The Wharf Fort Lauderdale started as a pop-up in 2019, but plans changed as the venue took on a life of its own, becoming a go-to spot for waterfront nightlife in Broward. Emi Guerra and Alex Manteco, cofounders of Breakwater Hospitality Group, made the decision to temporarily close the venue and equip it with a designer worthy of the title it has gained over the years.
New Times spoke to Guerra to get the full inside scoop on the reopening scheduled for Friday, October 11.
"After almost a five-year run, the venue got beat up," Guerra tells New Times. "When you do events for hundreds of people, every time you open, it takes a toll. When guests come in, they'll notice an upgraded and elevated look and feel. We have new food concepts, all new furniture, new floors, all the bars got a nice makeover, and a new overall color palette, decor, and design. So it'll still feel very familiar, by all means, but a new and refreshed look."
New Food Vendors and Revamped Bar Menus (Espresso Martinis)!
The new design by Hxecute features a signature coastal aesthetic using blues, greens, and pale yellows. The entrance features a wooden pergola with new landscaping. The outside tables and yard games have been revamped, and the new vendors will now have permanent structures and fun new menu boards.The venue favorite, the Piefather by five-time James Beard Award-nominated chef Jose Mendin, will be joined by three new food vendors: Carlos & Pepe’s serving Mexican eats such as street tacos and its popular tuna dip, Janken, which brings Pan-Asian and Korean Fusion cuisine to the venue all the way from Portland, and Breakwater Hospitality Group’s Smashies serving crave-worthy burgers.
The Wharf is known for its signature cocktail deals, so, of course, the bars are getting an all-new look and menu. Not to worry, the signature mojito is staying, but some new additions include Wharf espresso martinis and a new "Spritz Experience" where guests can cater the spritz to their liking.
"The O Ship Bar is one of the new features in the venue," says Guerra. "We have these new espresso martini machines that serve these consistent, absolutely perfect martinis, so that's pretty exciting. It'll also feature our "Wharflada," which is our piña colada, but served inside one giant pineapple where we cut off the top so guests can walk around the venue drinking it."
Guests can get a first look at the new Wharf Fort Lauderdale on Friday, October 11, which is the first night of the weekend-long opening parties. Throughout the weekend, guests who RSVP will get a complimentary signature mojito, and for the last day of celebrations, on Sunday, October 13, the themed party "Saddle Up Sundays" will close out the weekend in true Wharf fashion.
"Overall, I think a lot of thought was put in and it's being executed really well," adds Guerra. "I think what we really wanted to show is that the Wharf is sort of growing up, if you will, and we're still just as excited to be there, and hopefully we can have another great five-year run."
The Wharf Fort Lauderdale. 20 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Opening parties from Friday, October 11 to Sunday, October 13; complimentary mojito with an RSVP via wharfftl.com.
