The Wreck Bar

Overview

The Wreck Bar sits inside the B Ocean Resort on Fort Lauderdale Beach, and there is genuinely nothing else like it in South Florida. The entire room is styled as a sunken ship, with portholes built into the wall that look directly into the hotel pool – where live mermaid performers swim past while you eat and drink. Saturday nights feature a burlesque-style mermaid show that draws a mixed, enthusiastic crowd, while Sunday’s Mermaids and Mimosas brunch pairs the underwater spectacle with omelets, steak and fries, and what regulars call some of the best bread pudding around. The mermaid performances vary in length and frequency, so set expectations accordingly – this is atmospheric entertainment rather than a Broadway production. Drinks are the stronger suit here. The cocktail list is solid, the beer selection pulls repeat praise, and the mimosas at Sunday brunch do their job well. Food gets more mixed marks. Appetizers like the spicy shrimp land well, but entrees can be inconsistent, and the menu has an identity crisis that leans more Italian-American than the seafood theme might suggest. The crowd skews toward tourists and groups looking for something Instagram-worthy, though plenty of locals come for the novelty factor too. The bar is explicitly LGBTQ+ friendly and welcoming to solo visitors. Seating at the bar itself gives you the best porthole view, so arrive early if you want a front-row seat to the underwater action. The space only opens Thursday through Sunday, which keeps it feeling like an event rather than a default hangout. Valet parking through the hotel is complimentary – have the hostess validate your ticket and do not let the attendant charge you. Reservations are accepted and recommended, especially for Saturday night and Sunday brunch.

Good to know

• Rating: 4.1/5 from 500 Google reviews
• Price: $$
• Best for: Unique Date Night, Group Night Out, Tourist Must-See, LGBTQ+ Friendly, Weekend Brunch
• Features: Live Music, Waterfront, Beach, Late Night, Dancing, LGBTQ+

Hours