Image via WikipediaIf you follow my online footsteps, you know that I see not one, but several bands every weekend and sometimes weekdays too. I see and photograph the bands for my love of music and because I support local talent (over the imported kind that sells expensive tickets). I also prefer live shows any day of the week versus turning on the television and watching American Idol or America's Got Talent. I know we have great talent in this country - all you have to do is walk out the door and open your eyes, ears and mind to exploring new places.
Some people like to sit and have a drink or two while watching a band. I, on the other hand, have a camera strapped around my neck. I like to capture the images so that I can share the excitement of being there with those less fortunate who sit at home and stare at a computer monitor or mindless television. Sometimes, I catch a unique moment like a guest musician joining the band for one song or maybe just someone dancing crazy on a table. Either way, it's better to share my pics with the public than to just let them pile up on my hard drive.
I am not sure how many others out there are like me but I have a hard time sitting in one restaurant or bar for more than an hour. I am inflicted by what I have termed Attention Deficit Music Disorder or ADMD, for short!
To help others who suffer from this "disorder", I have put together a summary of four suggested areas in Broward County where you can simply walk from one music venue to another without getting into your car before you have experienced music in at least three different places.
Since Deerfield is about as far North as you can get without stepping into Palm Beach County, I'll start with the beach area. Head to the curve just north of Hillsborough Blvd on A1A and find a spot to park anywhere near the beach. I know at least four places to check for live music, two of which overlook the sand. Check out Oceans 234 and JB's on the Beach literally next door to each other. Both offer an assortment of seaside live entertainment at their patio bars overlooking the Atlantic ocean. They are even romantic if you want to impress a loved one! Directly across the street, you will find what some may call a dive bar called Kahuna Bar & Grill. It's a hit or miss with the talent I have heard there. Last stop, where you may be surprised at what you find is a place called Rattlesnake Jakes - located a few doors down from the Wings souvenir shop. One night, I was stuck there because the band was so spread out that they blocked the front door!
My next walking tour takes us to Fort Lauderdale Beach. At the intersection of Las Olas and A1A, you will find the infamous Elbo Room. I think that its' name comes from the fact that it is jam packed on weekends on two floors - even though the bands only play in a small section of the bottom floor. Nevertheless, this is a very popular young adult drinking establishment. Head North on A1A about 5 minutes on foot and you will find Lulu's Bait Shack located on the 2nd floor of Beach Place outdoor shopping complex. The same bands that play at other music hot spots throughout Broward play Lulu's every weekend but the atmosphere does something that makes the bands sound better to the mix of tourists and locals at this popular restaurant/bar. In between Elbo Room and Lulu's Bait Shack, you will find live music outdoors from solo musicians as well as indoors at smaller places - you just have to keep your eyes and ears open and you will find them!
If you already spent too much time on the beach during the day, I also recommend the downtown area spanning from the Museum of Discovery & Science to the Riverfront shopping complex. Between those two landmarks, some of my favorite places to find quality bands are: The Original Fat Cats, The Poor House and Tarpon Bend. All three are on or just off SW 2nd St and are a few minutes walk from each other. The first two seem to feature bands that start at 11pm so expect to be there until the early morning hours. There are also many other bars with live music and dance clubs all located on the same small stretch of road so expect parking to be expensive or public meters hard to come by if you arrive during peak hours.
Lastly, in Hollywood, I recommend walking the short stretch of Hollywood Boulevard between 19th and 20th avenues. Parking is easy to find in the two public garages located just two blocks North or South of The Boulevard. Whiskey Tango is probably the largest venue in this area and features a great place to eat while listening to an acoustic set on the outdoor patio in the early evening hours or have a drink inside after 10pm when the rock bands play on a stage behind one of the two indoor bars. Walk two steps West on Hollywood Blvd and you can't miss the sounds eminating from Mickey Byrns Irish Pub where the bands are squeezed into a small stage that may have at one time been the window display for a boutique. My newest favorite venue is literraly next door and features both rock and blues bands - appropriately, the venue is called The Big Easy. Between those three, you are sure to enjoy some great entertainment. There are also many fine international cuisine restaurants either on Hollywood Blvd or Harrison Street one block south - so arrive early and enjoy dinner!
Watch for my next blog, the driving Pub Crawl for some of my favorite places you can drive as long as you keep sober!
Look for the daily live music event schedule on http://www.weekendbroward.com/
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