Dive bars, burgers & Stanley Cup parties

A South Florida top 10 list from well-known area journalist Shandel Richardson shows he has a soft spot for dive bars:

1. Village Well Pub (Fort Lauderdale): If you search dive bars in Fort Lauderdale, it's the first thing that appears on Google. Bud Light is $3.50 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There's also a pair of pool tables. You get a local vibe for sure.

   

   Shandel Richardson (bottom right), a well-known South Florida sports journalist, offers his favorite spots, with a strong lean toward dive bars such as his No. 1 spot – Village Well Pub (with famed bartender April making a background appearance).

2. Ted's Hideaway (Miami Beach): South Beach is pretty pretentious but this bar is full of locals. If you want to avoid the glitz of Miami and just want to chill and get a good drink, this is your spot.

   
   

3. Quarterdeck Seafood Bar & Grill (Fort Lauderdale): It has great $6 lunch specials throughout the week. The drinks are also double pours all day. Great staff and location. The property also features Whiskey Neat, which provides the best smoked Old Fashions. 

   
   

4. Blondies Sports Bar (Fort Lauderdale Beach): This place is right across the street from the beach. You can sit outside and people watch for hours. There are also two bars, one in front and another in back. The place also offers an assortment of bar food.

   
   

5. Elbo Room (Fort Lauderdale Beach): Among the landmarks in South Florida. It's also across the street from the beach. The Florida Panthers have had their Stanley Cup celebration here the last two years. It drew thousands of people.

   

6. Fat Cats (Downtown Fort Lauderdale): It's open until 4 a.m., but more importantly the kitchen serves food after midnight (the philly cheese steak ranks among the best in the area). It's a popular spot for people who are still out after the bars close.

   
   

7. Prime 112 Steak House (Miami Beach): If you're looking to see stars while in Miami, here's your place. From Pat Riley to Dwayne Wade to the visiting sporting teams in South Florida, everyone makes a stop here.

   
   

8. Le Tub (Hollywood Beach): It was once voted the best burger in America by GQ Magazine. It may take 40 minutes for the burger, but it's highly recommended by regulars. 

   

9. Aventura Mall: This area has the most traffic in South Florida because of the mall. It's a place you can shop all day while also getting some quality food. 

   
   

10. Hot Leggz (North Fort Lauderdale): It's a bar that caters to Chicago Bears fans, but the food, particularly the chicken wings, is top-notch. It also hosts several dart leagues.