Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery Ft. Lauderdale — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

For the Standard Crowd Stop ordering Tito’s Sodas and Espresso Martinis. These are not Fort Lauderdale Airport bartenders. They are on another level. Explore new drinks and discover a world previously unbeknownst to you.

For the Cocktail-Savvy Crowd Expect well-executed classics and a menu full of smash hits and acquired tastes — crafted by a legend and brought to life by up-and-coming cocktail superstars. Their Bounty Daiquiri and Probitas Daiquiri are both delicious. While the fast-paced environment does limit the level of detail and technique I personally enjoy, it’s understandable — they’ve got quotas to hit. It’s the standard big-city bar rhythm: efficient, energetic, and volume-driven.

For the Cocktail-Autistic (Like Me) Their classics are phenomenal. If I had feedback, it would be temperature control. Some drinks felt slightly too warm, likely due to missed chilling steps. I recommend chilling everything before building: spirits, mixers, glassware — even carbonated ingredients. There might be some technique improvements that could be made.

Also, consider investing in spear ice. Yes, it’s pricey, but it meaningfully improves the experience by reducing surface area and slowing dilution.

Another detail: avoid garnishing sour drinks with lime wheels directly on the surface of the cocktail. As they sit, they leach bitterness into the drink. Skip the lime wheel and save a bit on your happy hour daiquiris — lime prices are only going up. You’re welcome; I just improved your margins.

Lastly (and this may sound counterintuitive): your drink volumes might be too high. Many feel like they’re built with 3 oz of base spirit. The Negroni in particular feels like 5 oz total. I’d suggest slightly lowering the overall volume. It would: -Allow guests to enjoy more drinks in one sitting -Improve guest pacing and per-head spend -Make pricing more approachable (e.g. from $17–20 to $15–18)

I know this means changing every glass and possibly reworking your build strategy, but the long-term payoff in margins and guest experience could be well worth it.

Train your staff (especially on slow days) on unreasonable...

Wow. I was finally able to make my way here with some friends after hearing such great things about this bar and it was everything I heard plus more. We went on a Tuesday night so the crowd was small but I’m glad because it made for a more intimate and cozy atmosphere.

Finding the bar felt like a little side quest but my friends and I weren’t mad about it at all. We loved that it wasn’t out in the open like a mainstream bar, open to the annoying Fort Lauderdale teeny boppers.

The lighting was dark and sexy reminding me of NYC cocktail bars. The bar is filled with a never-ending array of mainly rums and other spirits. Their extensive cocktail list had my friends and I studying for quite some time but our bartenders, Jel and Kiki(?) were incredibly knowledgeable, helpful and kind.

I started my experience with the El Presidente and I had to force myself not to chug it because it was so delicious. Spirit-forward, perfectly balanced with sweetness, bitterness and brightness. Highly recommend for old fashioned, sazerac and perfect manhattan lovers.

I also had the Chocolate 50/50 Manhattan and was blown away. Just imagine a big bite of bittersweet dark chocolate in liquid form. Perfect balance of sweet and salty, great viscosity, garnished to perfection with a luxardo cherry at the bottom of the glass (I love when they make you work for the treat at the end).

God, this review is so long and obnoxious but I have to tell you this was an 11/10 experience. Very, VERY happy to see a sexy, proper cocktail bar in the Fort Lauderdale area. Great hours - I WILL be regularly visiting every week. Five...

Swizzle Speakeasy is hands down one of the most enchanting spots I’ve visited in Fort Lauderdale. From the moment you step inside, you’re transported into a world of vintage charm, moody ambiance, and masterfully crafted cocktails. But what truly elevated the experience was our phenomenal server, Chris.

Chris was attentive, incredibly knowledgeable, and an absolute delight to interact with. His whimsical energy and passion for mixology made each drink feel like its own little adventure. He guided us through the menu like a pro and made fantastic recommendations throughout the night.

We indulged in a stunning lineup of cocktails: 🍹 Missionary’s Downfall – Refreshing, herbaceous, and the perfect way to start the night. 🍸 Pisco Smuggler – Bright and complex, with a beautiful citrus kick. 🌿 Amazonia – Like sipping the rainforest, earthy and wild in the best way. 🔥 El Diablo – A spicy, sultry twist that kept things exciting. 🥃 Newburgh Sour – Bold and balanced, a true standout. 🥂 Japanese Highball – Simple, elegant, and effervescent. 🍇 El Pescador Cobbler – Fruity, nuanced, and a perfect nightcap.

Each drink was beautifully executed, and you could tell the bar staff truly takes pride in their craft. Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail aficionado or just looking for a unique night out, Swizzle is a must-visit. Ask for Chris—you won’t regret it!

💫 Can’t wait to come back and explore more of this...