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18 Best Bars in Miami

By Jennifer M. Wood

Like the Art Deco architecture that defines the Ocean Drive skyline, the Miami drinking scene is a refreshing mix of vintage style with newfangled twists. While it’s long been known for its cocktails (like any subtropical destination might be), long gone are the days of frozen drinks with tiny umbrellas. From the adventurous and the experimental, to the perfect Martini, Miami has its cocktail game under control, yet still has plenty of room for legendary dives. Meanwhile, over in Wynwood, the craft beer movement is thriving in a way you'd be more likely to associate with the New England woods than the tropical beach. Read on for a bar crawl that can carry you through your next trip to the Magic City.

Jaguar Sun Arrow

Quite a few Miami bars seem to land on either a dated chrome-and-neon look or go too far the other way, fussing up the interior with all manner of vintage tat without too much thought behind it. Thankfully Jaguar Sun, a new addition to Downtown’s X Miami building, strikes a very tasteful middle ground. The drinks themselves seem lofty on paper—think various types of sherry, rare Mexican rum, falernum and the like. But the experience is entirely free of pretension.

Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company Arrow

Industrial chic meets tropical kitsch at this Collins Park bar, just a few steps from the Bass Museum but far enough off the main tourist drag to still be somewhat low key. (Somewhat.) Still, the bar isn’t letting all that praise go to its head. Even as more tourists put Sweet Liberty on their To Drink list, the crew is doing everything it can to maintain that comfortable, neighborhood bar feel. It opens early and closes late, catering to early birds and nighthawks alike. For an after-work drink or intimate tête-à-tête, come for happy hour, when it’s still quiet. If you’d prefer to sway to the sounds of an in-house DJ until the sun rises, Sweet Liberty’s got your back until 5 a.m.

Broken Shaker Arrow

Miami owes much of its reputation as one of America’s best cocktail cities to Broken Shaker—you'll see for yourself once you try its Old-Fashioned. Classics like that though barely scratch the surface of what they do here. Come with half a dozen friends and try one of the custom punch bowls (you choose a spirit, fruit and botanical, the bartenders do the rest). On a warm night, sitting under the bar's twinkling lights, it's hard not to have a romantic night out. But it’s also a great place to catch up with friends, especially as the bar accepts reservations for groups of six or more.

Ball & Chain Arrow

The first thing you notice about Ball & Chain is that green and white awning, beckoning nighthawks to Little Havana for decades. Originally opened in 1935, the historic space has seen many changes—and owners—over the years, yet it kept hints of the past, like the original pine ceiling that Billie Holiday and Count Basie played beneath. If it’s a quiet night you’re after, look elsewhere; the venue’s two stages are always delivering great jazz and spirited salsa. It makes a great spot for meeting up—and catching up—with a group of friends who embrace an old-school Miami party vibe.

Matt Ortile

Todd Plummer

Lauren Dana Ellman

Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner

Lost Boy Arrow

"Eclectic" is absolutely an overused descriptor for decor, but there’s really no other word that fits the studiously jumbled arrangement of Lost Boy’s interior. Random oil paintings, dart boards, skulls, antique bookcases, and tailor’s dummies fill the corners of a bar that’s cozy, cluttered, and well-organized all at once. The owners cite the American Southwest, drunken sailor bars, and English pubs as their aesthetic inspiration, and you can see all of those elements very clearly here. The cocktail menu risks a little adventure, but nothing here will alienate drinkers who stick to the classics. The gin and tonic, for instance, is jazzed up with some peppercorn, and the pineapple daiquiri comes with roasted pineapple, but neither is deconstructed or unrecognizable.

Rácket Arrow

Racket, in Wynwood, has something of a split personality, divided as it is between its Atrium and Sky Room spaces. The Atrium doffs its cap to something approaching a tiki vibe, with large windows perfect for long, meaningful gazes. The Sky Room, on the other hand, takes an industrial swerve; the former gallery space has metal pipes and sleek wood finishes. If you’re exploring Wynwood for the first time, this is a good bar to get a feel for things. It's got inventive interpretations of cocktail classics, plus artistic and esoteric touches.

Gramps Arrow

The only things you need to know about Gramps are written on its exterior: Air Conditioning, Cold Beer, Cocktails. This popular Wynwood hangout is a direct reflection of its quirky neighborhood, right down to its mismatched furniture, collection of old-school video games, and outdoor tiki bar that hosts a great lineup of live music. When having fun with some good friends is your main priority, Gramps does not disappoint. Its always-rocking outdoor tiki bar is the kind of place that defines a subtropical party city. The pizza that's hiding at the Pizza Tropical window inside doesn't hurt either.

Blackbird Ordinary Arrow

With its laid-back, neighborhood bar feel, Blackbird Ordinary is best experienced with people you can really be yourself around. If you’re looking to make a business deal or get to know a potential mate, you’re better off arriving early, before the noise level drowns out your ability to converse without yelling. For those who like to watch the sunrise with a cocktail in their hand, take note: The place is open until 5 a.m. every night (365 days a year).

Astra Arrow

Could a rooftop in Wynwood transport visitors to the Greek islands? It's definitely going to try. The owners of Astra are billing this garden-themed bar as ‘the ambience of Mykonos," and while it might be nicer to be swept away to the Greek islands, the rampant florals and wicker lamp shades certainly do a decent job without the airfare. It’s a large, airy, space, too, with 10,000 square feet of views across the city’s artsiest neighborhood.

Kill Your Idol Arrow

There are so many bars that recall the cocktail glory days of the roaring '20s, but Kill Your Idol has a very different sort of throwback appeal—something more akin to NYC's East Village punk rock scene of the 1970s and ‘80s. Fashionable in a counter-culture kind of way, the bar’s décor focuses on a statue of Bruce Lee, with a ’70s Playboy pinball machine that's a time warp if there ever was one. With its love of the offbeat and weekly lineup of events (Monday’s Drag Night is a big draw), Kill Your Idol is where Miamians go to escape the velvet ropes and bottle service that dominate South Beach.

Sugar at EAST Arrow

here are bars with outdoor seating, and then there’s Sugar: Even if you’ve lived in the city all your life, it’s hard not to be wowed by the panoramic views that greet you and the garden-like atmosphere. On the 40th floor of the EAST, Miami hotel in Brickell, Sugar serves cocktails with "a 270-degree view of Miami's gorgeous skyline, making it the best spot to watch the sunset,” says hotel manager Andres Garcia. Claim one of the comfortable couches or chairs that are scattered around the rooftop, or pull up a stool at the striking wood-carved bar before the crowds come later in the evening.

The Anderson Arrow

With its fun-loving penchant for ‘80s cheesiness, it’s hard not to have a good time at The Anderson. The drinks come courtesy of the pros behind The Broken Shaker. You’ll want to opt for a cocktail, which may or may not include sweet potato (there's a culinary kick to the drink list). With Alex Chang, the renowned chef who reinvigorated The Vagabond, in charge of the menu, you can easily make a meal out of their “Munchies.” Across the board, standard pub fare gets an upgrade: a simple Chicago-style hot dog comes with neon relish and pickled peppers while the restaurant’s burger comes with aged Comté cheese, caramelized onions, and horseradish crème fraiche on marble rye—and all of it is drink-friendly.

Barter Wynwood Arrow

If someone designed a bar with Instagram stories in mind, it would probably look something like Barter. The space has lampshades hanging from industrial pipes, a flock of uninhabited bird cages, vintage furniture and ephemera, and a beer-garden-like outdoor area with Astroturf and benches. Oh, and the bar runs an exchange program where you can barter—hence the name you see—vintage items for drinks.

Rose Bar at Delano Arrow

In 1995, Ian Schrager opened the Delano hotel and helped to kick off the revitalization of South Beach as we know it today. While bigger hotels with more over-the-top amenities have opened up all around it, the Delano’s unassuming lobby bar—Rose Bar—is still ground zero for the new, fashion-forward Miami Beach that Schrager help to create. When you want to impress someone—a date, a client, a visiting family member—with your knowledge of the South Beach nightlife scene, there are few better places. Not to mention the people-watching.

The Regent Cocktail Club Arrow

Just around the back of the Gale Hotel (you can take the long way through the hotel lobby or, preferably, enter through the lovely little back terrace), this intimate speakeasy aims to pay tribute through its cocktails to the building’s 1941 origins. With its low-slung, dark leather banquettes and soaring ceilings, the cocktail club looks like it was serving Martinis to space race era ad men just before you walked in. When a great cocktail—and only a great cocktail—will do, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better spot to linger over a classic libation than The Regent. But take a cue from its size and keep your crew small for the best experience—or just grab a seat at the bar and go it alone.

Lagniappe Arrow

Lagniappe means "a little something extra for free," but the experience here is pared down in a charming way. The food and drinks selection is all self-service; you grab a beer from the cooler or a bottle of wine (there are over 150 different ones), choose your cheese or meat, pay, and find your table (if there’s any food preparation needed, don't worry, they’ll do it for you). The vibe is New Orleans in Miami, especially with the traditional live jazz emanating from the corner.

Mac's Club Deuce Arrow

Like something out of Bukowski, Makes is for true dive bar connoisseurs who like an old-school, atmosphere where you can actually chat with the person sitting next to you (whether you came with that person or not). You come to Mac's for one thing only: to drink. Beer, shot, repeat. It's authentic Miami, and may be the best dive bar in the country.

Boxelder Arrow

Boxelder, which is great for a catch-up with friends, a casual date, or a pit stop while shopping and strolling in Wynwood, is a neo-industrial space with a long counter. The voluminous beer selection is displayed on wooden shelves. Mustachioed and bearded beer lovers mingle with the usual Wynwood mix of artists, young professionals, and stylish bloggers taking a break from instagram shoots. The music isn't too loud for conversation, and the space always manages to avoid being too crowded—or too empty.

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The 20 Best Bars In Miami

photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc

Ryan Pfeffer & Mariana Trabanino

April 12, 2024

Miami is a city that knows how to party. But a great bar has to be more than just loud and full of drunk people (try a club if that's what you're after). The places on this guide range from dive bars to cocktail spots making martinis we actually think are worth $23. They're wildly different—but all of them are essential Miami watering holes where we never have a bad time. And if you're wondering what the best new bars in Miami are, check out our Bar Hit List .

photo credit: Cleveland Jennings

Kaiju is a cocktail bar inside  The Citadel  food hall in Little River , and it has one of the best cocktail menus in Miami. The menu itself is a fun little anime-inspired zine with drinks named after different mythical monsters. And those drinks are the kind of impressively engineered cocktails you’ll want to sip slowly and appreciate, which is difficult because they’re so good you might chug them like a post-recess Capri Sun. Kaiju is located in what looks like a fancy bird’s nest on The Citadel second floor, and can only fit about a dozen people. But If there are no open seats at the glowing red bar, there’s overflow seating just outside.

Mac's Club Deuce

South Beach

Our favorite kind of landmarks are the ones that serve booze, and Mac’s—the most famous dive bar in South Florida—does just that, every day from 8am-5pm. Sure, this 50-plus-year-old South Beach spot is rich in history (the neon lights were installed by the Miami Vice crew during a shoot) and you might walk in on a retired rock star sipping whiskey when you come here. But we like it because Mac’s is just a phenomenal dive bar. It’s grimy but friendly if you play by the rules, which essentially boil down to three things: cash only, don’t touch the blinds, and don’t be an ass.

People love to ask what you’d bring with you if you were trapped on a desert island and sure, a lighter and a cell phone would be nice. But if we could bring one bar with us, it’d be Gramps. No other bar in Miami is as versatile. A week at this Wynwood spot includes karaoke, pizza, live music, killer DJs, and the best drag show in town every Thursday night. Add to that the best cocktails in Wynwood, a very good Happy Hour, and Pizza Tropical ’s fantastic NY-style pizza in the back, and we’d happily spend a few years alone with Gramps on an island. And if you don't feel like venturing into Wynwood (we get that) go to Gramps' new location on Key Biscayne , which has frozen drinks and a waterfront view.

photo credit: Courtesy The Bend

The Bend is a great bar for people who never fully recovered from their middle school emo phase. The retro dive bar is split into two sections. One has a huge Yoda statue and serves cocktails like the big bender, a Hialeah rendition of a long island iced tea made with guava. The other section only serves wine and beer and looks like the basement from That ‘70s Show . Decorative wood paneling, reruns of old ads like the Fushigi gravity ball, and a functioning CRT TV with a Nintendo 64 connected to it—it’s all dripping with nostalgia. To play just ask the bartender and make sure you blow on the cartridge like old times.

NIU Wine is the drinking equivalent of a cashmere sweater. This snug little wine bar is our favorite spot for a low-key night out, first date , or particularly exhausting Thursday that calls for a glass of wine and excellent Spanish bar snacks. The narrow space has an intimate dinner party energy with candlelights and tables perfect for couples. There’s not really a wine menu. You just chat with the staff, and they'll bring you some bottles to try. There is a rotating food menu, though, and it’s full of tapas you definitely want alongside a glass of that red you picked because you liked the label.

Over Under in Downtown has the DNA of a dive bar, cocktail bar, and a very good restaurant. And while your stomach will get mad at you if you come here without ordering at least something from their excellent (and very Florida) food menu—like one of Miami's best burgers —you can certainly come here just to have a fun, drunken night. Over Under gets packed (in a fun way) during weekend nights. But it's also a lovely weeknight drinking option, whether or not you want to sit alone at the bar on a Monday or show up for karaoke on a Wednesday.

Key Biscayne

The Cleat is a slightly hard-to-find Key Biscayne bar with a view that’s worth shedding a tear. This place is located inside Bill Baggs State Park on the southern tip of Key Biscayne. And it has the best waterfront view of any bar in the entire city. It’s hard to describe without using cliche adjectives like breathtaking, especially at sunset. The Cleat has a very Keys vibe, occasional live music, and every seat in the house provides a view of Biscayne Bay you’d normally have to purchase a $300 bottle of vodka to enjoy. There is an $8 per vehicle fee to get into the park, but tell them you’re going to The Cleat and they (should) let you in for free.

photo credit: Tripping Animals Brewing Co.

Tripping Animals Brewing Co.

Nearly all breweries are industrial chic with open floor plans, but only one has a giant mural of a stoned chihuahua. Fittingly, it’s named Tripping Animals and it happens to be our favorite brewery in Miami right now. The Doral warehouse is an exciting place to be even on Mondays, when they give everyone paint and canvases and let you relive your elementary school days (except with beer). You’re here for that enormous selection of beer, but you should also come for the food. Trippy Kitchen, as they call it, has a menu that feels like it was designed by a pregnant woman with spontaneous cravings. There’s ribeye with curly fries, ceviche, a Venezuelan hot dog, and a charcuterie board.

Dante's HiFi

Dante’s HiFi is a Wynwood bar and “listening room.” This doesn’t mean that everyone is sitting in silence and listening to music (this is Miami after all, a city incapable of silence). But it does mean that this place has an absolutely spectacular sound system, and a really incredible record collection. DJs take turns spinning songs from that collection, occasionally hopping on the mic to give some context about what they’re playing. And while all this is going on, you can order good cocktails, snack on wasabi peas, and mentally calculate how much money you need to save in order to install these speakers in your own home. It's tough to walk in on a busy night, but they do accept reservations .

photo credit: Courtesy Miami Sound Bar

Miami Sound Bar

Dante's too crowded? That happens. And if that's the case—or if you just want to check out another excellent listening bar in Miami—try Miami Sound Bar. This Downtown spot has everything we expect from a great listening bar: excellent cocktails, an intimate interior, and talented DJs playing vinyl on speakers we wish we could afford. They also take reservations, which is a smart idea since the narrow space is a tight squeeze, and it’ll be comforting to know you have a guaranteed seat (especially if you’re coming here on a date).

photo credit: Emily Schindler

Cafe La Trova

Little Havana

The majority of this Little Havana spot is dedicated to the restaurant. But there is a long bar you can drink at (if you can find a seat) as well as a separate bar area in the back. La Trova runs one of the best cocktail programs in town, and their daiquiri clasico is probably the one drink we’d take along if we were left on a desert island. You can enjoy it at the back room bar, which is inspired by ’80s Miami and has a heavily mirrored space that’d make the cast of Miami Vice feel right at home. But try to spend some time in the main dining room too, where there's live music and it feels like a party every night of the week.

Lagniappe is proof that not all wine bars are quiet, dim places that feel more like libraries. This place gets packed and loud both inside—where you’ll find a weekly rotation of great jazz and plenty of good wine—and outside, which is a back patio that all other back patios should aspire to be. There are string lights and tons of tables that look like they were collected from years of nearby garage sales. It’s hard to get one of those tables on the weekend though. But if Lagniappe looks too crowded, here are some alternatives nearby .

photo credit: Gabriel Matarazzo

Terras at Life House Little Havana

Here's the bad news: Miami's rooftop bar scene is pretty pathetic. But here's the good news: Terras in Little Havana is a rooftop bar we truly love and wholeheartedly endorse. This is thanks to both the great cocktails and the wonderful view of the Downtown skyline. They serve food as well—but you’re coming here to drink (or dance, since they usually have a DJ spinning on the weekend). The space is pretty and not too claustrophobic—great for a date or catching up with a few friends. And even though it’s on the roof of a hotel, it’s not annoyingly touristy.

Sweet Liberty Drink & Supply Co.

Miami Beach

There is really never a bad time to come to Sweet Liberty. They’ve got one of our favorite Happy Hours that includes oysters and some of the best cocktails in the city. The late-night scene is always fun without feeling sloppy. Sunday brunch is a blast too, whether you’re looking for bottomless rosé or eggs benedict with andouille sausage. This place is everything we love about South Beach: sexy, colorful and not afraid of a hot pink neon sign, without any of the nasty overpriced stuff you’ll eat and drink on Ocean Drive.

Little River

If you're trying to drink and eat at a bar, then you should be at Off Site. The Little River nano-brewery is serving some of the best bar food in Miami. There’s a Cuban sandwich with bread pressed crispy enough to play shuffleboard on. Their huge fried chicken sandwich just might be the best in town. And they also make wings , a burger , and a hot dog that all rank among the best versions you'll find in all of South Florida. Plus, this is just a refreshingly chill space perfect for a beer and a conversation—which you can have as soon as you finish inhaling whatever you end up ordering.

photo credit: Karli Evans

Broken Shaker

There are some questions that require a yes 100% of the time. Would you like fries with that? Would you like to upgrade to first class free of charge? Would you like to grab a drink at Broken Shaker? No matter how touristy it gets, we always want to come to this outdoor Miami Beach cocktail bar, where we can sip some of the best drinks in Miami, swim in the pool without being asked for our room number, and feel a solid 15% cooler thanks to the tropical design we’ve tried (and failed) to emulate in our own tiny backyards. This place also earns bonus points for being 15 steps away from one of our favorite restaurants in Miami Beach, 27 .

photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC

Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery

Swizzle is a bar that feels like a cross between a tiki bar and a speakeasy—or a tiki-easy, which is a word we just made up that’s as fun to say as this bar is to drink at. Even though it’s only three short steps below a hotel lobby, Swizzle is dimly lit and makes you feel like you're well below sea level in the hull of an old wooden ship. Underground atmosphere aside, this place also makes some of the best cocktails in town. The drink menu is extensive and unanimously excellent, especially the swizzle cocktails.

Palace isn’t strictly a bar. The South Beach LGBTQ+ classic serves food too, but you really come here to drink and watch drag, which pretty much makes it a bar in our eyes. This place is open till 2am during the week (and usually later on weekends), but the best time to come here is for their famous drag brunch. You get a couple hours of bottomless mimosas and the best sidewalk drag show of your freaking life.

We prefer to treat Downtown’s Jaguar Sun like a restaurant. We make a reservation, sit down, order food, drinks, and leave incredibly happy every single time. However, Jaguar Sun is also a cocktail bar—and an outstanding one too. Their bar area (which is separate from the dining room) is a bit small. It can be tough to snag a seat during peak hours, but when you do, you can expect some of the best service and drinks in town. The fact that you can also order some oysters or pasta if you start to get hungry is an added bonus we’ll happily take.

NW 11th Street is generally a place you go if you’re trying to go clubbing for 11 hours straight, but The Corner is a great spot for people who’d like to stay away from those loud dance floors and offensively-priced beers. This neighborhood standby works for a solid cocktail at 4am or a Happy Hour beer and hot dog as the sun sets over Downtown. But The Corner (open till 7am on Friday and Saturday) is undoubtedly a late-night spot and generally the best choice for anyone out in the middle of the night who doesn’t want to go home yet and would like to be around people who feel the same way.

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18 Of The Best Bars In Miami For Your Next Night Out

From secret speakeasies to unique dive bars, here's where to treat yourself to the best possible cocktail you can find in the city.

Whether you’re looking for a place to unwind, to embark on a happy hour crawl or to simply meet with friends in a lively setting, Miami is home to an array of different bars. Offering everything from live music to small bites, in addition to refreshing cocktails, we’ve catered to every taste. So without further ado, here are some of the best bars in Miami you should visit .

1. Dante’s HiFi , Wynwood

First on this list is Dante’s HiFi, the city’s first vinyl listening bar. Inspired by Japanese kissas, visitors can expect authentic, HiFi musical experiences from globally-recognized artists while enjoying a great cocktail. The soulful space will please any music enthusiast with its state-of-the-art sound system and extensive wall of records from resident Music Director Rich Medina’s personal collection.

Where: 519 NW 26th St, Miami, FL 33127

2. Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery , South Beach

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Hidden in the basement of the historic Stiles Hotel on Collins, this intimate speakeasy is known for late night imbibing, soul-infused DJ sets, and out-of-the-box beverages – especially of the rum variety. In fact, it boasts upwards of 150 rums!

Where: 1120 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

3. Fox’s Lounge , South Miami

Lovingly restored since its opening in 1946, Fox’s has been a South Miami staple for its great food and stiff drinks. It is dubbed Miami’s darkest bar and takes pride in being a secret hideaway, nestled in plain view on US1. Inside, you’ll find classics like heavily poured Martinis with a sidecar on ice, Manhattans done right, and a wide selection of beer, wine and bubbles.

Where: 6030 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33143

4. Broken Shaker , Miami Beach

This is the perfect spot if you’re looking to relax by the pool with a margarita in hand. Broken Shaker, a sun-soaked bar housed at the Freehand Hotel, serves up ever-changing cocktails, punchbowls to share with friends and a bar bites menu with everything from tacos to burgers.

Where: 2727 Indian Creek Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33140

5. The Commodore , Coconut Grove

Nestled within the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, The Commodore features both a regal indoor bar and lounge, a tropically-lush covered patio, a compelling cocktail list of classics and new innovations, and a bites menu to pair. It’s also the perfect bar to enjoy live music, with performances every Friday and Saturday night.

Where: 3300 SW 27th Ave, Miami, FL 33133

6. Bar Kaiju , Little River

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A hidden gem on the second floor of The Citadel, this drinking den names its one-of-a-kind concoctions after monsters from around the world like Godzilla and Chupacabra. The word Kaiju itself translates to “strange beast” in Japanese. Each cocktail flavor takes inspiration from the monster itself, the geographical area it “resides in” and the cultures that created it.

Where: 8300 NE 2nd Ave 2nd floor, Miami, FL 33138

7. Lost Boy Dry Goods , Downtown Miami

Believe it or not, this beloved neighborhood bar was once a jean store before co-owners Chris Hudnall and Randy Alonso combined their love for a good English pub with the feel of an old Captain’s tavern to open Lost Boy Dry Goods. Cocktails are straightforward classics, draught beer taps are cold, and sandwiches are built fresh at this laid-back hangout.

Where: 157 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131

8. Tropezón , South Beach

This Andalusian-inspired gin and tapas bar located in the hidden corridors of Espanola Way is perfect for delicious cocktails. Inspired by the Spanish village saloons where old men play afternoon cards and women converse over Sherry, the bar features an array of house-infused gins and classic cocktails that are perfect answers to interrupting the humid, Miami evenings.

Where: 512 Española Way, Miami Beach, FL 33139

9. JohnMartin’s , Coral Gables

Sitting along Miracle Mile, this iconic Irish pub was founded in 1989 and recently reopened under the leadership of industry veterans Emi Guerra and Alex Mantecon of Breakwater Hospitality Group, who are continuing its legacy. The bar not only offers a curated selection of Irish whiskey, craft beer and other spirits, but dishes range from Shepherd’s pie and fish and chips to Guinness glazed meatballs and ribeye steak.

Where: 253 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134

10. Café La Trova , Calle Ocho

Inspired by traditional Cuban Trova music, Café La Trova has received multiple awards as one of the best cocktail bars across the nation as well as worldwide. Culinary team Julio Cabrera and Michelle Bernstein join forces to offer guests classic and creative drinks (and an unbeatable happy hour), Latin food and live music daily.

Where: 971 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33130

11. Don’s 5 Star Dive Bar , MiMo

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Step back into a bygone era at this dark watering hole inside the Selina Gold Dust. An ode to Miami’s most famous Dons of the ’70s and ’80s, enjoy creative cocktails like Don’t F*ck with Don Shula, made with mezcal, Campari and vermouth; and the King of Carpets with Skyy citrus, ginger beer and blackberry.

Where: 7700 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138

12. Over Under , Downtown Miami

Over Under has all it needs to be the perfect modern American bar and kitchen. In this relaxed and friendly — yet eclectic — atmosphere, have a taste of the burgers and fish dip off their menu. But most importantly, don’t skip out on any of their frozen drinks, like a frozen Paloma or a frozen Irish coffee (that they claim they ripped off from New Orleans).

Where: 151 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131

13. Casa Tiki , Calle Ocho

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It wouldn’t be a bar roundup without a tiki bar! This Polynesian-style establishment located in the heart of Calle Ocho serves craft cocktails, a daily happy hour and weekly events like comedy shows, salsa classes, live music, trivia nights, karaoke and even burlesque shows!

Where: 1728 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135

14. Sweet Liberty , Miami Beach

If we’re talking about Miami bars, how can we not mention Miami Beach staple Sweet Liberty? With a spirits list of 1,000 different bottles alone, there’s so much to choose from! They also host fun events like drag brunches and live performances, and offer the happiest of happy hours with East Coast oysters for only 95¢ and West Coast oysters for $1.95.

Where: 237 20th St suite b, Miami Beach, FL 33139

15. The Gibson Room , Coral Way

This cozy neighborhood tavern is a good spot for locals to meet, mingle, grab a bite and cocktail, and listen to some of the best music in town. The dimly lit ambiance is a plus for the perfect date night or a night out with friends. They often feature a robust roster of nightly entertainment like live music and vinyl nights.

Where: 2224 SW 22nd St, Miami, FL 33145

16. Higher Ground , Wynwood

One of our favorite rooftop hangouts, Higher Ground is nestled on the third floor of Wynwood’s Arlo hotel. Set in a lush, foliage-framed courtyard with indoor and outdoor seating, the bar features plenty of tropical cocktails for which to enjoy against the beautiful backdrop. Signatures include the refreshing Above The Canopy and a more ceremonial Theobrama Cacao cocktails.

Where: 2217 NW Miami Ct Third Floor, Miami, FL 33127

17. El Vecino , Downtown Miami

Sometimes you just want a drink, but other times you want a drink while relaxing with a good smoke. Like its name, El Vecino resides next to French-focused spot Brasserie Laurel, and it is a must for those looking for a chic lounge to enjoy a cocktail or wine with a cigar. The 1,600-square-foot space is the cigar bar of your dreams with velvet and leather set against the warm glow of amber-hued lighting, vintage décor and rich woods.

Where: 698 NE 1st Ave Suite 172, Miami, FL 33132

18. Tipsy Flamingo , Downtown Miami

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Music and neon pinks fill the air of this Miami-themed cocktail bar every night. Its menu pays homage to the city, with the Tipsy Colada cocktail (rum, coffee, vanilla syrup, salted caramel) served with a cafetera. Paselito lovers can also sip on the My English is Not Very Good Looking, which features gin, guava marmalade, lime juice, cream cheese foam and Galleta Maria crumbs.

Where: 40 NE 1st Ave #101, Miami, FL 33132

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The Best Bars in Miami

No matter what you’ve got a thirst for—a craft cocktail at a rooftop bar, beer-garden happy hour with a cold one, a select vintage at a wine bar, or chill to some live music—miami’s bar scene covers it all, and then some..

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Miami’s 15 Essential Cocktail Bars, Mapped

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Miami’s cocktail scene has grown up. With a slew of award-winning watering holes popping up throughout the city, it’s safe to say that Miami has officially become a cocktail bar hub.

So, with that in mind, below is an updated list of Miami’s go-to cocktail spots to grab a well-balanced drink. This list only includes cocktail bars in the most traditional sense (i.e., ones that are more focused on drink than food — and doesn’t include breweries , wine bars , or newcomers to the Miami bar scene ) and have been open for at least a year or more.

The Sylvester

Housed in the former Bardot space, The Sylvester “pays homage to old and new Miami” with cocktails and bites from the Beaker & Gray team like the “Vaxxxed & Waxxxed” made with Don Julio Blanco, Vida mezcal, Chinola passion fruit, and habanero bitters. The space also keeps with the Miami theme in decor, boasting colorful vintage wallpaper, tropical touches, and repurposed antique furniture, alongside games, including a pool table, pinball machine, foosball, and plenty of board games.

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The Broken Shaker

The Broken Shaker has helped evolve the Miami mixed drink scene bringing the stiff drinks out of the parlor and into the open air. It's not the velvet slipper and smoking jacket type of cocktail club some out-of-towners may be used to. Patrons sip their drinks scattered around the pool and beneath the over-growth.

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Dante's HiFi

Self-described as Miami’s first “listening bar,” which is modeled after the style of Japanese bars where guests come for the music, this small and intimate space is all about the tunes. Holding just 50 people at a time, audiophiles and imbibers can listen to Dante’s extensive library of vinyl records from resident music director Rich Medina’s personal collection while sipping on Japanese highballs and snacking on wasabi peas.

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This Wynwood cocktail bar might advertise its "Cold Beer" and "Air Conditioning," but its cocktails are nothing to be ignored. Its laid-back atmosphere and strong — yet balanced — drinks make it the perfect spot to begin or end the night.

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Sweet Liberty Drink & Supply Co.

The brainchild of Miami bar legend John Lermayer, Sweet Liberty features a Miami Beach chic vibe complete, some of the best cocktails on the beach, and a kitchen open to 4 a.m. nightly. And don't miss its bar food, which is just as good at the beginning of the night as at the end.

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Esotico Miami

This bright and colorful tiki bar creates various drinks influenced by tiki-cocktail history. Think drinks like the Kix, a clarified cocktail made with Hawaiian vodka, Matcha green tea, and passion fruit puree, or the Day Off cocktail with Dewar’s 12yo Double Aged, pineapple ginger shrub, lemon juice, yuzu, and lime soda. To soak up all that booze, Esotico Miami will serve up a full dinner menu with a variety of tiki-with-a-twist offerings, like octopus hot dogs and omakase platters.

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The fanciest thing about The Corner is the cocktails, and that's a good thing. Dark, rough-cut wood and dimly lit, as a proper speakeasy should be. Open late every night, making this spot a perfect nightcap destination.

Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery

As the name implies, rum is the star at Swizzle, with a versatile cocktail list focusing on classic and contemporary cocktails and a mix of spirit-forward drinks and tropical libations. The decor even boasts a mural and walls lined with photos highlighting the history of rum that is meant to be museum-like, which the bartender will give tours of when they aren’t too busy.

After a winter hiatus to run their popular pop-up Sunny’s Steakhouse, Jaguar Sun has returned to its original outpost in Downtown Miami with a refreshed menu merging its staples with favorites from its pop-up. A well-thought-out beverage menu is still at the core of Jaguar Sun, but its small but mighty kitchen is still putting out some of the best upscale comfort food in town. The plates of pasta are a must-order but don’t skip out on the Parker house rolls topped with honey butter, the wagyu beef tartare, or the kouign amann housed ice cream sandwich for dessert. 

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This self-proclaimed “upscale” dive bar — from the people behind places like Sweet Liberty and Blackbird Ordinary — features retro-vibes, strong drinks, and plenty of entertainment like a Pac-Man arcade game, jukebox, pool table, TVs, and a Bookleggers library.

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The eclectic watering hole slash restaurant offers well-crafted cocktails, booze-filled slushies, and a menu filled with items like a much-buzzed-about burger that is akin to a high-end Big Mac, smoked fish dip, and sour orange pie.

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This laid-back, two-story Downtown Miami bar boasts an interior inspired by the American Southwest, traditional English pubs, and “drunken sailor bars,” along with a straightforward cocktail and food menu with classics like the gin and tonic, Old Fashioned, Negroni, and Penicillin, along with well drinks, wines, coffee, and tap only beers served in English imperial pint glasses.

Casa Florida Miami

This popular Florida-inspired cocktail bar boasts signature millennial pink decor in a hybrid indoor/outdoor setting, inventive tropical cocktails, and Little Havana location, plus a must-try brunch every Saturday and Sunday.

Better Days

Sure, once upon a time, Better Days called itself a "pop-up" bar, but this laid-back watering hole has become a permanent go-to spot for the Brickell crowd, serving up unique, handcrafted cocktails in a very un-Brickell-like setting.

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Blackbird Ordinary

From shooters to cocktails to punch bowls, drinks come in various sizes at Blackbird Ordinary. A dark interior combined with the indoor/outdoor space, live music, and throwback hits creates an upbeat take on where to get one of the city's best-mixed drinks.

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The best bars in Miami Beach you should be drinking at right now

The best bars in Miami Beach will fix you up the fanciest of cocktails or the cheapest cold beer behind the bar

On your quest to find the best bars in Miami Beach, you just might stumble. Before you find some of the best cocktail bars in Miami , you’ll accidentally hit a few overpriced duds. You very well might accidentally walk into a few very corny spots after you hit up one of the best beaches in Miami . You’ll probably miss out on some awesome happy hour deals too. That is, of course, unless you just listen to us and stick to our tried-and-true picks. These places range from very pricey cocktail bars to salty dive bars who couldn’t care less what you’re wearing. But they all have one thing in common—they’re great bars.  

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Best bars in Miami Beach

1.  Broken Shaker

• 5 out of 5 stars
• Cocktail bars
• Miami Beach
• price 3 of 4
• Recommended

A quintessential Miami Beach cocktail bar, the quaint Broken Shaker is a must-visit. Even if you’re not a cocktail fanatic—and the delicious, fresh drinks just don’t do much for you—then go for the ambiance: hip, chic and thoughtfully designed.

Why we love it: Here lies the rare $12 cocktail that is actually worth every single penny. 

2.  27 Restaurant & Bar at Freehand Miami

• Restaurants
• Contemporary American
• price 2 of 4

We know some people lump the Broken Shaker and 27 together (it makes sense since they are both on the same property) but the two are separate concepts with unique personalities. You should really experience both of them. 27’s cozy second-floor bar is as unique a vibe as you’ll find in Miami Beach.

Why we love it: 27 makes us feel like we’re at the coolest house party on planet earth. 

3.  Traymore Restaurant and Bar

• South Beach

The Traymore’s lobby bar is a gin-lover’s paradise. You’ll have no shortage of options when it comes to your preferred gin and how you drink it. From refreshing watermelon juice cocktails to super boozy tiki-inspired drinks—Traymore’s has you covered.

Why we love it : Pair your gin with some live music every Tuesday from 6:30 to 9:30pm and every third Thursday of the month at the Gin & Jazz party.

4.  Matador Bar

• 4 out of 5 stars

Everything about the Edition oozes class, design and quality. So would you expect anything less from the hotel’s lobby bar? Of course not. Matador Bar might have “special occasion” prices, but it certainly holds up its end of the deal and makes you feel special.

Why we love it: During the day, you can see the ocean from your seat at the bar. 

5.  Le Sirenuse Miami Restaurant

• Mediterranean

One of the more gorgeous interiors in Miami Beach, Le Sirenuse does a lush Italian charm that feels right at home on Miami Beach. Maybe it’s the green bar and surrounding palm trees but these Italians make us feel as tropical as anything else on Miami Beach.

Why we love it: From 4 to 6pm, order a Bellini at the bar and receive a free assortment of Italian canapés.

6.  Saxony Bar

• price 4 of 4

Like everything at the Faena Hotel, Saxony Bar can be summed up neatly in just two words: jaw-dropping. Sip slowly at this classy hotel bar. It’ll help save you from a steep tab and give you time to take in every one of Saxony’s marvelous little details.

Why we love it:  It makes us feel like Bond—James Bond.

7.  On the Rocks

• 3 out of 5 stars
• North Beach
• price 1 of 4

We know we’ve been throwing a lot of dollar signs at you in this list, so here’s a welcome change of pace. At On the Rocks, you don’t have to worry about pesky things like dress code or, really, any code at all. This day-drinking dive bar welcomes drinkers of all shapes, sizes and degrees of sunburn.

Why we love it: Because dive bars. That’s why.

8.  La Côte

The Fontainebleau’s bi-level beach club and rooftop bar might not be where the locals go, but if you want to play tourist for a day, La Côte is a solid choice. The view is second to none and the classic Miami Beach hotel will make you feel like a VIP.

Why we love it: It’s the Fontainebleau. Need we say more?

9.  Norman’s Tavern

Looking to keep it simple? At Norman’s, you can grab a burger, beer and watch the game or shoot some pool. You’d be surprised how few decent places there are in Miami Beach that’ll let you do just that. Long live Norman’s.

Why we love it: It’s got the support of North Beach locals, so you know it’s a solid choice.

Need some food in your stomach?

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