A Weekend in Fort Lauderdale With Dogs
A Weekend in Fort Lauderdale With Dogs
Dog-friendly stays, bars, and restaurants make this a perfect canine-compatable retreat
Once the home of spring breakers and beachfront bars, Fort Lauderdale has come into its own in the past few years.
Visitors to Fort Lauderdale are treated to pristine beaches, gorgeous luxury hotels, and a fantastic food scene that offers diverse cuisines at various price points. The city is also home to some fantastic breweries, food halls, and independent coffee shops — most dog-friendly.
I adopted my dog, Luna, three years ago and realized I had never taken her on a vacation (although we do have a weekly date night). That had to change, so I booked us a room at a dog-friendly hotel for the weekend. Turns out, most of Fort Lauderdale has gone to the dogs. From sunset cocktails to Sunday brunch, here’s the best weekend you can have with your dog in Fort Lauderdale.
Where to Stay
Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
This adorable boutique hotel, just one block from the ocean, originally opened in 1949 as the Escape Hotel. Today, the Kimpton Shorebreak honors its DNA with Midcentury colors and decor, such as a turquoise Thunderbird convertible greeting you at the front door.
When you check in with your pup, don’t be surprised if the front desk pulls out an old-school Polaroid to take a picture to add to the doggie gallery in the lobby. There are no added pet fees for dogs of any size at the hotel, and the hotel has partnered with Wag dog-walking service in case you need a little human-only time if you’re spending an extended vacation in Fort Lauderdale.
Dog-friendly rooms include a special dog bed, fresh water and food bowls, leashes, treats, yoga mats, and a tiny turquoise Smeg fridge. If you don’t have a dog, a friend for the weekend will be provided for you in the form of a “pet pal” — a friendly houseplant. You and your pet can have a little room party by dancing to music on the Marshall Bluetooth speaker provided in every room. Or, opt to take a walk to the beach (beach totes are provided for loan).
Luna especially enjoyed having a sunset cocktail at the rooftop lounge, Escape (dogs are welcome at the lounge but not in the pool, please). Escape offers a daily DJ set from 3 to 7 p.m., so it’s perfect for sundowners. In fact, sunsets are the name of the game here, with specials on wine offered 30 minutes before and after the sun sets daily. If you’re not staying on property, you can come up for a cocktail or a glass of wine with or without your dog. On Sundays, the bar offers a Rosé all Day special with half-priced rosé by the glass.
Where to Eat
Batch New Southern Kitchen & Tap
Downtown Fort Lauderdale is home to Batch, a dog-friendly restaurant that offers hearty Southern fare along with a great beer and bourbon selection. Batch’s outdoor patio and bar welcome doggos and their humans.
A weekday happy hour offers $7 specials Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. All drinks under $14 are seven bucks, and appetizers like tots, fried green tomatoes, and deviled eggs cost $7. Oversized wings are one dollar each, and hot chicken sliders cost $3 each.
Luna and I particularly love brunch at Batch, starting with the bottomless $25 mimosas. I also love the spiked cold brew coffee ($14) before perusing the menu. You simply must order biscuits for the table, along with the deviled eggs and peaches and burrata. I’m partial to the Nashville hot chicken sandwich, but the bespoke “Mac Attack” mac and cheese is amazing, as well. Vegans are not forgotten — there’s a wonderful barbecue jackfruit sandwich and an Impossible scramble (with vegan egg substitute).
Located at the Kimpton Shorebreak. La Fuga does double duty as the property’s breakfast and dinner spot. Breakfast offers standard items with an Italian touch, as evidenced by the pasta carbonara and porchetta panini offered for the first meal of the day. Even a bagel platter gets an Italian flair with Buffalo mozzarella added to the smoked salmon.
For dinner, standouts include the Pesce Spada alla Siciliana (grilled swordfish with fingerling potatoes), Pollo alla Cacciatora, and the pappardelle with veal meatballs.
This dog-friendly restaurant offers spectacular beach views with a side of guacamole. Speaking of guac, order some for the table along with some margaritas and unwind with your doggo. The restaurant’s standout is the sharable taco flight of 14 tacos for $68 and a quesadilla overstuffed with sweet lobster.
Where to Drink
This dog-friendly little neighborhood bar, just a stone’s throw from Downtown Fort Lauderdale, serves fantastic cocktails like a great smoked Old Fashioned, a tangy margarita, and a perfect espresso martini — along with live music most weekends and food trucks out back. Chill on the leather sofas with your pup or play a board game (was Operation that difficult when we were kids?).
This brewery, tucked into Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades is a hidden oasis. Almost impossible to find, those who do will be rewarded with fresh beer and a lush dog-friendly patio. Be sure to look out for the family of Vervet Monkeys that hang out in the trees just beyond the brewery. The brewery often hosts fundraising events for their care.
My coffee-aficionado friend turned me on to Wells. This is a friendly local coffee shop that roasts its own beans in-house. Wells offers everything from single origins to coffee drinks and is a great place to get caffeinated. Wells has two locations in Fort Lauderdale, but the Flagler Village location is closest to the beach.
Things to Do
Talk about something for everyone — this combination dog park and bar allows humans and dogs to have a rollicking good time. Humans are welcome and dogs must have a membership (there’s a day pass available) that ensures dogs are up on their vaccines and are friendly canines. The dog park area is 10,000 square feet of fun and “wooferies” watch all dogs to make sure everyone is behaving! The beer garden allows humans to enjoy a dozen beers on tap, sofas, wines, and more.
Bark Park is open for your furry family members, year-round from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Dogs can swim at this dog-friendly dog water park.