Jerry C.
Yelp
After a long wait, West End Lounge finally opened last month. What a welcome addition to the bar scene on "The Drive" in Wilton Manors, as the Arts & Entertainment District successfully expands west from the major intersection.
While the structural bones still look like the previous bar Matty's, the interior has been transformed into a very swanky speakeasy. A lot of thought (and money) went into the high-end decor and design. West End is probably the most upscale lounge in the gayborhood.
The focus is on evening live entertainment. There is a baby grand on the stage, but so far it's not a singalong piano bar (which I am glad it is not...this is not the place). Think jazz musicians and professional singers.
There are lots of special cocktails on the menu, and the bartenders are clearly mixologists. Service is a bit slow, but maybe because these cocktails take some time to make. Be patient and be prepared to pay on the "high-end" for The Drive prices.
We were pleasantly surprised with the good list of decently priced wine.
So far the bar food is limited and nothing to write home about.
It would be nice if there were more seats closer to the stage, as crowds have to stand blocking others sitting further back. But crowds are good for business, and chairs can't block the emergency exits.
My friends and I will probably be coming often, maybe even more so if they start having happy hours.