Sistrunk and Progresso sit just north of downtown Fort Lauderdale along Sistrunk Boulevard, a corridor where the bar scene has grown into something worth the short trip from the city center. The range here is what stands out. Sistrunk Marketplace Event Hall & Sports Bar fills the anchor role with a large-format venue built for game days and live events. A short walk away, Laser Wolf pulls strong reviews as a neighborhood bar rated 4.7 stars, and Chops + Hops takes things in a completely different direction with an axe-throwing lodge carrying a 4.8-star rating.
The smaller venues hold their own. Sidewalk Bottleshop operates as a wine bar with a perfect 5.0-star rating and a curated selection in a relaxed storefront setting. Patio Bar & Pizza adds outdoor seating, cold beer, and a casual sports-bar vibe to the mix. This is not the Las Olas scene or the beachfront strip. Sistrunk and Progresso attract locals and the curious, people who want a night out with character over flash.
1. Chops + Hops | Axe Throwing Lodge
A 4.8-star axe-throwing lodge inside Sistrunk Marketplace that pairs supervised throwing lanes with a casual taproom, ideal for date nights, bachelor parties, and groups looking for something beyond a standard bar.
2. Laser Wolf
A 4.7-star neighborhood bar in one of Progresso’s last original buildings, known for a rotating craft beer program locals rank among Fort Lauderdale’s best and a dog-friendly outdoor courtyard.
3. Patio Bar & Pizza
A 4.6-star hidden gem on Progresso Drive combining sourdough pizza with a laid-back outdoor patio, late-night sports viewing, and a dog-friendly, LGBTQ-welcoming atmosphere.
4. Sistrunk Marketplace Event Hall & Sports Bar
A 4.3-star converted warehouse with nearly 1,000 reviews, housing a food hall with rotating vendor stalls, a brewery, and activities, one of the corridor’s most versatile group spots.
5. Sidewalk Bottleshop
A perfect 5.0-star natural wine bar with an owner-curated rotating lineup that punches well above its modest Progresso storefront, a standout for wine lovers and late-night foodie dates.
Frequently asked questions
What types of bars are in the Sistrunk / Progresso neighborhood?
The neighborhood offers a genuine mix, two sports bars, a wine bar, a cocktail bar, and an axe-throwing lodge. You can catch a game at Sistrunk Marketplace, sip curated wines at Sidewalk Bottleshop, or throw axes over drinks at Chops + Hops.
What is the highest-rated bar in Sistrunk / Progresso?
Sidewalk Bottleshop holds a perfect 5.0-star rating, making it the top-rated spot in the neighborhood. It operates as a wine bar with a curated bottle selection in a relaxed storefront setting.
Is there axe throwing at a bar in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Chops + Hops Axe Throwing Lodge in the Sistrunk / Progresso neighborhood combines drinks with axe throwing in a lodge-style environment. It carries a 4.8-star rating and is one of the most unique bar experiences in the city.
Are there sports bars in Sistrunk / Progresso?
Two sports bars serve the area. Sistrunk Marketplace Event Hall & Sports Bar is the larger venue with space for events and game-day crowds, rated 4.3 stars. Patio Bar & Pizza offers a more laid-back sports-bar experience with outdoor seating and a 4.6-star rating.
How is the bar scene in Sistrunk / Progresso different from Las Olas or the beach?
Sistrunk and Progresso have a more local, creative feel than the polished strip on Las Olas or the tourist-heavy beachfront. Expect smaller venues, mixed crowds, and bars that lean on character, from wine storefronts to axe-throwing lodges.