Fort Lauderdale Still a Big Draw for LGBTQ Travelers

Few destinations in the United States have as much to offer queer travelers as the Fort Lauderdale area. From the endless white sand beaches to luxury accommodations to the countless queer-owned bars and restaurants of Wilton Manors, the area has plenty to offer, whether you’re venturing there for a few days or an entire week.

We spent a recent long weekend in the city, hoping to mix some pool and beach time with a bit of exploring. One of our best choices was selecting the oceanfront Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale for our stay.

The gleaming hotel, which opened in March 2022, is poised like a modern cruise ship, pointed toward the colorful Atlantic waters. Our room was spacious and modern, with gleaming white marble and light earth tones. An oversized balcony offered a tempting view of the water—and was perfect for reading or just staring at the waves.

A lovely surprise at the Four Seasons were the fun classes that were offered to guests. One evening, we did a tequila tasting class. Bartender Justin told us about tequila’s history, and how it is made from the blue agave plant.

Waiting for our tequila tasting at the Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Fort Lauderdale. (Photo Credit: Paul Heney)

We covered the four different types: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo. And we learned that the manufacturers have to distill it twice—and can’t put in more than 1 percent additives under law. After we mentioned how much we enjoy tequila’s smoky brother, mezcal, Justin even had us sample some of his favorites in that category.

The following morning, we did a complete 180 by experiencing a coffee tasting at the lobby’s Honey Fitz lounge. Here, we sampled a blend, a Chemex (with interesting notes of huckleberry, brown sugar, and vanilla!), and a French press. All were delicious and delivered enough of a jolt to get us moving to the beach and pool.

Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Fort Lauderdale. (Photo Credit: Four Seasons)

Fort Lauderdale’s beach is legendary and a fantastic place to people watch. We walked straight out from the hotel, and Four Seasons beach staff immediately set us up with ice water, beach chairs, towels, and an umbrella. They even have sunscreen for guests, something we definitely took advantage of. Many queer travelers like to head down to Haulover Nude Beach when in town, but the more serene (and nearby) stretch of sand was perfectly acceptable to us.

We also took in a good bit of pool time, renting a cabana with daybeds for the day. The included lunch was delicious, with a wide variety of items available from Evelyn’s, the hotel’s restaurant. The third-floor pool deck is actually split into an adults-only and a family pool, a thoughtful decision.

Sunrise from the pool deck at Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Fort Lauderdale. (Photo Credit: Paul Heney)

Exploring Wilton Manors

This suburb located just north Fort Lauderdale is one of the gay meccas of the country, so we had to investigate what it offered. We started with a fun dinner at Rosie’s Bar & Grill.

Come for the hysterical menu names (Mothers’ Cluckers, Ivana Hooker, Ka’monawannalaya Dip), but stay for the great, expansive patio area, fun vibe, and awesome music. The beloved restaurant features a fish fry on Fridays, and a popular Sunday brunch with a DJ. There’s also a seasonal cornhole league that plays in the parking lot.

Wander down Wilton Drive and you’ll encounter endless queer bars, restaurants, and shops. From Hamburger Mary’s to Spencer’s Corner Bar to the ever-crowded Gym Bar, there’s something for everyone. Plus, you’ll find intriguing shops like the Wilton Collective.

A busy evening at Pub on the Drive in Wilton Manors. (Photo Credit: Paul Heney)

This fun resale shop is run by a nonprofit called Julian’s Fountain of Youth, and it provides funds (and job and learning opportunities) to local queer youth.

Cuisine Adventures

Archibald’s Village Bakery, about a block from the beach, is a cute spot where you’re likely to see locals coming in for a quick lunch. We tried it for lunch, and loved the BLT combos, which were enormous sandwiches—we probably could have split one. 

This is a nice option for a quiet respite from the busy beaches. Almost across the street is a fun option for breakfast, Village Café. They have a funky, retro décor and I was really into the smooth Bossa nova music that was playing. Try their avocado toast, which is actually served on a pita.

But our favorite meal of the trip was back at Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale. The menu here has a Mediterranean influence, and the dining room has a high-end nautical feel. Everything here was perfectly prepared and served with such flair.

Our favorites were the olivewood smoked octopus, Australian Wagyu beef skewers, and a superb Caesar salad with micro-planed pecorino cheese dusting it. And cocktails here were first rate, from a Tequila Sunrise to the Blue Long Island Iced Tea, which we’d heard about elsewhere—and the bartender swiftly crafter for us.

All in all, reason enough to return for another weekend this winter.

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