The best bars in Miami: a definitive guide to drinking in the 305

Tucked away down a short staircase that’s off the Stiles Hotel lobby, Swizzle thrives in a quiet, sexy space away from noisy Collins Avenue. Evoking the feel of a small wooden pirate ship, the dark, narrow room is lined with more than 150 rums. Want to get two, maybe three sheets to the wind? Be warned: The beautiful, smooth-tasting cocktails are highly potent. Cozy up with your main squeeze at the tiny bar or nab some nearby high-tops for your girls’ night out.

Drink this: Mamey Swizzle

This nostalgia-soaked Cuban spot in Little Havana placed 24th on the World's 50 Best Bars’ 2023 list. Decorated cantinero, co-owner Julio Cabrera mans the bar, slinging stiff, rum-based drinks and handcrafted mojitos that no one can resist. One of those rare places that attract locals and tourists alike, La Trova provides an electric atmosphere, live music and drink prices that won’t send you home broke. Bonus: It’s two bars in one! On Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant’s backroom turns into a neon-tinged, ’80s-themed party starting at midnight.

Drink this: Magic City Daquirí

It’s worth the search to find this sleek cocktail bar at the bottom of the residential building X Miami. Helmed by bartender Will Thompson and chef Carey Hynes (Momofuku, Per Se), the petite, dimly lit Downtown staple offers a unique selection of small batches and artisanal spirits in an unpretentious, lively setting. Pair your perfectly balanced cocktail with one of chef’s excellent house-made pastas or an order of melt-in-your-mouth Parker House Rolls served with a generous side of honey butter.

Drink this: Very Strong Baby

Ranked on the World’s 100 Best Bars’ 2021 list, Sweet Liberty has the rare distinction of being a local spot, an industry hangout and a tourist fave. There’s something for everyone in the spacious bar, whether it’s an elegant $17 martini, 95¢ oysters and $7 rosé at happy hour or a beer and a shot after midnight. It’s a family affair, as most of the friendly staff has been around since Day One, and there’s always some kind of live music on the weekends to get you on your feet. Like the neon PURSUE HAPPINESS sign that hangs on the wall—the maxim of the bar’s late co-owner, John Lermayer—Sweet Liberty is always a good time.

Drink this: Our Piña Colada

It’d be impossible for us to know what you consider “cool,” but we’re pretty confident Medium Cool fits the bill. You’ll find this moody, windowless bar in the basement of the Gale South Beach, an Art Deco hotel erected in an era when sub-sea-level basements still seemed like a good idea. The vibe here is ’70s glam and the music programming is stacked with DJs Wednesday through Sunday, plus mellower moments like live jazz and samba setting the stage in the evenings. Beverages come under the creation of Naren Young, who’s definitely cool in the cocktail world; he’s helms Sweet Liberty and was formerly the creative director of Dante NYC, during the time it was dubbed the World’s Best Cocktail Bar. 

Drink this: A martini

At this speakeasy cocktail bar on the mezzanine level of The Citadel food hall, order from a colorful anime comic book where each funky drink is featured prominently on its own action-packed page. The descriptions make the cocktails sound both delicious and like they’re about to firebomb Tokyo. This quirkiness sets the tone for Kaiju, a spot that feels as trendy as an East Village hipster, with nothing but red lights to illuminate the place.

Drink this: The Sinsinito AKA The Savage

This is the bar that showed Miami just how wonderful craft cocktails can be. Started by consulting agency Bar Lab, the tropical spot operates at the Freehand Miami Beach. Shaded by palm trees, bordered by a pool and flush with refreshing umbrella drinks, it’s the kind of place that’s recommended by travel guides for a taste of the laid-back Miami lifestyle. Seasonally driven beverages are what make the Shaker shine, while oversize punch bowls keep it a favorite for groups.

Drink this: Cool Runnings

A funky ode to Florida, Over Under honors our great weird state with locally inspired food and an eclectic design that’s punctuated by quirky thrift-store finds. Co-owner Brian Griffiths is a Broken Shaker alum and a vanguard of the local cocktail scene, keeping things current with cleverly named concoctions and refreshing sippers, such as the frozen Paloma with your choice of a floater. Do keep the reusable cup and straw—they’re thermochromic and way better looking than the Flanigan’s cups you usually hoard.

Drink this: A frozen paloma

The stunning, emerald-green bar at the Four Seasons in Surfside unapologetically embraces the finer things in life, like gilded bellini carts and expertly mixed cocktails that will set you back at least one Jackson. Not many places give such attention to detail, and everything that hits the glass has been crafted in-house, from the juices and the syrups to the bitters and the tinctures. Cheers to the good life—and the Taco Bell you’ll be eating all week to pay for your round of drinks at this truly sublime place.

Drink this: Negroni

This beer-and-wine bar’s live jazz, warm bistro lighting and clashing furnishings will charm your socks off, if the convenience of drinking here doesn’t do you in first. Roll deep with no concern for seating or check drama: Tables are first come, first served, and you pay your bill up front at the counter when you order. Couples, head to the inside area for some privacy, live music and the booze fridge. Are you with your crew and need more room? Make a beeline for the large, ramshackle yard, where you can spread out for a lively convo.

Order this: New world wines

At Gramps, people from all walks of life congregate over the city’s best Moscow Mule. The Wynwood mainstay (with a Key Biscayne location on the way) remains a favorite partly for its never-ending string of programming: Go for a killer drag showcase, karaoke night or to test your knowledge at trivia. Check their Insta for announcements about touring bands coming through, along with flea markets, comedy shows, political gatherings and more.

Drink this: Rosemary's Baby

An unlikely proposition in downtown’s 24-hour club district, The Corner somehow holds its own against E11EVEN and the other neighboring giants. The dark, smoky space is meant for folks who’d rather sip a craft beer or cocktail huddled at one of its wooden bistro tables than drop cash on bottle service. So, save your money and enjoy the free Tuesday night jazz and discounted drinks during the 4–8pm weekday happy hour or put your loot toward one of the many killer pop-up eateries they’ve been hosting lately.

Drink this: The Cocktail o' The Week 

If you’re looking for Miami’s first all-vinyl listening bar, just follow the sound of the music (it’s piped from a speaker mounted above a nondescript door). Hidden away in the courtyard of an off-the-beaten-track Wynwood strip, book a table at this intimate 50-seat venue where the soundtrack is just as important as the sips. Drawing inspiration from the listening bars of Japan, Dante’s boasts a state-of-the-art sound system and a growing collection of nearly 8,500 vinyl records curated by resident DJ and musical director Rich Medina.

Drink this: A whiskey highball

This cozy, unassuming hodgepodge of vintage couches and retro Florida accents could’ve been a Golden Girls set. It's no surprise then that drinking at the Sylvester feels like you’re hanging at the house of a buddy with excellent mixology skills and a penchant for tropical wallpaper. Pass the time playing pool, poking around the pinball machine or, dancing because at night, this place gets packed in the best of ways. 

Drink this: Vaxxed & Waxxxed

Decked out in Americana, this saloon’s atmosphere is casual and sporty, but the beverage program is working overtime, proffering microbrews, craft cocktails and rare spirits. Drink up over a game of darts or pool, then relax on one of the mismatched chairs that surround the ornamental upright piano. It’s a snug, vintage vibe with better gin-and-tonics than you could ever mix up in your living room.

Drink this: Penicillin

Anthony Bourdain claimed this iconic dive as his ultimate Miami retreat, and he’s not alone. After more than 50 years in the business, this South Beach institution still packs in the locals (and celebs keeping a low profile) with an impossible-to-beat BOGO happy hour that runs every day from 8am (seriously) to 7pm. You’ll want to bring cash to the no-frills spot, where smoking is still allowed but credit cards are not. And whatever you do, DO NOT order any kind of cocktail here, less you want to be scoffed at by the bartender and regulars. 

Drink this: Pabst Blue Ribbon

Decked out in mirrors and disco balls, this carpeted nightclub with a star-strewn ceiling feels out of place in grungy Downtown, but some might say it’s given the neighborhood a taste of what it’s been missing: a place to dance, a bar that stays open late and a one-stop nightlife destination for people starting their evening with a solid cocktail or ending their night with a shot and a game of pool.

Drink this: Porn Star Martini

Today’s Ball & Chain on Calle Ocho recreates a 1930s hotspot that once occupied the same space and welcomed jazz superstars like Billie Holiday, Count Basie and Chet Baker to its stage. With a beverage program created by the top mixologists at the Regent Cocktail Club, daily live music, salsa dance lessons and a storied outdoor stage in the shape of a giant pineapple, Ball & Chain makes for a lively night out no matter the occasion. it's also a wonderful place to laze away on a random afternoon, as the band is on practically from open to close.

Drink this: Calle Ocho Old Fashioned

Looking for a sleek, understated cocktail bar in Brickell that's also dedicated to highlighting good music? Located at the ground level of this bi-level modern Asian restaurant, The Listening Room at Kaori fits the bill, boasting a beautiful, creamy quartzite bar, tufted leather cocktail booths, ambient lighting and happy hour Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 7pm. This is where you go when you want to catch some of Miami's best DJs, but you also like a plush seat and some space. 

Drink this: Hana Martini

In a city where every speakeasy eventually evolves into a beat-bumping mega bar, to find an intimate space where maybe only 40 people can sit comfortably to sip a drink is a welcome relief. Monterrey Bar is a moody, crimson-hued snug inside The Standard with a T-shaped bar, tasseled lamps and plenty of curvy booths to sink into. You're coming here for sophisticated spins on already sophisticated cocktails in a space where you can actually hear the sound of your own voice.

Drink this: Chakra Kahn

Off Site is a minimalistic nanobrewery in Little River where the menu offerings are few but what does make it into your mouth is always fantastic. From the drinks to the food (do not sleep on the corn dogs), you’ll find nearly everything at Off Site is house-made—and what’s not has been impeccably curated to make you happy. A brewpub for chill locals and industry folks, Off Site also hosts wine tastings, live music and pop-ups from some of the city’s best.

Drink this: Super Good Lager

The co-owner of NIU Kitchen, a cozy, Catalonian spot on a quiet strip of Downtown, Karina Iglesias created NIU Wine after running a successful pandemic pop-up shop out of the same space. Today, NIU Wine functions as a standalone wine bar that feels plucked straight from the cobblestoned sidewalks of coastal Spain. Stop in before your next reservation at NIU Kitchen next door, or take your time here experimenting with new bottles over tapas—they're all good here.

Drink this: Don't be shy about asking for recommendations; it's sort of Iglesias' thing. And be sure to purchase a few bottles to go; they're sold at retail price. 

To be fair, not everyone will appreciate the vibe of the “darkest bar in Miami.” A whole lot of you probably won’t get a dive bar where the specialty is called “thumb bits.” You’re probably going to hover there in the door waiting for something to open up finally, and you might not like that one bit. But Fox’s Lounge is so steeped in wood-paneled nostalgia—it originally opened in 1946—that you immediately feel like it has always been your place. The cocktails here are from a previous generation, as simple and tidy as a 1950s suburban lawn. The Gibson is not messing around, just gin, dry vermouth and pickled onions.

Order this: The dirty martini, which comes with a bit extra in a tiny glass goblet sitting in an ice bath, ready for a top-off. 

Iconic gay mega-club Twist remains a reliable spot to let your hair down without worrying about the South Beach posturing that goes on at other velvet rope clubs. (True to its tagline: “Never a cover, always a groove.”) For a more low-key vibe, stop in during daily happy hours from 3 to 9pm, when drinks are served up two-for-one. The real party starts late-night at this two-level mecca boasting seven different bars.

Drink this: Vodka soda

An elegant waterfront offering in Brickell Key where the bartenders really know their stuff, MO Bar at the Mandarin Oriental caters to the glamorous set and boasts one of the best panoramic skyline views in the city. For a livelier atmosphere, stop in on a Saturday, when MO Bar hosts live music. It’s one of those iconic Miami spots that always delivers on a special occasion.

Drink this: A glass of champagne

Miami needs more wine bars and Margot hits the spot with nearly 100 labels of the natural stuff. We’re talking low-intervention varietals, organic vinos and wines sourced from small producers. Basically, everything in this bi-level wine nook is a delight to drink. It’s an overwhelming menu but there’s always an eager somm ready to guide you on your natural wine journey. On the flip side, the food selection is designed by Chef Hedy Goldsmith and is small but tightly edited to better serve your experience. Go for one of the cheeses and a crudo, and wing the rest.

Drink this: Any of the chilled reds

Modeled after Tokyo Music Bar in Mexico City, Miami's latest low-key listening lounge boasts a hi-fi sound system assembled in the U.K. and customized in Japan. Designed by Edo Kobayashi in collaboration with Baja Restaurant Group, Miami Sound Bar brings together audiophiles in Downtown to experience vinyl records in a relaxed, intimate and dimly space. Broken Shaker alum Gil Borenshtein presides over the cocktail program.

Drink this: The Blind Melon cocktail, made with tequila, ancho verde, Midori, honeydew, agave and lime

The city’s tallest (and buzziest) rooftop bar sits on the 40th floor of Brickell’s East, Miami, where the views and the drink prices are equally soaring. Even if you’re the one footing the bill for the Asian-inspired cocktails (they average around $18 a pop), the vantage point is hard to beat. Splurge on the tequila-based Jasmine or the vodka-soaked Lychee Blossom, then relax in one of the lounge setups amid the beautiful gardenscape.

Drink this: East of Miami

Running counter to Miami’s recent crop of members-only clubs and overpriced offerings, laidback ZeyZey hosts community-driven programming, outdoor performances and vibey DJ parties on weekend nights in Little River. The cocktail menu is helmed by Esther Merino, a globally recognized beverage personality and recipe developer, while the culinary program, curated by partner and executive chef Sebastian Vargas, features a rotating selection of Miami’s rising hospitality stars.

Drink this: The latest frozen selection

In a small sea of college dives and upscale gastrobars, the Taurus stands out. This cool little whiskey joint in Coconut Grove serves an extensive selection of scotches, bourbons and all sorts of caramel-colored spirits—ranging in flavor from smooth to put-hair-on-your-chest strong. They also have a wide selection of beers on tap and bottled, plus a large outdoor patio and one of the best burgers in town.

Drink this: Dealer’s choice

Located inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, the Cleat is the blissfully laidback yet chic waterfront bar Key Biscayne was missing. Whether you’re stationed at the gorgeous terrazzo bar or slung back on an Adirondack chair with your toes in the sand, every seat is the best seat in the house to enjoy panoramic ocean views with your ice-cold drink, especially during sunset. Though there is limited covered seating, the entire place is outdoors, so do mind the weather if you’re making a trek out to the Cleat.

Drink this: a Piña Colada

This breezy Little Havana rooftop perched at the Lifehouse Hotel offers one of the best zoomed-out views of Miami’s sprawling skyline. For picture-perfect sunset cocktails and bites, get cozy among the twinkling bistro lights, oversize umbrellas and couch set-ups scattered about the lush, bohemian digs. Check out Terras’ herb garden while you’re up there. All kinds of veggies and herbs are grown and plucked to flavor cocktails and for the many plant-based dishes on the menu.

Drink this: Guavaloma

Out of all the Miami food halls, Wynwood's 1-800-Lucky definitely turns up the loudest. Chinese barbecue and fish-shaped ice cream cones are far from the biggest draws at this 10,000-square-foot Asian marketplace-themed concept. In addition to a private karaoke room and onsite convenience store with basic gas station needs like cigarettes and Red Bull, Lucky's patio bar plays host to big-name DJs, high-key ladies' nights and more.

Drink this: Tropical kiss

This 11th-floor cocktail bar on the rooftop of the citizenM Miami Worldcenter Hotel comes courtesy of Freehold Hospitality. That’s the same team behind the bar-turned-event-space Freehold Miami in Wynwood, and the original Freehold bar and cafe in Brooklyn, NY. Similar to those spots, Night Swim gives off a laidback, unpretentious vibe despite being one of the coolest new bars in town—with very good happy hours and arguably the best rooftop view around.

Time Out tip: The breezy indoor-outdoor bar looks directly to Kaseya Center (it’s just a two-minute walk downstairs), making it an ideal stop before or after a Heat game or a concert (show your tickets at the bar for 25% off).