The reigning Stanley Cup Champions (we never tire of saying that!) have another reason to celebrate. Their new practice facility recently opened a casual restaurant, called The Federal, with views of the rink and a pickleball court.
“The Florida Panthers and Knallhart Management Group opened The Federal with a clear vision in mind: to bring the community together through shared experiences and exceptional offerings,” says Marina Poupart, marketing & creative director for Knallhart Management Group.
Besides its unique views, the restaurant offers a food menu of all-American favorites like buffalo chicken dip, New York strip steak, lobster roll, burgers, salads and more. However, the fan favorite is The Federal Burger, an eight-ounce short rib blend with lettuce, tomato, onion, American cheese and secret Federal sauce.
The drink menu features popular concoctions such as the best-selling On Holiday, made with Cazadores tequila blanco, tangerine, chipotle, elote liqueur, lime and agave; and the Dulce de Leche Espresso Martini, featuring Stoli vodka, dulce de leche, Kahlua coffee liqueur, espresso and churro donut.
The restaurant’s location provides continuous live entertainment — and we’re not talking about TV or music. On one side, skaters take to the ice; you may even catch a Panthers practice. On the other, passionate pickleball players lob balls back and forth. The venue projects the sense of community the Panthers intended when they opened the state-of-the-art Baptist Health IcePlex at FTL War Memorial to the public last March.
“This inclusivity stems from our unique location at the IcePlex, which hosts ice hockey community leagues for all ages,” says Poupart. “Additionally, being a food and beverage destination in the heart of Holiday Park means we serve a diverse array of patrons, from sports enthusiasts to families and local residents.
“Being situated in the IcePlex has shown us what a true community gathering spot feels like,” the executive adds.
The final piece to the impressive project and partnership between The City of Fort Lauderdale and the Florida Panthers is now in its final stages of construction. The War Memorial Auditorium is slated to open in the final months of 2024. The goal is to restore and revitalize the auditorium into a massive, updated music venue.
