South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
What to expect at Super Bowl parties in South Florida bars
Super Bowl Weekend is upon us — officially now a holiday on the order of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, with Dr. Anthony Fauci’s admonishment about Sunday watch-party gatherings.
And people around much of the country will wisely choose to “lay low and cool it,” as Fauci recommends, watching Super Bowl LV huddled at home, due to COVID concerns.
But in South Florida the day presents a uniquely irresistible opportunity to gather outdoors (it’ll be around 80 at game time) to mock the cross-state upstarts in Tampa. And their football team. To say nothing of the civic duty of rooting against Tom Brady.
Likely this is what drove enthusiasm at Bokamper’s Sports Bar and Grill in Fort Lauderdale, where a $99-per-person VIP Super Bowl feast is sold out.
Here are other ways a few South Florida hot spots will host Super Bowl events that benefit from an outdoor setting or an extra layer of COVID safety. Kickoff of Super Bowl LV between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa is at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7.
Not that you need a view, but if you are looking for a watch party that comes with the opportunity to taunt relatives on Instagram, you have several options.
At Rooftop in downtown Fort Lauderdale (1 W. Las Olas Blvd.), the minutes before kickoff will tick off as the sunset glows against the surrounding skyline. Hard to beat. The viewing party includes separate VIP couch sections for four-six guests, with unobstructed view of the TVs, 12 beers or cans of High Noon sparkling vodka and one liquor bottle (up to $350) and three mixers. Rooftop menu avail
able a la carte. Cost $600.
Also high with mighty views, Terrazas, the beautiful rooftop terrace space at the oceanfront Hyde Hollywood Resort (4111 S. Ocean Drive, Hollywood; TerrazasAtHyde.com), will host a watch party with specials on drinks and apps. The theme begins with brunch (11 a.m.-4 p.m.).
Along the New River, the Wharf Fort Lauderdale (20 W. Las Olas Blvd.; WharfFTL. com), which reopened without incident last weekend, will continue to operate at
50%-60% capacity for its outdoor Super Bowl party. They are bringing in large TV screens and planning to run game sound (football fans rejoice). Tables reservations advised.
The breezy funkiness of Lilo’s Streetfood & Bar
(701 Lake Ave., Lake Worth; LilosStreetfoodAndBar.com) has always seemed antithetical to the head-knocking intensity of the NFL, but they know how to throw a football party. Sunday’s gathering starts at 3 p.m. and includes an all-you-can-eat munchie bar ($15) and all-you-candrink select liquor and beer
($30); groups of 10 get the munchie bar free.
When America’s Backyard transitioned into Backyard (100 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale (BackyardFTL.com), the mission was to create an outdoor environment that encouraged socially distanced seating. Some of that space will be filled with large TVs for a party that begins at 3 p.m. All-you-can-drink specials start at $25.
Bokamper’s, the massive indoor-outdoor sports bar and restaurant on Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway (3115 NE 32nd Ave.; Bokampers.com), of course, has one of the nicest views of any sports bar anywhere. Apart from the VIP event, they’ll have assorted drink specials and reduced capacity on Sunday.
Quarterdeck on 17th (1035 SE 17 St., Fort Lauderdale; QuarterdeckRestaurants.com) has one of the great gardens in the area (the grass is fake but the tree is real), and they’ll have the game on the TVs outside and inside. If you’re doing the game at home, their to-go deals (all locations) include a full rack of ribs for $19 and 50 wings for $49.99.
The watch party at Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park (1201 NE 38th St.; FunkyBuddhaBrewery. com) is also a watch party for a new Funky Buddha Super Bowl commercial, scheduled to run during the third quarter for Florida audiences. The ad, called “Funky the Ordinary,” will tout the brand’s
Funky Buddha Premium Hard Seltzer, which will expand to retail stores in 10 states throughout the Southeast in March. The Funky Buddha will augment TVs over the bar with several projectors set up throughout the indoor space. For the game, of course. The tap room is reconfigured for COVID, there’s no standing at the bar and tables are limited to parties of six or fewer. So reservations are recommended.
For something completely different, Savor Cinema in downtown Fort Lauderdale
(506 SE Sixth St.; FLIFF. com) will show the game for a socially distanced audience on the big screen. The event gets going at 5:30 p.m. with a pregame meal in the courtyard of burgers ($5), hot dogs ($3) and footlongs
($4). There will be a full bar available throughout the game. The party is limited to the first 50 people who buy a raffle ticket ($10) in advance at FLIFF.com, which benefits the nonprofit Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. Parking is free in the courthouse garage.