Howl at the Moon

Even as the recession sweeps Fort Lauderdale bare of cash-spending nightwalkers, Howl at the Moon manages to bring out a raucous crowd. By midnight, this wide-open bar on the second floor of BeachPlace is packed elbow to elbow with drunken, stupidly jolly Margaritaville rejects who sing painfully loudly to the already excruciatingly off-key live music of the dueling pianos. And as the rest of Las Olas' big-chain bars like Fat Tuesdays, Hooters, and Sloppy Joe's are at half-capacity, Howl at the Moon overflows with happy investors who are more than willing to throw money around for cheap thrills. Literally. Requests are bequeathed in the form of flying cash thrown at the pianists. The stage lighting gives Howl at the Moon the personality of a low-budget rock show — or a high-grade high school musical — and about as much goofiness. The dueling pianos cover pop favorites ranging from Elton John to Sublime while the vocalists make the lyrics their own with equal parts witty improv and tired bar humor. Still, the routine is a hit with the birthday party and bachelorette party crowd that's all too eager to "woo-hoo!" on cue. As lame as it gets, it actually grows on you with every shot... till eventually you catch yourself (shamelessly) singing along. Visit on Sunday for an open bar that includes house wines, wells, and Miller High Life. On Monday, Buck Wild ladies night lets the women have it with dollar specials and $3 Smirnoff Ice. Thursday is college night: no cover with college I.D. And come on Saturday for "the world's greatest rock 'n' roll piano show" (do take note of the quotation marks), and take advantage of the four-for-$18 buckets of Miller Lite.