Hollywood FL Nightlife — Best Bars, Live Music & Broadwalk After Dark
Hollywood, Florida’s nightlife is concentrated on the Broadwalk, a 2-mile beachfront promenade lined with bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The scene is more relaxed than Miami but less quiet than other Florida beach towns. Most venues are casual—shorts and flip-flops are fine—and the crowd skews local mixed with tourists. If you’re staying in Hollywood and want something bigger, Fort Lauderdale is just 15 minutes north and has a separate nightlife scene entirely.
Broadwalk Bars & Venues
The Broadwalk is where almost all of Hollywood’s nightlife happens. It’s a walking promenade with consistent foot traffic, so venues are laid-back and welcoming.
The Diplomat Beach Resort Bar & Lounge — Part of the five-star resort but accessible from the Broadwalk. Beach views, craft cocktails, and a sophisticated crowd. Less crowded than casual Broadwalk bars but more expensive. Good for sunset drinks.
Margaritaville Beach Resort — A casual beachfront bar with tropical drinks and live music some nights. Part of a resort but very accessible. Signature drink is the frozen margarita. Very touristy but fun.
Beach Casino Bar — If you’re staying at the resort, this is the nightlife hub. Casino floor, multiple bars, and weekend entertainment. Casual dress code. Open until 2 a.m.
Taverna — Italian restaurant and bar on the Broadwalk. Full bar, outdoor seating, good for aperitifs before dinner or drinks after.
Bravada Beach Club — Dance-focused beach bar with DJs on weekends. Opens in the evening, casual crowd, mixed drinks. More energetic than most Broadwalk spots.
Beyond the Broadwalk
The best hidden gems in Hollywood aren’t on the main promenade. You have to know where to look.
Le Tub — Iconic dive bar in a converted old gas station. Cold beer, no pretense, and genuine locals. This is where people who actually live in Hollywood go. No food, no frills, just a real bar. The vibe is unmatched—cash only, open until 2 a.m. This is Hollywood’s best-kept secret.
Jaxson’s Ice Cream — Not a bar in the traditional sense, but it’s open until midnight and has a full liquor license. Craft ice cream and craft cocktails is an unusual combination, but it works. Locals treat it like an after-dinner hangout spot. Unique to Hollywood.
Sea Escape — More upscale restaurant-bar north of the Broadwalk. Seafood-focused, better cocktails than casual Broadwalk spots, and a more mature crowd. Worth the slight detour.
Fort Lauderdale Adjacent (15 minutes away)
If you want a more serious nightlife scene, Fort Lauderdale is close and has significantly more venues.
Las Olas Boulevard — The Fort Lauderdale equivalent of a downtown nightlife district. Multiple bars, restaurants, clubs, and live music venues. Tarpon Bend is the iconic dive bar on Las Olas. Southport Rawbar is seafood and cocktails. YOLO is dance club energy. It’s a short drive or Uber ride from Hollywood.
Lauderdale by the Sea — A quieter beachfront town between Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale. More neighborhood vibe, less crowded, still close enough to Hollywood.
Live Music
Broadwalk venues occasionally have live music, but it’s not consistent. Check ahead if that’s your priority. The Diplomat sometimes hosts acoustic acts on weekends. Margaritaville has occasional live reggae.
Fort Lauderdale has better dedicated live music venues like Revolution Live, which books touring acts.
Best Beaches for Evening Walks
Hollywood Beach — The main promenade, lit at night, with shops and restaurants lining the walk. Very safe, very touristy, perfect if you want to combine beach and bar-hopping.
Deerfield Beach — Next beach north, quieter than Hollywood, smaller Broadwalk, more residential. Pier is lit at night and worth a walk.
Dining with Drinks
Many bars on the Broadwalk serve food, and many restaurants on the Broadwalk have serious bar programs. Combining dinner and drinks is the standard Hollywood nightlife experience.
The Diplomat Beach Resort restaurants — Multiple dining options, all with full bars. Aktuelle is the fine dining option. The Rib House is casual American. Both have good bar programs.
Tarpon Bend (Fort Lauderdale) — Famous for their fish and chips and cheap beer. Not fancy, but legendary.
What to Know
Dress code is casual everywhere — Shorts, flip-flops, t-shirts are all fine. No one cares.
Most bars close between 1–2 a.m. — Fort Lauderdale venues stay open later, sometimes until 3 a.m.
Broadwalk is well-lit and safe — It’s a tourist zone with consistent police presence. Walk without worry.
Le Tub is cash only — There’s an ATM nearby, but bring cash.
Jaxson’s is unique — The ice cream is genuinely good. It’s not just a novelty.
Fort Lauderdale is very close — If you want more options, it’s a 15-minute drive or $10 Uber.
Parking on the Broadwalk is limited — Use the parking lots, not street parking. Some venues validate parking.
Live music is not guaranteed — Call ahead if music is important to your plan.
See more about Hollywood: Hollywood Florida Fun Things to Do and Hollywood Florida Best Restaurants.