Great Places to Take a First Date in Hollywood, Florida

A recent trip back to Hollywood, Florida proved beyond a doubt that although this mid-sized city is doing it’s best to re-invent itself as one of the premier vacation sites in Southern Florida; it also has remained much the same. That is not a bad thing in my humble estimation, because some locations are special. And whether they were cool 30 years ago or just last week is not important. The fact that they’re still around is what makes them popular.

Hollywood has managed to nurture a handful of locations that can make for a memorable first date or even a follow-up with that special someone or significant other regardless of one’s age. I was a lot younger when relied on the following locations to break the ice with whomever it was I with at the moment. The sordid details can wait for another time; the important element in the following paragraphs has to do with YOU.

1) The Bandshell on the Beach (located on the corner of Johnston Street and the Hollywood boardwalk is my first recommendation. For as long as I can remember, the Bandshell on the Beach has offered live music and dancing. A couple of nights a week – usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can catch someone jamming on a tune or two. And lest you think this is nothing but rehashed Lawrence Welk standards minus the bubbles, then think again. On any given night you can find jazz, blues, top-40 hits or good ‘ol rock and roll. The small area in front of the Bandshell is used for dancing and there is an area for seating which holds at least 200 people of so. Hollywood’s Bandshell on the Beach is a laid back affair, you are after-all on the beach! The music usually starts around 8pm and lasts until 10:00 or so. Within spitting distance you’ll find some nice pubs and eateries. When it comes to a first date how can you lose? A bite to eatâÂ?¦.listen to a few tunes while you dance the night awayâÂ?¦.maybe take a barefoot walk along the shoreline. The Bandshell on the Beach: romantic, funâÂ?¦and free.

2) In an earlier article I wrote about several Hollywood (check out the AC archives) Restaurants. At least one of them is a winner when it comes to a first date. It’s called “Le Tub” (1100 N. Ocean Dr., Hollywood FL 33019, tel: 954-921-9425) and it’s a small non-descript seafood pub that sits on Hollywood’s intercoastal waterway that parallels the beach. For you culture lovers out there “Le Tub” means “The Tub”. And sure enough “Le Tub” is earmarked by an old 18th Century bathtub mounted up on a pole. I’m not quite sure how to classify “Le Tub”. It is small and almost always packed. Dimly lit, with a way-cool wrap-around balcony that faces the water with ever-present soft music playing in the background. You and that special someone can sip champagne, eat fresh oysters and gaze in each other’s eyes. LeTub is a little on the pricey side, but hey – it’s your first date. Conveniently located about 200 yards from Hollywood beach, you can pass a few hours at Le Tub, and then segue into a stroll-under-the-moon along the newly refurbished Hollywood boardwalk. There are plenty of places to sit along the boardwalk or right on the beach. If you just happen to have a towel in your truck you’re good to go. Or take your pick from dozens of small pubs.

3) Last but not least is a picnic at TY Park (officially known as Topeekeegee Yugnee Park and located at (3300 N Park Road, Hollywood, FL 33021, 954-985-1980, web: www.broward.org/parks). Who says first dates have to be at night? Be different! TY Park is one of Hollywood, Florida’s most popular locations. The park offers some old standards like paddleboats and rowboats to rent, bat/ball/glove rentals for baseball fans, two hard-court tennis courts, two basketball courts, a biking/jogging path, volleyball areas and concessions. TY Park also boasts a lakeside gazebo, along with several large and small picnic shelters with water, electricity, grills and tables. Other picnic tables and grills throughout the park are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The park’s campground includes 60 rental RV and tent sites, but maybe that’s a bit of a stretch for a first date. But who knows, maybe next time.

So there you go – some great “first date” locations that won’t break your pocket book, yet at the same time promises fun and also offers a chance for a little romance as well. Remember: if it’s a good first date, chances are it will lead to a great second date, which in turn may segue into an historic third date! Heck, after that who knows where destiny and fate will lead you!

Now go get ’em, Tiger!