Southport Raw Bar is a restaurant and raw bar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Description

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Southport Raw Bar is located on the Fort Lauderdale waterfront near Port Everglades.[1] As a raw bar, the restaurant primarily sells shellfish, especially oysters.[1][2]

History

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Southport Raw Bar was founded by Milton Kirtman and Carmine Ferrante in 1973.[1][3] The restaurant became known for catering to local boaters.[1] In 1985 a second location was opened in Pompano Beach, Florida, with the owners describing the location as being "more upscale" than the Fort Lauderdale location.[4] That location was briefly the subject of controversy when, after a series of noise complaints, the city heavily restricted the playing of music at restaurants.[5] Under the law, Southport Raw Bar was essentially banned from playing any music outside, even the radio.[6] The ban was lifted the following year.[6]

In the 1990s, Buddy Sherman became a part-owner of the restaurant.[1] Sherman had worked at the restaurant since 1979, starting as the restaurant's first busboy.[7] During the same period the restaurant underwent renovations to add a patio overlooking the Lauderdale Marina.[1] In 2017, the restaurant was praised in the Sun Sentinel for supporting a former waitress with food deliveries.[8] Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant acquired a liquor license and began revamping its menu.[1] The company stayed open during the pandemic in order to be able to keep paying employees.[9]

Reception

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Southport Raw Bar has received positive reception among critics. It has received positive reviews locally from the Miami Herald and the Sun Sentinel.[10][11][12][13] It received positive reviews in Thrillist and Tasting Table.[14][15][16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Valys, Phillip (2024-10-16). "Fort Lauderdale's Southport Raw Bar is turning 50 and feeling 'shucking fabulous'". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  2. ^ Koff, Rochelle (1994-05-13). "Where the clams are". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. p. 295. Retrieved 2024-11-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Mayo, Michael (2019-03-01). "Milton 'Mickey' Kirtman, co-founder of Southport Raw Bar and ex-owner of Ernie's Bar-B-Q, dies at 84". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  4. ^ McIver, Joan (1986-07-10). "Southport moves up north, leaves crusty image behind". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. p. 566. Retrieved 2024-11-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Whitehouse, Beth (1987-05-13). "Outdoor music banned". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-11-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b LaMendola, Bob (1988-03-30). "Outdoor cafe music ban to be lifted". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-11-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Petrillo, Lisa (2022-10-28). "Taste Of The Town: Southport Raw Bar serves up fresh seafood in casual dockside setting". CBS News. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  8. ^ Richardson, Shandel (2018-06-05). "Food for the soul: Beloved waitress' former employer delivers daily lunch to her nursing home". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  9. ^ Mayo, Michael (2020-03-24). "South Florida restaurants stay open for takeout and delivery, but how much longer can some last?". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  10. ^ "Southport Raw Bar and Restaurant". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. 1981-08-14. p. 48. Retrieved 2024-11-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Medzerian, David (1987-04-09). "Southport Raw Bar is right spot for a night out with good friends". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. p. 190. Retrieved 2024-11-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Tanasychuk, John (2014-01-30). "Raw Bar is flavor of city". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. p. E3. Retrieved 2024-11-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Anderson, Serrin E. (1981-03-12). "There's a little bar - sort of like a pub". Fort Lauderdale News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-11-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Southport Raw Bar". Thrillist. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  15. ^ Bond, Amber Love; Ventiera, Sara (2023-03-06). "Where to Eat in Fort Lauderdale Right Now". Thrillist. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  16. ^ Rich, Brandon (2024-02-07). "25 Best Waterfront Restaurants In Fort Lauderdale". Tasting Table. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
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