The assault on Fort Lauderdale

Dec. 06 2013

by Thierry Beaurepère / TÊTU

In the last ten years, Fort Lauderdale has become the most important gay spot in Florida. The city is only 40 kilometers north of Miami, another hot spot for gay attitudes. But thousands of gays gather here on weekends or during the vacations, attracted by a more relaxed and less showy atmosphere.

However, at first glance, Fort Lauderdale looks like Miami... in miniature. Everything is there: the cruise port, the luxury villas, the tongue of sand licked by the Atlantic Ocean, like Miami Beach. However, the Art Deco district is missing to complete the decor.

instead, Fort Lauderdale is lining up condominiums on the waterfront, these vast apartment towers that are much less charming, as well as restaurants and souvenir stores, which are becoming increasingly numerous. The days of the small village at the beginning of the 20th century, with its large African-American population, are now a distant memory... A seaside resort is now spreading out like a huge suburb.

But what makes the difference with Miami, is first of all a much more consequent gay offer: about thirty gay bars and many restaurants, enough to keep you busy for a good week! That will be for tonight. For now, there is the beach, the place of all the mixtures.

as soon as the muffins and French toasts of the breakfast are swallowed, the guys rush on the white sand. Already, on the boardwalk that borders the ocean, the spectacle of joggers is seductive. The entrance to Sebastian Beach, Fort Lauderdale's elegant gay beach, is two steps away, facing... Sebastian Street. No rainbow flag to indicate it. To find it, you just have to follow the guys who rush there...

Sebastian Beach in Fort Lauderdale © Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau

The turquoise sea here is warm almost all year round, so you can swim without fear of ridicule when you come out of the waves. This is all the more important because in Fort Lauderdale, too, bathing suits are worn tightly. However, naturism is out of the question. To sunbathe naked, you have to go to Haulover Beach, a beach located halfway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, near the seaside resort of Hollywood. But, beware: the beach is mixed. if you don't want to sunbathe, you can just go for a walk on the pedestrian (and bohemian) Hollywood Beach Broadwalk... The eyes are often insistent.

If the show-off is not as institutionalized as in Miami, don't think that Fort Lauderdale is popular. You just have to walk along the 300 kilometers of waterways of the city that is nicknamed with a bit of excess the "Venice of America" to realize it.

The collective water cabs allow you to enjoy a cruise at a lower price ($20 for unlimited access all day). Even if to visit The Isles, the residential area for billionaires wedged between Downtown and the waterfront, it is better to share with a few buddies the rental of a speedboat, or, for the more romantic, to take a dinner cruise on the Jungle Queen River Boat. About fifteen stops punctuate the route of the floating cabs, in particular in Downtown, the discreet downtown area which does not present much interest, except for its Museum of Art and the chic Olas Boulevard which connects it to the waterfront. At the end of the day, it is full of "beautiful people" who come to spend their dollars in the trendy boutiques and restaurants.

Another temple of shopping is the Galleria shopping center on Sunshine Boulevard, with its international brands, including Abercrombie. It has a big advantage: it is located on the road to Fort Lauderdale's gay bars and restaurants, mostly concentrated in the Wilton Manors area, about 15 minutes from the beaches. More than ever, renting a car is essential to enjoy the city. as long as you don't forget to use the parking meter, because the cops don't pay attention to detail here.

Wilton Drive, the long avenue lined with small buildings that crosses the Wilton Manors district, has little charm during the day. On the other hand, it takes on colors for the traditional Stonewall Street Festival and Parade (June 23, 2013). From the real estate agency to the grocery store open 24 hours a day, from the bank to the travel agency through the clothing stores, its stores have the distinction of being all gay.

Fort Lauderdale © Photo12

Once the night falls, neon lights and alcohol make the decor much more friendly... The epicenter of the district is installed in a shopping mall in front of which flies the gay flag, next to the United States flag. with the exception of Sundays and the institutional brunch that animates the area from noon, Wilton Manors only gets busy in the early evening, for the happy hour.

There are no faces at the entrance of the bars named Boom, Georgie's Alibi, Matty's on The Drive, Bill's (bears), Sidelines (sportsmen), Ramrod (leather), New Moon (for girls) and even The Depot. Here, no matter the look or the age, everyone is welcome, the atmosphere is warm and electric, but always friendly and without showing off. Around the pool tables and in front of the TV screens showing Rihanna and Beyoncé videos, the beer flows freely. It's the ideal way to get your legs back in shape before the marathon of clubs, which fill up at midnight.

The Manor is the trendy address. The more impatient will prefer 321 Slammer, a vibrant sex club. Also watch out for flyers and freebies (like Hot Spots), so you don't miss out on special nights, for example at the Living Room. They also advertise pool parties in hotels, where beautiful and not shy gays are jostling each other.

Find all the gay addresses in Fort Lauderdale in our Fort Lauderdale gay guide