Miami Beach Nightlife

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One night during our stay in Miami we had drinks and dinner with Alex's Aunt and her husband, who live locally. They had chosen somewhere really nice to have dinner, and were keen to get there early for a drink. When we arrived, I could see why, as this was one special bar.

Part of Smith & Wollensky restaurant, the bar is located right by the water. The 'water' is actually the Government Cut shipping channel, and we arrived just in time to watch numerous large cruise ships heading off on Caribbean adventures.

The bar area is quite large, with some seating, room to sit or stand at the bar, and also a grassed area where you can mingle by the water. We pulled up a couple of seats at the bar and enjoyed the early evening sun.

We had been warned that mixed drinks were served very strong...and that was no lie.. I had a Gin & Tonic that must have been 85% gin! There was a cocktail menu and large wine selection, along with all of the usual mixed drinks and beer.

It was a perfect place to unwind after a long day, catch up on family gossip and watch the cruisers depart.

Dress Code: There was a mix of day time casual and more formal evening wear, so take your pick.

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The Spire Bar is located on the roof top of 'The Hotel', on Collins Avenue, South Beach. It is the type of open air bar that you will not find in London, but instead somewhere like Miami that has great weather all year round.

It gets its name from the Tiffany Spire that shines above the bar, giving of a soft glow and helping to create a stylish atmosphere beneath the stars.

We visited the bar one evening for a pre-dinner drink. It wasn't crowded at that time, so we took a seat up at the bar. We got a friendly welcome from the barman and checked out the cocktail menu.

Alex chose one of the more adventurous cocktails and I stuck to something a little more sedate. We did get a surprise when the drinks arrived...they were glowing! There was a novelty 'ice cube' that changes colour...you could set it to be one colour or change intermittently - ok, a bit gimmicky, but it made us smile...and made for some cool photos!

Dress Code: No requirements, though you may want a light jumper/jacket if there is a breeze

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The 1220 Bar is located in the lobby of the Tides Hotel, on Ocean Drive in South Beach. This stylish cocktail bar runs along one edge of the 1220 Restaurant, and continues outside, at the front of the hotel.

Sitting outside of an evening at the 1220 Bar is one of THE things to do in South Beach. Relaxing on a comfortable sofa or at a table, sipping a delicious cocktail and watching the beautiful people parade by is a must do!

They have a full cocktail menu of intriguing concoctions, along with the usual selection, plus a few wines by the glass (and bottle of course). You can order food as well and make a night of it.

Alex sampled a couple of their Mojito's and declared them the best he's ever had, which was backed up by the waiters claims that they make the BEST Mojito in Miami. I sipped on my Margherita and just soaked up the atmosphere.

Dress Code: Anything from a bikini to an evening gown seems to be appropriate for this bar

OMG this place is so much fun, and the line to get in is nuts. I've been here a few times and during my last visit decided to pop in for a few drinks.

There usually isn't a cover chage, but during special events (like July 4th) they are known to charge at the door...so be prepared to pay if you are here during a holiday.

They have a few bars where you can order any drink you like, and if you are a bit hungry they also have a large menu to order some tastly treat.

I always have a great time we I come here. They have live bands as well as a D.J. and their dancers are amazing.

The infamous words....You're on Fire will forever remind of Mangos!!

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Larios is owned by Gloria Estefan and it's a great place to have some good Cuban food or for some drinks while enjoying the live latin band.

We were strolling along Ocean Drive and couldn't resist the music and we decided to go in and enjoy a drink and listen to the music for a little while.

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The Gansevoort has a gorgeous rooftop pool with amazing views of Miami Beach to one side and the downtown Miami on the other end.

We were visiting Miami Beach during July 4th weekend and one of the high lights of the hotel and being in Miami Beach were the fireworks. We were looking forward to enjoying them from the rooftop deck, but unfortunately just a few hours before the fireworks show the sky opened up to a huge thunder storm that delayed the fireworks for over an hour.

After waiting so long for the storm to die down and then the fireworks to finally start, we were all hungry and decided to skip the finale and get some dinner, oh well, next time!

Dress Code: There is a full service bar with some yummy drinks, but be prepared to shell out some money for the drinks, on average, $15-$18

Any outsider of the
trendy scene of Miami Beach,
may soon be frustrated by the arrogant attitude received at the door.

So on behalf an ex-events coordinator of one of the snobbiest clubs there is,
here are some tips
that may help a bit
to get you passed the velvet ropes:

1) Call during the day
and request to be put on the guest list.
This is usually available for entrance
before mid-night.
But there still is no guarantee.

2) If you are single guys...meet some girls.
Even if it's just at the entrance...
invite them to a drink so that
you appear to be arriving as couples.
Clubs are reluctant to allow
single guys to get in.
It's a balance of gendre/ratio thing.
And as a female speaking,
what a turn off
to be surrounded by tons of drooling men!

3) Once at the door, WAIT.
Smile.
Be patient.
If the door man finds you annoying,
you will surely be ignored even further.
They don't care who you are.

4) Don't say you are
a friend of who knows who.
Way too many times,
I have heard someone saying
they were a friend of the owner,
with the owner standing right there!
A sure way of not getting in.

5) Dress appropriately.
Hip hop clubs may be more lenient,
but all others will not.
No flip flops, no sneakers...
put on the threads!
Look the part.
Look nice.

6) If there is an over crowd of capacity,
there is not much to do.
Clubs often get inspected
by the fire department and
fined if they are over capacity.
All you can do in this case is wait..
or hop to the next club.
You can always come back another day.

7) Don't arrive wasted.
You ARE trouble,
and clubs don't want that.

Hmmmm......I guess that is it.
Say hi to everyone for me.
Good luck!

Even when you are a South Beach resident,
keeping up with the
happenings of the nightlife
can be an ever shifting challenge.

Night clubs open and close,
changing ownerships and names,
and then having different parties and themes
for diverse nights of the weeks.

A lot of editorials and web-sites
are also outdated in their information
having a difficult time keeping up
with the times.

The Miami Herald's 'Street',
does a pretty good job in keeping up to date,
while the Miami New Times
often has outdated info in it.

If you are into celebrity filled
hip-hop parties,
Opium Garden;
www.opiummiami.com
has been known
to house the best hip-hop party
in the nation on Sunday night's Ritual party.

Another good source
is getting the word
right out of the horses mouth,
the promoters.

A rising hip-hop promoter
is Michael Madd, who claims,

"I DON'T THROW PARTIES,
I MAKE MUSIC & CREATE VIBES...."

hosts parties at venues such as:

Thursday night at Crobar;
Friday night at Rumi's;
Saturday night at Pearl's;
Sunday night at Mynt
and other parties in NYC.

E-mail for more info:

mrmadd@michaelmadd.com

Stay tuned for more on South Beach's night life to come.

Dress Code: Cool Dude!