New Fort Lauderdale Bar Commemorates Members of Music's 27 Club

A lot of really cool people died when they were 27.

We lost Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, and Robert Johnson in yesteryear, and more recently, we’ve said goodbye to Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, among way too many others.

It’s sad — so much talent lost at such a young age. So when you catch word that a bar/lounge/venue is opening in Fort Lauderdale based on the 27 Club, you immediately think, Well, that’s kind of depressing.

But step inside the new 27 Bar & Lounge, and you'll feel anything but sad.

Slated to open early next month, 27 is nestled inside a transformed warehouse next to Laser Wolf in the budding Flagler Village neighborhood. The interior is a sleek, speakeasy-like tribute to the beloved lost at the age of 27. Pictures of Morrison, Winehouse, and Marley are scattered across the walls. A black-and-white photo collage engulfs the ceiling, and wooden crate tables bear sketches of Cobain and Basquiat’s faces. Plus, there’s enough room for 27 beer taps and a small space for bands to rock. If you like Bardot in Miami, you’ll probably like this spot too.
The concept is the brainchild of Coral Springs natives Cory Blank and Tayler Scharg, both 25 years old and buddies growing up.

“With a lot of the stuff closing down on the [Fort Lauderdale] Riverfront, some parts downtown are just not as fun as they used be,” Blank says. “We wanted to create a simple and easy place for people to enjoy themselves that’s fun and not too serious.”

The bar's drink menu is also an homage to the 27 Club, with plenty of infused cocktails such as Amy’s Rehab (muddled green grapes, vodka, agave syrup, a splash of soda water, and an almond-stuffed green grape garnish). And there’s grub, served from an onsite kitchen that slings dishes such as tequila shrimp bruschetta, IPA-battered onion rings, truffle parm fries, and six kinds of flatbread.

There’s also an outdoor area with an Astroturf lawn and white picnic tables. A walk-up window to the bar is surrounded by a colorful mural by Miami street artist Ahol Sniffs Glue.
The venue's founders have their sights set on booking one or two live acts per month. They hope to attract the likes of Action Bronson, Travis Barker, and Simon Rex. In between, they plan to host cover bands and weekly events such as Winehouse Wednesdays, when customers can pay a fixed price to drink as much as their livers can handle.

“If you appreciate good vibes and good music, this will be the spot for you,” Sharg says.

27 Bar & Lounge
835 NE Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale; twentysevenbar.com. Open Wednesday through Sunday.