Best New Lounge
Gemma
Tonino Doino and his brothers, Paolo, Roberto and
Luciano, must possess success’ secret recipe: their
Sport Café remains a South Beach legend, and their two
Rosinella restaurants — one on the Beach, the other off
Brickell — are still going strong after, respectively,
12 and 9 years. With the rarity that is Gemma, however,
they’ve surpassed even their previous triumphs. Above a
well-trod stretch of Lincoln Road, this literal gem of a
joint is the kinda spot Bogie’s very fetching ex
would’ve walked into — and never left. Plush enough for
high comfort, lush enough to sate and smart enough to
keep safe its secrets. That it also just so happens to
be hidden in plain sight makes it all the more alluring.
Imbibe. Location: 529 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.
Phone: 305-534-3662.
Best Sports Brew
Waldo’s Sports Pub &
Grill
They say they have the cheapest drinks in the Grove. We
think you’d be hard-pressed to find beer for less,
because during happy hour they sell domestic drafts for
$2 — and that’s damn cheap. Did we mention happy hour
begins at 11 a.m.? In addition, there are four pool
tables, more than 20 Plasma TVs and a 15-foot HDTV. Why
are you not there for the big games? That’s a good
question; we really don’t know why you’re not there for
the big games. Please. Move it. And if you need a little
meat to fill up, word is the BBQ Pork Sandwich is
ridiculously good. Any place whose logo is a beer-totin’,
T-shirt wearin’ wild boar is OK by us. Location:
3148 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove. Phone:
305-443-2774.
Best Hotel Lobby to
Drink In
The Catalina Hotel
and Beach Club
The Catalina is an
artsy boutique hotel. And artfully placed mere steps
from its entrance is the bar, a smashing location in
which to get smashed to our minds. In the main lobby,
the Red Bar is nestled comfortably betwixt the two-level
indoor lounge (watch your step) with large contemporary
furniture and a secluded, tranquil garden lounge. But
likely you’ll want to sidle up to whatever cutie is
pouring cocktails that night, especially if you’re a
guest of the hotel. Apparently guests are treated to
complimentary gin, rum and vodka drinks from 7 to 8 p.m.
seven days a week, according to the pleasant gentleman
we spoke with at Maxine’s, the hotel restaurant. And
bartenders at the Catalina know how to pour ’em strong.
Sure, they also take directions if you want something a
bit softer on the liver, and they can make foofy
designer cocktails, such as the Espresso Margarita,
fresh fruit-flavored martinis, batidas and caipirinhas,
too. But what’s your worry? If you have one too many
here, you can just stumble up to your room for the night
and sleep it off. And don’t worry about sleeping through
breakfast either: at the Catalina, it’s served until 3
p.m. Location: 1756 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.
Phone: 305-674-3527.
Best Drinks By the
Beach
The Clevelander
You gotta hand it to the cats who designed the
Clevelander’s Web site. They hit the nail on the
drunken South Beach party-goers’ head. It’s all bright
oceany blue with trippy meandering inflatable beach toys
and smiling bikini girls. And that’s pretty much what
the Clevelander bar is like on any given day.
Sometimes on holidays they rope it off and a street
party erupts, sometimes they have fashion shows and the
rest of the time it’s just a lot of other crazy beachy
fun things to do. Hula hoops, a Friday Carnival, break
dancing, frozen drinks, contortionists, any other kind
of drink, hot chicks and hot guys (all on a Vegas-style
vacation), a Tuesday ladies night, a gorgeous hotel
upstairs, and fire dancers. What the hell else do you
need? A beautiful beach right across the street? Pffft.
Weekdays: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. or later. Weekends: 3 p.m. to
4 a.m. or later. Location: 1020 Ocean Drive,
Miami Beach. Phone:
305-531-3485.
Best Ladies Night
Alcazaba Lounge
Every club, tavern, bar and pub in Miami has a Ladies
Night, but the Alcazaba Lounge inside the Hyatt Regency
Hotel in Coral Gables features two-for-one drink
specials for women and complimentary hors d’oeuvres
during Wednesday Happy Hours, from 5 to 8 p.m. But the
fun doesn’t stop there: Stick around and you’ll be
immersed in what’s largely considered one of the best
Latin Dance clubs in the city. Location: Hyatt
Regency Hotel, 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Phone:
305-441-1234. Web site:
www.coralgables.hyatt.com
Best Salsa Nights
Salsa Mia
Ever wanted to learn to salsa? Or are you just looking
for a great place to dance the night away to a Latin
beat? Salsa Mia incorporates both. Six different levels,
from beginners to advanced, are taught by six different
instructors at the same time and place. No need to bring
a partner as everyone rotates, so you get to step on the
toes of, and eventually get in perfect rhythm with, all
sorts of people. Classes start at $40 per night, but if
you purchase more than one class, the price drops;
they’re held Fridays and Sundays from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30
p.m. Stay after class Friday for the hottest salsa
nightclub on the beach; open until 3 a.m. Location:
Yuca Lounge, upstairs, 501 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.
Phone: 305-987-3033. Web site:
www.salsamia.com
Best Dance Spot on
Ocean Drive
Rumba Palace
Essentially a restaurant, owned by trumpet great Arturo
Sandoval, Rumba Palace advertises that they have the
best Cuban cuisine. So it’s probably a good thing that
there’s lots of opportunity for dancing at Rumba Palace,
thereby allowing diners to burn off their calories. On
Wednesday, ladies are invited to down free martinis as
they dance with their soulmates or their
wanna-be-soulmates. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays,
patrons can enjoy the live music and dance, dance,
dance. Plus: There are two-for-one happy hours for
humans of both genders from 5 to 7 p.m., for it is never
too early to Rumba! Location: 600 Ocean Drive,
Miami Beach. Phone: 305-672-3309.
Best Beach Pool Hall
Felt
Don’t let the official-size billiards tables fool you.
Felt is a place where amateur pool players can feel
right at home. It’s also a great place to meet friends
after work for a beer and a game of pool even if you’re
not that good at the game. Once inside, if you’re still
not sure about your pool skills, grab a stool at the
well-stocked bar or relax in the lounge area and watch
the pool sharks at work. You can’t do better than
Thursday nights, when you can get a beer for a whopping
dollar. Location: 1242 Washington Ave., Miami
Beach. Phone: 305-531-2114.
Best Irish Bar on
the Beach
The Playwright Irish Pub
A friendly atmosphere permeates The Playwright, as does
the nature of the pub — with hand-painted murals
depicting the charm of the old country. The affluent
interior hints of old cultured Dublin, recreated by
master Irish craftsmen. Famous Playwrights glance from
the walls, content with the excellent food served, from
an extensive menu of tasty and hefty pub food. If you
haven’t visited The Playwright, you’ve missed real
ambiance and good times. Location: 1265
Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone:
305-534-0667.
Best Tourist
Nightspot
Mango’s Tropical
Café
Mango’s Tropical Café
has been on Ocean Drive for a very, very long time,
consistently packing the place with tourists from out of
the world in search of a good time. Why? It’s because of
the quality food, beautiful staff (who all know how to
dance), festive atmosphere, talented live bands and
unique drinks. Location: 900 Ocean Drive, Miami
Beach. Phone: 305-673-4422. Web site:
www.mangostropical.com
Best New Lounge With
Live Music
The Office
Not only does The Office serve great food and drinks but
it also serves up heaps of live music — as in every
single night. Hey, they’ve got the stage, the lighting,
the seating arrangement and the sound system. They might
as well utilize it with good music from the area’s best
performers and bands. Location: 2701 Collins
Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-532-4444. Web
site: www.theofficediner.com
Best Place to Hear
and Feel Cuban Music
Hoy Como Ayer
In the heart of Little Havana, Hoy Como Ayer is a place
of nostalgia for Cubans who wish to reminisce about
their lives back home. Well-known artists such as Celia
Cruz and Celeste Mendoza are heard through the speakers
(or played by bands, who also play their own sounds, on
Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights) while customers
eat their tamales with plantains. While sipping Cuba
Libres, customers can also enjoy an Oliveros Cuban Cigar
as they remember growing up with certain actors, whose
pictures are hanging on the walls. Location: 2212
SW Eighth St., Miami. Phone: 305-541-2631.
Best Community Sports
Bar
Kent’s Sports Bar
Café
Kent’s is one of those places where everyone knows your
name, plus your drink and your team. Serving up casual
all-American bar food seven days a week, Kent’s is the
place for the sports fan who wants to unwind and watch
the game. Unlike many new sports bars, there is a sense
of community at this casual hang-out. Their prices are
unbeatable with entrées ranging from $10-$15. There is
live music most Saturday nights and every Tuesday is
poker night. For the true sports fan, Kent’s is
available for special events and functions. Location:
171 Sunny Isles Blvd., Sunny Isles Beach. Phone:
305-940-1005.
Best Karaoke Bar
Studio Karaoke Club
Since Shine was shut down due to noise restrictions, the
Shelborne Hotel has another club to brag about. Studio
Karaoke Club is open each night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
and its catalog holds more than 20,000 songs. Hey, it’s
even been known to host a star or two — celebs like the
Olsen twins, John Stamos, Kelly Clarkson and Rob
Schneider. Studio is not your average karaoke bar,
either. It’s for the over-the-top, dramatic singer in us
all. Equipped with professional lightning and real-life
instruments (from trumpets to bongos), your version of
“I Will Survive” will never sound better. Location:
The Shelborne Hotel, 1801 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.
Phone: 305-695-1770.
Best Corporate Party
Venue
The Fifth
Hosting everything from fashion shows to magazine
parties, The Fifth is a corporate events organization
that is fairly new to Miami Beach. Opened in March 2006,
The Fifth contains clients such as Microsoft,
Sports Illustrated and Cadillac, to name a few.
“We’re a top nightclub on Miami Beach. We’re the only
location with a restaurant license as well as a catering
service,” says marketing director Gerry Kelly. With a
9,000 square-foot venue, The Fifth contains three
private penthouse suites, which are only complimented by
the mini spa located in the ladies restroom. Citizens as
well as tourists can experience the club atmosphere
provided on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
with dress code strictly enforced. Location: 1045
Fifth St., Miami Beach, FL Phone: 305-538-9898.
Web site: www.thefifth.com
Best Cantina
Tequila Chicas
With decent prices across the board for Miami Beach
standards, Tequila Chicas is an open-air bar that may
catch your eye: no cover, no dress code and a Happy Hour
from 4-7 p.m., when drinks and appetizers (like nachos
and shrimp ceviche) are half-off. Even when Happy Hour
ends, customers can still enjoy drink specials for the
remainder of the night. Wednesday nights are
particularly appealing as ladies drink free from 8-10
p.m. Guys, we think we have a winner! Not limited to
just food and drinks, you can also express yourself on
the Expression Pole (aka stripper pole), or simply relax
and enjoy the several big screens located throughout the
venue. Tequila Chicas is open until 1 a.m. during the
week and till 2 a.m. weekends. Location: 1501
Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-531-7010.
Best Place to Dance
Flamenco
Tapas y Tintos
The most delicious mojitos and the sexiest salsa music
are pouring out of the holiday on Española Way at Tapas
y Tintos. The cozy spot is alluring and welcoming,
encouraging even the most awkward gringo to get up and
shake their maracas. The mostly Barcelonan staff serves
authentic Spanish tapas and wine, right alongside
flamenco dancers and nightly live music. The place has a
distinctly European feel, at prices you could afford as
a student when you studied in Madrid and lived off of
the bite-sized portions of banderillas and dedos del
Diablo. Free tango classes are offered on Monday
evenings for anyone looking to improve their forbidden
movements. Location: 448 Española Way, Miami
Beach. Phone: 305-538-8272. Web site:
www.tapasytintos.com
Best Gay Club
Twist
This
friendly neighborhood gay bar has much to offer regular
customers from all parts of Greater Miami Beach and the
mainland as well as to visitors from afar. Multiple
themed bars feature a variety of entertainment and
arguably the best bar staff in the entire city. A
mainstay for 14 years, it has become a Miami Beach icon
to the GLBT community. Few clubs of any stripe can match
the environment, entertainment and hospitality of this
terrific nightspot – truly one of the best and most
inviting locations in the region. Location: 1057
Washington Ave., Miami Beach Phone: 305-538-9478.
Best Adult Club in Miami Beach
Club Madonna
“Strip club” does not quite seem to be this long-time
Miami Beach nightspot, although that is, essentially,
the entertainment. Popular with visitors, certainly, is
this well-known club. But locals tend to become regular
customers as well, making friends and giving the club a
pleasant, neighborhood feel. That’s not easy in adult
entertainment, and it isn’t easy to do in South Beach at
all. For this reason, good staff and loads of adult
oriented entertainment, Club Madonna stands head,
shoulders and all other body parts above the rest!
Location: 1527 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone:
305-534-2000.
Best Nightlife Anchor
The Opium Group
The Opium Group, owned and operated by Eric Milon, Roman
Jones and Francis Milon, is the brain-trust behind the
top three nightclubs on South Beach: Privé, Mansion and
Opium Garden. The locales are frequented by celebrity A-listers,
including Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, P. Diddy,
Lindsay Lohan and Nick Lachey (sans Jessica, who has
also made appearances). The 7,000-square-foot Privé can
hold 500 guests in its ultra-chic design with Zen glass
fixtures, a water wall and multiple projection surfaces.
Mansion’s six bars are spread over two floors and
40,000square feet, which is plenty of room for 2,500
guests who are willing to shell out anywhere from $180
to $5,000 for a single bottle of champagne. Its Venetian
glass mirrors and crystal chandeliers can make almost
anyone feel like they’re living the high-life, even if
just for a few hours. The Asian-inspired Opium Garden
transports its 2,000 guests to the Far East as they’re
surrounded by Buddha statues, Chinese lanterns and other
exotic décor. Wherever you choose to dance (and drink)
the night away, the Opium Group’s nationally-recognized
success is sure to yield a wildly entertaining time.
Location: 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Phone:
305-531-5535. Website: www.theopiumgroup.com
Best Anticipated SoBe
Resto-Lounge
Gem Nightclub
Scheduled to open in July, Gem Night club will be a
restaurant lounge variety that introduces the South
Beach masses to the exclusive Jet Set Room. Gem is even
now assembling a team of bartenders, bar backs, dancers,
hostesses, servers and security. Location: 671
Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone:
305-674-0977.
Best North Beach
Tavern
Norman’s American Bar
and Grill
Norman’s has the essentials of a good local’s joint: a
full bar, a tasty menu, plenty of television sets
(better to watch sports in) and pool tables. These
ingredients have made Norman’s quite the popular tavern
among those who live, work and visit North Beach.
Location: 6770 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Phone:
305-868-9248.
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