This is why New Times ate and drank our way through happy hours in Fort Lauderdale to present to you the most solid and reliable bargains. In addition to the best bars in Fort Lauderdale, restaurants reign supreme in terms of happy hour specials. In FTL, happy hours at restaurants go way beyond one hour and the deals span from loaded and delicious bites and plates to wine, craft cocktails, and every beer imaginable. Plus, some even happy well into the weekend.
Without further ado, here are the ten best happy hours in Fort Lauderdale, listed in alphabetical order.
Grab $7 bites and beverages at Batch's $7 'til 7 happy hour.
Photo courtesy of Batch New Southern Kitchen
Batch
525 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale754-757-0000
batchsouthernkitchen.comWhen some Southern comfort calls (the food, not the whiskey, people), Batch makes you feel right at home. From Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., all drinks that are regularly priced $14 and above are just $7. On the grub front, several small bites are $7 including Batch’s to-die-for smoked barbecue egg rolls, bacon loaded tots, and fried green tomatoes. A bonus bargain: its hot and sweet wings are just $1 a pop.
Coyo Taco
401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Ste. 150, Fort Lauderdale954-766-1292
www.coyo-taco.comSure, Chef Scott Linquist’s hip Mexican street food spot gets a lot of love in Miami, but its Fort Lauderdale spot is equally as hip. Its 4-7 p.m. weekday happy hour is pretty cool, too with half-off cocktails aplenty including its classic margarita, paloma, shaken chupacabra, and more. You also can snag a number of bites for under $5, including mini quesadillas, elote and its made-to-order guac and chips.
House on the River
301 SW 3rd Ave., Fort Lauderdale954-825-2929
thehouseontheriver.comHow about a little history with that happy hour? House on the River sits in a stately mansion that has looked over the New River for more than a century. Its modern happy hour provides the perfect dash of contemporary to the timeless ambiance, including a number of bar bites under $10 (including crispy chicken sliders and sautéed mussels), $6 to $8 liquor pours, $5 wines by the glass, and $4 beers. The deals are available Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Koi Sushi Lounge
1841 Cordova Rd., Fort Lauderdale954-525-3541
koiftl.comOne of the more unexpected stellar happy hour finds may be found in this Japanese-meets-Thai spot in Harbor Shops off 17th Street. The happy hour here is daily from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and includes dozens of sushi roll, bites, cocktails, and drinks. Must-tries include the crispy baby bok choy ($9), shrimp tempura and avocado-loaded "Sex on the Moon" roll ($11) and the lychee martini ($8). Ladies night is Thursday from 6 p.m. to close, where gals can enjoy wine and cocktail happy hour pricing.
The newly renovated interior of the restaurant and venue, including the beloved Molokai bar, has been painstakingly dismantled, repaired, and restored before being meticulously put back to its original state.
Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show photo
Mai-Kai
3599 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale954-563-3272
maikai.comThis tropical paradise icon entered its long-awaited next chapter in 2024, and for as dazzling as its Polynesian digs are, its happy hour deals are equally as so. At its Molokai Bar and outdoor Bora Bora Bar areas, you can indulge in half off selections of its famed tiki drinks as well as bites like its crackling tempura calamari and pork belly steamed bao buns with a kimchi aioli.
Rocco’s Tacos
1313 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale954-524-9550
roccostacos.comFor an every-single-day happy hour, Rocco’s vibrant Las Olas outpost has you covered from 4 to 7 p.m. Five is the number here with select $5 bottles and drafts, wine pours, liquors and, oh yes, five different types of margaritas. On the grub front, there are a variety of tacos as well as apps, like its chicken flautas and Austin queso dip, available for, you guessed it, $5.
Shooters Waterfront
3033 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale954-566-2855
shooterswaterfront.comIf watching boats coast by is part of the happy hour wish list, check it off at this Fort Lauderdale mainstay. From 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, its half off beer, wine by the glass and spirits. There are discounted apps, too, in the $9 to $12 range, with long-time faves including its smoked fish dip, guava chili-glazed wings and a shrimp cocktail bedazzled with a key lime cocktail sauce.
Union Kitchen & Bar
2309 Dixie Hwy., Wilton Manors754-216-0143
unionkb.comWilton Manors is on the happy hour hot spot map thanks to this neighborhood eatery-vibed, ever-friendly spot. Its happy hour runs Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m., including half-priced cocktails and single mixed drinks, select wines, draft beers, and all small plates. Its sweet potato and candied pecan-dashed deviled eggs are worth an order (or five).
Voodoo Bayou
715 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale954-314-0669
voodoobayou.comHappy hours tend to induce a party vibe, and few places carry that partyin’ New Orleans spirit like this Las Olas Boulevard fixture. There are two happy hours to consider here — the first from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and, the second, running Monday through Thursday after 10 p.m. No matter which ya pop into (or both?!), you’ll enjoy $4 drafts, $6 house wines and spirits, $7 cocktails, $8 old fashioneds, and bar bites for $9, including Cajun meatballs, a pear and pecan salad, and hearty buttermilk biscuits.
The Wilder
701 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale954-918-7212
intothewilder.comWild is in its name and, indeed, the happy hour here can’t get much wilder in Fort Lauderdale. Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m., this multi-room lounge with a green-infused terrace has $5 wine pours, $5 cocktails, $7 martinis, and $30 Aperol Spritz Trees that serve four guests. There are $5 to $9 small plates, too, including curry butter mussels to die for ($9) and prosciutto-loaded cacio e pepe croquettes ($5).
