Just in time for the holidays, Palm Beach County has a new LGBTQ bar to add to the mix.
The Purple Lizard, which opened Oct. 8 in Lake Park, is now the northernmost gay bar in Palm Beach County — a distinction owner Joe Saccal says was intentional.
“For the last 20, 25 years, I wanted to do a gay bar,” Saccal said. “I couldn’t understand why there were so few in the county. Business-wise, I thought it was a great idea.”
Saccal said the concept for The Purple Lizard was inspired by Florida itself. He wanted the space to feel tropical and colorful, with a distinctly queer vibe.
The name also carries personal meaning. While brainstorming ideas, Saccal said the lizard theme came naturally, a nod to Florida and the iguanas that have become common across the state. The color purple, he said, honors his brother, who passed away 13 years ago.
“My brother had passed away 13 years ago, and his favorite color was purple,” Saccal said. “So it was easy to add the purple from there.”
The bar’s interior features hand-painted murals and artwork created by West Palm Beach artist Manny Gonzalez, whom Saccal credits with bringing the space to life.
“A friend of mine who is an artist in West Palm Beach did the murals and all the painting,” he said. “I wanted to stay with the purple and pink because it’s very gay. I think it matches. I think it’s tropical.”
Saccal said he discovered the Lake Park location by accident after searching across Palm Beach County following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was driving everywhere in Palm Beach County after COVID hit, and nothing fit — price-wise, parking-wise, square footage-wise,” he said. “Until I found this spot.”
When he first walked inside, the space was largely empty, with bright orange walls and little else.
“I just started thinking, as I’m walking through here, what I would do and where I would do it,” Saccal said. “The cooler was here, so I had to put the bar where the cooler is. This bar wasn’t here — me and my friend made this bar.”
The Purple Lizard offers a full liquor bar, food service, multiple large-screen TVs and a stage. Saccal said he plans to expand entertainment offerings, including DJs on weekends and future karaoke nights.
Currently, the bar opens at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, with daily happy hour until 8 p.m. Closing time is flexible depending on the foot traffic.
Beyond nightlife, Saccal said he sees The Purple Lizard as part of a larger shift happening in Lake Park, which he believes is slowly revitalizing.
“Lake Park is trying to revive. It’s a slow revive, but they’re reviving the area,” he said. “There are developers coming in, buying property, and more residents are going to be coming.”
With no gay bars in Martin or St. Lucie counties, Saccal said he hopes to draw patrons from Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Park and northern West Palm Beach.
“I’m the furthest gay bar north, which I’m happy about,” he said. “There’s a huge gay community in Palm Beach County. I feel like there’s plenty to go around for all of us.”
For now, Saccal said his focus is on building community and getting the word out.
“I want this to be a place where the gays can call their own,” he said. “It’s comfortable. The area is safe. There’s plenty of parking.”
The bar is located at 826 Park Ave in Lake Park. Visit their social media accounts for more info – Instagram: @lizardthepurple or Facebook.
Amancio Paradela also contributed to this report.
