Next week marks the mass exodus to Miami Beach for Art Basel 2018. We’re gearing up for another incredible week of art, food, and drink and in preparation, we’ve lined up the go-to bars to keep you buzzed from start to finish. From South Beach to Wynwood, we’ve got you covered. Ready, set, drink! Don’t forget you’ll need to snag dinner too.
The Bar & Courtyard at The Setai, Miami Beach
Photo ℅ @thesetaimiamibeach
The Crowd: It’s a five-star bar in a five-star hotel. We are talking about the uber-glamorous Bar and Courtyard at the Setai. This place is the stomping ground for the elite crowd who descend upon Miami for Art Week. A breathtaking space marked by its towering palm trees, sunken seating, and reflecting pool, this place is the epitome of luxury and ideal for a sere drinking experience with a whos-whos clientele.
Address: 2001 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
The Regent Cocktail Club, Miami Beach
Photo ℅ @theregentmia
The Crowd: The Regent Cocktail Club at The Gale is channeling 1940’s elegance with its mahogany interior, dark leather booths, and spirit heavy cocktails. Art-deco inspired, this place is the essence of a New York Jazz club with live music nightly and candlelit intimacy. This hotel bar is all about the ambiance and attracts an elegant crowd looking for an elevated night out.
Address: 1690 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Repour Bar, Miami Beach
Photo ℅ @repourbar
The Crowd: Repour Bar at The Albion Hotel is the ultra laid-back bar lounge hybrid fit for locals and visitors alike. It’s a 1990’s throwback complete with plush furniture, Nintendo 64, and a whiteboard marked with notes and doodles by patrons. The innovative cocktails surpass the classics and the rotating menu offers drinks mixed with tea, herbs and spiked jam. This place has established itself as the new locals’ spots, and with an active DJ lineup, it’s positioning itself as the new hot-spot on Miami Beach.
Address: 1650 James Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company, South Beach
Photo ℅ @sweetlibertymia
The Crowd: For the second year in a row, we are psyched on Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company. Named #21 on The 2018 World’s 50 Best Bars list and awarded the “World’s Best Spirits Selection” and “Best American Bar Team” at the 2018 Tale of the Cocktail, this bar is a go-to for people who take mixology seriously. Located next to the Bass Art Museum, this watering hole is the SoBe destination for unforgettable drinks, live music, and up-scale bites.
Address: 237 20th St Suite B, Miami Beach, FL 33139
The ScapeGoat, South Beach
Photo ℅ @TheScapeGoat
The Crowd: Blink and you’ll miss it! The ScapeGoat is a tiny craft cocktail bar celebrated for its chic interior, expert cocktails, and American-made spirits. This 600-foot bar packs a big punch and is hitting the mark with its personalized service and overwhelming charm. Unlike its SoBe compatriots, the crowd is low-key and there to diligently sip cocktails. Stop by if you’re interested in a high-low experience and to save a buck, get there by happy hour.
Address: 100 Collins Ave CU4, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Purdy Lounge, Miami Beach
Photo ℅ @purdylounge
The Crowd: Purdy Lounge is the self-proclaimed dive club with no cover, late-night dancing, and bottle service. The perfect alternative to traditional nightlife, this spot is notorious for its low key vibes and high key party. With live music and nightly DJ sets, Purdy Lounge is a go-to for a debaucherous night you may or may not remember. What sets it apart is its killer cocktail menu and diverse crowd; settle in for a night of hip-hop, ‘90s, and ‘2000 hits and don’t forget your dancing shoes!
Address: 1811 Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
No. 3 Social, Wynwood
Photo ℅ @no3social
The Crowd: James Beard awarded chef Norman Van Aken is going full trend with No. 3 Social, an upscale rooftop cocktail bar overlooking the Wynwood arcade. Noted for its buzzing social calendar of DJ’s and live bands, killer bites, and fashionable cocktails this is the spot for a clubby night out or pre-dinner drink. Stop in for a booze-laden popsicle and enjoy the only birdseye view of the famed graffitied streets of Wynwood.
Address: 50 NW 24th St, Miami, FL 33127
Wood Tavern, Wynwood
Photo ℅ @woodtavern
The Crowd: The Wood Tavern is the epitome of the Miami Art district- casual, affordable, and packed to the brim with the creative set you won’t find on Miami Beach. It’s a hipster haunt with indoor and outdoor seating, communal tables, and an ever-changing interior exhibiting local Wynwood artists. The bar is rounded out by its killer playlist best described as, if “Bowie, Beck, and Nas walked into a bar.” This is the place for a surprise dance party and cold PBR.
Address: 2531 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
The Anderson, Upper East Side
Photo ℅ @theandersonbar
The Crowd: The team behind The Broken Shaker are bringing 80s-kitsch vibes to Miami with The Anderson. This place is the epitome of cool, channeling Bowie vibes complete with a disco ball, leopard wallpaper, and jukebox rocking killer tunes. The back patio is the ultimate surprise with its tropical beach style decor and the general energy screams young, hip, crowd and strong cocktails.
Address: 709 NE 79th St, Miami, FL 33138
The Corner, Downtown
Photo ℅ @TheCorner
The Crowd: For the cocktail connoisseur looking to venture to the “mainland”, The Corner is for you. This corner bar is dimly lit, with rustic vibes and a laid-back eclectic crowd. Tuesday Jazz night is a change of pace from the bustling Miami strip and the general ambiance is dive-bar meets neighborhood hang-out.
Address: 1035 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33136
Baby Jane, Brickell
Photo ℅ @babyjanemiami
The Crowd: Cocktails, ramen, and neon, we’re talking about Baby Jane, the bungalow-style bar upping the cool factor in Brickell. Opened in May, this craft cocktail-eatery is more bar the restaurant, with a phenomenal selection of spirits and bartenders whipping up custom drinks to order. What sets this place apart is the lowkey exclusivity; the late-night DJs bring heavy foot traffic from our favorite tastemakers, and the doorman uses discretion to keep it 25 years and older. If you’re looking for killer Asian-inspired bites and a sexy crowd, this place is for you.
Address: 500 Brickell Ave, 105E, Miami, FL 33131
Blackbird Ordinary, Brickell
Photo ℅ @blackbirdordinary
The Crowd: The party starts and stop at Blackbird Ordinary. Think packed dance floor, killer cocktails, and the no-holds-bar crowd seeking a late night adventure. The atmosphere is hard to beat and serves as a killer escape from the South Beach scene. Best of all, they offer wood-fired pizza, the perfect night-cap to a long night out!
Address: 729 SW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33130
About the author: With over five years in the food & lifestyle industry, and a lifelong obsession with finding the next best meal, Sophia Schneider, is an avid eater, traveler, and reporter. She is a natural born connector and skilled storyteller capturing content across the globe.
