What's it really like?
Fort Lauderdale is the unofficial gay capital of Florida, and despite being a city in such an ultra-conservative state, over one million gay travelers visit every year.
The destination is also popular for ‘Spring Break’ revelers, so timing a trip at that time doubles the fun.
Fort Lauderdale is unique as it’s on the Atlantic Ocean, but it also has a significant canal system, earning it the nickname ‘The Venice of America.’
The entire area of Fort Lauderdale stretches north, south, and west and is around 36 square miles, yet most travelers prefer to visit the beach areas.
The biggest gay event of the year, Pride, is held in Fort Lauderdale every February. There are pool parties, an 8-hour street festival, and a giant parade. Flockfest is a unique LGBTQI+ event held in Fort Lauderdale. It began at Sebastian Street Beach with a few friends and some inflatable flamingos and is now a giant beach party that has over 800 floats.
Gay weddings are huge in Fort Lauderdale. Combining a wedding with a honeymoon makes for a once-in-a-lifetime event that a couple will remember forever.
The best time to visit Fort Lauderdale is during the high season months of December to April. Be aware of the hurricane season that hits the region between June and November. While accommodation prices are down, It may not be the safest time of year to be there.
Fort Lauderdale has a handful of gay-owned and operated properties, including one that’s clothing optional. Most of them are located near the beach, where all the party action happens.
While almost all the best hotels are in or around Central Beach, a few are scattered around the city, especially in Wilton Manors, the predominantly gay area.
With so many gay travelers descending on Fort Lauderdale year-round, the pink dollar is highly coveted, and every hotel will welcome you with open arms.
Fort Lauderdale can be an expensive place to stay; just look at the location! Travelers prepared to brave it during hurricane season can expect significant reductions in room rates and far fewer crowds.
In the past, Florida has had a reputation for being one of the most anti-liberal and socially conservative states in the USA. However, with three major cities that cater to gay travelers, Key West, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale, there’s nothing to be concerned about.
Same-sex activities were legalized in 2003, and gay marriage has been allowed since 2015. The Supreme Court of Florida protects LGBTQI+ people from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Every country in Florida offers some form of STI testing, free or for a reasonable fee, regardless of a person’s citizenship. In Fort Lauderdale, syphilis is on the rise; it’s ranked in the top ten in the country for infections.
Thrift shop Out of the Closet, located on East Sunrise Boulevard in the Lake Ridge suburb, offers free HIV tests in a section of the store.
Travelers looking to renew their PrEP prescription can visit the South Florida Care Center in Fort Lauderdale. Any hospital emergency room can provide PEP for those who feel they need to take it.
Any travelers looking for a hospital can go to Broward Health Imperial Point; it’s considered the hospital of choice for the gay community in Fort Lauderdale.
While gay hotels, bars, and restaurants are spread right across Fort Lauderdale,
Wilton Manors is home to the broadest range of gay bars, from drag venues to sports bars, all within blocks of each other. Hunter’s Nightclub, George’s Alibi Monkey Bar, and Pride Factory clothing store are all in the same block.
East Oakland Park Boulevard is a major artery connecting Fort Lauderdale Beach to Route 75. Smarty Pants Bar, the longest-established gay bar in Fort Lauderdale, and Clubhouse II — the most popular sauna — can be found on this road. For the best dinner and show in Fort Lauderdale, head to Lips, also on East Oakland Park Boulevard.
East Sunrise Boulevard is parallel to East Oakland Park Boulevard and is home to the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library, an institution dedicated to LGBTQI+ history. Also on this road is Mona’s Bar, which recently celebrated 25 years.
For a late-night coffee hit, go to Stork’s Bakery & Coffee House in Wilton Manors; it’s gay-owned and operated. A gay hot spot for lunch is J. Mark’s Restaurant on North Federal Highway; it’s also gay-owned and operated. The weekend brunch comes with $3 Mimosas!
While most of the daytime action in Fort Lauderdale happens around Central Beach, Sebastian Street Beach is just down the road. It’s the official gay beach and the home of the Ritz Carlton.
While there are no exclusively gay restaurants near the beach, Casablanca’s, just north of Sebastian Street Beach, has a very gay crowd and serves some of the best seafood in the area.
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