Live Music Restaurant in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL: Somebody New Takes the Stage
Ask three regulars which night to visit and expect three different answers. That’s what it means to be the live music restaurant in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, that people build a routine around instead of visiting once.
When the Music Starts
Weeknight sets usually start around 6:30 pm and run past 9. Sunday folds brunch straight into an early set around 1 pm, so the mimosa crowd is still there when the music kicks in.
Who’s Been on Stage Lately
Recent weeks (July ’26 to Aug ’26) have featured Chenzo, a longtime South Florida musician with decades on local stages, and Abraham Millett, a Fort Lauderdale regular who’s turned plenty of Thursdays into a reason to stay late. Whoever’s on stage changes often enough that regulars check the calendar before they book.
Live Jazz Music in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL: A Different Sound Every Night
Sets have ranged from Fleetwood Mac sliding into ‘90s alt-rock on a laid-back afternoon, to a full night of oldies that one table called the best part of their whole visit.
Slower nights lean toward live jazz music in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, brushed rhythms, a saxophone threading through the noise, drinks poured to match the tempo. On those nights, the open-air bar plays the part of a jazz bar in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, almost perfectly, right up until the set swings back toward rock covers the whole patio knows by heart.
Bigger Shows, Same Stage
101 Ocean also brings bigger names through, like touring country artist Cliff Cody and full tribute nights, covering decades of rock hits. Add weekly staples like Martini Monday and Raw Bar Tuesdays, and there’s a different reason to show up every night of the week.
Live Jazz Music in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL: A Different Sound Every Night
Chasing a saxophone player in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, specifically? Some days deliver that. The horn doesn’t open the set; it shows up two or three songs in, right when the patio finally goes quiet enough to listen. That’s live saxophone music in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, the way it should work: unannounced, well played, gone before you’re ready for the song to end.
Seafood That Justifies the Trip
The raw bar sets the tone before you even open a menu. Blue Point oysters, middleneck clams, and peel-and-eat shrimp steamed in Old Bay, all priced at market and served the way they’re supposed to be: cold and fast.
Want to go bigger? The 101 Ocean Seafood Tower stacks lobster tail, P.E.I. mussels, shrimp, clams, and oysters onto one platter. Order Low Tide for a single-level spread or High Tide for two full levels plus a bonus item from the kitchen.
Dinner keeps that same energy. The Crab-Stuffed Salmon comes wrapped in a cognac lobster cream sauce next to wild rice pilaf. The Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass sits over udon noodles tossed in Thai peanut sauce, teriyaki glazed and finished with sweet strings. The Spinach & Crab Dip, loaded with crab meat and artichokes, rarely survives the first ten minutes at the table.
Not chasing seafood tonight? The Half Pound 101 Burger comes flame-grilled with caramelized onions on a brioche bun, and the Lobster Mac & Cheese turns comfort food into something worth the trip on its own.
Weekend mornings bring breakfast and brunch, Friday through Sunday starting at 8 am.
A Beach Town Restaurant That Really Feels Like One
When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the noise, in the best way. Glasses clinking at the open-air bar. Somebody laughing two tables over because the bartender just made their night.
101 Ocean built this reputation over more than 40 years of combined restaurant and hospitality experience on staff. It shows in how the patio fills in before happy hour
officially starts and stays loud long after the check comes. The dining room, the indoor-outdoor bar, and the open patio each carry their own mood, and most regulars pick a favorite and defend it.
The numbers back it up too: a 4.3 rating across more than 2,000 Google reviews, a 2025 Top 3 award from BusinessRate, and a spot at #3 out of 35 restaurants in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea on Tripadvisor.
Plan Around It
101 Ocean sits at 101 Commercial Blvd in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308, an easy walk from the beach and the shops along Commercial.
Monday through Thursday, the doors stay open from 11:30 am to midnight. Friday through Sunday, it’s 8 am to midnight, breakfast included. Happy hour runs daily from 4 to 7 pm, and live music takes over Wednesday through Sunday.
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends when the music draws a crowd. Bring your whole party at once. Tables get held for 15 minutes past your reservation time, and after that, the next name on the list gets the seat.
In Short
Great seafood. A raw bar that doesn’t cut corners. Cocktails every afternoon at four. And live music that never plays the same show twice, which is exactly why 101 Ocean has become the live music restaurant in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, locals mention first when someone asks where to go.
Pick a night. Any night works.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No repeat setlists. The lineup rotates through real South Florida musicians like Chenzo and Abraham Millett, with the sound shifting from classic rock to jazz-leaning sets depending on the night, plus the occasional touring act like Cliff Cody. Check the full calendar here.
Weeknight sets run about 6:30 to 9:30 pm, Wednesday through Saturday. Sunday brunch rolls into an early set around 1 pm.
No. Regular sets are free to walk into. Bigger touring shows are the exception and usually call for advance tickets.
On slower nights, yes. Expect live jazz music in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, brushed rhythms with a saxophone in the mix. If a saxophone player in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, is specifically what you’re after, call (954) 776-8101 to check what’s booked.
Fridays and Saturdays bring the biggest crowds and highest energy. Sunday’s early set is slower and pairs well with brunch. Wednesday and Thursday lean more jazz and acoustic before the weekend picks back up.
