From Dive Bars to Rooftop Clubs, Here's Your Guide to Miami Nightlife
Whether it’s a sophisticated cocktail bar, a live jazz hangout or an outrageous drag act you’re after, this guide to Miami nightlife will have you hitting the town like a seasoned pro.
Early evening cocktails
1. Broken Shaker
Bar, Cocktail Bar, American
Broken Shaker came to life as a modest pop-up cocktail bar. But, thanks to its huge success on the road, it soon became something a little more permanent: it’s now Freehand’s staple hotel bar. Inside the Miami edition, dark wood, low lighting and mixologists clad in flat caps and braces give this tiny backyard bar a 1920s speakeasy feel. Go outside and you’ll be transported to a fairy-lit, lush green open space that feels more like a friend’s backyard party than a Miami Beach cocktail bar. The award-winning drink menu changes regularly depending on seasonal ingredients, with each elixir, syrup and infusion made by hand on-site with garden herbs and spices. If you’re a group of six or more, call ahead to book a table.
2. Bar Bevy
Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, Cocktails, Contemporary
Pharrell Williams is the owner of this gorgeous, design-conscious bar, a perfect fit for the stylish Design District neighborhood. Bar Bevy’s crushed velvet futons, Moroccan-style wooden lattice tables, and a luxurious palette of deep teal, purples and golds make for an Instagrammer’s dream. The cocktail menu includes divine concoctions including elderflower liquor mixed with watermelon, basil honey, rosemary and black pepper, and silver tequila infused with sweet Sauternes wine and orange marmalade. Grab Italian bites prepared by Top Chef season three winner, Jean Imbert, at the pink-hued Swan restaurant below.
Live music hangouts
4. Lagniappe
Bar, Restaurant, Wine Bar, Vegetarian
Late-night dance clubs
5. Basement
Nightclub, Bar, American
Every nightclub has a dance floor, but this one also has a bowling alley and a skating rink. Thursday through Saturday, Basement has four technicolored, ’80s disco-style bowling lanes to avoid the gutters on, as well as a 2,000-square-foot (186sqm) ice rink for you to give your best Kristi Yamaguchi to hip hop and house beats. Bowling and skating aside, the giant dance floor (brought to life with glittering disco balls, neon lights and world-famous DJ sets) is quickly becoming Miami Beach‘s hottest place to party.
6. Do Not Sit On The Furniture
Nightclub, Cocktails, Beer, Wine
Staying true to its name, Do Not Sit prides itself on keeping guests on their feet all night long with some of the most talented and well-known DJs in Miami. The vibe in this underground hangout is all about intimacy: low lighting, velvet-red booths made for sharing, and a dance floor smaller and cozier than most Miami clubs create the perfect atmosphere for getting to know your fellow party-goers. Although the decor – enormous chandeliers, vintage cassette tapes dangling from the walls, and a black, gold and red color scheme – screams Great Gatsby, you won’t find any jazz here: think heart-thumping house and electro sets spun by the likes of Will Renuart and Behrouz. The best part? Rebelling against the exclusivity of Miami’s club scene, you won’t need to be a VIP, dress fancy or drop $100 on a bottle of Grey Goose to fit in here.
Queer night (or day) out
7. Palace
Bar, LGBTQ Bar, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, Fast Food
Although we usually don’t recommend dining or drinking along Ocean Drive, we’ll make an exception for Palace. This oceanfront restaurant and bar is Miami’s – and perhaps the world’s – best drag brunch and dinner show. A reservation at this iconic South Beach party comes with bottomless mimosas and curbside performances from the biggest names in Drag: think Latrice Royale doing the splits on the sidewalk to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.” It’s glittery, it’s fabulous and it’s the epitome of Miami nightlife. If you want a guaranteed table, be sure to book ahead. You can check their weekly event schedule on their website.
8. The Manor Complex
Nightclub, Cocktails, Wine, Beer
Located in one of the most queer-populated neighborhoods in Florida, it’s worth making the journey up north to Fort Lauderdale for a night of glitz and glamour at The Manor. This place is huge in every way: spread out over two levels, Wilton Manors’ favorite megaclub includes a dance floor fit for a queen (or a kween), a performance stage frequented by the likes of drag icon Bianca del Rio, and an events space with chill-out lounge that boasts Miami’s most flamboyant decor. Even the sound and lighting system here rivals all of South Beach’s biggest clubs. Expect a night filled with smoke machines, light shows and beautifully sculpted men in bunny ears and bondage. What more could you want?
The 2am crowd
9. LIV
Nightclub, Pub Grub
10. E11EVEN
Nightclub, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, Steakhouse
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.