This waterfront entertainment spot in Fort Lauderdale is closing for renovations

The Wharf Fort Lauderdale is closing — but not for long.

The open-air entertainment venue from Breakwater Hospitality Group, located on the New River, is being renovated and will shut down for a few months while the work is being done.

The Wharf, originally intended as a temporary pop-up when it opened in 2019, will become more of a permanent destination, according to Breakwater co-founders Emi Guerra and Alex Mantecon. Breakwater also operates Regatta Grove in Coconut Grove, JohnMartin’s in Coral Gables and Carousel Club at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale.

Guerra said that the renovations were in keeping with the growth in downtown Fort Lauderdale, now home to scores of new residential buildings and restaurants.

“We are thrilled about the future of The Wharf Fort Lauderdale,” he said in a statement. “From its inception, The Wharf has been a vibrant gathering spot for the community, helping to revive the riverfront. . . . the upcoming renovations will blend a laid-back yet elevated experience with a refined coastal aesthetic.”

The new Wharf will feature new bar areas as well as what Guerra calls “upgraded entertainment options.”

This isn’t the only Wharf to close to make way for bigger things. The Wharf Miami closed last September to make way for the Riverside Wharf development, which will house a new incarnation of The Wharf when it’s complete.

Before The Wharf Fort Lauderdale shuts down after Labor Day weekend, it will host a two-weekend celebration that kicks off Aug. 23 and 24, with props, photo moments and a variety of themed bars (including Cinco de Mayo and St. Patrick’s Day). The closing parties continue from Aug. 29-31; RSVP at wharfftl.com