Holiday Highlights

Here it comes and right on cue. It’s Fall and yet, Christmas commercials have already made an appearance, stores are unpacking their festive lights and children are planning their letters to Santa.  So in the spirit of the upcoming season here is a list of holiday highlights the naughty and nice can look forward to enjoying.

Night Out:

• The Wharf Fort Lauderdale & The Wharf Miami

  • It is the most wonderful time of the year, and to celebrate, The Wharf Fort Lauderdale and The Wharf Miami are putting on a series of weekly themed events throughout December to spread cheer and festive drink deals. As guests kick back, relax, and enjoy the riverfront experience, they will find themselves immersed in a flurry of cheer courtesy of The Wharf’s signature oversized holiday decor and thousands of holiday lights. Live music and good eats from The Wharf’s assortment of on-site food trucks will also be on display, making sure that this holiday season is a memorable one.

  • Address: The Wharf Fort Lauderdale | 20 W Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL; The Wharf Miami | 114 SW North River Dr. Miami, FL 33130

  • Hours: Thursday from 4:00 pm-midnight, Friday from 4:00 pm – 3:00 am, Saturday from noon – 3:00 am, Sunday from noon-midnight

Indulge:

• Rivertail

  • Located on Fort Lauderdale’s iconic New River, Rivertail embodies the essence of chic, yet casual dining for the holiday season. Its indoor and outdoor patio seating will be surrounded with lights and various holiday decor to greet guests who come looking for seafood-infused cuisine. With newly revamped brunch and dinner venues curated by five-time James Beard Award-nominated chef José Mendín, Rivertail’s dishes fuse cuisine from around the world into dishes with every type of palate in mind. New menu items include passion fruit ceviche, spicy tuna toast, garlic parmesan-crusted trout, and many more. Named “Best Restaurant Fort Lauderdale 2020” by Miami New Times, this vibrant neighborhood eatery focuses on providing guests a fun, upbeat atmosphere that is refined, yet approachable enough for families, and is located just steps away from its sister concept, The Wharf Fort Lauderdale.

  • Address: 4 West Las Olas Blvd, Ste #120, Fort Lauderdale, FL

  • Hours: Dinner: Tuesday through Thursday from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., Sunday from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Brunch: Saturday from noon – 4:00 p.m., Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Happy Hour: Tuesday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

• YOT Bar & Kitchen  

  • Nothing says the holiday’s in South Florida like waterfront dining in the winter. YOT Bar & Kitchen, an SFL Food Group concept, is a hidden gem situated in one of the most breathtaking waterfront locations imaginable within the Lauderdale Marine Center. Featuring indoor and expansive outdoor seating, YOT provides nautical vibes, a seafood-forward menu and views of superyachts at the marina. The restaurant’s expansive waterfront setting creates the perfect backdrop for holiday parties and events. From hightop functions to a relaxing lounge space, YOT strives to assure that the setting you desire will be perfect this winter.

  • Address: 2015 SW 20th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

  • Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

• Rio’s Tequila Bar

  • Rio’s Tequila Bar is Fort Lauderdale’s first and only tequila-dedicated cocktail bar offering a curated lineup of tequilas sourced from some of the finest purveyors. Set among the tree-lined streets of Rio Vista, the hidden bar’s namesake, Rio’s Tequila Bar offers a select menu of craft cocktails, tequila flights with educational tastings and globally-inspired, tapas-style bar bites. With an intimate feel and elevated ambiance, Rio’s offers limited weekly seatings and is available for private bookings and events this holiday season, providing an intimate yet exclusive experience for holiday hosts looking to spread holiday cheer this season.

  • Address: 620 S Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

• Estiatorio Ornos

  • Escape to Greece this holiday season at Estiatorio Ornos, a Michael Mina Restaurant. Estiatorio Ornos brings the sensory pleasures of a trip to the Greek Isles to life – the delectable fresh fish, beloved Mediterranean specialties, and genuine Greek hospitality – in an approachable, friendly environment for all to enjoy this holiday season. The restaurant offers an expansive 160-seat indoor area complete with a 1,600-square-foot Al Fresco dining oasis. For those looking to host a more intimate dining experience for holiday parties, Ornos offers a private dining room with thoughtfully curated menus and a team that is sure to elevate your event and transform your vision into an extraordinary experience for all.

  • Address: 19565 Biscayne Blvd Ste 946, Aventura, FL 33180

  • Hours: Monday – Sunday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Happy Hour: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Canyon – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | @canyonsouthwest

  • Nothing says the holidays like tradition and Canyon has been one of Fort Lauderdale’s favorite restaurants for over 25 years. Serving unique American artisanal cuisine with Asian, South and Central American undertones in an intimate setting, Canyon is the premier locale for holiday dinners rooted in Fort Lauderdale history and tradition offering an upscale, yet approachable dining experience with multiple bars and private dining areas.

  • Address:  620 S Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

  • Hours: Mon-Thurs from 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Fri-Sat from 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m., Closed Sunday.

  • Weekly Programming Below:

• Happy Hour: Mon-Fri from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

• Monday: Industry Night (Hospitality, Aviation, Marine) – Happy Hour cocktails all night and 50% off food all night.

• Tuesday: Tacos & Tequila – 3 for $12 tacos and ½ off margaritas all night.

• Wednesday: The Old-Fashioned Wine Down – $8 Old-Fashioned and $8 Wine by the Glass. 50% off bottles under $100 with the purchase of an entree.

• Thursday: Happy Hour with Live Music

• Friday: Happy Hour with Live Music

• Jet Runway Café – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. |@jetrunwaycafe

  • Jet Runway Café is a bustling, upscale eatery at Fort Lauderdale’s Executive Airport, open for breakfast and lunch every day. As one of Fort Lauderdale’s top lunch and brunch locales, guests can enjoy their holiday meal while watching planes take off and touch down right outside. For holiday parties and events, the café opens its hangar next door offering an epic background for a magical holiday celebration.

  • Address: 5540 NW 21st Terrace, Fort Lauderdale,  Florida  33309

  • Hours: Mon-Fri from 7:30a.m.-3:00 p.m., Sat-Sun from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

For that special person:

• • • • • NSU Art Museum

        • With the holiday season just around the corner, NSU Art Museum, set in the heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale off Las Olas Boulevard, has unique gifts on your radar. These one-of-a-kind items are perfect for art enthusiasts, significant others or for the person who has it all. NSU Art Museum is a world-class fine art museum recognized globally for its engaging exhibitions which augment selections of its celebrated 7,500 work permanent collection. Spanning over 83,000 square feet, the museum contains 28,000 square feet of exhibition space, which currently houses over 356 works to experience, a 256-seat Horvitz auditorium presenting ongoing lectures, films, and performances, a store and cafe serving coffee, food and wine. Top highlights include the first solo museum exhibition of Kathia St. Hilaire, a young woman artist of Haitian descent; the first solo show for Scott Covert dedicated to his lifelong practice of creating works through the Victorian tradition of grave rubbing; and stunning maritime scenes by the acclaimed artist Malcolm Morley.

        • Keith Haring Chess Set – Enjoy a more playful game of chess with pieces adapted from some of Haring’s most beloved works. The Keith Haring Chess Set features pawns made of Haring’s barking dogs and castles shaped like men with their arms in the air.

          • Price: $50

• Highland Cow Hand Puppet – The easily animated “moo”vable mouth gives life to the extraordinary Highland Cow Puppet. Perfect for teaching, storytelling or collectibles.

  • Price: $62

• Spring Ring Necklace – This unique and stylish necklace with wire mesh beads in grey, black, and silver with a convenient magnetic clasp is perfect for the fashionista in your life.

  • Price: $98