The DEAL: Dining, Entertainment, Attractions, Lodging in Miami
by Jeanne Brei
Soak up the sounds and sights of sand, surf and sensual pleasures as the high-energy vibe of South Beach satiates your senses. When seeking entertainment in Miami Beach, all you really need is a pair of comfortable shoes to head out for some sightseeing and people watching on Ocean Drive (where you can see the world’s biggest collection of preserved Art Deco buildings, all beautifully maintained as they were almost 100 years ago on one side and the promenade and beach on the other), Collins Avenue (the main shopping and hotel street in Miami Beach that runs parallel to the beach), Lincoln Road (an iconic pedestrian district that serves as a hub for modern culture seekers, anchored by the New World Symphony, Arts Center South Florida and the Colony Theater), Miami Beach Boardwalk (the mid-beach boardwalk runs from 21st to 46th streets and is more family orientated), Espanola Way, Little Havana, etc.
Who knew that thongs would be considered outerwear by so many beautiful people – and that it would look so hot? Or that sidewalks full of Cuban men urging you to eat in their restaurant could be so entertaining? South Beach pulses neon and is ultra crowded with the flamboyant, the rich, the poor, the beautiful and the sensuous—but it’s an experience not to be missed.
With its Latin rhythms, flashing lights and glitzy bars and clubs, South Beach is a nightlife haven for the party crowd. From top dance clubs, to cocktail lounges and dive bars, SoBe’s diverse nightlife scene promises something for everyone over 21. Take a bar-hopping tour or club crawl to show you the hottest, most popular parties in town via a limo with an open bar and you can usually skip the line at the door. Or dance on the decks of an evening cruise with onboard DJs and drinks. You’ll sail the waters of Biscayne Bay, get sweeping views of the skyline, and enjoy the cooling ocean breeze while dancing at sunset or after dark.
On South Beach, there’s no dance club more popular that LIV at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach (pictured above). A popular hangout for world-renowned DJs and A-list celebrities, this multi-level, 18,000 square-foot spot is where the likes of Paris Hilton, the Kardashians and more can be seen dancing the night away. For something a little different, Basement at the Edition is a disco in disguise—complete with a glowing bar, bowling alley, ice skating rink and of course, dancing.
South Beach also has a few iconic dive bars to choose from. Lost Weekend, on Española Way, features 1980s video games and happy hour well drinks for just $3.50. Ted’s Hideaway, the area’s most popular dive bar, is an Old English-style spot with two daily happy hours. Around since 1926, Mac’s Club Deuce bills itself as the oldest bar in Miami and is known for its Miami Vice cameos in the ‘80s and has an 11-hour happy hour and constant regulars including a handful of A-list fans, like Cameron Diaz.
For more info, visit www.fontainebleau.com; www.lostweekendmiami.com; www.tedshideaway-hub.com and www.macsclubdeuce.com.
