The Depot Bar opened in the originally Bills Filling Station location around 4 years ago. After approximately 2 ½ years in that location owner Jim Babb decided that there was something missing in the bar and moved to their current location on Federal highway and renamed the bar The Depot Cabana Bar and Grille. Jim said “I started in the bar business in Key West and love the tropical, sunny, outside feel of the bars in the Keys. When our current space came available, I immediately thought of bringing poolside Tea back to Fort Lauderdale. I wanted to recreate the feel of Atlantic Shores in Key West, the Boatslip in P-town, and Club Caribbean here in Ft. Lauderdale. In fact, Club Caribbean was located just next door to our location here on Federal Hwy. The thing that makes our location so unique is that it highlights the qualities we all love about South Florida–sun, fun and the Tropics.”
The Depot Cabana Bar & Grill – T Dance Turns One
The Depot Bar opened in the originally Bills Filling Station location around 4 years ago. After approximately 2 ½ years in that location owner Jim Babb decided that there was something missing in the bar and moved to their current location on Federal highway and renamed the bar The Depot Cabana Bar and Grille. Jim said “I started in the bar business in Key West and love the tropical, sunny, outside feel of the bars in the Keys. When our current space came available, I immediately thought of bringing poolside Tea back to Fort Lauderdale. I wanted to recreate the feel of Atlantic Shores in Key West, the Boatslip in P-town, and Club Caribbean here in Ft. Lauderdale. In fact, Club Caribbean was located just next door to our location here on Federal Hwy. The thing that makes our location so unique is that it highlights the qualities we all love about South Florida–sun, fun and the Tropics.”
This is exactly what they (owners Jim and Marc) did. They started Sunday T dances that have different weekly themes last year on Memorial Day weekend. Their current line-up is the 2nd Sunday of the month is Fuzz T, for bears and their friends and features guest bartender Chad Bush and DJ Daddy O and the 3rd Sunday is She Tea for women and their friends and features DJ Karin Ward a guest bartender Debbie from Sidelines. To kick off their 1 year anniversary celebration of every Sunday T Dances they are adding a 3rd themed rotation entitled Leather T which starts this Sunday and every 4th Sunday of the month and introduces DJ Billy Hallquist to the lineup of great DJs the Depot has. When I asked Billy about his feelings on joining the Depot line-up, he said: “I am so excited about joining the guys at the Depot and being a part of this special kickoff Memorial Day Sunday. I am sure it will be an amazing party.” The new Leather T Dance will also feature bartender Rich Rodriguez, Mr. Ramrod. According to co-owner Marc Scharphorn “The great thing about all of our T Dances, including the themed ones, is we’ve found that all kinds of people attend and have a great time even if they’re not a part of the specific themed demographic.”
Stay tuned as this summer the Depot will be adding Saturday afternoon Splash pool parties featuring another great line-up of DJs including Jeffrey Jacobs, Barry Thomas Huffine, Bryan Reyes and DJ Just Oliver.
The Depot Cabana Bar and Grille is open 7 days a week from 11:30 am to midnight and features different specials and entertainment every day. Check them out at 2935 N. Federal Highway. For more information call them at 954-537-7076 or go to their website at TheDepotBar.com
