Waxy’s Irish Pub

Overview

Waxy’s Irish Pub sits on SE 17th Street in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s port and hotel corridor, pulling in a mix of tourists killing time before flights, local expats glued to Premier League matches, and groups looking for a low-key night with live music. The interior is big and open with plenty of booth seating – some with outlets, handy if you need to post up with a laptop – while the dog-friendly patio out front gives the place a relaxed, neighborhood feel once the weather cooperates.

The beer list runs deep. Guinness pours off a nitro tap, Paulaner shows up as a draft option, and the cocktail menu holds its own alongside the pub staples. Happy hour covers both drinks and food, which matters because the kitchen turns out portions that tend to end your plans for the rest of the afternoon. The fish and chips get called out constantly – fresh fish with a golden, non-greasy batter served alongside coleslaw and peas. The open-faced brisket sandwich layers tender meat with pepper jack, gravy, jalapeños, and fried pickles over hand-cut chips. Wednesday brings a burger special worth timing a visit around, and the steak fries that come with it are thick and satisfying.

Weekend mornings start at 10 AM with brunch service, and the pub stays open until 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Live music fills the room on weekends, but even on quieter nights the atmosphere stays warm without tipping into rowdy. Servers like Sarah and Denise come up by name in reviews, which says something about the consistency of the staff. Whether you are a solo diner grabbing a pint in a booth or a group of six splitting plates, Waxy’s delivers an authentic pub experience without pretension.

Good to know

• Rating: 4.5/5 from 1,942 Google reviews
• Price: $$
• Best for: Premier League watch parties, Groups and tourists, Dog-friendly patio drinks, Late-night pub food, Solo dining with laptop, Live music weekends
• Features: Happy Hour, Outdoor Seating, Live Music, Sports, Late Night, Dog Friendly

Hours