West Palm's E.R. Bradley's on the waterfront. You've likely been there
Eddie Ritz- Originally opened in Palm Beach in 1984, the family-owned restaurant moved to its current waterfront location in 1999.
- Over its 41-year history, E.R. Bradley's has become a local landmark known for food, live music, and celebrity guests.
Regardless if you've lived in Palm Beach County for four years or for 40, the wildly popular E.R. Bradley's along the West Palm Beach waterfront is the one dining destination that most people can say they've visited.
Now in their 41st year, including 27 along the Intracoastal Waterway, some fans are asking, "Will there be a 42nd?"
A recent proposal to move Flagler Drive, brought to light by The Palm Beach Post, could create an uncertain future for the iconic restaurant and the site of so many memories for longtime customers.
The plan calls for moving Flagler to where Narcissus Avenue is now and creating a huge waterfront park.
Although there have been talks of demolishing the current Bradley's or moving it to another site along the water, the latest plan could take away its easy access from Flagler Drive, leaving it with only a small road from the western edge of the property.
E.R. Bradley's history origin story in Palm Beach
A mecca for food, beverages, live music, sports and more, E.R. Bradley's originally opened in Palm Beach in 1984 by Frank and Gail Coniglio.
They named their establishment after the renowned Edward R. Bradley, a turn-of-the-20th-century philanthropist, sportsman, gambler and racehorse owner who, among his various endeavors, built the Beach Club casino on the spot now occupied by Bradley Park, off Royal Poinciana Way in Palm Beach.
In its original digs, E.R. Bradley's filled the ground floor of the building on the corner of Bradley Place and Sunset Avenue, a short walk from where the casino once stood. The establishment eventually outgrew the location and in 1999 moved across the bridge, taking over the waterfront spot that had been Bimini Bay.
As vast swaths of downtown West Palm Bach have changed, E.R. Bradley's has remained family-owned and operated. Over the years, it has capitalized on its waterfront views, enhancing its Flagler Drive-facing front yard to give its guests an ideal spot for Saturday or Sunday brunch, a business lunch during the week or dinner and drinks on the weekend.
Bradley's has never been a place that sat still — or a place in which to sit still.
Open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, it's been a thriving after-hours downtown destination. As such, it has packed some memories.
Memories of people dancing on the bar to the B-52's "Love Shack" at the old location in Palm Beach as the staff worked frantically to turn off ceiling fans and move glasses so patrons could fully (and safely) get their groove on.
Or "bar jams," when bartenders handed out barware and utensils so guests could play along with whatever tune was piping through Bradley's rather tight island quarters. (You may have guessed that this writer worked a number of shifts at Bradley's before coming to The Post.)
Bradley's also was a main gathering spot for many a SunFest when patrons of the now-defunct music and arts festival along Flagler would take a break from the sun and rush the bar to watch the Kentucky Derby, traditionally held every year on the first Saturday in May, when Sunfest was normally in full swing.
There are likely thousands (probably tens of thousands) of other stories. Maybe you met the love of your life there or had one wild night to remember.
Bradley's late night jams, celebrity guests in downtown West Palm Beach
Though family patriarch Frank Coniglio died in 2020, the restaurant is still family-owned and operated by son Nick along with mother — and former Palm Beach mayor — Gail Coniglio.
In addition to the locals, Bradley's has had more than its share of celebrity pop-ins including Paul Newman, Sylvester Stallone, chef Robert Irving, Pitbull and former President Bill Clinton. Guy Fieri has even poured drinks at the Tiki bar.
With well over 100 employees, the restaurant has not only been a hot spot for food and fun, but also a fixture in the business community. It also has been a base from which to launch other restaurants and professions.
E.R. Bradley's Saloon, West Palm Beach
Where: 104 S. Clematis St., West Palm Beach
Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Information: erbradleys.com
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.