Show week guide

Where to Eat and Drink During the 2026 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show: Las Olas and Pier Sixty-Six

By Peter Nagy, Founder·October 4, 2026

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs from Wednesday, October 28, through Sunday, November 1, 2026. Five days on the docks means a lot of business dinners, sunset cocktails and late nights. Here is where to go when the show floor closes.

Pier Sixty-Six

After its massive renovation, Pier Sixty-Six at 2301 SE 17th Street is now one of the most talked-about resorts in South Florida, and its marina is an official show venue. That makes its restaurants and bars the most convenient, and the busiest, spots of the week. Reserve early, especially for anything after 6 p.m.

• Pier Top

  A cocktail lounge on the 17th floor of the resort's tower that slowly rotates, giving you a full 360-degree view of the marina, the Intracoastal and the ocean. The best sunset drink of show week.

  Rooftop cocktails

• Calusso

  The resort's fine dining room, inspired by the French and Italian Riviera, with tableside presentations. Book this one for a client dinner.

  Fine dining

• Sotogrande

  Mediterranean cooking from southern Spain and the eastern Mediterranean, with communal tables that work well for groups.

  Mediterranean

• Windows on 66

  The lobby bar, with floor-to-ceiling windows, shareable bites and a deep vodka and gin list. An easy meeting spot between marina appointments.

  Lobby bar

• The Nectar Room

  An adults-only poolside spot with Asian-inspired plates, a rum bar and sake cocktails.

  Poolside, 21+

• Garni

  An upscale bistro and café with all-day brunch and a juice bar. Good for a breakfast meeting before the docks open.

  Breakfast and brunch

• Pelican Landing

  A casual waterfront eatery on the marina promenade that you can reach by boat.

  Casual, on the marina

Las Olas Boulevard

Las Olas is a short ride from the show and still the heart of Fort Lauderdale's evening scene. Most of these spots have outdoor seating, and several sit right on the water.

• Louie Bossi

  Italian with dry-aged meats, house-made pasta and pizza, plus a covered courtyard and bocce lanes. Lively and great for a group.

  Italian

• Timpano

  Modern Italian with tableside pasta and outdoor seating under the bougainvillea.

  Italian

• Luigi's Tuscan Grill

  Waterfront tables on a canal, homemade pasta and steaks, a concert pianist and an award-winning wine list.

  Waterfront Italian

• The House on the River

  American and European coastal cooking with seats right on the New River.

  Waterfront

• Chima Steakhouse

  A Brazilian rodízio steakhouse with an outdoor bar under the banyan trees. Good for a big appetite and a big table.

  Steakhouse

• YOLO

  Contemporary American with an open kitchen and fire-pit seating outside, a Las Olas favorite for drinks that turn into dinner.

  Cocktails and dinner

• El Camino

  A Mexican tequila and mezcal bar with hundreds of bottles and more than a dozen margaritas.

  Tequila and mezcal

• Voodoo Bayou

  Cajun and Creole plates, raw oysters and live music under stained glass arches.

  Live music

Private parties at the brokerage villas

Some of the most memorable evenings of show week never appear on a public calendar. Several of the major yacht brokerage houses host private, invitation-only receptions for clients at waterfront villas and aboard their listings. If you are in the market, ask your broker whether their firm is hosting an event.

A few practical notes if you are invited:

• RSVP early. Guest lists are usually limited, and many events check names at the gate.
• Plan your ride. Waterfront estates rarely have room to park, and several parties often happen on the same night across the Las Olas Isles and Harbor Beach.
• Leave room for dinner. Receptions often end around 8 or 9 p.m., which makes a late table on Las Olas the natural next stop.

Tips for show week dining

• Book now. The best tables at Pier Sixty-Six and on Las Olas fill up weeks before the show.
• Go early or late. The rush hits right after the docks close at 7 p.m. A 6 p.m. or 9 p.m. reservation is much easier to get.
• Expect traffic. SE 17th Street, A1A and the bridges back up badly during show hours. Leave extra time between venues.
• Confirm before you go. Hours and menus can change, and some restaurants run special show-week schedules.

Getting around

If you would rather not fight show traffic or hunt for parking, my other company, Aventura Limo, provides chauffeured transportation throughout show week, including rides between the marinas, dinner on Las Olas and private parties. Call 305.306.5466 for availability.

Show dates, hours and locations are from the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Restaurant details are based on the restaurants' own descriptions and local coverage, and are subject to change.