Signs of life appear along Riverfront

Taqueria to debut in July, though Wharf remains closed for now

Wharf Fort Lauderdale, the al fresco lounge-meets-food-hall hopspot on the bank of the New River, will remain shuttered for the time being.

Emi Guerra and Alex Mantecon of Breakwater Hospitality Group, which owns both the

Wharf in Fort Lauderdale and the one in Miami, say in a statement: “Our management team has not set an exact reopening date for either The Wharf Miami or The Wharf Fort Lauderdale. Our intention is to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. We are looking forward to welcoming guests back hopefully soon while following all health and safety guidelines.”

But there are some signs of life in the downtown Fort Lauderdale Riverfront area.

Crews are busy readying Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, across the street from the Wharf. The original Bodega Taqueria restaurant and speakeasy is in Miami Beach. Menin Hospitality — a Miami-based portfolio of hotels, restaurants and lounges in South Florida and Chicago — announced their intentions to expand into Broward County in November. As of now, the grand opening for Bodega Taqueria at

Riverfront is slated for late July.

Breakwater’s Rivertail restaurant, a nextdoor neighbor of the Wharf, is set to reopen with a series of events the beginning of July and culminating in the “4th of July Riverfest.”

The schedule is:

• Wednesday, July 1 will be a soft opening. Get reservations at RivertailFTL.com/reservations.

• Thursday, July 2 will be the grand reopening. You can get a free cocktail is you RSVP at Eventbrite.com. The grand reopening event is from 6-8 p.m. and a RSVP does not include seating or table reservations.

• Friday, July 3 will be a happy hour kickoff event with $3 featured beers, $5 featured cocktails and $.99 oysters from 4-7 p.m.

• Saturday, July 4 will be the “4th of July Riverfest” where, starting at noon, the restaurant will celebrate Independence Day with live music and food specials at outdoor stations. You can get a free Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktail if you RSVP at Eventbrite.com. Again, a RSVP does not include seating or table reservations.

After Independence Day weekend, Rivertail’s hours will be 4-10 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 4-11 p.m. Fridays, noon-11 p.m. Saturdays and noon-9 p.m. Sundays (closed Mondays).

Rivertail is at 305 S. Andrews Ave., suite 123, Fort Lauderdale. 954-306-2665. Rivertail FTL.com.

MENIN HOSPITALITY A rendering of the Bodega Taqueria y Tequila planned for Fort Lauderdale’s downtown enclave, Las Olas Riverfront, sometime in July.

JENNIFER LETT/SUN SENTINEL The Wharf Fort Lauderdale became a hotspot after opening in fall 2019.

BIGTIME DESIGN STUDIO Mendin plans to reopen his Rivertail restaurant on Fort Lauderdale’s historic Riverfront with a series of events that culminate in the “4th of July Riverfest.”

FOOD COMMA HOSPITALITY James Beard Awardnominated Miami chef Jose Mendin will reopen his Rivertail restaurant on Las Olas Riverfront in July.