In this guide · 3 sections
Fort Lauderdale has two main hubs for gay travelers. Most of the gay bars are in Wilton Manors. The Fort Lauderdale beach strip along A1A has the sun, the informal gay beach at Sebastian Street, and many of the gay-friendly hotels. Neither choice is wrong. It just depends on what you want out of the trip.
Staying in Wilton Manors means you can walk to the bars. The trade-off: Wilton Manors is residential. The Drive is the Drive, but the rest of it is a quiet suburb. You're not staying in a beach resort town. You're staying in a neighborhood.
Staying on the beach gives you the Atlantic coast, a 5 to 10 minute walk to Sebastian Street Beach, and more hotel variety. The Drive is a 10 to 15 minute Uber ride north, which isn't a hardship. Beach hotels tend to be larger and more resort-focused.
Fort Lauderdale really is called the "Venice of America" because of its canal system. The city has more miles of inland waterways than Venice, Italy. Some of the better hotels sit on these canals or the Intracoastal Waterway. Keep that in mind when you book.
The Hotels
- Alcazar Resort- Gay Mens Resort — This all-male, clothing-optional gay hotel is 500 feet from Atlantic Ocean beaches. It has two heated pools and guestrooms with luxury bedding and cable TV.
- Cheston House - A Gay Resort — The staff here is famously friendly. It's a special gay oasis.
- Elysium Resort - Clothing Optional Gay Men's Guesthouse — A male-only gay-friendly resort, it's a five-minute walk from Fort Lauderdale Beach and a 13-minute drive from Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Every room has a cable TV.
- Granada Inn — Granada Inn Hotel BEST
- Grand Palm Plaza (Gay Male Clothing Optional Resort) — This exclusive gay male resort has a clothing-optional heated pool. Sebastian gay beach is five minutes away.
- Hotel Lush Royale - All Male Gay Resort — Just three streets from Fort Lauderdale Beach, this all-male gay resort has a clothing-optional outdoor pool and hot tub. It's within 15 minutes of...
- Pineapple Point Guest House — Fort Lauderdale's most celebrated gay guesthouse. Expect a clothing-optional pool, lush gardens, exceptional personal service, and a loyal returning clientele. It's one of the finest gay accommodations in the United States.
- The Grand Resort & Spa — A luxury gay beachfront resort on N Birch Road, with pools, a spa, clothing-optional areas, and direct access to Fort Lauderdale beach. The premium gay resort experience in South Florida.
- Worthington All Male Guesthouse — This all-male gay resort is 500 feet from the Atlantic Ocean, five blocks from Fort Lauderdale's Sebastian Beach. It has a clothing-optional courtyard with two 24-hour pools, a spacious hot tub, and free Wi-Fi.
Where to Stay by Priority
If you're here primarily for the Wilton Drive bar scene: Stay in Wilton Manors or immediately adjacent Fort Lauderdale. You'll save on Uber fares and can walk home from the bars, which really matters at 2am.
If you want beach access plus the gay scene: The A1A strip between about 15th and 26th Streets puts you near Sebastian Street Beach and within a reasonable rideshare of Wilton Drive. Most of the larger gay-friendly hotels are in this area.
For the Leather and Fetish Weekend or similar events: Wilton Manors accommodation books up well in advance. If you're coming for a major event, check availability early—the Drive-adjacent guesthouses and smaller hotels fill first.
Practical Notes
Winter (December through March) is high season. Prices reflect it—expect to pay 40 to 60 percent more for the same hotel room compared to summer. Book ahead if you're coming in January or February during Fort Lauderdale Pride. Summer rates drop significantly, and the weather is manageable if you're not planning extended outdoor time during the heat of the day.
Airport transfers from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) to either Wilton Manors or the beach take under 20 minutes by Uber. FLL is considerably more convenient than Miami International for this destination.
For the bar scene: Fort Lauderdale Gay Bars. For the full city guide: Gay Fort Lauderdale Guide.