Fishtales: Fort Lauderdale’s North Beach Restaurant & Nightclub Owner Cathy Vassallo Finds ‘Getting Hooked’ Can Be A Good Thing.
Interview Cathy Vassallo with Wayne Koss | FloridaysUSA.com
Intro: Cathy Vassallo, the admired owner of Fishtales Restaurant of 33rd Street district of North Fort Lauderdale Beach, like her neighbor Blue Jean Blues hosts entertainment nightly and more. Her passion and long hours of proliferate works make this one of the best entertainment venues for live music in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
Fishtales showcases the vast majority of the best entertainers of the area alongside some notable touring artists. A fine stage, plenty of table seating and a spacious dance floor make this a destination venue for adults who like to have a seat and take in fine live music.
Also highly notable, Fishtales also offers splendid fresh food at very reasonable prices.
A cool and friendly attentive staff make this a second home to the locals that indulge in conversation with people they know alongside the changing sea of clientele and a plethora of diverse dwellers that the entertainment acts bring to the establishment’s course.
Needless to say, the casual atmosphere of the venue inside and on the patio with all these amenities are the makings for beyond-the-norm enjoyable times. The activities extend to street block parties on Sunday afternoons in season among other days that call for something extra festive. Its a great place to join like-minded music fans in a very friendly locale of influx of excitement that seems to be getting better all the time.
Q & A
Q: What gave you the idea to start Fishtales – How did the name come about
A: Fishtales – Fish (tales) note the Spelling. It was named for my love for fishing and all the great tales that come with owning a restaurant and nightclub.
My best friend nicknamed me Catfish. After sharing a great bottle of wine with her, the name Fishtales was born.
Q: Why did you choose this area of 33rd Street
A: After owning a successful Bar & Grill in Fort Lauderdale for almost 8 years my lease was over and the landlord had raised my rent so high that I needed to find a new home close to my zip code.
I loved the charming tree-lined street. It seemed to me it was the last up-and-coming area by the beach. The fact that I could own a place so close to the beach and 2 short blocks from the intracoastal was a dream come true. I opened Fishtales on 33rd Street on September 1, 2006.
The same day I closed Big Game Bar & Grill on North Federal Highway. It weighed heavy on my mind not to lose loyal customers and dedicated employees. When I first opened, it took
everything I had financially just to open the doors.
It was a carryover from Big Game Bar & Grill. As time went on I felt I needed to change from Bar & Grill to a Restaurant Nightclub. I will be forever upgrading. That’s just what makes me happy!
Q: Did you plan to be a premier Entertainment Destination
A: I can not honestly say it was planned from the beginning. But at some point, it became a driving passion to own and operate a live music venue with the best entertainers, great food with a late-night kitchen.
Q: What are some of your most interesting nights at the establishment
A: That’s the thing in this business you just never know what characters might just walk in the door. But I can tell you this, my life has never been boring.
Q: What do you feel are the most challenging issues with Fishtales these days
A: The hours. This business consumes you. Every day is a party!
Having a private life from work is nonexistent – good thing I love what I do!
Q: Are you open every day of the year – You appear to be.
A: We are open 365 days a year. I have never closed except when the city made me for Hurricane evacuation.
Holidays are very busy times because everyone seems to know I never close.
Q: What are your future plans for Fishtales that are much different from what is happening now
A: More and More of the same just bigger and better.
Q: How would you describe your place briefly
A: Fishtales Restaurant & Nightclub is a live music venue with incredible food located close to the beach. We serve seafood, steak and chicken and a lot more nightly with gourmet specials prepared by Chef Jonas.
Our kitchen is open for lunch at 11am and closed at midnight during the week and 1am on weekends. Monday evening we host a Legends dinner show. Featuring a tribute to all the great legends of music. Tuesday through Sunday we have Happy Hour 5pm to 8pm then full bands 9pm to1am weekends until 2am. Its a happening place to say the least. If you enjoy dancing this is a great place because we have a big dance floor and great groove bands.
Its a lot of work to make it happen. But a lot of fun and when I get a chance to take a step back and soak up the energy in the room that’s makes it all worthwhile. (END)
Caught In The Moment
Fish Tales on 33rd: Kathy Vassallo and | Photo ©2019 Wayne Koss
Interview with Fishtales Owner Cathy Vasallo with Wayne Koss
AUDIO VERSION | © 2019 FloridaysUSA.com
Fishtales on 33rd |3355 NE 33rd St, Fort Lauderdale | General Info: 754 223-7611 | Website: fishtaleson33rd.com
- OPERATING HOURS: MON- THURS: 11:00am – 2:00am
FRI-SAT: 11:00am – 3:00am SUN:11:00am – 1:00am - For Band Bookings: 954 689-2344
- email: cathy@fishtaleson33rd.com
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