Velvet Lounge Café is one of those hidden gems that makes you feel like you've stumbled into a…read moremovie scene. The dim lighting and moody vibe set the stage perfectly--whether you're kicking back with friends or trying to impress someone on a date. The food? Solid. Flavorful, well-portioned, and pairs nicely with the whole lounge aesthetic. It's the kind of menu that keeps the focus on the experience while still leaving you satisfied. What really makes this spot special is the energy. You can come here for a chill night of conversation with friends, or lean into the music and turn it into something more--dancing with a date under the low lights feels effortlessly cool and just a little bit sexy. If you're into places that feel more like an escape than a restaurant, Velvet Lounge Café nails it.

Online looking you would think the establishment is something different. The section we had was so…read moredark in the light above us wouldn't come on. The guest that came into the building were dressed like they were going to a hole in a the wall place the spicy Hennessy Wings were so hot I couldn't even get them down so I threw the entire plate away. The Dj had the music so loud I couldn't even understand what the artist was saying on their tracks and the Dj himself sound like a broke garbage truck squealing on the microphone. The bottle girls/servers were really nice & friendly. I wouldn't go again I think the crowd is for a younger generation I'm 37married with 4 kids so maybe this isn't my kind of setting being that I don't go out.

Our server today (Thurs., 4/16), Carolina, did an awesome job handling our party of 12 for this…read morepre-cruise meet and greet. Having impressive portions and being budget friendly will always earn 4 stars in my book. Typical bar food. Lemon pepper wings were a lil overcooked/tough. No major complaints about any of the 6 burgers/cheeseburgers. The chicken Alfredo was not liked and sent back for a steak which was devoured. The fish portion was noteworthy. The tacos were given 2 thumbs up. The garlic parmesan wings received the best reviews from both people. Most people in our group agreed everything needed a lil more salt / seasoning. Finally, the cocktails were decent; the raspberry lemonade was a hit and the water cups were the largest cups we've ever seen in a restaurant. This part of Fort Lauderdale seems a little desolate and this restaurant was the best option in this strip mall close to our hotel. We came. We saw. We conquered.

Sat at the bar for one beer. Bartender took it upon herself after I left to add an additional $5.00…read moretip.

All of the sushi rolls were absolutely delicious, and the service was excellent. They even…read moresurprised us with a complimentary dish--asparagus tempura with shrimp--which was amazing and something I highly recommend trying. The atmosphere was a vibe, with R&B music playing and hookah available, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the evening. I'll definitely be coming back!

Happy hour. Happy times. The place is always nice and inviting. It was pretty quiet this time…read more Service was good. We didn't stay long but we had no complaints. Food is always great here. Always. We got the Heat and the Flaming Posh. Yummy. As always, we'll be back.

We made a reservation through Instagram and they were great . We wanted to watch a. World Cup game…read more. They were very helpful and gave a table for 4. Table was great ! Our server was super sweet . She always check on us ! We ordered a few orders of chicken wings (they were good ) and a queso appetizer . They also had a DJ . It was a fun time for sure and we would come back

I usually haunt the grimier corners of Las Olas, around Fat Cats and Revolution Live, but my…read morecousin's birthday dragged me into the pinky-up orbit of River House and Rooftop @1WLO. My cousin prefers chilled tequila to cocktails, so we could tell the torched rosemary garnishes and trap-heavy playlist were more his organizer's / wife's style. We had already started the slow march to the parking garage to call the night when an absolute racket came blasting out of Tin Roof. Inside the main room, a live band ran a gimmick that had no business working as well as it did. The short-haired rhythm guitarist belted out new wave hits, while the long-haired lead guitarist answered with alternative rock. Between songs, they roasted each other or whoever looked brave enough to make eye contact. The bar kept the damage low with $5 green tea shots, Deep Eddy grapefruit vodka drinks, and cans of Montucky Cold Snacks. Hot tip: weekday happy hour runs from 4 to 7 p.m., and most drinks drop to a respectable $3 to $5. Next, we wandered into the Red Room, where stage lights flashed, Indiana jerseys multiplied like gremlins, and the energy cranked up a notch. It was the night before the College Football National Championship, so the place felt loud, proud, and fully committed. The DJ bounced between hip-hop, EDM, and karaoke hits with the kind of confidence usually reserved for wedding DJs. The whole room exuded a glorious tailgate-party energy. The bartenders are attentive, if a little rushed, but I get it, it's more of a sports bar than a speakeasy. I skipped the food, but my cousin vouched for the Peach-Habanero Wings from the Tex-Mex-meets-Chicken-Shack menu. We came in, treating the place like a backup plan, and ended up shutting it down as if we'd meant to be there all along.

Came here for quick food and a drink after a bad experience nearby and was very pleasantly…read moresurprised! The moment we sat down, we were greeted by multiple bartenders, who were very welcoming, helpful. I ordered a basic drink, and my husband ordered one of the specialty cocktails. He didn't love the cocktail, but he was more than willing to finish it and order something else. The bartender could tell he didn't like it, and immediately asked, and without hesitation offered him a different drink and took the specialty cocktail off the bill. We ordered tacos, which were honestly really solid. So overall amazing service and really good food. Will definitely be back!

Such a great little taco place in Fort Lauderdale! I went on taco Tuesday, where you can get 3…read moreclassic tacos $11. It's not a bad deal at all, and I love that you can mix and match the types of tacos. I usually go for just chicken, but decided to get two chicken and one carne asada. I'm glad I did, because I ended up liking the carne asada better! The tacos look deceptively small, but they're super filling. The chicken had a slight kick-nothing crazy, but just be aware if you don't like any kick at all. We also got chips and guac; the chips were warm and the guac was great! Everything was delicious! I've also gotten a frozen margarita there, which was strong and really good. They also play great music! It's is located just a block from the river, which is a nice little walk after you eat. My only thing is that the employees could be a little more knowledgeable. The first time I went (before this time), I asked about taco Tuesday and happy hour deals, and the employee just said she didn't know. There's also a club in the back! Look for the fun entrance ;)

Phenomenal experience! We are from Chicago visiting family and found this gem online. The perfect…read moreintimate place for our double date. We were the only ones there. Mixologist Thomas was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Got all four of us the most perfect drinks just by asking us a few questions. Will definitely be our go to spot when we are in town visiting! Wish we could go back again tonight! Fantastic experience!

Excellent food choice with eclectic design and interesting menu…read more Tables are close to reach guest and everyone was conversing. The food was prepared as ready to order with a great wine list. This hidden gem was a great find and across from Broward Theatre. "A MUST TRY" SUPPORT LOCAL

Delicious bites and great happy hour! The churrasco with their fries came out hot and was a perfect…read moremeal to share. This place is nice for a date night or a casual bite and drink. Service was quick and all the staff we interacted with was very kind. Nice spot if you are in the area :)

My boyfriend brought me here to fulfill my macaroni and cheese craving during happy hour one day…read more The restaurant is modern, full of artwork, and would be great with friends or on a date. Street parking is available in front of the restaurant with Pay by Phone fees. We started with 2 cabernet sauvignons ($8 each during HH) and the meatball appetizer. The meatballs were delicious although the bread they came with was a little too toasted for my taste. We also ordered the truffle mac and cheese and added chicken. Wasn't worth the extra $6 to add chicken given the very small amount added. That being said, the dish was delicious! Tuesdays also include $2 mussels so we ordered a half dozen and they were good as well. Overall, would recommend!

Food-we arrived shortly before 5p. Missed the brunch menu, which we heard was fab, but good timing…read morefor Happy Hour! Had a smooth pino grisio (sp?) And the shrimp salad, finishing with the bread pudding, which also had come recommended. Service - top-notch. Carol took care of us (a party of 3) from start to finish, with great wine recommendations. Ambiance - fantastic. Warm and inviting. We took a high-top towards the back. But also offered was a large bar, as well as cozy living room style seating, and 2 and 4 tops tables outside. Parking - street parking available, not sure if there are sidestreeys or parking lot as we walked there.

Checked out Apt 9f for some light bites after work with some friends. The weather wasn't too bad so…read morewe sat outside. They have a good amount of seating both inside and out, but it was pretty busy inside when we showed up. Service was very friendly the entire night and our food didn't take long to come out. I shared the turkey meatballs and jalapeño corn muffins. The meatballs were just okay; I should've realized when it said "contains nuts," that it would be a plant-based meatball. But I thought it was just a turkey meatball, so that was a little disappointing. I should've asked about it before ordering. However, the corn muffins were delicious and the perfect small fish for both savory and sweet. Overall, a nice visit to this local spot.