Jay's Fort Lauderdale, which operates inside a restored 1920s church, is expanding its program with a formal sushi component this fall. Per the operator's Instagram, a new sushi menu launches in September, followed by an upstairs omakase experience planned for October — a two-phase rollout that adds a structured dining layer to a venue known primarily for bars and late-night programming.
The sushi program will be led by a dedicated sushi chef, according to the post, with fish sourced from Japan. The kitchen's approach draws on traditional technique alongside modern Asian influences, per the operator.
The October omakase is described by the operator as "hidden" and positioned upstairs from the venue's main floor — a deliberate separation from the bar activity below. Jay's Instagram describes the new concept as designed to feel "more personal and refined while still keeping the energy Jay's is known for," suggesting the two levels will serve distinct functions rather than run as a single blended experience.
The 1920s church building gives the omakase an unusual architectural context. The operator has not disclosed a seat count, price point, or street address in the Instagram post.
The September sushi menu serves as Phase One: a lower-barrier introduction to the kitchen's direction before the more structured omakase format opens in October. Jay's states that its existing bar and late-night programming will continue alongside the new culinary component, positioning the venue as a full-night destination rather than pivoting toward a restaurant-primary model.
Both timelines derive from the operator's Instagram only — no permit filings or direct operator statements beyond the post have been reported. With September already underway, the sushi menu launch is imminent if the timeline holds. The October omakase represents the larger programmatic shift, and its details — reservation structure, how pricing differentiates from the main floor, how the two-level program is communicated to existing Jay's regulars — will determine whether this expansion reads as a venue evolution or a parallel concept sharing a building.
