Miami is one of the best places in Florida for great nightlife. Bars and nightclubs appealing to all kinds of tastes abound, whether you’re looking for gay-friendly venues, salsa music, southern sounds, or all three. Then there are numerous casinos to tempt you and movie theaters for a more sedate night out.
As one of the largest cities in the southeast United States, Miami is also the base for many cultural institutions, such as the Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and the New World Symphony Orchestra. There are also large numbers of universities and colleges around the city, and they too provide venues for all kinds of public performances.
Casinos
Casino Miami
3500 NW 37th Avenue, Miami; tel: 305-633-6400; www.casinomiamijaialai.com
One of the city’s newer casinos, with a 1,000 of the latest slot machines, an area for electronic table games, sports betting and live jai alai games. There’s also a restaurant, the Club Rio entertainment venue, and a Whiskies Bar with cheap drinks.
100 E 32nd St, Hialeah; tel: 305- 885-8000; http://hialeahparkcasino.com
The casino was added to the historic Hialeah Park Race Track in 2013. It has almost 900 slots, a stylish 33-table Poker Room, electronic table games, and of course the chance to take in some racing and enjoy the racetrack’s various restaurants, bars and live entertainment.
Magic City Casino
450 NW 37th Avenue, Miami; tel: 305-649-3000; www.magiccitycasino.com
Magic City is one of the longest established casinos in town and has over 800 slots, 19 tables in the Poker Room, greyhound racing at the 80-year-old Flagler Dog Track from June to October, a restaurant and buffet, a bar and lounge, and live entertainment.
A game of poker at the Hialeah Casino
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Bill Cosford Cinema
5030 Brunson Drive, Coral Gables; tel: Programming/Scheduling 305-284-9838, Box Office 305-284-4627; www.cosfordcinema.com
This single-screen art-house cinema on the University of Miami campus has been in existence for 60 years, and you might find visiting moviemakers like Jon Landis and Kevin Spacey talking about their films too.
Cinépolis Coconut Grove
CocoWalk, 3015 Grand Ave, Miami; tel: 305-446-6843; http://cinepolisusa.com/coconut-grove.aspx
Home to the Miami International Film Festival, this multi-screen cinema with reserved seating is one for the indulgent and social movie experience. It has a bar and lounge with beer and wine, and you can take your snacks and drinks in with you into four of the screens, which have leather chairs with swivel tray tables.
Coral Gables Art Cinema
260 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables; tel: 786-472-2249; www.gablescinema.com
If you prefer independent movies and foreign films then this is one of the biggest and most comfortable art cinemas in southern Florida. They screen classic revivals too, as well as special events like late-night seasons, or themed seasons like 20th-Century Women.
Miami Beach Cinematheque
1130 Washington Ave, Miami Beach; tel: 305-673-4567; http://mbcinema.com
Small and quirky cinema designed like someone’s living room, with stripped wood flooring, bookshelves, and prints on the walls. Based in the 1927 City Hall it is home to the Miami Beach Film Society, so expect a quality arthouse program. There’s also a café, a bookstore/library, and an art gallery.
O Cinema Wynwood
90 NW 29th St, Miami; tel: 305-571-9970; www.o-cinema.org/venue/o-cinema-wynwood
With its front-row sofas and cheap prices, this is one of the most popular independent cinemas, showing indie and foreign films, but also has family shows and classic revivals. It has a café and bar. Also branches in Miami Shores and North Beach.
Tower Theater Miami
1508 SW 8th St, Miami; tel: 305-643-8706; www.towertheatermiami.com
This unique cinema in Little Havana was the biggest state-of-the-art theater in the whole of the south when it opened in 1926. Despite its grandeur it keeps its prices cheap, and it also has a number of free showings.
The well-established Bill Cosford Cinema
Patrick Farrell/Visit Florida
601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami; tel: 786-777-1000; www.aaarena.com
This is Miami’s main music and sports venue where the big-name acts play. It’s also home to the Miami Heat basketball team and has hosted several NBA Finals.
Ball and Chain
1513 SW 8th St, Miami; tel: 305-643-7820; https://ballandchainmiami.com
This classic venue in Little Havana was a nightclub from 1935 through to the 1950s, attracting performers like Billie Holliday, but today it hosts some of the best live Latin American music around. Watch out for the Sunday afternoon shows too.
Bardot
3456 N Miami Ave, Miami; tel: 305-576-5570; http://bardotmiami.com
Bardot is a well-known and very cool Miami lounge with a mix of live music and DJs, and a mix of styles from electronic through to acoustic singer-songwriter, so be sure to check the program. Allow a little time to find the unmarked entrance, too. Affordable but inventive cocktail list, and front-of-stage sofa seating are big draws.
Churchill’s Pub
5501 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami; tel: 305-757-1807; www.churchillspub.com
In Little Haiti, this legendary Miami bar has been going strong since 1979. The Monday night Miami Jazz jam features pretty much every style of music on its calendar, with live music every night of the week. It’s a great showcase for local bands but also the kind of place where big names might appear for the fun of it when they’re in town.
Gramps Bar and Music
176 NW 24th St, Miami; tel: 305-699-2669; www.gramps.com
This fashionable bar and music venue hosts live acts and DJs, but comedy also features high. There’s patio dining outside and air-conditioning inside. Open till 3am Thur−Sat.
Hoy Como Ayer
2212 SW 8th St, Miami; tel: 305-541-2631; tel: www.hoycomoayer.us
One of the best places in Little Havana to hear authentic Cuban music − and drink mojitos – ‘Today as yesterday’ lives up to its name with truly eclectic music from traditional styles to modern rock and pop. You can also get food from a simple menu, but it’s a small place so go early.
Klipsch Amphitheater at Bayfront Park
301 Biscayne Blvd, Miami; tel: 305-358-7550; www.klipsch.com/klipsch-amphitheater-at-bayfront-park
This waterfront auditorium seats 7,500 people and is the perfect concert venue on a fine Miami day or evening. The concerts are only occasional events but worth watching for as they’ve featured artists as diverse as Robert Plant, John Legend, the Marley Brothers, and Maroon 5.
Lagniappe
3425 NE 2nd Ave, Miami; tel: 305-576-0108; www.lagniappehouse.com
This no-reservations, New Orleans-style restaurant and wine bar hosts live music at 9pm every night, from bluegrass to jazz to Latin American.
Mango’s Tropical Café
900 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; tel: 305-673-4422; www.mangos.com/miami
Mango’s has become a Miami institution since opening in 1991, and though it’s the kind of place that appeals more to visitors than locals, it is a terrific night out. The location is right by the water, and the interior was decorated by artists from Haiti. The rest is a mix of Caribbean and Latin American − the food, the cocktails, the showgirls, and the nightly music.
The pineapple stage in the back courtyard at Ball and Chain
Patrick Farrell/Visit Florida
The Electric Pickle
2826 N Miami Ave, Miami; tel: 305-456-5613; http://electricpicklemiami.com
The Electric Pickle is an eclectic curiosity, opening at 10pm and not closing till 5am Wed−Sat. It’s geared to both live music and nightclub dance events, doing them both really well, but check the program first. There are also inexpensive (by Miami standards) cocktails.
LIV@Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; tel: 305-674-4680; www.livnightclub.com
Voted one of the ten best nightclubs in the world, if you only go to one club in Miami, make it this one. The interior is spectacular and attracts VIPs and the beautiful people.
Mynt Lounge
1921 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; tel: 305-532-0727; www.myntlounge.com/web
This vast South Beach club has an Ultra Lounge for celebs and VIPs only. Dress your best if you hope to get through the door to enjoy the DJs, the hip-hop, and the go-go dancers.
STORY Nightclub
136 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; tel: 305-479-4426; http://storymiami.com
Consistently rated as one of the best nightclubs in the city, STORY has five bars, sixty VIP tables, state-of-the-art sound, a big dance floor, bottle service, and a reputation for attracting both the newest and the best DJs.
Twist
1057 Washington Ave, Miami Beach; tel: 305-538-9478; www.twistsobe.com
Twist is one of the best gay clubs in Miami with seven bars spread over two levels as well as DJs and drag queens.
Go to Hoy Como Ayer for authentic Cuban music and mojitos
Patrick Farrell/Visit Florida
Theatres and Performing Arts
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami; tel: 305-949-6722
Miami boasts the second-biggest performing arts center in the US, after New York’s Lincoln Center. It’s the home of the Miami City Ballet, the Florida Grand Opera and has several auditoriums offering a wide range of music, drama, comedy, cabaret, and other genres.
Colony Theater
Lincoln Road Mall, 1040 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach; tel: 1-800-211-1414; www.colonymb.org
First opened in 1935 as a cinema, this Art Deco gem has recently been expensively restored to its glorious best and makes a wonderful venue for the Miami New Drama group which manages the theater.
Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater
1700 Washington Ave, Miami Beach; tel: 305-673-7300; www.fillmoremb.com
Artists such as Tony Bennett and Sting have performed here, and this Art Deco venue also features comedy and drama. This is where the Jackie Gleason TV show was broadcast from in the 1950s, and is now one of the city’s main theaters.
500 17th St, Miami Beach; tel: 305-673-3330; www.nws.edu
Designed by Frank Gehry, this is the home for Miami’s New World Symphony and features dance as well as classical music concerts.
174 E Flagler St, Miami; tel: 305-374-2444; www.olympiatheater.org
This historic venue opened in 1926 and over the years has hosted stars ranging from The Marx Brothers to BB King. There are free events every Wednesday evening in the Lobby Lounge, as well as drama and movie shows.
South Miami−Dade Cultural Arts Center
10950 SW 211 St, Miami; tel: 786-573-5316; www.smdcac.org
Contemporary arts in a contemporary arts center, this is the kind of place where you never know quite what to expect − dance, comedy, drama, food trucks, festivals, kids shows, visiting artists, and more.
601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami; tel: 786-777-1000; www.aaarena.com
Housed within the AmericanAirlines Arena, the Waterfront is the largest theater in Florida with seating for up to 5,800 people and stages a wide variety of concerts, musicals and family events.