Walking Tours in Miami
Best Bars in South Beach
Paola Bortolin
South Beach is to bad bars what Wisconsin is to cheese. And if you are not careful, you will end up at a place that serves overpriced margaritas by the gallon and sneakily includes a 99% tip on your tab.
But it’s not all scammers and gross cocktails in South Beach. These are places we truly love to drink. From panoramic rooftops to smoke-filled dives, dodge the tourist traps with our guide to the best bars in South Beach.
But it’s not all scammers and gross cocktails in South Beach. These are places we truly love to drink. From panoramic rooftops to smoke-filled dives, dodge the tourist traps with our guide to the best bars in South Beach.
1265 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
This local bar combines craft beers, mixology, and American fare in a casual, sports-centric atmosphere by day and transforms into a lively bar+lounge by night. Mickey’s is a neighborhood restaurant and bar where locals hang out. It features indoor dining in a comfortable space, with high-top and communal tables, plenty of TVs for watching any game and live music every weekend. Several deals are offered throughout the week. Monday is live DJ’s and karaoke starting at 10pm; Wednesday is 50% off any signature burger and combo meals are just $16. Also, on Wednesday is ladies’ night when from 10pm to 12am all ladies drink free well cocktails, and specialty cocktails are 50% off. Thursday there’s live rock and roll from 10pm-12am. Friday is live DJ’s and musical acts from 10pm-3am; and Saturday there’s a live band at 10pm.
1115-1117 16th Street, Miami Beach
The Abbey is a charming divey pub in South Beach that has lots of beer, and a full liquor bar. It’s the only microbrewery in Miami Beach offering rare European imports plus several own-made beers. It’s a fine place to meet the locals and play darts or pool, and even better when preceded by a meal at Southern food star Yardbird right next door.
1120 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Swizzle is a bar that feels like a cross between a tiki bar and a speakeasy. This dimly lit and cozy drinking den hidden in the Stiles Hotel will make you feel like you are in the hull of an old wooden ship. This intimate bar pays homage to the beloved spirit of the Caribbean: rum. The bar offers about 150 varieties of rum, for sipping or featured in cocktails such as rum Manhattan. The kitchen servers bar fare.
40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach
If you are looking for a sophisticated cocktail bar that will make you feel James Bond-ish, head to Monterrey Bar. The upscale cocktail spot is located in the Standard Hotel. The small room can seat just over 20 people. The cocktails are great and range from $18 to $24. They offer some small plates as well. It’s not a bad idea to come early because this place can fill up fast.
418 Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach
Flashy cocktail bar with a quaint inside bar and lush outdoor space inside the Urbanica Hotel. It’s technically a hotel bar, but locals drink here too. Like the name implies, it’s a very tiny place though the courtyard seating makes things more spacious. The décor is chic, the vibe is intimate and laidback and the cocktails are really solid. On the weekends, resident DJ plays a mix of ‘80s and ‘90s-heavy dance hits. Happy Hour is from 5-9pm daily, a good call if you want to drink cheap in one of South Beach’s most expensive neighborhoods.
124 2nd Street, Miami Beach
The Deuce isn’t the only spot in South Beach where you will find neon lights, a dingy pool table, and cheap drinks. A stalwart sports dive in the trendy South of Fifth neighborhood, Ted’s is a dark and cool escape where locals go to hide, visitors are happy to find and socialize with the locals, and dress codes are strictly unenforced. The bar is open late and offers Happy Hour specials from noon to 8pm. It’s a great place to watch a televised sporting event, shoot pool, or make a new bar buddy.
2341 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Perched atop the 1 Hotel, Watr is an upscale rooftop bar on the 18th floor with 360-degree ocean and city views. It’s also the home of a 30,000 square foot infinity pool. There’s a menu of local and organic ingredients prepared with a Latin and Japanese flair. Watr is open to the public at 6pm daily.
237 20th Street, Miami Beach
Sweet Liberty is known as one of the best bars in Miami. It’s where bartenders go to drink and a neighborhood favorite. Here expect well-made drinks and solid bar food in a relaxed setting. James Beard-winning chef Michelle Bernstein created the food menu. Since opening in 2015, the bar has gained many recognitions and awards. They’ve got one of our favorite Happy Hours from 4-8pm daily with cheap oysters and top-notch cocktails.
1438 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
El Salón is a cocktail bar at the Esme Hotel on Española Way. It’s slightly hidden in an alley and is a great place to hide from those tourists while sipping a very good martini. The drink menu features a selection of Salón’s own blended spirits. The space is dim and intimate making this a great secluded bar. Happy Hours are daily from 5pm-7:30pm.
512 Española Way, Miami Beach
This is an Andalusian gin and tapas bar on Española Way, just a short walk west from El Salón. This place feels a bit more like a restaurant than a bar, but you can certainly still come here just to drink. The space is 50/50 split between a bar and dining room with legs of jamón (ham) hanging from the ceiling. They have a selection of infused gin with infusions ranging from mango to nori.
222 14th Street, Miami Beach
Among the Maserati’s and billion-dollar hotels you will find up and down South Beach is Mac’s. This is the oldest bar in Miami, established in 1926, and one of the few remaining dive bars in Miami Beach. This dark old-school, grimy and unpretentious spot is the place for not just a drink but also play the jukebox and shoot some pool. Not much has changed inside this legendary establishment which opened in 1964. Anthony Bourdain was a frequent visitor. The bar is also a hangout for celebrities seeking refuge from the paparazzi. Stop here to drink beneath the bar’s neon lights which were installed during the filming of a Miami Vice episode. It’s also one of the few Miami bars you can still smoke inside. Daily 2 for 1 Happy Hour from 8am-5pm.
1052 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Stop by the Palace for a very South Beach experience. This is the most popular gay-friendly bar in all South Beach famous for its drag queen performances taking place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Otherwise, the venue offers two bars: one indoors for nighttime and the other semi-outdoors. They serve food but you really come here to drink and watch drag. The iconic bar is open till 1am during the week, but the best time to come here is for their famous drag brunch when you get a couple hours of bottomless mimosas and the best sidewalk drag show of your life.
100 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
ScapeGoat is another very small cocktail bar in the South of Fifth neighborhood of South Beach. The rustic-chic tavern offers a wide selection of whiskies, craft beers and delicious craft cocktails with an emphasis on made-in-America ingredients. Come early and you can have a relaxed conversation and a drink before dinner. On weekend nights, it can get a little crowded and loud. But it’s a solid Happy Hour option, 5-8pm daily, or a good place to kill time if you are waiting for a table at Joe’s, which is just down the street.
2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach
Broken Shaker is technically in Mid-Beach but it’s really not that far from South Beach. The outdoor bar at the Freehand Hotel is immensely popular because it’s in a beautiful backyard oasis with poolside seating and a lush landscape. Broken Shaker also has one of the best cocktail menus in Miami Beach having racked up a number of awards. Cocktails change according to the season and available fresh ingredients. Curb your hunger with bites like Korean chicken tenders or a Cuban sandwich. On weekend nights, expect a crowd, and even a line to get in.
660 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
Cute little hotel bar inside Kimpton Angler’s Hotel. It’s intimate, friendly and pretty snazzy. The bar specializes in clear spirits, especially gin, with botanical-inspired craft cocktails and shareable snacks. Features an indoor bar and breeze pen outdoor terrace. Guests are able to select from a curated list of unique gins, piscos, cachaças, tequilas, and white rum. They offer Happy Hour Sunday-Friday from 3pm-7pm, and Seltzer Saturdays from 3pm-7pm.
