PIER 66:  WHERE ARE YOU?

Pier 66 means different things to people depending on whether they are new to Florida or have been around a few years.  

My Pier 66 is a tall hotel with a rotating rooftop lounge on the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale.

Vintage Postcard 1960s Pier 66 Fort Lauderdale

It was built in the 1950's and was originally owned by the Phillips Petroleum Company, the sellers of Phillips 66 gasoline.

To signalize that ownership, there was a Philips 66 gas station in front of the hotel back in the fifties and sixties.

Pier 66 Under Construction (courtesy Fort Lauderdale History Center)

It's easy for me to remember the date of my first visit to Pier 66. It was June 6, 1966, or 6-6-66.  Pier 66 had a rotating lounge on it's top floor named Top Of The Pier that was open to the public.

Spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, Port Everglades and downtown Fort Lauderdale were an outstanding feature of this slowly rotating lounge.

Vintage Postcard Pier 66

As I recall, the elevator took 33 seconds to rise from the ground to the lounge floor, and 33 seconds to go back down for a total of 66 seconds.

The elevator had a glass side so you could look out at the scenery during the trip to the top and back to the bottom.

The lounge itself rotated once every 66 minutes while you enjoyed your drinks.  In my prime I could enjoy three drinks per rotation.  

View Over Pier 66 to the Atlantic Ocean in the Early Years

It was important during such periods of libation to memorize where your table was when you left it to go to the restroom.

When you returned, the table would be in a different location.

The last time I visited Top of the Pier was in early 2005. The hotel was then a Hyatt and remodeled for probably the umpteenth time.

View from Top of the Pier Looking Northwest To Downtown Fort Lauderdale

I met a friend for a drink and to enjoy the spectacular sunset as I had done dozens of times before.

As the sun descended below the horizon, the lights of Port Everglades and downtown Fort Lauderdale were twinkling decorations on a golden backdrop of green palms and blue canals.

The following month I was in Fort Lauderdale and went into the hotel for my habitual trip to the Top Of The Pier.

I learned that it had been closed to the public and to hotel guests. It was only available for private parties.

Pier 66 at Night

Another chapter in Old Florida that is sadly closed.

I think if one follows the money, there were probably too many tourists and sightseers using the lounge without having a drink or a snack.

Not enough of us 3 drink per rotation types to make it work economically.

Jan 11, 2022
Memories of Pier 66
by Bob White

My life as a Floridian started at the Pier 66 marina in the summer of 1966 after my parents moved us from Northern Illinois to Fort Lauderdale.

A 15 yr old living on a boat at the Pier was a dream come true. I had full access to the two pools, the coffee shops, and much to the dismay of hotel security Mr. Allen, the run of the grounds.

Back in 1966 a 43' boat was pretty nice. Now it would hardly qualify as a tender to the mega-yachts.

We were there for 3 months during the off-season when dockage cost 8 cents per foot per day and that included phone through the hotel operator, water, trash, electric, and the morning Miami Herald! 

All that for $103 a month!! There were a few other kids there too, but as the school year started we moved to an apartment on a canal and we lost contact.

Jan 27, 2020
State Employee
by: Susan Baker

I attended a Statewide Food Stamp Conference in Ft. Lauderdale in 1988. My one and only time as a young 34-year-old Supervisor enjoying a night out with others watching the sunset and later the lights of the city come to life.

So glad I had this amazing experience as a public servant of our great State of Florida. I was hoping to revisit with my son and his family. So sad that it is not open to the public.

Jan 27, 2020
Married At Pier 66
by: Anonymous

In March of 1985 I was married on a yacht at the marina. It was a small wedding so we all went upstairs to drink and admire the view. Then my husband and I spent our wedding night in a beautiful hotel room.

Although we're not married anymore, it's still a great memory.

Nov 06, 2019
Pier 66
by: MaryAnn

My first and only trip to Pier 66 was in 1976. It was my family’s first family vacation and my uncle insisted we go to the top floor.

It was beautiful! I will never forget the view. I still have the glass that we got our drinks in.

Mar 11, 2019
What is the current hotel
by: Leigh Cort

This is a great landmark. What is the current hotel that has now taken the place of the Phillips 66 property? Is there actually a hotel today in 2019?

EDITOR SAYS

It is still a hotel called Pier 66 Hotel and Marina. I don't know if it is affiliated with a larger chain; it may be independently owned and operated.

Jun 25, 2018
Pier 66
by: Anonymous

My father worked for Phillips & we went to Pier 66 every summer in the 1960's. It was & still is one of my favorite hotels. I miss the revolving restaurant, but the rest of it is still great!

Feb 25, 2018
Wow
by: Anonymous

My dad worked there for 20 yrs.

Feb 24, 2018
My first job
by: Bob Blank

My first job was scraping barnacles from the pilings in the marina at Pier 66 in 1968.

Aug 18, 2017
Swan Dive
by: Anonymous

We lived on Lake Sylvia as kids back in the 60's. My brother got a telescope for his birthday, and he discovered that he could see Pier 66 - clearly. So, one afternoon, he was watching the top go around, and saw someone on the revolving points of the tower. They swan dived into the putting green below, that was the last time he ever used his telescope.

Aug 17, 2017
Ft. Lauderdale landmark
by: Anonymous

My father's cousin Bette was the head telephone operator for many years...she was the voice you spoke to when you'd call the hotel.

Aug 17, 2017
The Original Pier 66
by: Anonymous

Prior to the tower being constructed, there was a large time and temperature sign out front(I'll never forget the morning I drove by and the temperature registered 29 degrees). Just to the east of the main entrance was a par 3 golf course and the tennis courts.

Dec 02, 2015
Pier 66
by: Glenda Heath

My dad began working for Pier 66 when it opened. He was accounting manager (I think that was his title). We spent hurricane Betsy hunkered down there. I spent many hours in that hotel and remember so many wonderful things about it. Thanks for this article.

EDITOR SAYS

Thanks, Glenda. That must have been something to ride out a Hurricane at Pier 66. I just checked my history and Hurricane Betsy was in 1965. We were living in a shack at the University of Florida back then and had to evacuate to an approved shelter.

Mar 26, 2011
Brunch?
by: Mike Miller

It's good to hear they are open for brunch on Sunday. I thought they were totally closed to the public and only available for private parties. I think I will make the trip over there soon one Sunday.

Mar 26, 2011
Pierr 66 still closed
by: Anonymous

I just called them since I have out of town guests and they only open for brunch on sundays and for private events. Sorry.

Feb 03, 2010
Pier 66. Top still closed
by: Anonymous

Does anybody know if the top of Pier 66 is still closed to the public?