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The outdoor deck at Havana Hideout only added to the more sand-and-surf feel of downtown Lake Worth. (Photo by Joshua Nichol-Caddy)
Editor’s Note: We’ve just started a new series called “New In Town”, where newcomers to Palm Beach County check out the restaurants, bars, clubs and venues that make our home fun. Today, pbpulse.com producer Joshua Nichol-Caddy heads to downtown Lake Worth to take in the sights. If you’ve lived in the area less than six months, and you’d like to contribute, give us a shout at pbpulse@pbpost.com.
Walking Lake Avenue, I got the feeling I was somewhere besides South Florida.
While touting their beaches and cultural diversity to tourists, communities I’ve visited as a local highlight neither. Many of the downtown areas feel like the strip malls back home (though ever-so-slightly more humid).
Until I experienced downtown Lake Worth, Stuart (which, perhaps because I saw Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest at the Lyric Theatre, reminded me of the seaside town of The Birds) was the single exception to my assessment.
At Lake Worth’s Kavasutra I encountered a dazed and confused surfer with a black eye more interested in talking to his shirtless beach bum friend than taking orders. Although his behavior was obnoxious, it did induce me to question my hurry and realize there really wasn’t one – before walking, slowly, elsewhere for refreshment.
The bartender at South Shores Tavern was far more welcoming. She talked at length with me and my friend, leaving to take orders and returning to continue exactly where the conversation had left off.
The bartender at Little Munich was also quite friendly, her heavy accent underscoring the German theme of the bar that serves beers and entrees from that country.
Much like that night on Clematis in West Palm, my evening in Lake Worth ended at an Irish pub. Brogues featured live music (sung in a relatively consistent Irish accent) and patrons who seemed a mix of regulars and fellow “new in towns.”
In short: Downtown West Palm, in its attempt to be one-size-fits-all, succeeds in being rather generic compared with the pastiche of establishments located on Lake Avenue, which truly provides something for everyone.
Lake Worth is awesome. I get so tired of the racists and malcontents talking it down. It is, without question, Palm Beach County’s coolest city.
Sweet places downtown, the best beach, one-of-a-kind events. Heck the former Mayor is even in a rock band. That’s the kind of city I want to live in, not one with shiny new buildings and no soul.
Downtown Lake Worth is a great place to spend a relaxed, enjoyable evening or weekend afternoon.
It has several places to go for live music…Havana Hideout, South Shores Tavern, Igot’s, Rum Shack, and Brogue’s. All of these within a 1 1/2 block stroll. Besides the music, it has some very good restaurants ranging from casual to more formal….prices are generally reasonable. It has some interesting shops to explore.
The “people watching” is great particularly during their artfests.
The quirkiness and diversity of the area lends to its appeal. I enjoy going there both in the evening and on a weekend afternoon to enjoy its offerings.
No I am not a resident, I actually drive from Wellington at least 2-3 times a month for a relaxing, good time.
Smaller and more quaint than Delray…not all the kids like Clematis. A great down to earth middle age crowd..at least early evenings..great restaurants..Rum Shack excellent food!
Lake Worth is the REAL thing and that’s rare in south Florida. West Palm is too, too, Frankel but LW is just right.
Sounds like this guy drinks a lot. Come on out to the hood.
Born N raised,it’s the place to be!! Lake Worth Local forever,there’s not alot to complain about. Too much to do,never enough time…:)
Downtown LW is great, I’ve been there many times and never once had a problem. Almost all the bars have live music, which is great. Supposedly the LW city govt is going to try to limit the noise by getting rid of live music after a certain hour, which will kill the downtown.
Wow, things have really changed from 1956-58!
Downtown Lake Worth is a great place! Noone mentioned my favorite restaurant Dav’e Last Resort and Raw Bar, lite hearty atmosphere, lots of friendly bartenders and waitstaff as well as a locals hangout. Good wings, beer, oysters. Happy Hour. Give it a shot you will be pleasantly suprised
i lived in lake worth all my life and i got to say i never notice how interesting my life was
untill i left it but thats my home there’s so much to do there but not enough time in the day to do it
LW has seen many changes, who remembers the Fountains Dept. stores downtown, Central Grocery, Herb’s Tackle, Michaels Pub, Mainstreet Ice Cream, Cater’s Furniture, Smokey’s Barbershop (used to cut my hair), Horsefeather’s (haha) and many others. It’s still great today, but he city fails to understand that to keep these great places going, they need to take care of the small businesses, not hassle them!
Nowadays you’ve got: The Taco Lady, Studio 205 (hey Andy), Bizarre and Cocopazzo, to name a few…Delray is too South Beach meets Brooklyn (eh Joey) and WPB always feels contrived, but Lake Worth is Da Kine…Brah!
LW is great, it does feel like a beach town.
It has a great mix of people, you’ll see super posh cars parked on Lake and Lucerne, Ferraris, Bentlys, BMWs, etc., with upscale folks enjoying the LW Playhouse or fine dining at Paradiso, Bizzare Ave. Couo Couo Pazzo. Yes there is a surfer/beach bum crowd too, there is a great surf shop and two bike shops.
Thursday night is Bike nite (motorcycle night).
The downtown is dog friendly, with the bars handing out dog treats and bowls of water, along with a great pet supply store Paws on the Ave.
There are also lots of family options, with Friday band at the plaza, Kilwin’s and Rita’s for ice cream, candy and custard. Plus a great little city library.
The bars are great, different, wonderful live music (if City Hall doesn’t kill it with the noise ordinance), nice bartenders, reasonable prices. Great live music at Propaganda which is becoming a real headliner venue.
Plenty of parking that is free too (although I expect the City of LW will eventually start charging for parking).
I love downtown LW. The Rum Shack is my fav place to eat! I did notice that kid with the black eye and his service, like his brain cells, seems to be lacking. The diversity of LW makes it a great place to live.
LW downtown is great. the best diner in soFla is there. pelican. i am there eevery day. amazing food. and the feel of the place and dowtnown is amazing.
Awesome downtown with tons of diversity. Propaganda is the best local live music place i’ve ever been to, just off “J” street south.
The conversation about metered parking needs to stop.
Metered parking takes away the easy use of downtown and adds the angst of worrying about the meter. Metered parking is counter productive, and you need look no further than Wilton Manors where ‘the drive’ is deserted.
Keep LW happening, don’t let the city add meters.
I agree. No meters. Eventually people tire of the hassle and go elsewhere.
Where were all of you a few days ago when I had to defend Lake Worth from foul mouthed bashers all by myself?
Wpb sux. Delray sux. Gardens really sux. Lake worth pulls the weight of all the lame waste of space towns in so fla. Kavasutras agressive addvertising has brought droves of decent people to L DUB. Hideouts apearance on food network also pumped it up. One thing I learns about LDUB is that if your not a decent person, you won’t last long in Lake Worth.
Drink Kava
Your right LW can be awesome, it’s a great place to go for a laugh or two. If LW doesn’t make you feel grateful nothing will,…lol
It’s great downtown. Don’t go west, even a few blocks, cause your a$$ will be in trouble.
I agree with Sam sorta, it makes sense eventually for the City of LW to charge for parking, but Delray doesn’t have meters or charge in the city lots so I hope LW keeps it free.
I love Havana Hideouts, Taco Tuesdays rock. I think it is interesting that some people are scared by LW’s diversity. LW is full of real people, upper middle class, rich, middle class, working, white, brown, black, old, young, college kids from Palm Beach State, professionals, surfers, hippies, retired, young families. If you like to interact with a mix of people its the place to go.
Just moved from downtown L.W. to “the Drive” in Wilton Manors. And 24 hour meters went up within 4 months (off season of all times) and the Drive is empty. You must keep change in your car, or be held up be the Valet service the restaurants have. No one wants to baby sit a meter for a night on the town. Most folks will go where is is easier/ more convenient to spend money, such as a chain rest./ box stores w/parking lots.
Somerville Mass and a few other towns around Boston are using U.S. Stimulus funds to upgrade the town squares, and putting in meters also. Many multi – generational businesses have had to close their doors. Shoppers are in cars, and it’s no big deal to drive 2 miles to a place without meters. L.W. needs more FREE parking, like using vacant lots behind Lake & Lucerne.
Buck the trend…that’s the L.W. way!
My wife and I are thinking of relocating to LW. We are both in are 50s and no children. We would like to purchase a 2 bed 2 bath condo for the 70 to 80 thousand dollar rage. Any suggestions on where to look in LW?
Can’t Wait!
You can definitely find a place in that range. Prices are way down, but there are a lot of investors buying places up. I think you would really like the North block (North of Lucerne) East of J Street. Try taking a drive through there.
Loved it and really enjoyed all the positive blogsers. I would be interested to hear more about LW and the area both good and bad.
Keep up the great work guys!
I’m going to make a trip to Lake Worth/Palm Beach one of these days – but I’m worried are there any good British Bars? I would hate to leave home and not have home from home to go to. . .
We always head to the Cottage on Lucerne Ave when we are in LW. They are really focused on live music! Nothing better than browsing there beer selection while sitting on the patio! And we drink free on Thursdays ( Ladies Night)
I’m recently single in my early 50′s and looking to live in socially active area where I can live within walking distance to social scene. How’s LW and are there reasonable apts downtown?
Just north of Lake is a little restaurant call Joven , connected to Mojitos , Lake Worth true night club, we love the place
To bad the City keeps wanting to put places out of business
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