Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Riverfront Circus, more this weekend
There’s nothing new about a bunch of red-nosed clowns and illusionists and stilt-walkers (shoes by Balenciaga) parading around downtown Fort Lauderdale. But this weekend, they’ll be joined by professionals. The Riverfront Circus, set up at the Wharf, is yet another sign of pre-COVID life returning to the area.
Here’s a look at things people will be doing in the next few days in the city center.
Circus, circus
The Wharf Fort Lauderdale is hosting the Riverfront Circus daily through Sunday, with entertainment from midway-themed performers throughout the openair property along the New River beginning at 4 p.m. each day. The Wharf has a well-earned reputation as a late-night party place, but its daily 4 p.m. happy hour is an under-rated opportunity for the novice to check it out. Kids and leashed dogs are welcome until 6 p.m., and the diverse food offerings — from pop-ups by Even Keel, Lunchroom, The Piefather and Ms. Balloo — are top quality. Masks and social distancing will be enforced. Admission is free. Visit WharfFTL.com.
A new rooftop bar
This is opening weekend for the Easton, the rooftop lounge and pool deck bar at Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Downtown hotel (721 N. Federal Highway). The space began a soft-opening phase this week in anticipation of its official debut on May 15 with a party featuring Grammy-winning producer and DJ Diplo. Yes, that Diplo. The Easton is open 4 p.m.-3 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Visit TheEastonFTL.com.
Free music
The weekly free music series on Fort Lauderdale beach, Friday Night Soundwaves, was only a few weeks into life in its new home at the beautiful Las Olas Beach Park last year when the pandemic shut everything down. This week’s edition is a strong one with Spred the Dub, whose ska-spiked originals and covers have made them one of South Florida’s best live bands and a guaranteed good time. The music runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Visit TheLoopFLB.com.
Free Adam Sandler
On Friday at 9:30 p.m., downtown’s Savor Cinema (503 SE Sixth St.) will offer a free screening of the Adam Sandler romp “The Wedding Singer” inside the theater and out on the patio. Admission is free with purchase of a $5 concession voucher (good for XL popcorn, or a hotdog with soda/water combo, or a drink from the bar). Also at Savor Cinema all weekend is the annual FLIFF screenings of Oscar-nominated short films, in live-action, animated and documentary categories. Always worth seeing. Visit Facebook.com/FLiFFnMore).
Free ABBA
At 8 p.m. Friday, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale will host a free screening of the ABBA-themed movie musical “Mama Mia!” outdoors at Huizenga Plaza (Las Olas and Andrews), also the setting for a free screening of the Patrick Swayze romance “Dirty Dancing” at 8 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free with RSVP, and adult beverages and popcorn will be available for purchase. Visit Facebook.com/ RiverwalkFTL.
Pizza and sports
Munchie’s Pizza Club just had its official opening party in the Himmarshee District on Thursday and is a must stop for the adventurous pizza lover (toppings include ostrich, alligator and Reese’s Pieces, and the simple vegan pie is a standout). But it’s also a special place to watch a game, with a video-mapping display that turns the walls into massive, high-resolution screens. At night, it turns into a dance club. Visit MunchiesPizzaClub.com.
5 pizza places
Incidentally, with the opening of Munchies there are now five pizza places within 1,000 feet of each other on or near Southwest Second Street. Three of them — Munchies, Pizza Craft and The Piefather — are what you might call designer pizza, all very good (the Piefather’s Don Corleone is a tasty memory). Near the Wharf there’s Las Olas Pizza Co., which feels more like a traditional pizzeria. But do not sleep on Squiggy’s, the iconic latenight Himmarshee dive that some dismiss as a refuge for drunks and security guards. And? Sometimes you just want a classic, cheesy, greasy slice — $3 at Squiggy’s.
Sign of the wines
This week the sign went up at 901 E. Las Olas Blvd. that reads Vinos Wine Bar and Cocktail Lounge, which means that the new location of the beloved boite will no longer be a secret. Which is great for owners Clayton Chelley, wife Victoria Chelley and partner David Bell, but not so great for those of us who liked it when no one knew where it was. Visit VinosWineBars.com.
Salt and people
People sometimes ask me, “Where did all the beautiful people go?” Because I look like someone who would know the answer (Marilyn Manson?). Lately I have been telling them Salt 7, a block off Las Olas just west of the Stranahan House on the New River. An acquaintance says that on a recent visit the patio was packed, but the dining room inside was almost empty. The hostess seated his party with one caveat: Be done by 9:30, when they move the tables and the DJ comes on. Visit Salt7.com.
Tequila sunset
Nothing says normalcy like the annual Margarita Festival at Township (219 S. Andrews Ave.), which makes a comeback on Saturday, highlighted by 15 different tequilas (Casamigos is a sponsor) and unlimited margs from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 advance, $35 at the door. VIP patio access ($50) gets you premium tequila and a taco bar. Visit MargaritaFestFTL. com.