Tag Archives: downtown miami

Bayfront Park: Versatile venue’s bayside in Downtown

Bayfront Park has a great amphitheater and is conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Miami. It’s easily accessible by Metromover (the Bayside stop leaves you across the street from the park) and there’s always something going on here.

When the weather’s cool it’s the spot for a weekly Friday night Downtown Concert Series hosting a variety of local musical acts. The remainder of the year it’s the site for great Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve bashes. They’ve got Yoga in the Park Monday and Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings, boat charters and para-sailing and for a no-fuss lunch, the ever-popular lunch trucks (there are several ones that park here on different days of the week) offer a great alternative to a sit-down restaurant and the view can’t be beat.

Bayfront Park is located at 301 North Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 305-358-7550 www.bayfrontparkmiami.com

Celebrate Heat season with new RedFrog Bar at AmericanAirlines Arena

The fast-paced action of the Miami Heat and those monster slam dunks from King James deserve to be celebrated with a tasty libation and thanks to the new RedFrog Bar at the AmericanAirlines Arena there’s a new way to toast great plays and victories.

Basketball fans can thank Carnival Cruise Lines, who as partners of the two-time defending NBA champion Heat, decided the best spot to expand their on-board signature brand watering hole was the AAA.

RedFrog beerVisit the 100 Level where you’ll find the RedFrog Bar and Carnival’s private label brew the ThirstyFrog Red, a rich-colored draught beer with toasted notes from the fine caramel and black malts used during the brewing process. The medium-bodied beer has a malty, slightly sweet taste that’s well balanced with elegant European grown Noble aroma hops.

At the 400 Level RedFrog they up the ante with signature cocktails like the Rum Runner Jumper — a blend of two Bacardi rums, banana liqueur, orange and pineapple juice, bitters and grenadine. The mojito, a Miami fave, gets a makeover with spiced rum and brown sugar and the Painkiller packs a punch with two Bacardi rums, coconut syrup and orange and pineapple juice.

Cheer on (and toast) the Miami Heat to a third NBA championship at the AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd.

Sightseeing four-wheel limo style

Looking like a Jeep/Limo hybrid, the tricked out ride used for the Tons of Fun Tours offered throughout Miami by Florida Jeep Tours provides an unforgettably unique experience.

JeepClimb aboard the eight-passenger vehicle, complete with captain’s chair for an open-air and also air conditioned tour of Miami’s hottest neighborhoods. Ride through the celebrity playground that is South Beach, take in the serene and natural setting of Key Biscayne, the thriving young hot bed of condominium lifestyle with bustling nightlife and restaurants in Brickell, tour the artsy and urban area of Wynwood and the old-Florida, yacht-filled and still somewhat bohemian Coconut Grove.

Here’s a breakdown of what they offer:

Miami’s Best Jeep Tour is a three-hour tour that takes you across Biscayne Bay on the historic Venetian Causeway through some of the 32 man-made islands that dot the Bay, over to South Beach, playground of the rich and famous and home to the largest collection of Art Deco architecture anywhere in the world. There is also a similar albeit shorter two-hour nighttime tour that showcases the area’s glowing neon and pulsing all-night-long party atmosphere.

The two-hour South Beach Jeep Tour follows the same route as above then heads back to Miami via the MacArthur Causeway past Star Island and Palm Island, the home, past and present, to celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Al Capone, Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Marc Anthony.

To book a tour visit their website here.

Light up the sky, on Fourth of July

Photo courtesy of Miamiandbeaches.com

OK, so Fourth of July falls mid-week this year, smack on a hump day, but this is Miami, why would that stop us? After all, South Beach hotel pools are always hot to trot for a party and what better occasion than patriotic Fourth of July. Think the Delano, Shelbourne or Raleigh for upscale and the Clevelander (across from Lummus Park) for debauchery.

They’re also the perfect place to watch the fireworks display on 8th and Ocean at Lummus Park while sipping a cosmo, frozen concoction or downing shots poolside. Click here to learn about “Fire on the Fourth of July.”

If South Beach isn’t your scene, there are other more sedate, all-American parties in other parts of town.

Try Downtown Miami’s Bayfront Park for the city’s biggest Fourth celebration “America’s Birthday Bash.” There’s food and drinks, live music and a kids’ zone, open from 3-7 p.m. At 9 p.m. the sky lights up with a spectacular fireworks display, each year bigger and brighter than the year before. Click here for details.

On Key Biscayne they kick the day off with an all-American parade featuring marching bands, slilt walkers, parade floats and plenty of good eats. It’s a small-town celebration right through the town’s main street. Afterwards, hang out at either Crandon Park Beach or Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park enjoying an all-day barbecue and take in the many fireworks displays over Biscayne Bay. Click here for more information.

And funky, waterfront Coconut Grove is the site for several celebrations. Start the day with a morning picnic at the Barnacle State Historic Site, featuring lawn games, kite making and crafts. Then walk a few blocks to CocoWalk for a scavenger hunt, hot dog eating contest, a beer pong tournament and music by local band Deck 52. And over at Peacock Park there’s live entertainment and delectable food and beverages from local restaurants. It all culminates with a fantastic fireworks display over the bay. Click here for details.

Goooooooooaaaaaal! Kickin’ it in summer

Soccer fans will be kicking it up in June around Miami, catching the European action at one of the tons of pubs that have popped up around the city in the last few years.

Waxy O’Connor’s on Miami Beach and in the Brickell area are where to catch all the action on their more than 15 flat screen TV’s. They’ll even open early and be serving breakfast for early risers who can’t miss a single minute.

Brickell Irish Pub and Fado Irish Pub at Mary Brickell Village are two great alternative spots for soccer fans should the others be too packed. On the riverfront Finnegan’s on the River is perfect for open-air viewing on the water.

There’s nothing better than watching a soccer match, draft in hand surrounded by equally obssessed and fanatical fans.

However, if it’s a full-on sports bar you prefer, there are lots of options there too.  Duffy’s Sports Grill or Duffy’s Tavern in South Miami are great too, as well as Village Tavern.

The soccer action begins on June 8 and runs the entire month. Click here to view the schedule of matches for UEFA Euro 2012.

Old Florida’s alive and well at Miami River Inn

Forget for a minute the barrage of fancy high-rise hotels that dot the Miami skyline and envision a leisurely weekend stay at the Miami River Inn, where old Florida is embraced, celebrated and preserved and has been since 1910.

Set along the historic Miami River (hence, the name), this quaint bed and breakfast has survived the changes that have made Downtown Miami into a thriving, modern metropolis.

The pale yellow house with lime green trim cries out Florida citrus while the lush tropical landscaping surrounding the pool provides a soothing, relaxing, sun-soaking oasis.

The Inn’s four cottages each with 10 rooms, feature hardwood floors, antique brass, wood and wicker furnishings, lovely sitting areas, garden views and comfortable, beautifully dressed beds. First floor rooms feature porches that open to the garden area, while second and third floor rooms provide a remarkable view of the Miami River and Downtown Miami.

The croquet green is a fun way to pass the time followed perhaps by a complimentary glass of wine in the evening.

Miami River Inn is located at 118 SW South River Drive, 305-325-0045, www.miamiriverinn.com

Tuyo’s spectacular view mirrors chef’s menu

Miami-Dade College Culinary Institute’s Tuyo Restaurant is a sight to behold, for everything from a spectacular Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay view to the meticulously thought out menu by Executive Chef Norman Van Aken, considered the “founding father of New World Cuisine.”

Van Aken’s restaurant ventures throughout Miami have left an indelible mark on the culinary world and wherever he lands, fans and foodies flock. Tuyo, which is Spanish for “Yours” is on course to do the same with a farm-to-table concept and strict sustainability practices.

They use only locally or Southeast U.S. sourced ingredients like the salad of local lettuces, heirloom tomato and avocado, with salt roasted beets, pepitas and blue cheese. Or the pan-c00ked fillet of Key West yellowtail snapper served over mashed potatoes with citrus butter and malabar spinach.

Their commitment to their local and sustainable practices is outlined right on the menu where it states that “certain items on the menu may vary due to local availability and seasonality.”

Tuyo is located atop the Miami-Dade College Culinary Institute at 415 NE Second Ave., 305-237-3200, www.tuyomiami.com

Garcia’s serves freshest seafood with a Miami waterview

Situated along the Miami River on the winding road called NW N River Drive is Garcia’s Seafood Grille and the location is perfect for a place that serves fresh fish they catch from their own fleet of boats.

See Garcia’s is both restaurant and marketplace so diners here know that they can’t get food that’s any fresher than here. Their smoked fish dip, which is complimentary and brought out immediately for folks to snack on is delectable. Probably best though not to load up on this since there are so many incredible options to choose from off the menu.

Try their dolphin (mahi mahi) or grouper, one of the many fish choices they serve up grilled, blackened, sauteed as either a sandwich or meal. Crab cakes make great appetizers and the conch fritters are quite tasty too. Their shrimp dishes and of course stone crabs make for a good choice too. They’re really spot on with their menu here. 

Garcia’s Seafood Grill and Market is located at 398 NW N River Dr. 305-375-0765, www.garciasseafoodgrill.com

http://garciasseafoodgrill.com/

CIFO Art Space: Contemporary art in warehouse space

Yes, warehouses are becoming the norm as a venue for showing art but the CIFO (short for Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation) Art Space in Downtown Miami is something extraordinary. The state-of-the-art venue features contemporary art in their galleries while providing a lovely outdoor piazza for special events.

The exterior is just as impressive, a striking building covered in greenery. Inside the galleries they’re showcasing the extensive collection of Ella Fontanals-Cisneros including video, photography, geometric abstraction and contemporary works by such notable artists as Ana Mendieta,  Fiona Tan, Andreas Gursky, Ed Ruscha, Manuel Espinosa and many others.

They use the Piazza for plenty of art-related events and receptions and in December during Art Basel CIFO is hopping with daily tours for major art collectors in town shopping for the latest and greatest to expand their collection.

CIFO Art Space is located at 1018 North Miami Ave., Miami, FL 305-455-3380 www.cifo.org

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

Freedom Tower: Historic building houses provocative exhibitions

The Freedom Tower is Miami’s Ellis Island, a historic building that symbolizes the city’s melting pot of immigrants. The national historic landmark has seen many ups and downs and was on the verge of disappearing when it was donated to Miami Dade College. It has now become a space for provocative art exhibitions, most recently Instruments of Torture.

The connection began last Fall with the unveiling of the world map mural located in the Freedom Tower’s Mezzanine floor. Other major art exhibitions featured here included the works of masters Goya, Dali, DaVinci as well as presentations by authors and other dignitaries.

There’s always an interesting cultural artistic or literary presentation happening at the Tower and with a central location in Downtown Miami it’s easy to make a day of it visiting here.

The Freedom Tower is located at 600 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL

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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, blue martiniaccountants 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!

The Viceroy Hotel’s Bold Biscayne Bay Statement

The importance of making a statement is evident at first glance of the Viceroy Miami. Bold statement pieces, like massive, Dali-esque face sculptures, greet both arriving guests and people driving along posh Brickell Avenue. The Viceroy is a unique boutique hotel situated in the heart of the Biscayne Bay- and takes full advantage of its prime location with fabulous amenities.

Picture 23There’s rooftop partying and dining on the 50th floor’s aptly named Club 50, which wraps around the hotel’s pool and where deejays play the hottest tracks during happy hour and for the night owls. The 28,000-square-foot spa bathes guests in relaxation and luxury with a floating library, reflecting pond, hot and cold plunge pools and floor to ceiling windows showcasing dramatic bay views as far as the eye can see.

The Viceroy Hotel is as unique, luxurious and bold as its decorative pieces.

Vagabond’s Rivaling South Beach Hotspots

The party never ends at high-energy nightclub Vagabond in what used to be sVagabond1leepy Downtown Miami. Now it’s an area rivaling South Beach in late night dancing. Lines usually wrap around the place with clubbers waiting to enter and take in an atmosphere that changes nightly.

At Vagabond, there’s something for all types of music lovers. The indie band Surfer Blood may take the stage one night and the next it’s a group of hip hop performers. Things get artsy during Stone Groove night with jazz, blues, soul and spoken word taking over the space. This spot that’s housed in Downtown’s up and coming Park West region (there are galleries popping up around the area as well), is a feast for the eyes both inside its doors and out, with the towering high rises playing backdrop.