Pirate-Themed Rum Bar and Grill Opens in Fort Lauderdale

Black Jack’s Rum Bar & Grille has officially dropped anchor in Flagler Village, bringing a rum-soaked, Caribbean-leaning gastropub to one of Fort Lauderdale’s most walkable neighborhoods. And it might be one of the most exciting Fort Lauderdale restaurant openings of 2026 yet.

The new outpost marks the second location for the pirate-inspired bar and restaurant, expanding from its original home in Davie and proving that, when done right, piracy can be downright delicious.

Clean and Coastal Interiors

Owned and operated by Deanne Crosby alongside Ted Sabarese and Ted Sabarese II, with food and beverage director Russ Twining steering both the kitchen and bar, Black Jack’s Rum Bar & Grille balances playful swagger with serious culinary and cocktail chops. The Fort Lauderdale opening has already earned early buzz, including attention from the Sun Sentinel, which highlighted the bar’s rum-forward program and elevated approach to comfort food.

Despite the Jolly Roger-inspired logo outside, Black Jack’s avoids full-on pirate kitsch. Inside, the space leans clean and coastal, with industrial finishes, brass lantern lighting, aquamarine epoxy floors, and wood-stained tables that subtly evoke island life rather than a theme-park attraction. Crosby says the goal was to make guests feel as if they’ve landed on Exuma Island, not boarded a Disney ride.

American Gastropub Fare with Latin-Caribbean Influences

The menu mirrors the Davie original, a lineup of American gastropub favorites brightened with Caribbean and Latin flavors. Standouts include snapper fish and chips with lemon-cilantro aioli, mojo pork, wings, burgers, and rotating weekly specials that have already built a loyal following.

Heartier plates range from sous-vide baby back ribs finished on the grill with passionfruit rum barbecue sauce to a huli-huli-glazed pork chop and a churrasco-style steak with chimichurri. Cuban, Bahamian, and Argentine influences appear throughout, from conch fritters and ropa vieja to choripanes and frita Cubana burgers.

Over 350 Bottles of Rum and Lots of Fun

At the bar, rum is the undisputed star. A dramatic rum wall showcases roughly 380 bottles, including rare and aged expressions from Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, and beyond. High-end pours include a 30-year Flor de Caña and the storied Black Tot Last Consignment, while the cocktail list keeps things balanced and approachable.

Signature drinks like “Davie Jones’ Locker” sit alongside mocktails and classic riffs designed to pair seamlessly with the food.

Now docked at 505 NE Third Ave., Black Jack’s Rum Bar & Grille feels right at home in Flagler Village, offering a polished yet playful neighborhood hang where great food, great rum, and a little swagger all sail together.

Black Jack’s Rum Bar & Grille. 505 NE Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-839-8919; blackjacksrumbar.com.