This week we have a guest post by AJ. He lives in Miami and is very familiar with the scene over there. This is an in-depth guide so strap in
Miami’s nightlife scene is interesting. You all have a friend on social who’s recently done a weekend on South Beach and posted stories at Carbone, Eleven, the Faena etc. In any other city besides maybe New York, those are S tier spots. But quite honestly, that routine gets old fast for the locals and transplants.
The sister restaurants and clubs don’t play as heavily because everyone plugs everyone. Dave Grutman owns multiple restaurants and LIV nightclub which again, is a tourists creme de la creme. Your advantage at those two clubs comes when you know a promoter on a first name basis. If you bring girls or don’t show up with 12 heads, you can move freely
Here I’ll break down what’s actually worth hitting. Don’t go dinner before 9:30 btw
Restaurants
Komodo- Dave Grutman’s asian fusion restaurant in Brickell. You’re going for the ambiance not the sushi. Great central hub with a large bar/waiting area to grab a cocktail and mix it up. If you’ve ever wondered what a promoter dinner looks like you’ll find out here. The larger tables are no more than 3 dudes and at least 6 chicks. There’s also a lounge upstairs that creates an extended pregame post meal before the club
Delilah- Swanky 1920’s themed American Cuisine. Talking $40 martinis (they’re phenomenal). Not as difficult as you’d think to get a reservation. Always a celebrity sighting as they’ve got two massive back rooms. Bar area isn’t as spacious but they pack it, so striking conversation is inevitable. Real players are there at all times. Incredible date spot too.
Papi Steak- Another owned by Grutman. Ideal for a group setting. The atmosphere is a nightclub that seats and serves you the best steak and pastrami on the planet. The most premium hospitality you’ve experienced. And they will connect you to wherever you’d like head after.
Kiki on the River- Greek Cuisine. Not bad but you’re not going for the food. This is a marquee spot for aesthetic photo shoots. Wednesday nights and Sunday brunch you’ll see the most beautiful women in the world condensed into a small waterfront restaurant. And they probably pulled up on somebody's yacht. Find those guys.
HM- Carbone and Mila. Two great restaurants on South Beach with great lounge/speakeasy vibes
Clubs
Tea Room- This is a reservation only lounge on the roof of the East hotel in Brickell. Vintage New York vibe as you can see the whole city. They serve apps but you’re not going to eat. Small and intimate, making it effortless to mingle and cold approach even with the loud music. Can pull a date and take her over to Sugar which is the outdoor rooftop adjacent to the club
LIV- You’ve heard of it for a reason. Massive 2 floor club inside of the Fontainebleau hotel on the beach. Always a performer with a name you recognize. Tables are key, but it’s not hard to find a promoter who’s plugged there. The stage is on the first so if you’re wandering, it’s best to stay upstairs and run game at the 7 different bars. Always doing the most on a Sunday night
Floyd- Crazy good jazz club attached to Club Space. Still get the energy and ambiance of a Space but with less people wired on coke and ecstasy. And they wrap up at 5am if you’re not the kind of person who wants to be drunk and head bobbing into the daytime.
Medium Cool- Underground lounge on South Beach. Always rotating random DJ’s playing some incredible house music you’ve never heard before. Don’t need a table. You can walk in and effectively own the place for the night if you find the owners (you’ll know when you see them). But they will try to steal your women. Nobody on vacation is coming here so it’s perfect for networking with the locals.
Hotels/ spa’s/ chill shit
Standard Hotel- The best pool setting on South Beach. You can book a massage and get a full day pass to all the amenitiesl. The spa is world class. There’s also Monterrey Bar which is super intimate and will have some interesting characters
Strawberry Moon- Fantastic brunch spot/day club in the goodtime hotel co owned by Pharrell. Everything you would expect from a Miami day club. Tier 1 spot for day game
Soho Beach House- If you’re a Soho member or you know one you can have quite the day. Full access to Miami Beach with chairs comped and a server at the ready. Pretty cunty as everyone feels exclusive. Always great events and networking happening.
Thanks to AJ for writing this up. You can find him on Twitter here
I want to add 1 Hotel South beach is worth checking out
It can be pricey but most of the hot girls I know stay here
The scene is constantly changing in terms of the new cunty spot so that could be slightly outdated
Flying into Miami there quite a few places are pretty close by to stay at
I would definitely do your research as you don’t need to drop 500-1k a night for a hotel but can always got visit these hotels
Miami is the new Vegas
Everyone is going there and if you want to play status games or meet a lot of interesting characters - this is definitely one of the cities to do it at
Whether your moving there or interested in visiting
You won’t have a dull moment as it is a 24 hour town
It’s fairly pricey so make sure you don’t blow the bank either way
Until next time,
-BTSC
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The image in my mind of the guy who is using this article as a guide is hilarious.
I appreciate the effort but this list is strictly for newcomers to Miami and locals who are forced to accompany their visiting guests who read up on South Florida before their trip.
All of these places will soak up your cash and leave you wondering what the excitement is all about.
I doubt you'll meet any locals at these places but rather only other newcomers and visitors who are going to be seen as marks.
A $40 martini is a prime example of what I would call a Miami hustle.
It's up there with a $50 chicken parmesan and a mandatory 25% tip for terrible service at a restaurant.
Miami isn't about burning cash but rather figuring out ways to get things comped.
If you want to experience the magic of Miami, don't spend more than $15 on lunch ($30 for dinner), visit places where English is a second language (thats what translation apps are for) and never go out partying before 11 pm.
If you put in the time to figure out places that meet these guidelines and you feel safe, you will experience why they still call it the Magic City.