On weekends, when the Riverwalk area of downtown Fort Lauderdale sees most of its nighttime activity, the Nocturnal Cafe catches the overflow of patrons walking along the streets leading to venues such as the Edge, Tavern 213, Dicey Riley’s and the Chop House. Most of its visitors are young, between 21 and 28, and their clothing represents anything from hand-me-downs to casual chic.
This is today’s coffeehouse, where a glass of California white wine is available for $4 and a $2.50 bottle of domestic beer seems to go over better than a $1.50 cup of cafe au lait. Food selections include peanut butter sandwiches ($2.25), smoked turkey pita ($4.50) and a “brown bag original,” which is bologna and American cheese with yellow mustard on white bread ($2.25).
Shaped like a U set on its side, the club has seating off to the right of the entrance and then a bar area leading to a small stage. To the right of the stage is a room with sofas, games and three television sets one on top of the other. My table was across from the bar, within hand-holding distance of people nearby.
Mirrors, touches of wrought iron, and sweeps of mauve paint create the background.
The female singer-guitarist I heard on a recent Friday night was disappointing. She was more than an hour late, which led to the anticipation that she might have been worth waiting for. But her voice sounded worn and her interest in her work wasn’t evident.
The good news was that she said she was finishing up her engagement at the Cafe and that was her last night there.
The Nocturnal Cafe has an open-mike night Tuesdays. Various local musicians perform Thursday through Saturday nights.
Nightlife news
Mike Crocco, owner of Club Crocco, 3339 N. Federal Highway, Oakland Park, said that he is changing the club’s name back to Crocco’s.
“Club Crocco sounds too exclusive,” he says. Crocco also tells us that the sports club now has a 12-piece Las Vegas style show band, Sure Gold, performing 10 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. He’s keeping Monday nights open for his weekly fights, which he says remain a big draw, and Thursdays stay Latin Nights, which also is going over well. As for his basketball court, that’s still operational during the day. At night, it becomes a gigantic dance floor.
— Rosebud’s, 2674 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, strives to be a showcase for local talent. Every Tuesday evening, three area bands compete in Battle of the Bands. The rock club presents live music every evening, alternating three bands on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
— Country singer/guitarist Chopper is at the end of a four-week engagement at Smokin’ Joe’s, 5360 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach.
— Fort Lauderdale’s first lady of blues, Big Mama Blu, would have celebrated her 52nd birthday this month. From 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Jan. 22, there’s a party in her honor at the club that was her musical showcase for the last years of her life – Cheers, 941 E. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale. The purpose is to raise money for a headstone to be placed at the singer’s burial site. Excess money accumulated would go to the Musician’s Relief Fund, which was started by Cheers owner Paul Lorenzo and Big Mama. Bands and musicians scheduled for the benefit include Royal Insects, Tribal Dogs, Torpedoes, Juanita Dixon, Joey Gilmore, Bobby Gorsher, Frannie Mulla and Jeff Prine. Donations will be collected at the door.
— News concerning local entertainment events and performers is welcome. Please send such information to Joan Brazer, Entertainment Department, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33301-2293.
