Nightlife in Miami & Miami Beach

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Nightlife in Miami and Miami Beach

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14-Thirty-Five
The Four Seasons' chic 14-Thirty-Five (1435 Brickell Ave.; 305-358-3535) lounge reads like an Italian design magazine with colorful glass accents. This cool décor gives the impression of hipness, but look more closely and you’ll see that those glam girls aren’t imbibing the latest libations; they’re sipping tea. Yes, traditional British tea. This hip take on the Transatlantic tradition translates splendidly in über chic Miami.
Nibble on European cucumber and minted Neufchatel on sourdough or heirloom tomato and goat cheese napoleon sandwiches. Forgo the blueberry and cranberry orange scones served with the usual accoutrements of homemade marmalade, clotted cream and strawberry jam as too traditional. Instead save room for the tropical fruit mousse cake and dulce de leche religieuse, a traditional creamy, sweet Cuban dessert. And, of course, there’s the tea. The black-leaf jasmine oolong is a perfumey blend of oolong and green tea. The pear green has the aroma of ripe pears. The herbal infusions are more contemporary, with selection such as organic peppermint and mango rooibos. Tea is served from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, but reservations are required a day in advance.

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Van Dyke Cafe
The Van Dyke Cafe (846 Lincoln Rd., South Beach; 305-534-3600) serves a solid, eclectic, moderately priced -- but not overly creative -- menu of dishes such as grilled fresh tuna and pasta with Portobello mushrooms, artichokes, spinach and roasted peppers. By day, the al fresco tables shaded by palm trees and umbrellas are crammed with patrons and their pets because its sidewalk corner location makes it one of the coolest people-watching spots in Miami Beach. On weekends and holidays throngs of people mill around waiting for one of those prime seats. Put your name on the list and head down Lincoln Road for some window shopping until it’s your turn to be a watcher instead of a watchee. For good food, go for breakfast; a good time, go for lunch; good music, make it dinner.
Upstairs at what is by most opinions the best jazz club in town, the Rio-born Rose Max and the Don Wilner Quartet every Sunday start a week of nightly jazz with just the right amount of urbanity. As the week rolls on, musical director Wilner, a bassist with classical and jazz roots, showcases big-name regulars like pianists Brian Murphy and Mike Orta, vocalist Nicole Henry and drummer Don Miller. Cover runs $5-$15.

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The Miami Latin Film Festival and the Italian Film Festival
The Miami Latin Film Festival (305-283-4575), which takes place Oct. 2-11, features more than two dozen films from Latin American countries, Spain and the United States. Locals head for the Albion Hotel (1650 James Ave.) for screenings of documentaries and short films outdoors and in the lobby. Afterwards, there’s live entertainment and lots of chatter about the films. Special passes for opening party and awards ceremony run $75 to $100. Each screening costs $10 and is shown twice: once in Miami Beach at the Colony Theater (1040 Lincoln Rd.) and the Theater On Collins (6701 Collins Avenue) at the Deauville Miami Beach Resort.
The buzz at the Italian Film Festival (305-447-0233), which takes place Oct. 5-10, is always a frenetic mixture of English, Italian and Spanish as the three groups try to communicate their excitement or disappointment about the films. Producers and directors present their films before each screening, which cost $10 and are held in Miami Beach at the Regal Cinema (1120 Lincoln Road at Alton Road). Special passes for early seating privileges and elbow-rubbing events with film makers, stars and celebrities at opening and closing parties run $60 to $250.

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University of Miami
Some of biggest football games of the year are collegiate, between the Miami Hurricanes and their cross-state rivals, the Florida Gators and the Florida State Seminoles. Not only do current students and local fans turn out, but thousands of alums fly, drive and boat in for the game and tailgate parties that start the night before. Coach Larry Coker's "'Canes" kick off at the Orange Bowl (1501 N.W. Third St.; 800-GO-CANES), located just west of downtown Miami. Tickets run $15-$45 and are usually available for all except the top games. The regular season runs from September to December. The Hurricanes are also fierce competitors in basketball, baseball and a variety of other sports.

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Tobacco Road
The venerable Tobacco Road (626 S. Miami Ave.; 305-374-1198) has been jazzing up the night since 1912. As a downtown blues bar in the tradition of Chicago (but with tropical heat), it hosts live bands nightly and packs in everyone from lawyers to bikers from noon until 5 a.m. A menu of inexpensive steaks, lobsters, burgers and fries satisfies the late-night munchies. Cover charge: $5.

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Miami Beach Film Society's Cinematheque
Art films are enjoying a renaissance in Miami, thanks to the Miami Beach Film Society’s Cinematheque (512 Espanola Way; 305 67-FILMS). The venue is part movie house and part art gallery. Special events often include performance art and a screening. For example, a recent "Foreign Film Picnic" event featured Rene Clair's 1931 A Nous la Libert (Freedom for Us) with interpretive performance art by Natasha Tsakos and an optional boxed French picnic. Admission runs $8; special events cost $10-$20.

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Jazid
For a selection of jazz, blues or fusion, check out the downstairs bar at Jazid (1342 Washington Ave.; 305-673-9372). Upstairs, this Miami Beach club has a relatively hipper crowd and DJs that spin the latest electronic music. Lineups have included R&B singer Nicole Henry and the Afro-Cuban funk group DJ Le Spam and the Spam Allstars. The club hosts a Brazilian party the last Thursday of every month. Cover varies.

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Hotel Astor Bar
If you want to unwind in a sublime setting, try the Hotel Astor Bar (956 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-531-8081). Most nights it's a quiet place to sip the best champagnes, nibble on gourmet hors d'oeuvres and enjoy a decadent experience. On Tuesday and Saturday nights, two of the best DJs in the business spin.

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Books & Books
Books & Books (265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables; 305-442-4408) has become a hot spot for a night out on the town. Every night new and famous authors read from their latest books, the al fresco café serves dinner, and the outdoor wine bar features 12 wines served by the glass. Friday nights, musicians perform in the Mediterranean-style courtyard.

(Minha sugestão - se você for entre Abril e Novembro (antes do vento da temporada de inverno...) faça uma caminhada pelo Boardwalk de Miami Beach... à noite.

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Mango's Tropical Café

With its tropical rainforest décor and wait staff wearing leopard-print catsuits, all who enter Mango's Tropical Café are in for a wild time, indeed. There's a reason Mango's reigns as the numero uno nightclub on SoBe for the Latin vibe; check out the waitresses dancing on the bar, the music blaring and island-inspired drinks flowing. (Ladies, skip this as a date spot -- the waitresses can be a bit distracting.) They pump salsa, merengue, bachata, samba and reggeton until the wee hours and often feature a live band and dance shows (professionals, that is, not drunken tourists). You may bump into some overly friendly travelers, but just slide to the right and dance yourself out of his grasp.
When to go: Pretty much any night that people are out and about on SoBe, but weekends are especially festive.
Mango's Tropical Café, 900 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach. 305-673-4422

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Macondo

Despite its Colombian country-cute décor, this nightspot gives off plenty of SoBe 'tude, so don't expect the revelers to trip over themselves trying to drag you to the dance floor for a vallenato or a cumbia. But not to worry; just swing by Macondo in a rowdy group or paired up with your favorite dance partner. The music will not disappoint -- all of your Colombian faves like Shakira, Fonseca, Juanes, plus merengue, cumbias and other typical tunes from the land of García Márquez.
When to go: DJ David Orihuela mixes all your Latin favorites Wednesday through Saturday and there is a $20 door cover every night, but Fridays and Saturdays are hottest.
Macondo, 665 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. 786-276-1516

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Bongo's Cuban Café

Owners Gloria and Emilio Estefan spoon feed you exactly what you need in a Latin resto-nightclub; the authentic Cuban menu, colorful modern tropical décor, bongo drums lining the bar area, and of course, minty mojitos with a slice of sugar cane. The DJ plays salsa, merengue, bachata, disco, with live salsa bands on the terrace, so you can boogie down under the stars and enjoy the breathtaking view of the bay.
When to go: Friday and Saturday nights, cover is between $10-$20, but if you have a late dinner, you miss that and the line that forms outside.
Bongo's Cuban Café, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. 786-777-2100

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Macarena

Okay, we know the name is cheesy. However, Macarena the nightclub has outlived the corny '90s dance craze by years and shows no sign of receding into obscurity. Live acts, flamenco artists and DJ Alfred spinning Latin pop, rock and mixes keep the vibe at this sophisticated club edgy and the party pumping until late. But be careful, dancing queen, the dance floor is rather petite, so save your kick-ball-change for a more spacious venue.
When to go: Friday nights at 10 p.m. is Flamenco Night, free tapas and paella from 10-11 p.m. and live flamenco music, then DJ Alfred spinning until 5 a.m. $10 ladies, $20 guys.
Macarena, 1334 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. 305-531-3440

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La Covacha

La Covacha gives you that cozy feeling, as if you're partying in a neighbor's (incredibly huge) backyard tiki hut. The crew of DJs mixes salsa, Cuban classics, merengue and vallenato, and they even throw in some disco and house. The **11**ce is relaxed and the crowd is anything but pretentious. Many Miami residents go through a La Covacha phase, usually occurring when they are legally able to drink, have just immigrated, or when they are newly single (separated, divorced or undecided) and are ready to get out and meet people. So expect a good mix of folks of all ages ready to burn a whole in the dance floor.
When to go: Friday through Sunday, two-for-one drinks at the Friday Happy Hour, Saturday night features an open bar from 10 p.m.-11:30 p.m. and on Sundays, ladies drink for free until midnight.
La Covacha, 10730 N.W. 25th Street, Doral. 305-594-3717

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Alcazaba

Wednesday night is the night for serious salsa dancers to head over to Alcazaba. And since the bar is pampering the ladies, offering up complimentary Champagne and wine, and two-for-one drinks, the men are swarming as well. Needless to say, you'll find your share of guys on the prowl, but ladies, most likely he's gainfully employed and if you're lucky, he knows how to dance. For those who need a refresher course, an instructor from Salsa Lovers Dance Studio gives an intensive class starting at 8 p.m. Resident DJ Alex Gutiérrez is always on deck, assisted by Jammin' Johnny, Frank Banderas and others who know how to keep the couples dancing until their feet hurt.
When to go: Wednesday nights 6 p.m.-8 p.m. complementary paella, 8 p.m. Salsa lessons for the rookies and after 10 p.m. for the pros.
Alcazaba, 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables. 305-569-4614

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Hoy Como Ayer

Where is that guayabera you once bought during that cruise of the Caribbean? Well, make sure to give it a good ironing so you can exhibit your affinity for all things Cuban at this cozy club in Little Havana. The place is a shrine to the greats of Cuban music, with photos of Benny More and Celia Cruz plastered on the walls, and it keeps the tradition going with weekly showcases of Cuban groups and bolero singers. To really get your groove on, go during Fuácata!, the Thursday night event where you can order yourself a Cuba Libre and give a listen to house band Spam All Stars with their funky brand of Latin fusion.
When to go: Thursday nights for Fuácata! if you want to shake it, door is only $7. Ladies free before 11 p.m. But Friday through Sunday they have balladeers and traditional Cuban ensembles as well.
Hoy Como Ayer, 2212 SW 8th St., Miami. 305-541-2631

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Club Tipico Dominicano

Remember your last trip to Punta Cana? The palm trees, the merengue, the cold cold beer. Relive it in Allapatah, the heart of Miami's Dominican expat community. The merengue, bachata and salsa flow generously and the crowd somehow exudes that same Dominican joie-de-vivre that sends us running back to their all-inclusives every summer.
When to go: Saturday nights after 10 p.m. the throngs come out ($5 for ladies, $10 for guys). Sunday after 3 p.m. is Domingo Playero, which is for the entire family, especially the members of the family who would be interested in the two-for-one specials on Presidente beer.
Club Tipico Dominicano, 1344 NW 36 St., Miami. 305-634-7819

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Café Mystique

At Café Mystique it doesn't matter what kind of car you drive, what matters is how you dance. This is a club for serious movers and if you can't keep up, you might be returned to your seat. But maybe the free Thursday night salsa lesson with Ramani Nicola of Salsa Casino Dance will help you blend in. Café Mystique is a favorite with Cuban salsa lovers and is considered the birthplace of "Rueda de Casino," an intricate, circular group dance that you should not try to participate in unless you really know what you're doing.
When to go: Thursday-Sunday, it starts to heat up after 11 p.m. and the kitchen is open till midnight in case you arrive hungry. Sundays is for the experienced salsa dancers. If that's not you, you might just enjoy watching the couples that dance like pros.
Café Mystique, 7250 NW 11 St., Miami. 305-262-9500