South Florida is in no short supply of destinations for food & fun. It can be sometimes overwhelming when it comes to choosing a place for lunch, dinner or a drink. A cursory search on facebook or google will provide the seeker with a variety of wine lounges, night clubs, restaurants and beer bars to choose from.
Beer bars while on the surface may seem like a new addition to the scene in reality pubs have been the neighborhood beer bar for centuries. The word “pub” comes from the abbreviation of the word “public house”. The public house is an evolution of the Viking Long House, a communal home that would house several families. Later in history the pub may have just been one of the largest homes in the village that was devoted to public use.
Typically the downstairs or “common room” would be where the bar was located. The upstairs could double as an inn and either be rented by weary travelers or regulated to the “publican’s” (bar owner) family.The bar of past centuries was not the lengthy piece of structure that could seat dozens of people, rather it was typically a counter of no more than three feet in length. Patrons were expected to drink their shot of whiskey or brandy, move-on and make room for new customers. Modern anthropologists say that the length of the bar is reflecctive of the local economy; the longer the bar the better the local economy.
Two local South Florida pubs reflect these traditions at their establishments, “Stout” and “Kelly Brothers”. Stout has a lengthy elegant and linear bar impressing on the visitor that one is in a “nice place”. Kelly’s upstairs lounge and pool hall provides guests with an intimate, private experience that could easily double as the festive party halls of the past.
Stout is located 3419 N. Andrews Avenue, Oakland Park. Just four blocks north of Oakland Park Boulevard you’ll find this new pub, named for the dark ale beer best exemplified by Guinness. Don’t think that either Stout or Kelly’s is just serving Guinness and Harps (an Irish Lager, sometimes called the “Budweiser” of Ireland), each pub has a wide variety of beers that can vary from month to month with each taking advantage of our local South Florida brewery the “Funky Buddha”.
Stout has your typical pub fair like fish & chips and shepard’s pie, but they also delve into some culinary experimentation. Try the flat-bread or the lobster bisque for the win.
Kelly Brothers, located at 3045 N. Federal Highway in the Culture Room plaza is a great casual pub if you want to pre-game or post-game after going to the beach. Even in colder months you may find a pile of sand beneath you bar stool at this watering hole.
Kelly’s social “bar in the round” makes for a fun and interactive atmosphere allowing one ample face-time with both fellow patrons as well as staff. Kelly’s is in no short supply of beer varieties. In addition to the staple Irish beers, Kelly’s has IPA, micro-brews and beer cocktails. Try a “Black Velvet”, “Shandi” or “Michelada”. You can ask your local tender for the recipes to these fun beer drinks.
Kelly’s too serves the obligatory shepard’s Pie and fish & chips but the personal pizzas and chicken wings are where it’s at for the “suds & grub” atmosphere of Kelly Brothers. These items and a host of other fun fingers foods are available to guests who like to eat family-style with their friends. Groups are welcome to take advantage of Kelly Brothers private upstairs “Green Room” and discounted group rates for food.
The Green Room is complete with billiards, air hockey and beer-pong. Flat screens, a jukebox and a private bar top-off this location as a go-to spot for birthdays & special events.
Kelly’s and Stout are relatively new to the Fort Lauderdale scene but they have “nailed-it” as far as perfecting the pub atmosphere. Both pubs are off of Oakland Park boulevard so it is possible to hit both on your way too and from I-95 or the beach.
Go add your own stories and tales of adventure to the very rich, historical tapestry that is your neighborhood pub.
