Fort Lauderdale is changing. Fast. If you’ve driven down 17th Street lately, you’ve seen the cranes. They loom over the water like giant metal storks. Everyone is talking about the new hotels and the luxury condos, but if you ask anyone who has lived here longer than a decade, they’ll ask you about the spire. They want to know when they can finally go back up into that iconic needle in the sky.
Finding a rotating restaurant Fort Lauderdale used to be easy. You just looked for the crown.
The Pier 66 hotel has been the skyline’s anchor since the 1960s. Its top floor—a glass-walled lounge that slowly spun 360 degrees—was the place for every anniversary, every nervous first date, and every "welcome to Florida" drink for out-of-town relatives. But then came the hurricanes. Then came the renovations. Then came years of "closed for construction" signs that felt like they were never going to come down.
Honestly, the city felt a little flatter without it.
What Happened to the Top of the 66?
Let’s be real: the Pier 66 rotating lounge wasn't just a bar. It was a landmark. It took about 66 minutes to make a full circle. You’d start your cocktail looking at the Atlantic Ocean and finish it staring at the downtown skyline or the cruise ships snaking out of Port Everglades. It was slow. It was smooth. Sometimes, if you had one too many martinis, you’d forget the floor was moving and wonder why the bathroom moved to the other side of the room.
The building was originally designed by Richard F. Humble and opened its doors in 1965. For years, it was the Phillips 66 petroleum company’s crown jewel. But time is a beast. Salt air eats concrete. The spire survived a lot, but by the time the late 2010s rolled around, it needed more than just a fresh coat of paint.
Then Hurricane Irma hit in 2017. That was basically the end of the old era. The damage was significant enough that the owners had to make a choice: patch it up or reinvent it. They chose reinvention. A massive, multi-billion-dollar redevelopment project began.
The Status of the Spin in 2026
If you’re looking for a reservation right now, you’re going to have to wait just a little longer, but the light is at the end of the tunnel. The Pier Sixty-Six Resort is finally nearing its grand reopening. The iconic spire with its 17 "petals" or spikes has been meticulously restored.
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Here is the kicker though: it might not be the "restaurant" you remember.
Early reports from the developers, Tavistock Development Company, suggest the rotating space will return as a high-end lounge. Think sophisticated cocktails and elite vibes rather than a full-blown dining room with white tablecloths and steak dinners. The goal is to preserve that 360-degree view while modernizing the mechanics. Because let’s face it, 1960s gears are noisy. The new version is expected to be whisper-quiet.
Why We Are Obsessed With Eating in Circles
Why does everyone keep searching for a rotating restaurant Fort Lauderdale? It’s kind of a weird concept when you think about it. You’re paying to sit on a giant turntable.
But there is a psychological pull to it. In a flat state like Florida, elevation is a luxury. We don't have mountains. We have overpasses and high-rises. A rotating space gives you a sense of mastery over the landscape. You see the grid of the canals—the "Venice of America"—laid out like a map. You see the sheer scale of the yachts.
It’s also about the "slow reveal."
You’re talking to your partner, you look away for five minutes, and suddenly the view has shifted from a parking lot to a sunset over the Everglades. It’s built-in entertainment. You don't need a band. You don't need a TV. You just need a window.
Other Options While We Wait
Since the Pier 66 lounge is the only true "spinning" spot in town, what do you do in the meantime? If you want that "on top of the world" feeling, you have to look at the rooftops.
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- Sparrow: Located on the 25th floor of The Dalmar. It doesn't move, but the 1960s-mod vibe feels like a spiritual successor to the old Pier 66. The views of downtown are pretty spectacular.
- Roofnote: A newer spot that leans into the breezy, tropical luxury Fort Lauderdale is trying to cultivate.
- Pelican Landing: It’s at the base of the Pier 66 property. You aren't high up, but you are right on the water watching the boats go by. It’s the "grounded" version of the experience.
The Engineering Headache Nobody Talks About
Making a building spin is a nightmare.
Most people think the whole floor moves. Usually, it’s just a donut-shaped platform sitting on top of a stationary core. The core holds the elevators, the plumbing, and the kitchens. If you tried to put a kitchen on a rotating floor, the gas lines would twist and explode. Not exactly a great dinner vibe.
This is why these places often struggle to stay open. The maintenance is brutal. You have hundreds of wheels or rollers under the floor that need constant lubrication. If one of them gets flat or squeaks, the whole restaurant hears it.
When the new Pier 66 lounge opens, it will be a marvel of modern engineering compared to the old hydraulic or basic electric systems of the mid-century. We are talking about precision movements that you shouldn't even be able to feel in your glass of champagne.
The "New" Fort Lauderdale Skyline
The return of the rotating lounge is part of a bigger shift. For a long time, Fort Lauderdale was the "quiet" neighbor to Miami. Not anymore. The city is leaning into "ultra-luxury."
The Pier Sixty-Six redevelopment isn't just a hotel; it’s a 32-acre district. We are talking about a marina that can hold some of the world’s largest superyachts—vessels over 400 feet long. There will be private residences where the condos cost more than some small islands.
Is it still for the locals? That’s the big question.
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The old rotating restaurant felt like it belonged to the city. It was where you went for your high school prom or your 50th anniversary. The new version looks like it might be leaning toward a more "exclusive" crowd. But the developers know the history. They know that if they don't let the public up there to see that view, there will be a riot at the drawbridge.
What to Expect When the Doors Open
- Strict Dress Codes: Gone are the days of flip-flops and tank tops at the top of the tower. Expect "Florida Chic"—think linen blazers and designer dresses.
- Pricey Pours: You aren't just paying for the gin; you’re paying for the machinery and the vista. Expect cocktail prices that match the altitude.
- Reservations are Gold: When it finally opens, getting a spot at sunset will likely be the hardest ticket in town for at least a year.
A Long History of Vertigo
Florida actually has a weird love affair with these things. There was the Garden of Allah in Clearwater. There was the Polynesian Isle. Most of them are gone. The mechanical cost eventually outweighs the gimmick.
That’s why the Fort Lauderdale location is so special. It’s one of the few survivors. Even if it was dormant for a few years, the structure stayed. It’s a testament to the "space age" optimism of the 1960s. Back then, we thought everything in the future would spin or fly.
How to Get the Most Out of the Experience
When you finally do get back up there—or if you visit any high-altitude spot in South Florida—timing is everything.
Don't go when it’s pitch black. You can’t see the ocean at night; it just looks like a big, black void. Go 45 minutes before sunset. You get the "Golden Hour" light hitting the buildings, you see the sunset over the land, and then you get the "Blue Hour" where the city lights start to twinkle.
That is when the 360-degree view actually pays off. You get two different worlds in one rotation.
A Note on the "Old" Pier 66
There are rumors that the new lounge will feature nods to the original design. Local historians and long-time residents have been vocal about wanting the "soul" of the place preserved. While the interior will be brand new, the "spikes" on the exterior are non-negotiable. They are part of the FAA flight path markers and, more importantly, part of the city's identity.
It’s rare for a city to get a second chance at a landmark. Usually, when things are gone in Florida, they are replaced by a CVS or a generic glass box. The fact that the rotating restaurant space is being reborn is a minor miracle.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit
- Check the Official Site: Keep an eye on the official Pier Sixty-Six Resort website for the "Grand Opening" announcement. They are expected to begin taking reservations for the lounge separately from the hotel rooms.
- Monitor the Marina: If you want a preview of the vibe, the marina is often the first part of the complex to host events. You can get a "ground-level" feel for the new luxury aesthetic.
- Book Your Sunset: If you are planning a proposal or a major event for late 2026, start scouting your dates now. The "Golden Hour" window is small, and these spots will be the first to book up.
- Explore 17th Street: While you wait, the 17th Street Causeway area has become a culinary hub. Check out the surrounding restaurants to see how the neighborhood has evolved during the tower's long sleep.