14 September 12-18, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | Downtowner and Maxwell Room, effective October 6. This decision was not made lightly. I carefully weighed the hard facts and numerous complex issues against every pos- sible solution and alternative. In the end, there just wasn’t a reasonable or viable option to keep the business going at this location.” Located between New River Drive and South Andrews Avenue, the iconic riverside restaurant and bar situated in downtown Fort Lauderdale has been a destination for the past three decades. Known for its stunning downtown views, lively boat scene, and memorable outdoor dining area, the restau- rant has been a local institution — even more so due to the historic property it is located in. “I hope that the legacy of the Downtowner will live on through the fun times, the friend- ships, the happy guests, and the countless memories we’ve all created,” continues the statement. “My greatest joy in owning the Downtowner is not its success but the incred- ible people I’ve had the privilege to meet and the friendships formed over the years. As this chapter of the Downtowner and Maxwell Room closes, I sincerely thank you all for your unwavering support, love, and the un- forgettable memories we’ve shared together. RC.” Craft also shared the news on Instagram, where more than 100 longtime fans and cus- tomers flooded the comments. One wrote, “These developers are ruining our Fort Lau- derdale. Nothing is sacred.” while another wrote, “I moved to Las Olas back in 2017 (I’ve since moved out of Florida last year). A lot has changed and not for the better. So sad! Too many high-rise apartments that nobody can afford. Rents for both business and rentals are insane.” The property that the Historic Down- towner and Maxwell Room are located on dates back to 100 years ago. Named after its developer, Fred Maxwell, the property was once an arcade called Max- well Arcade, which opened in 1925. It closed only a year later after a devastating hurricane damaged the structure of the building. None- theless, the building endured the test of time and for more than 30 years has housed both the Historic Downtowner and Historic Max- well Room. Until October 6, visitors, longtime regu- lars, and locals alike can visit the historic res- taurant and bar to order a round of drinks, some Old Bay shrimp or fish and chips, and savor the stunning views of the New River. Cheers to a legendary run. Historic Downtowner. 10 S. New River Dr., Fort Lauderdale; 954-463-9800; thehistoric- downtowner.com. Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday through Monday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closing Sunday, October 6. NI- COLE LOPEZ-ALVAR ▼ FORT LAUDERDALE $16M OPEN-AIR FOOD, DRINK, AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE OPENS A new heavy hitter has arrived in South Florida’s growing restaurant and bar scene, and this time it’s in Fort Lauderdale. Marina Village at Bahia Mar, a $16 million open-air food, drink, and entertainment venue, opened on Thursday, September 5, on the shores of Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway and just steps from the ocean. What was once a site for fishing charter boat slips adjacent to the burgeoning Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach is now one of the most distinctive food and drink venues in So- Flo. Not only does the massive food hall have a 44-seat outdoor bar, but it also has a dock- side lounge located on a ferry with not one but three different levels. This might be the most “South Florida” lounge and food hall to exist at the moment. Among the culinary kiosks is Sushi Song, founded by Chef Wijai “Song” Ketsuwan. The Marina Village spot marks Sushi Song’s 11th opening. Reflecting on the opening, Ketsu- wan tells New Times, “This development on the beach will be good for all of Fort Lauder- dale. Between all of the tourist traffic it will bring, it will be great for locals. I’m excited to have been a part of it from the beginning.” While the kiosk will be Sushi Song’s smallest location, Ketsuwan says fans can count on a full menu, as well as to-be-un- veiled Marina Village exclusives and crowd favorites like the Maine lobster-topped “A1A Signature” roll, the shrimp tempura-loaded “Japan Red Hot” roll, the lobster, shrimp, and cream cheese-dashed “Sweet Ocean” roll, and more. Additional kiosks, tucked within an area of Marina Village known as “The Promenade” include Mexican-focused Taco Vibez, Quore Gelato, Detroit-style pizza hot spot Blue Steel Pizza Co., Burgers & Shakes, Mason’s Fa- mous Lobster Rolls, Fresh Garden Bowls, and dim sum spot YIP. Beyond the Promenade, the Mainland Bar will have 44 seats and more than a dozen cocktail offerings, beer, seltzers, wine, and non-alcoholic options. Preliminary standouts include the “Paddle Party” — four shots of a peachy, lemony Grey Goose concoction served on a boat paddle for $30 — as well as the “Booby Trap” ($25) loaded with Brugal 1888 rum, banana, mango, almond orgeat, and lime served in a bikini-in- spired cup. Perhaps the buzziest element of Marina Village is the Shorely, a 500-person ferry that has been morphed into a multi-level enter- tainment vessel. It includes three bars, VIP cabanas, and an already impressive slate of weekly happenings. The weekly docket includes a “Pearls for the Girls” ladies’ night (Thursdays 7 to 9 p.m.), weekend day parties (Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.), and a “Crew Club” fair each Sunday 5 to 10 p.m. In addition to Marina Village and the Ba- hia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach hotel, the broader complex will one day be home to two condominium towers, nearly 250 new boat slips, upwards of 90,000 square feet of com- mercial space, and more. In the meantime, there is plenty to nosh on as the space blossoms. Marina Village. 849 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-945-6997; marinavillageftl. com. JESSE SCOTT Screenshot via Instagram/@sashaeatsatl Knallhart Management Group photo The Historic Downtowner on New River Drive in downtown Fort Lauderdale will close after over 30 years. The Shorely — a ferry-gone-vibey venue — has officially docked at Marina Village.
