaited debut in May. There, chef-restaurateur Thuan Lam (founder of Phat Boy Sushi & Kitchen and Poke Lolo) and chef Jay Barashari create small plates with influences from across Asia. There is a long list of inventive sushi offerings, the memorable Okonomiyaki Tots (Japanese tater tots) and Gochujang Honey Wings), as well as fried oysters and Wagyu steak. Lam describes Miso as “a fun, unstuffy restaurant with amazing bites and drinks” and “the perfect place to start or end the night in an ‘izakaya’ vibe.” Miso Japanese Tapas is at 815 NE Second Ave. Visit MisoJT.com.
THURSDAY
Barking and hopping:Enthusiastically dog-friendly Gulf Stream Brewing Co. in Fort Lauderdale will throw its fifth annual Halloween Puppy Costume Contest on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. (registration at 6 p.m., contest at 7 p.m.). Everyone’s a winner — because there is beer and pizza. Visit Facebook.com/gulfstreambrewing.
Soul for ya: Seattle’s brassy blue-eyed soul band The Dip make a tour stop at the Miami Beach Bandshell on Thursday at 7 p.m., sharing music from their latest album, “Sticking With It.” Resistance is futile. Doors open at 6 p.m. (remember, they have food and a full bar). Tickets cost $36.05. Visit MiamiBeachBandshell.com.
FRIDAY
Old friends:The Friends Experience tour opens on Friday at Aventura Mall, offering an interactive re-creation of the beloved TV sitcom. The space (inside the Treats Food Hall on the third level) will offer a showcase of props and costumes from the show, along with Instagrammable moments allowing guests to pose in front of Rachel and Monica’s purple door, relax in Chandler and Joey’s recliners and lounge on the orange couch at Central Perk. Of course, there will be a retail store (no ticket needed). Tickets start at $36.88, with time slots every 30 minutes. The Friends Experience will be up through March 24. Visit FriendsTheExperience.com/miami.
New blink:Nineties punk icons blink-182 are bound for Miami’s Kaseya Center on June 21 on a world tour supporting their album “One More Time,” the spawn of sessions that marked the first time in a decade that Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker had been in the studio together. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at blink182.com.
Feats of strength:Miami City Ballet brings its season-opening Fall Mix to Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, followed by performances at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 and 1 p.m. Nov. 5. The program includes the world premiere of “Sea Change,” with choreography by Miami native Jamar Roberts, the former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater artist and choreographer, set to music of John Adams. The program also features the Balanchine-Tchaikovsky touchstone “Serenade” and Twyla Tharp’s career-changing “In The Upper Room,” with its compelling Philip Glass score. Tickets start at $40+. Visit MiamiCityBallet.org.
Weekend laughs: Actor, comedian and radio host DL Hughley has five performances this weekend at the Dania Improv in Dania Beach, with showtimes at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $40+ at DaniaImprov.com.
Future laughs: “The Daily Show” correspondent Ronny Chieng will bring his stand-up tour to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 15, with tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at RonnyChieng.com. … Humorist and storyteller Mike Birbiglia will perform at The Fillmore Miami Beach on Feb. 17, with tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at LiveNation.com. … Comedian Ron White is coming to Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on April 20, with tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at MyHRL.com.
Tenpenny news:In town as an opener for Jason Aldean’s sold-out concert at iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach on Friday, Mitchell Tenpenny will do a meet-and-greet at RISE Dispensary in West Palm Beach (430 Clematis St.) to celebrate the launch of his new Rythm Artist Series cannabis strain, Mitchell Tenpenny’s Night Owl Haze. The appearance will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, and all attendees must have a valid Florida medical marijuana card. Visit RiseCannabis.com. Meanwhile, Tenpenny is on his way to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Jan. 12, with tickets ($45+) on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at MyHRL.com.
Chicken-fried picnic: Old School Square in downtown Delray Beach will host a free concert by Zac N’ Fried, a nationally touring Zac Brown tribute band, on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. The event will include food and beverage vendors. No outside alcohol is allowed, but you’re welcome to bring takeout from local restaurants. Gates open at 6 p.m. Visit DelrayOldSchoolSquare.com. Then there’s the Zac Brown Band themselves, which will play a sold-out iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre on Nov. 2. See resale tickets at LiveNation.com.
SATURDAY
Almost Moonfest:The mammoth downtown West Palm Beach Halloween party known as Moonfest, lost during a pandemic, continues its incremental comeback on Saturday night with a Clematis Street bar crawl ($35 tickets in advance, $50 the night of), along with music by the excellent Smiths tribute band Ordinary Boys at Respectable Street, a costume contest with $1,500 in prizes (sign up in the Subculture Alley) and other tomfoolery. A portion of the proceeds will go to nonprofit HospitalityHelpingHands.org. For details, visit Facebook.com/Moonfestwpb.
Los Muertos party:The eighth annual Dia De Los Muertos celebration in downtown Lake Worth Beach takes place on Saturday, with free, family-friendly festivities from 3 to 9 p.m. at Hatch 1121. Along with the six-block procession of costumed celebrants, you’ll find live music, dancing, an “ofrenda” exhibition, mechanical bull rides, food and drinks, and a display of low-riders by Homies Creation Car Club. Visit Facebook.com/lakewortharts.
Saturday night live:Touring in support of “Legend,” his critically praised double album of upbeat pop-funk, John Legend will perform at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are available, starting at $65+, at MyHRL.com. … Colombian singer-songwriter Carlos Vives plays at Kaseya Center in Miami at 8 p.m. Saturday, with tickets starting at $57.24+ at Ticketmaster.com.
Boo-yeah!Home to South Florida’s most inventive costumes — with more than $10,000 in prizes at stake — Hollyweird Halloween Festival takes over Hollywood Boulevard between 19th and 20th avenues on Saturday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The night will include DJs, three stages of live music, drink specials, pop-up shops and more. So you can plan ahead, costume categories are: funniest, weirdest, best couple/group and best overall. Visit HollyweirdFestival.com.
Grown-up dress-up: If you’re looking for another slightly more sophisticated way to dress up, the W Fort Lauderdale will transform itself into The Haunted Hotel at 9 p.m. Saturday, with music (DJ Joy Joy and headliner DJ Amaris) and seductive decor. Cohosted by The UniteUs Group and Choose954, tickets cost $50+ and include a complimentary E11even Vodka cocktail and valet parking. Visit HauntedHotel.eventbrite.com.
Your homies:Fort Lauderdale brewery LauderAle will host the inaugural Brew O Ween Home Brew Competition on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. The showdown will include at least 15 homebrewers serving more than 40 beers, and there will be live music, a costume contest, food trucks and games. A tasting ticket costs $25+. Visit Facebook.com/lauderale.
SUNDAY
Good times: Sammy Hagar & The Circle will play Hard Rock Live in Hollywood at 7 p.m. Sunday, joined by openers George Thorogood and The Destroyers. Tickets start at $65+ at MyHRL.com.
Take the kids: The kid-friendly concert series Rock and Roll Playhouse presents music by the Grateful Dead, featuring long-running South Florida tribute band Crazy Fingers, on Sunday at noon at The Studio at Mizner Park in Boca Raton. Aimed at children age 1 to 7, the show features games, movement, stories and music to rock out by. Tickets cost $12.50+ (free for guests younger than 1). Doors open at 11 a.m. Visit TheStudioAtMiznerPark.com.
More dogs:The Flamingo Flea and Tarpon River Brewing in downtown Fort Lauderdale host the return of Puppy Brunch on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Along with more than two dozen dog-oriented vendors and TRB’s tasty menu, there will be the obligatory four-legged costume contest (free to enter). The afternoon also will raise money for Tri-County Animal Rescue. Visit FlamingoFlea.com.
