In 1966, the Beach Boys had a hit on the charts called Sloop John B, which was a remake of a folk song said to originate from the West Indies in 1927. In 1994, Sloop John B is a beach bar facing the Atlantic Ocean.

This breezy, Key West-style saloon is a neighborhood pub in a tourist area. If you have a picture of a power boat you want to display, donate it here as a wall decoration. Many of the interesting decorative touches are customer contributions. Sloop John B’s attraction is its spontaneity as much as its nautical design, seafood and weekend music.

Encompassing everything from rhythm and blues to oldies, the Friday and Saturday night music is played by a trio that sets up steps away from the booths and jukebox. The bar has a marine blue canopy as part of its ceiling, complementing the bright and lively colors used throughout. Palm trees and plants complete the tropical look.

When I visited, Rich Velasquez, bass, Rick Voigt, guitar, and Don Lastella, drums, gave spirited renditions of Since I Fell for You, Drift Away and Tenth Avenue. Unfortunately, there’s no room for a dance floor, but guests dance in their seats.

The saloon menu has full meals but also includes smaller items such as lobster antipasto ($9.95), blackened swordfish bites ($7.95), a roasted vegetable sandwich ($5.95) and chocolate pecan cake ($3.95). Well-brand cocktails start at $2.75.

SLOOP JOHN B

237 Atlantic Ave.

Fort Lauderdale

463-3633

Music: varied

Entertainment hours:

9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays

Cover: no

Minimum: no

Valet parking: no

Dress: casual

Sterling Worth Cafe, 801 S. University Drive, Plantation, is another new music venue. From 8 to 10 tonight, Kathy Fleishman performs folk and blues music; 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Ramon Justicia plays classical guitar; 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, The Rayne features original folk compositions; 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Silver Nightingale plays classical flute, followed from 3 to 5 p.m. by a poetry reading from a Broward Community College poet, and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, by guitar/vocalist Brian Franklin.

Located in the Fountains shopping center, the Cafe was created by Sharon Donovan as a gathering place for music lovers, espresso and cappuccino driners and those who want to bring the spirit of the Las Olas area to west Broward. The Cafe has outdoor seating and serves food, beer and wine.

Crickets, 4345 Pine Island Road, Sunrise, has a double indentity Friday nights. From 6 to 8 p.m., the nightclub and sports bar invites all ages to an early evening of music, dancing and free buffet for anyonone purchasing a $4 drink. At 10 p.m., the saloon becomes the Bass-Ment, a dance club for young adults who enjoy pulsating bass and hip-hop music. The Bass-Ment also operates on Saturdays.