This upscale steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale is opening a swanky sports bar next door

One of the restaurants aiming to change Fort Lauderdale’s dining scene is about to open an upscale sports bar.

Gioia Hospitality Group, which opened Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse last fall on Federal Highway just south of the tunnel, is opening a little sister right next door: D’s Sports Bar.

Located inside a 1950’s style car service garage, D’s includes 12 high-definition screens and a marble bar lit from a wagon-wheel pendant light. The Super Bowl may be over, and thank heavens for that, but the Florida Panthers and Miami Heat are still battling, and March Madness looms on the horizon.

D’s will have a different menu from the more upscale offerings at Daniel’s, but D’s also places a focus on Florida-based producers, like Suwannee River Wagyu, Hawthorne Creamery and Tiny and Swank farms.

Forget the sports bar basics (though don’t panic — you can order mozzarella sticks and wings). Your choices have just improved, ranging from a double patty smashburger or a crispy hogfish sandwich with blackened aioli and fennel slaw to provolone arancini and wagyu meatballs.

Also on offer are grilled mahi tacos, wagyu Denver steak frites and cavatelli della nonna with arrabbiata sauce. There are also cacio e pepe tater tots, which could be one of the greatest inventions of all time.

D’s also includes a private dining area, The Florida Legends Room, which seats 40 and features memorabilia and signed jerseys from local sports legends like the Dolphins’ Jason Taylor, Lionel Messi and Jeff Conine (you may know him as Mr. Marlin).

This isn’t the last opening of 2025 for Gioia Hospitality, founded by Thomas Angelo, co-owner of Fiola Miami and Daniel’s. The group, also made up of Kassidy Angelo, culinary director Daniel Ganem and wine and beverage director Daniel Bishop, plans to open the upscale Italian restaurant Vita on the water at Grove Isle at the end of the year.

D’s Sports Bar

Where: 620 S. Federal Highway, Unit 1, Fort Lauderdale

Opening: Feb. 20

Hours: 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Monday; 5-11:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday

Reservations: Resy

More information: danielssteak.com or 954-960-4888