Johnnie Brown’s: This popular spot near the railroad tracks on Atlantic Avenue has them dancing in the streets with live local music seven nights a week. (301 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; johnniebrowns.com)
Crazy Uncle Mike’s: Founder Mike Goodwin’s brewery and live music haven draws rock tribute bands, singer/songwriters, guitar-driven blues acts, reggae groups—and more—to its sprawling stage. (6450 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; crazyunclemikes.com)
Briny’s Irish Pub: The self-proclaimed “greatest upscale dive bar” carves out a corner for local performers. (3440 E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach; thebrinyirishpub.com)
Galuppi’s: Weekly happy hour entertainment—and free Friday and Saturday outdoor cover band concerts—are a staple at this restaurant launched in 2005 by father-and-son duo Pat and Grant Galuppi. (1103 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach; galuppis.com)
Lucky Fish: The relaxed flip-flop vibe at this toes-in-the-sand beach bar is enhanced by live music. (222 N. Pompano Beach Blvd.; luckyfishpompano.com)
The Village Pump: A staple of the beach scene since 1949, this Boston-inspired outpost pumps up the jams with rockin’ live music. (4400 El Mar Drive, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea)
Blue Jean Blues: One of South Florida’s premier jazz and blues clubs draws the area’s top local talent to its stage for nightly entertainment that touches on musical genres from swing, oldies and country rock to pop, dance, R&B and soul. (3320 NE 33rd St., Fort Lauderdale; bluejeanblues.com)
Bo’s Beach: The two-story beach bar/restaurant with rooftop seating adds to the casual ambience with cool tunes. (600 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; bosbeach.com)
Cheers: The sports bar with a rockin’ edge hosts live music acts and keeps late “hours of awesomeness.” (8931 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise; 941 E. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale; cheersrockbar.com)
Elbo Room: Late afternoon and evening tunes from local guitarists/singers fill the air at this venerable beach bar, an institution for more than 80 years. (241 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., elboroom.com)
Fishtales: The restaurant/nightclub maintains a regular rotation of live music from local acts like Cruzin’ Duo, Johnny and Yendi, and the Derek Mack Trio. (3355 NE 33rd St., Fort Lauderdale; fishtaleson33rd.com)
McSorely’s Beach Pub: The Irish hot spot with rooftop/sundeck views of Fort Lauderdale Beach is a favorite of sports fans and live music lovers. (837 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.)
Original Fat Cat’s: The party seemingly never ends at this 4 a.m. bar with an old-school vibe and live music. (320 Himmarshee St., Fort Lauderdale)
Copper Blues: The rock pub and kitchen with a live music stage over the bar draws local acts playing acoustic, country, top 40, classic rock and more. (3450 NW 83rd Ave., Doral; copperblueslive.com)
The Doral Yard: The 20,000-square-foot community space with indoor and outdoor zones books live acts on weekends—think jazz, Latin funk and other musicians that add to the vibrancy of the location. (8455 NW 53rd St., Doral; thedoralyard.com)
Ball & Chain: A Little Havana treasure for nearly 100 years, the current incarnation lights up the night with high-energy Latin music from the likes of the Julio Montalvo Orchestra and the Lily & Calixto Oviedo Orchestra. (1513 SW Eighth St., Little Havana; ballandchainmiami.com)
Café La Trova: Named “Best Bar in South USA” for 2022, this collaboration between Julio Cabrera and James Beard winner Michelle Bernstein raises Cuban hospitality to dizzying heights—including live performances from authentic guitar-playing trovadores. (971 SW Eighth St., Miami; cafelatrova.com)