31 Best Bars in Miami and Miami Beach, Florida

Established in 1935 and steeped in legends of gambling, Prohibition protests, the rise of budding entertainers Billie Holiday and Chet Baker, and the development of Cuban-centric Calle Ocho, this storied nightlife spot has been reestablished under its original name. The high-vaulted ceilings, floral wallpaper, black-and-white photos, and palm-fringed outdoor lounge nod to its torrid history and the glamour of Old Havana. Live music flows freely, as do the Latin-inspired libations and tapas of traditional Cuban favorites.

This DJ-fueled, underground adult playground, below The Miami Beach EDITION hotel, features a micro version of famed Studio 54, a four-lane bowling alley, and a very small ice skating rink. The 2,000-square-foot rink might be too tiny for Olympic-quality skaters, but it's a priceless visit if only for the memory of how you skated on your Miami Beach vacation.

The back of a gas station is perhaps the most unexpected location for a wine bar, yet for 30 years a passion for good food and drink has kept this family-run business among Miami's best-kept secrets—although they've added a sign outside. Tables are in the Old World–style wine cellar, stocked with bottles representing all parts of the globe (and at excellent prices). A waiter takes your order from the menu of exquisite cheeses and charcuterie, hot and cold tapas, paellas, and, of course, wine.

It's not hard to see why LIV often makes lists of the world's best clubs—if you can get in, that is (LIV is notorious for lengthy lines, so don't arrive fashionably late). Past the velvet ropes, the dance palladium impresses with its lavish decor, well-dressed international crowd, sensational light-and-sound system, and seductive bi-level club experience.  Men beware: groups of guys entering LIV are often coerced into insanely priced bottle service.

Smoky, dark, and delightfully unpolished, this complete dive bar (cash only) is anything but what you'd expect from glitzy South Beach. Once a favorite of the late Anthony Bourdain, this spot is decorated with neon signs that were a gift when they hosted the Miami Vice wrap party in the '80s. Happy hour takes place from 8 am to 5 pm, and you'll always find an eclectic crowd at the bar at all hours.

This edgy bar has a retro vibe most evident by its bright-red carpeting, "No Regerts" mural, and twinkling ceiling. The party lasts until 5 am seven nights a week with a menu full of bold cocktails like the popular pornstar martini and sparkling Tommy's margarita. Late nights a DJ sets the vibe, and on the last Sunday of every month, there's an emo night that draws a massive crowd.

This skyscraping rooftop bar, hands down the best in the city, is the essence of Brickell: futuristic, worldly, and beyond sleek. Draped in tropical flora, it crowns the 40th floor of EAST Miami, the luxury hotel tucked inside Brickell City Centre shopping complex. The sunsets here are spectacular, as are the Southeast Asian bites and cocktails. Pop into the Tea Room on the same floor for late-night brunch with bottomless drinks.

This tropical-chic, come-as-you-are cocktail lounge and restaurant has won all kinds of national and local awards for its incredible spirit-forward cocktails and fresh-and-funky vibe. For something extra special, reserve the Bartender's Table, which operates like a chef's table, but here you're in the thick of the bar action, tasting libations. Food from a full menu created by co-owner and James Beard Award winner Michelle Bernstein is served until 4 am.

Popular with the cool crowd, this indoor-outdoor craft cocktail joint lures in droves to revel in creative mixology and fabulous people-watching. Everything at the vintage-chic hot spot is perfectly Instagrammable, from the daring and beautifully presented drinks to the twinkle lights over the pool. It's no wonder the venue has been awarded national titles such as America's Best Bar.

This dive bar strung with twinkling lights is complete with a pool table, nightly DJ, and karaoke. They're known for never having a menu but employing bartenders who can make any drink you're thirsty for, whether it's a simple vodka soda or an elaborate Corpse Reviver #2.

With a vibe that's a bit speakeasy, a bit dive bar, a bit hipster hangout, and a bit Miami sophisticate, this local watering hole is hands down one of the coolest places in the city and appeals to a wide demographic. Mixology is a huge part of the Blackbird experience—be prepared for some awesome artisanal cocktails.

An ultraclub with LED video walls, intelligent lighting, and a powerful sound system that pulses sports by day and beats by night, E11EVEN provides partygoers the 24/7 action they crave. Hospitality and VIP experiences are ample throughout the private lounges and second-level champagne room; however, the real action is in The Pit, featuring burlesque performances and intermittent Cirque du Soleil–style shows from a hydraulic-elevating stage. The fusion of theatrics and technology attracts an A-list clientele. Head up to the roof to find an intimate restaurant that serves tapas, as well as a live music lounge.

A quintessential sports bar with a sneakerhead theme, this spot displays some of the world's most coveted kicks, including the rare "Back to the Future" limited edition Nikes---a sneaker collector's dream. The outdoor area is home to rotating murals (often painted live), keeping the Wynwood art vibe alive. The menu consists of classic sports bar bites with an Asian twist—think cheeseburger dumplings and poke nachos. Those looking for a slightly more refined experience can check out its sister concept next door, Spanglish, where cocktails are the main focus and the vibe is more romantic.

At this come-as-you-are bar that prides itself on welcoming everyone, there's a decent beer list and even better cocktails. Nightly activities like drag bingo, trivia, and karaoke keep regulars coming back for more. Those looking for late-night munchies can order from the counter at Pizza Tropical, home to some of the best pizza in Wynwood.

Decked out in Star Wars–theme murals, J. Wakefield was one of the first breweries to kick off Miami's booming beer scene. The taproom boasts 15 rotating taps of beer with the most popular being Miami Madness (a Florida Weisse) and El Jefe (a coconut-infused Hefeweizen). Food trucks and local pop-ups are often found outside, giving imbibers something to munch on as they sip their way through the long list of beers.

This swank, triple-story indoor/outdoor resto-lounge is the apex of the Downtown Miami scene, whether standing and posing at one of the three bars, dining in the floating birds nests of the 300-seat restaurant, or partying alongside celebs to DJ-led tunes inside the top-floor Komodo Lounge. The brains behind this hedonistic treehouse complex is David Grutman, the impresario behind Miami Beach’s legendary LIV nightclub.

Live musicians croon from the corner, with different bands each evening. Shelves house a selection of boutique-label wines with no corkage fee. Artisanal cheeses and meats are also available for the plucking and can be arranged into tapas-board displays. Once your selection is complete, take it back into the “living room” of worn sofas, antique lamps, and old-fashioned wall photos. Additional socializing can be found out in the “backyard” of mismatched seating and strung lighting.

By day, the colorful and chic waterfront alfresco restaurant is an idyllic place to kick back, sip cocktails, and watch bay-side boats and poolside hotties go by. In the evening, lights braided into the surrounding trees illuminate the terrace, sparking a seductive atmosphere. On weekdays from 4 to 7, the bar offers a locals-frequented happy hour.

What was once a vintage denim store called Lost Boy Dry Goods is now a popular hangout with the same name. The convivial, unpretentious vibe draws imbibers for classic cocktails (half-price during the 4 to 8 pm weekday happy hour) and a long list of draft beers and wines. Those looking to soak up their cocktails can create their own charcuterie boards or enjoy homemade sandwiches and snacks.

Play pinball, pool, or air hockey; chow down on bar grub; and order a few rounds from the full bar (which includes 150 different beer varieties) at this pool hall–resto–dive bar on quaint Española Way. Mingle with an eclectic crowd, from visiting yuppies to local drag queens to celebs on the down-low. It's so South Beach!

Smack-dab on the beach, the full-service Nikki Beach is filled more with suburbanites and tourists than the in-crowd but promises plenty of fun nevertheless. The beach club is typically a daytime affair, opening at 10 am and closing at 6 pm (though there are often special evening events, namely on Sunday). Visitors can get their food and drink in the hammocks and beach beds (expect DJ-led tunes on weekends and rental fees all days). Sunday brunch at the club's restaurant is pretty spectacular with a true South Beach party atmosphere.

South Beach’s gay heyday continues at this fierce oceanfront bar where folks gay, straight, and everything in between—everyone's welcome—come to revel in good times, cheap cocktails, and fierce drag performances. On weekdays the bar gets busiest in the early evening, but on weekends it's all about the drag brunch. It's a true showstopper—or car-stopper, shall we say: using Ocean Drive as a stage, drag queens direct oncoming traffic with street-side splits and acrobatic tricks in heels.

Miami's only boutique karaoke-only bar is small but mighty. A corner stage and a narrow bar set the scene for enthusiastic singers who don props and sing their hearts out until 4 am, fueled by craft cocktails.

One of the oldest bars in South Florida (est. 1946), the old Hofbräu has been reincarnated a few times and now goes by the name "The Bar." A massive American flag hangs on the wall of this locals' hangout, arguably the only cool nightlife in suburban Coral Gables. The Bar delivers DJ-led tunes Wednesday through Saturday nights and karaoke on Tuesday night. Oh, and they have pretty awesome, farm-fresh bar food, too.

Miami's oldest drinking establishment is a staple in Coconut Grove, known for its expansive whiskey collection. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and the bartenders are knowledgeable in their craft. The menu features a solid mix of classic cocktails and others inspired by Coconut Grove's lush surroundings. It's also often home to weekend pop-ups from other local vendors.

TWIST is a gay institution in South Beach, having been the late-night go-to place for decades, filling to capacity around 2 am after the beach's fly-by-night bars and more established lounges begin to die down (though it's open daily from 1 pm to 5 am). There's never a cover here—not even on holidays or during gay-pride events—and there are a whopping seven different bars and dance floors spread over two levels and patios.

St. Tropez meets South Beach at this sceney, French resto-lounge with prolific alfresco seating in a spacious, tree-lined courtyard and personality-driven relaxation areas indoors (replete with swaying chandeliers, white tufted couches, and whimsically accessorized library shelves). Although Veuve Clicquot is a staple among patrons, the tropical-inspired cocktails and the selection from the in-house wine cellar, La Cave d'Azur, also impress.

Come 7 pm, Miami Beach's premier rooftop opens to the public as a full-service bar, restaurant, and lounge (before that it is exclusive to guests of the 1 Hotel South Beach). Up in the skies, expect tropically inspired drinks like pineapple and mint caipirinhas overlooking the twinkle of city lights, the sleek rooftop pool, and the lapping waves of the Atlantic Ocean.