Choose Your Fort Lauderdale Night: YOLO, Boatyard or Nubé Rooftop

The Restaurant People lists YOLO, Boatyard and Nubé Rooftop in its Fort Lauderdale hospitality portfolio, but each offers a different way to spend a night out. YOLO pairs modern American dining with downtown nightlife. Boatyard serves seafood along the Intracoastal Waterway and accommodates guests arriving by boat. Nubé combines cocktails, shareable plates and daily DJs on a 26th-floor rooftop.

Those differences reflect the group’s approach: distinct concepts connected by a shared commitment to hospitality, design, food and beverages. Founded in 1997, The Restaurant People has developed, managed or operated more than 85 restaurant and hospitality concepts. Here is how its three Fort Lauderdale options compare.

YOLO: Downtown dinner followed by dancing

YOLO has operated in downtown Fort Lauderdale since 2008. The Las Olas restaurant serves modern American cuisine and handcrafted cocktails, while O Lounge adds after-dinner drinks, DJs and late-night dancing.

Its schedule supports several types of outings. DJs perform Tuesday through Saturday evenings and during weekend brunch. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the bar and fire-pit area.

Choose YOLO when the plan calls for dinner, drinks and dancing in one downtown destination. It also suits groups that want to begin with a weekday happy hour before moving into dinner or the lounge.

Boatyard: Seafood on the Intracoastal

Boatyard makes the waterfront central to the experience. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway, the restaurant emphasizes seafood, including daily catches, raw-bar selections and shellfish. Steaks offer an alternative for diners who prefer something other than seafood.

The setting is also accessible from the water. Guests arriving by boat can reserve one of three slips, each accommodating vessels up to 65 feet long. That makes Boatyard a practical option when boating is part of the outing rather than merely part of the view.

Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the bars and fire-pit area. Boatyard schedules DJs Thursday through Saturday nights and during Sunday brunch.

Choose Boatyard when waterfront dining, seafood or boat access leads the priority list. Its DJ schedule also gives late-week dinners and Sunday brunches a livelier backdrop.

Nubé Rooftop: Cocktails above the city

Opened on April 12, 2024, Nubé Rooftop is a restaurant, lounge and bar on the 26th floor overlooking the Atlantic. Guests must be at least 21 years old.

The food and beverage program centers on craft cocktails and shareable plates. DJs perform daily, making music a consistent part of the rooftop experience rather than an event limited to selected nights.

Bar happy hour is available Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. The earlier schedule works for an afternoon rooftop visit, while the daily DJs support plans that continue into the evening.

Choose Nubé for a 21-and-older outing focused on cocktails, shared dishes, Atlantic views and music.

Match the venue to your plans

Pick YOLO for modern American food and a night that can move from dinner to O Lounge without a venue change. Choose Boatyard for seafood, Intracoastal views and the option to reserve a slip. Head to Nubé for a rooftop setting, craft cocktails, shareable plates and daily DJs.

Happy-hour timing can also settle the decision. YOLO and Boatyard offer theirs Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. Nubé’s bar happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m.