TEXT Miami Nightlife | Citybuzz - A Vidicom and Christy Ferer Guide to Travel

Nightlife

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+ Foxhole Bar: Billed as bar for locals on South Beach

Yet another drinking hole is opening on South Beach. The Foxhole Bar is the antithesis of the high-energy nightclub, being billed as "An upscale locals joint in Miami Beach," according to their website. And by the looks of the hard-to-find location keeping it local is the idea. The place is hidden behind a Domino's Pizza spot off 14th St. and Alton Road. Built and designed to resemble a speakeasy, there are pool tables, dartboards, leather bench seating and even gun memorabilia on display. This is a spot to sit and sip a two-finger bourbon, a good brew plus a number of other old-time drinks. Sure, they can make a cosmo here but it doesn't quite fit. The Foxhole Bar is located at 1426A 14 Ct., Miami Beach 305-534-3551 www.foxholebar.com

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+ Fifty Ultra Lounge: Viceroy Hotel’s hot spot

One of Downtown Miami's hottest hotels is surprisingly enough, a fabulous nightclub spot. The Fifty Ultra Lounge at Viceroy Miami is stiff competition for those clubs on the other side of the Causeway (meaning South Beach).

Appropriately named for its location, the view alone is unmatched by any other club because it sits on the building's rooftop meaning unobstructed water and skyline views as far as the eye can see. The pool, which serves as the centerpiece here, is no slouch either, adding that perfect Miami touch. FIFTY promises to bring you a “One-of-a-kind rooftop lounge with a fresh new look on Miami’s Nightlife scene.” There's always something happening on this rooftop with Happy Hour, guest DJ's, special Ladies' Night events and Sunday afternoon pool parties. Celebrities are frequently spotted here so keep your eyes peeled. Viceroy Miami is located at 485 Brickell Avenue, 305-503-4417 www.viceroymiami.com

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+ Dream: This is no la la land but it’s a dream

Yet another velvet rope nightclub has debuted in South Beach. This one's called Dream and features all that's come to be expected from a high energy, open 'til the wee hours hot spot in what's known as the American Riviera.

Like most of the nightclubs in the area, this one's on Washington Avenue, the hotbed strip for late night party hounds. Dream's decadent interior is filled with obligatory disco balls, multi-colored flourescent lighting, comfy tufted leather booths where celebrities and other high-rollers are sure to enjoy bottle service throughout the night. The nightly themes, like Fantasy Wednesdays, Eyecandy Saturdays and Fubar Fridays seem to have a recurring theme. It's pure South Beach decadence for sure. It's what's to be expected around these parts. Dream is located at 1532 Washington Ave., 305-674-8018, www.dreammia.com

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+ Nosh on unique eats and craft beers at The Local

A new incarnation has arrived in Downtown Coral Gables and it's called The Local Craft Food & Drink, an idea whose time was overdue in the area. At least that's what the two young owners thought and so they tapped an experienced and equally young chef and created this place. The menu is a blend of many components, some of which incorporate well known ingredients from the owners Hispanic backgrounds. For example, their unique take on some classic barfood, instead of chicken wings, they're serving buffalo-style sweetbreads instead with blue cheese and a unique apple, chayote and celery slaw. Chayote? That's all Hispanic. Those sound perfect too paired with one of their many craft brews. It's bar food taken up a notch. They're even serving charcuterie prepared on premises and as many fresh local South Florida ingredients as possible. [caption id="attachment_54627" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Photos by Sebastian Rusk / SocialBuzzTV.com"]

[/caption] The Local Craft Food & Drink is located at 150 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables 305-648-5687 www.facebook.com/thelocal150

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+ This is one Vice that’s worth keeping

One of the newest kids on the South Beach nightclub scene is Vice Lounge located in the quieter side of Lincoln Road, the area that's closer to the beach and not among the hustle and bustle of the pedestrian mall. It's all decadence in this place so best to check inhibitions at the door and the interior reflects this. Red carpeted stairs lead to the second floor, great viewing areas from here for the dance floor, multiple bars and VIP areas with bottle service galore. Singer Jon Secada has hung out here, live performances are the norm and DJ's love playing here. As is the norm in spots like this, they regularly host fashion shows here as well as happy hour parties. It's a party every night, weeknights never stop any club on the beach and Vice is no exception. Vice is located at 330 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 305-532-2667 www.facebook.com/viceloungemiami

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+ Bongo’s Cuban Cafe: Swaying hips and Latin rhythms

Owned by Miami's own Emilio & Gloria Estefan, the golden couple of Latin music in Miami, sitting bayside behind the American Airlines Arena and boasting an atmosphere that won't quit, it's obvious that the energy is high at Bongo's Cuban Cafe.

This is the place to party al night and in Latin style, where deejays play all types of Caribbean music including salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton and regional Mexican music. It's also a good place to catch Latin artists who attend after parties here. When Miami was host to the MTV Video Music Awards, Latin Grammys and Latin Billboard Music Awards the international artists attended after parties here.

The interior decor, purposely filled with palm trees, bongo shaped tables and multi-faceted colorful lighting in bright Caribbean colors, is set up to evoke a tropical island feel.

Bongo's Cuban Cafe is located at 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 786-777-2100, www.bongoscubancafe.com

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+ Jazid: Icon of live music on South Beach

Surviving in the same location on South Beach is unto itself a testament to longevity and Jazid can proudly boast they've done it for 14 years. It's all about the live music experience at Jazid, something the area is not necessarily known for. They don't pigeonhole themselves into one genre here either, anything goes. The list of live performers screams diversity. Feneiva plays on Tuesdays, performing in both English and Spanish and blending salsa, reggae and acoustic. Afro Kumbe on Wednesdays is made up of members of Miami's favorite Latin fusion band Locos por Juana who are lighting up the festival and nightlife scene all over Miami. On Fridays Kulcha Shok Muzik frees up the stage for reggae bands, a different one each week. They don't skimp on the drink specials here either, kamikazes one night and aguardiente, the drink of choice in many Latin American countries, another. Jazid is located at 1342 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. 305-673-9372. www.jazid.net

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+ Lou’s Beer Garden: Hideaway hangout

Knowing the hidden spots when visiting a city is always a fun adventure, it feels less touristy that way and makes you feel like an insider.

Lou's Beer Garden in Miami Beach fits that description perfectly after all, it's not even visible from the street since it's in the courtyard of a small hotel on Harding Avenue. Sure, it's described as a Gastropub but it's so much more than this. It's an experience and definitely falls into an outdoor, poolside, lounge category, if there is such a thing.

It's what makes Lou's unique. They bill themselves as a throwback to the Miami Beach of another era and serve up craft beers, both bottled and on tap, as well as wines. Brewskies though, are the main attraction here. The decor features a sit-down bar with cool red lighting as well as patio seating surrounding the pool.

Lou's Beer Garden is located at 7337 Harding Ave., Miami Beach, FL 305-704-7879. Web site: www.lousbeergarden.com

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+ The DRB: Small place, lots of brews

With a non-descript look and a cool red sign The Democratic Republic of Beer, or as it's better known and as its namesake sign states, DRB, is a small, intimate bar with a huge menu of brewskies and it's the perfect haunt for insomniacs with a closing time of 5 a.m.

Sure, there's a food menu here but serious beer aficionados aren't coming here for the eats, it's all about sampling a cold one, or a few perhaps after all, there are 500 beers here from more than 60 nations. Belgium, England, Germany and the U.S. lead the pack with huge selections (there are more than three dozen in each category). They do monthly beer tours here, focusing on a specific country and so far have included Russia, Ethiopia, Costa Rica and Thailand.

The Democratic Republic of Beer is located at 255 NE 14 St., Miami, FL

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+ Electric Pickle: Wynwood’s underground party

Event though it's upstairs in it's home building, the Electric Pickle/Bolero Room is the underground party everyone wants to be at in the Wynwood area. Wednesday to Saturday nights, the party's on here. DJ's A-Train, Mr. Brown and Sire Esq. are joined by special guests on Wednesday nights as they play a mix of hip-hop, funk, soul, classics and reggae. Stop Drop 'N Roll Thursdays DJ Gran Torino and guests play rockabilly, swing, twang, blues and dance jazz. There's no cover this night and drink are half price. For Disco Machine Fridays it's deep house soul, heavy funk boogie and classic dance floor faves and also featuring live acts and DJ's and on Saturdays live acts, international DJ's and half-priced drinks are part of Get Some Saturdays. Electric Pickle is located at 2826 N. Miami Ave., Miami, FL electricpickleopening

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+ Monty’s in the Grove: Waterfront nightlife party

The make-up of Coconut Grove has changed over the years going from hippie, granola, birkenstock in the 60s and 70s to an area to cruise in your car and party the night away from the 80s into the present although the scene has quieted down a bit. One place though that's stood the test of time and is still a great place to party is Monty's in the Grove. This waterfront party spot is always a great place to stop in for cocktails, maybe a nibble and definitely some dancing. The deejays here are always playing the latest hits and live bands play here regularly too. The bayview from the giant open-air tiki hut here is unbeatable, it's Miami all the way. And the boats and yachts that call the dockside home are just as enticing. Monty's in the Grove is located at 2550 S. Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove montysVAGABOND 007

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+ Sunset Lounge at the Mondrian: Easy, breezy and chic

No matter how crowded South Beach gets, there's always a cool poolside lounge to hang at that makes being in Miami well...tres cool. The Sunset Lounge at the Mondrian South Beach is one of those places. It's elegant with the classy touches that people visiting Miami Beach have come to expect. As always too, it's a multiple-space experience here so everyone can find a great spot of their own. For an outdoor experience there's plush red velvet seating with matching red and white designed carpet and a killer view of Biscayne Bay with Downtown Miami's skyline as a back drop. Inside is the Lobby Bar and Lounge, a feast for the eyes in a different sense with a black winding spiral staircase and silent bell light fixtures designed by Marcel Wanders. The specialty cocktails, made with exotic and local ingredients as well as the live Latin and Spanish guitar players complete the experience. The Mondrian South Beach is located at 1100 West Avenue, Miami Beach, FL sunset1

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+ Finnegan’s on the River: Downtown Miami hot spot

Downtown Miami's got a river running through it and bars are now lining the area making it a place to see and be seen with a killer view to boot. Finnegan's on the River packs them in on any given night after all, it's great for a mid-week happy hour, Friday night end-of-the-week outing and Saturday night hot spot. In typical Miami fashion, Sunday is a huge day at Finnegan's when boaters are invited to park and join in on the pool party. The drink specials alone (c'mon, $3 and $5 cocktails are unheard of around here) are incentive enough to party at Finnegan's. Happy Hour is Monday to Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays it's the perfect spot to watch a late afternoon college game and stay to party the night away. Finnegan's on the River is located at 401 SW 3 Avenue, Miami, FL finnigansP1080019

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+ Purdy Lounge: Surprisingly low-key on South Beach

A lounge is the last thing anyone going to party the weekend away on South Beach would put on their list of "must visit" hot spots, except when it comes to Purdy Lounge. This is a definite add-on. Located a bit off the beaten path and marching to the beat of its own drummer, the mood at Purdy is the opposite of a high-energy, thumping nightclub. Here it's all about board games, pool tables, lava lamps and best of all, reasonable drink prices. For patrons who still want a bit of that high-end SoBe atmosphere, they do have bottle service and a VIP area but for sure the "lounge" part of Purdy is where it's at. Five deejays spin favorites that keep people singing along and dancing, it's all about crowd pleasers here. Reggae lovers should visit on Monday nights to hear live performances by Jean P. Jam, Thursdays ladies drink free 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. and in true SoBe style, there's a party on Sunday nights too called Chocolate Sundays with drink specials and house deejays rotating each week. Purdy Lounge is located at 1811 Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach, FL Purdy nightclub

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+ This Martini’s Not Dirty, it’s Blue!

A little tamer than say South Beach and the Design District, but making a name for itself regardless, is the new party spot: Brickell Avenue. When the lawyers,

accountants and bankers put their briefcases away and leave what's known as Miami's Financial District the area comes alive, and leading the nightlife pack is Blue Martini. Blue Martini is a cool place to see and be seen after the 9-5, whether it's for happy hour or late-night. Located inside Mary Brickell Village, it's easy to start or end the night at Martini thanks to the surrounding restaurants and shops. It's a seven-day affair when it comes to specials here, with a daily happy hour 4-8 p.m. featuring 1/2 off drinks, live jazz Tuesdays, Latin live entertainment on Thursdays and Three Olives Ladies Night on Wednesdays. Check it out to find out what that means!

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